Random Sample Generator

Getting Started

1. Hit Generate Sample — the app picks a random public-domain recording from the Internet Archive or Wikimedia Commons, cuts a clip at a random point, and plays it instantly.
2. Use the search bar to narrow results by keyword, genre, instrument, mood, or decade (e.g. "1940s jazz trumpet" or "ambient rain").
3. Adjust the Sample Length slider to set the minimum and maximum clip duration (0.5 s – 20 s).
4. Download WAV saves a lossless 16-bit PCM file you can drop straight into any DAW or sampler.
5. Save to Favorites bookmarks the clip's metadata so you can re-listen or re-download it later — even after a page reload.
6. Recent automatically logs the last 20 clips you generated for quick reference.

Tips

• If generation fails, hit Generate Again — the Archive contains millions of files and occasional CORS or decode errors are normal.
• Specific searches work best: try "delta blues slide guitar" rather than just "blues".
• Field recordings, old radio broadcasts, and classical orchestras are especially well-represented in the Archive.
• The WAV file encodes the exact clip you heard — what you preview is exactly what you download.

Browser Compatibility

• Works in any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). No plug-ins or server required.
• All audio processing runs locally in your browser via the Web Audio API.