This guide walks you through making a complete track — from capturing your first sample to exporting a finished file. Each chapter covers one step. Work through them in order, or jump to wherever you got stuck.
Chapters
Chapter 0
Before You Start
The five screens and tray drawer, how they connect, and what you'll build.
Chapter 1
Project & Tempo
Start from the Gallery and set the tempo for your track.
Chapter 2
Capture a Sample
Grab audio from any app, record live, use stem separation, or import files.
Chapter 3
Chop & Shape
Slice your sample across 64 pads and 8 banks, filter it, and build a playable instrument.
Chapter 4
Build a Beat
Program drums with the AI pattern generator, step sequencer, and piano roll.
Chapter 5
Arrange
Chain patterns, add automation, markers, and lay everything out on the timeline.
Chapter 6
Export
Pick from 6 export formats and get the file off your phone.
Chapter 7
What's Next
Try the synthesizer, plugins, and settings once you've got the basics down.
FAQ
What is ESSNCE?
ESSNCE is a free audio production studio for Android. It lets you capture audio from any app, chop samples, program drums with a step sequencer and AI pattern generator, arrange tracks with automation, play the synthesizer, use hum-to-notation, and export in FLAC, WAV, MP3, or MIDI. No subscriptions, no locked features.
Is ESSNCE really free?
Yes. Every feature is free — the sampler, the sequencer, the effects, the exports. There is no premium tier, no trial period, and no ads.
Can I sample audio from Spotify or YouTube on my phone?
ESSNCE has system audio capture that records whatever your phone is playing. Open a music source, switch to ESSNCE, and hit record. The captured audio goes straight to your sampler pads. Note: DRM-protected content may not capture due to Android audio policy restrictions.
What export formats does ESSNCE support?
FLAC lossless, WAV 24-bit, WAV 16-bit, MP3 320kbps, MP3 128kbps, and MIDI. No watermarks or quality restrictions.
Do I need music production experience to use ESSNCE?
No. This crash course walks you through making a complete track from scratch. The AI pattern generator can create genre-specific drum patterns (boom-bap, trap, house, drill, lo-fi, reggaeton, afrobeats) so you don't need to program beats from nothing. You can also hum a melody and ESSNCE converts it to notation — no music theory required.
What Android version do I need?
Android 8.0 or higher (API 26). The app is about 11 MB.