Not sure why ADSR Sample Manager isn't getting more love. Its free, and has a Standalone and Plugin version with DAW sync. Super easy to use in Ableton.

 

Resonic is great. You can drag n drop in and out of the main window into any other window (even a DAW), so organising files is easy. The paid version (about 70€) adds sample editing and slicing, amongst other things. It's honestly the fastest sample browser/player I've come across, and I've tried all the ones mentioned so far in this thread (even Total Commander).

Edit: Oh, and you can get a free 3 month trial of the paid version too (and even ask for an extension after).

 

It lets you create folders and move copy files, but it is slower to create them than in the explorer

 

Just fake name and real email ..it takes 2min... Then download

 

alot of times i still end up using trusted old Total commander. Even for searching for specific sample.
its not optimal at all, but it gets the job done.

 

I've been a user of XYPlorer 'pro' for many years now and I couldn't do anything without it. I organise all my samples, tracks, folders everything with XY. There are so many incredible features to XY that I wouldn't know where to start, not just for music files but for everything that I do on a PC. You can label files and folders, create unlimited tags, preview, search, organize ... it goes on and on and on. With the scripting functions you can create custom little scripts that do almost anything. Tasks that take ages using Windows can be scripted and just work with one click, it's simply amazing.

I also use Sononym because of its search function based on 'sound alike' files. I find that really useful, but I still use XYPlorer to actually organise samples and folders for all the work that I do. I tried Resonic a while back. It's ok but not particularly spectacular. I had an email chat with the developer and he assured me that library functions and tagging etc. were on the way soon. I paid in full, waited a few years, still no great improvement. I gave up on it and haven't used it for probably 2 or 3 years now, Sononym is way better and costs about the same. Another one that's better than Resonic and still costs less is RYAudio Sample Librarian. I've also owned that for many years. The search functions are great but only based on file names, but you can tag samples and add them to collections. It's not as good as Sononym but still better than Resonic in my opinion. I guess it all depends on how you like to work. What's right for me won't necessarily be right for you.

All in all, if I had to choose just one file explorer to pay for it would be XYPlorer with no hesitation. For the hours upon hours of work it's saved me over the many years I've used it I'd have been happy to pay 10 times the price Don (the developer) charges for it. I bought XY with audio work in mind and intended it only for that purpose, but I have to be honest and say that now I can't imagine doing anything (I mean literally anything at all) on a PC without XYPlorer.

I was going to add that I don't get anything from Don for recommending XYPlorer, but actually in a weird way I do. I bought the software, I've never used it for free, but Don is always on the user forums answering questions and coming up with solutions for his clients. Over the years I've asked for his help many times. Each and every time he's made the effort to respond, always coming up with a solution and even updating the software to include suggestions for new features. Come on, how good is that?? As I'm typing this, XYPlorer is doing a scripted full back up of my default audio work folders onto 3 separate external hard drives. A tiny script I wrote in a few years ago - one click and it goes off doing its thing. Wonderful!

 

Cubase Mediabay. Best for sample management for tagging, playback, live time warping of loops and Key transposition to fit the loops in the correct key of your song while previewing...

Nothing Better....

 

can you move files (from folder to another) and create folders in mediabay ?

 

can you run XY Portable?
_
have you experience with XLN XO?
Seems its more of a creative tool than organizing.

 

Yes. You can set up all your preferences then copy XY onto a portable flash drive and use it anywhere with all your settings. For me the big time savers are file/folder tagging, labels, bulk renaming, branch viewing of files multiple folders deep all at once etc. etc. It's *not* specifically for audio work (no waveform displays) it's for general file work on any PC, but I seriously couldn't even begin to think about how much work and time it's saved me over the years. There's a learning curve, but that's to be expected with something so powerful.

 

You can also press F3, see bottom row.

 

HI I'm a little late but I cam across your post. DISCLAIMER: I'm the developer behind it.

Since 2010 I was developing Breezer form Windows, was a commercial product, but then the development was halted (long story here). Now I release a new version and this time, free, without installer (is a portable app) for Windows.

I have few plans for it, and I listen carefully to any feedback. Now I have few devs that can help me on specific task so let see how it will go.

You can find out more here: Audio Library Manager | Revel Breezer rebirth (wixsite.com)

It can perform text searches, has a hierarchical tag library, multiple database support, waveform view, custom loops, ASIO support, it can copy, move files or folders, you can even copy any file tagged with a specific tag in a folder you choose (a life saver if you have to sent to your customer all the assets).

And much more.

Give it a try and tell me what you think.