https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ginkosynthese/sampleslicer
The Sampleslicer will be the ultimate realtime sampler for your modular system. No, it is not a sample player!
It is a real-time sampler/slicer for your modular Eurorack system, with features that move it far beyond the scope of a regular sample-player.
What does it do?
The Sampleslicer is a real-time monophonic sampler, including a 16 step voltage-controlled sequencer.The incoming sound is chopped up automatically into 16 parts by the incoming clock signal and spread out over the16 steps in the internal sequencer.
How long can it sample?
The length of the recorded sample is set by a clock-divider, so the recording time is always linked to the incoming clock signal. You can choose between time divisions of 2, 1½, 1, ¾, ½ and ¼.
If the divider is set to 1 the sample time is equal to 16 incoming clock-pulses.
If set to ½ the sample length is equal to 8 incoming clock-pulses, spread over 16 slices (so half the time). It will produce even more glitchy fun when set to ¾, as it will spread 12 steps over 16 slices. The maximum sample time is about 30 seconds and the minimum sample time is a fraction of a second for granular noises.
How does the sequencer work?
Inside the Sampleslicer there is a 16-step voltage controlled sequencer to play back the sound. Every step is dedicated to a 16th part of the recorded sound inside memory. When the 16 steps are full the sequencer starts playing from the chosen start point till the chosen amount of steps are played. This can be in one-shot mode or in loop mode for infinite looping.
The start point and play length is determined by potentiometers or CV input.
Last but not least the individual slices can be played back as notes via CV from a sequencer or keyboard, by setting the start point in V/oct mode and play length to 1.
How does the pitch work?
There is a control to pitch the slices up or down. The pitch control affects the overall pitch of the recorded material. It can be controlled via CV.
What only realtime sampling?
Our vision on the modular world is that you get most fun out of realtime created sounds. Out of principle we chose to make this module without a memory card reader. However, if we reach our Kickstarter goal we will most probably make an add-on for using memorycards. These add-ons will be compatible with the Sampleslicer via a header on the back.
What about the soundquality?
The sample rate is 12bit, just like the good old sampling madness days. A lovely sound with a slightly raw character without being gritty. For comparison: CD digital sound quality is 16bit, gameboys are 8bit, the E-mu Emulator is 8bit, E-mu Emax is 12bit, the MPC60 is 12bit, the AKAI S612 is 12bit, the AKAI S900 is 12bit, Oberheim DPX1 is 12bit and the EMU sp-1200 is 12bit too...
In order to maximize sound quality and creative usage possibilities, we choose not to place a low-pass filter in the audio output path. The digital-to-analog conversion process already gives a clean and rounded sound, and filtering would tend to take away some brightness.
It is designed to be part of a modular system so we leave it to you whether you like to patch the output through a filter or not.
So, no, it is not 24bit as we know in the mastering studio’s. Instead, it will remind you of the good old “hip hop" sounds from the 80's :) and it's lovely! In the end it’s an instrument by itself rather than a mastering tool.
What do we need the money for?
As there are some parts that are only available in SMD we need to contract a factory for assembling the core part of the Sampleslicer. It’s not possible to make a small batch. (That would simply make the module a lot more expensive than we will ever want to sell them for.) Therefore we can only make a bigger batch, and we’ll have to take a risk before we can sell them. We need to collect all parts to make the Sampleslicers, which costs money. Next to the SMD story we use high quality parts like Alps potentiometers - we really hate wobbly interfaces! The front panels will be made in the Netherlands and will be 2mm anodized aluminium panels. Instead of being screen printed, the graphics will be part of an anodized layer. This costs a little more money but the super high quality is worth the price. And of course we have spent many hours developing the Sampleslicer and making its production possible...
Last but not least: If we reach the goal it opens a way for us to develop more innovative modules!
I'd like to thank all people who contibuted to the Sampleslicer so far. First of all:
- Lisa Dalhuijsen of Studio With: she made the lovely Ginkosynthese website and always comments me about graphic designs in a positive way.
- Mels Lenstra: he is a genius codewriter and without him the Sampleslicer would have never existed
- All the people who commended on facebook, Muffwiggler and the Dutch synthforum .
AND YOU! THANKS! A dream is coming true!"
