4ms Stereo Triggered Sampler Eurorack Module (20 HP)

4ms 4MSTRTRGSMPL Overview

Record and playback high-resolution audio files with the 4ms Stereo Triggered Sampler, a high-fidelity two-channel stereo sample recorder and playback module with advanced performance capabilities in Eurorack format. The module features two independent playback channels with mono and stereo modes for flexibility in operation and mixing.

The STS can record and play back stereo WAV files up to 96 kHz / 32-bit, and a maximum of 600 samples can be loaded at one time from the removable microSD card. All sample parameters (pitch, sample file selection, length, and start position) are CV controllable, and trigger jacks for play/record and reverse allow for synchronization. The Stereo Triggered Sampler module ships with a ribbon power cable, mounting screws, a microSD card, and an SD-card adapter.

Stereo Triggered Sampler

A maximum of 600 samples can be loaded at once, arranged into banks of 10 samples each. Samples and banks can be rearranged on the fly using the simple on-oard Edit features. Newly recorded samples can be instantly played back and repitched, reversed, chopped up, etc. The result of which can even be bounced down and rerecorded to as a new sample. Sample files are limited to 4GB each, which is over 6 hours at 44 kHz / 16-bit / stereo.

• Hundreds of samples included on microSD card
• Extremely quiet, low noise and low jitter design
• Stereo or Mono Operation:
  • Stereo mode: Two stereo files are mixed and played through the L and R output jacks (L+L and R+R)
  • Mono mode: Each file is mixed to mono and output through the channel s output jack (L+R and L+R)
• Firmware can be updated by playing an audio file into the STS

Two Independent Playback Channels

Each playback channel has a knob and CV jack for Sample File selection, as well as a Start Position knob and CV jack for controlling where in the sample playback will begin. The Length knob and CV jack determine how much of the sample is played back: from tiny grains, to percussive hits, to longer loops, or the entire file. These are powerful tools for rearranging a sample, joining multiple samples, and creating dynamically resized loops within a larger sample. Combined with the Play Trigger jack and the 1V/oct jack, the STS can be two complete multitimbral pitch-tracked stereo voices. There s also a Reverse button and jack for backwards playback, and an End Out jack for synchronizing loops, or cascading sample playback with other events.

• Each channel can output in mono or stereo through the shared L/R jacks
• Play button / trigger jack: Tapping the button or receiving a trigger starts/restarts the sample
• When Length is set to All, the Play button starts/stops the sample
• Sample CV/knob: Select a sample within the channel s bank
• 1V/Oct CV and Pitch knob: Playback pitch (-10 to +4.3 octave range)
• Start Pos CV/knob: Position in the sample to begin playback (loop start point)
• Length CV/knob: Playback time (loop end point)
• Length knob at max: Entire file is played
• Length knob 50 99%: 200 ms to 5 sec of the sample is played (beginning at the Start Position)
• Length knob < 50%: Percussive decay envelope is applied to the playback (attack-only envelope if playing Reverse)
• Length < 1%: Tiny grains are played (can be used to sweep through sample file data manually)
• Reverse button/jack: Toggles forward/backwards
• Bank button: Selects channel s bank
• Tip: Hold Bank and turn the Sample knobs for fast selection of bank
• Edit button allows basic onboard editing features:
• Set loop/trim points with Scrub Start and Scrub End
• Set gain (boost/cut from 10 to 500%)
• Reorganize samples with Next File
• Move samples around within a bank
• Assign files from any folder on the microSD card into any sample slot (subfolders are ignored)
• Copy sample to multiple slots, each with their own Loop/Trim/Gain settings
• Reverse+Start Pos button/knob combo allows for setting volume of each channel independently.
• Maximum file size for playback: 4GB per file (6.7 hours per file at 44.1 kHz / 16-bit / stereo)
• microSD Card is hot-swappable when Busy light is off: no power-down required to change cards.
• Samples that are preloaded into memory can continue playing while card is swapped.

Recording Channel

Whether you patched 47 modules to create the ultimate percussive blast, or want to capture your four-hour ambient performance, recording high-quality WAV files on the STS is simple. Just hit the REC button or fire a trigger and a new stereo WAV file will be created on the SD card. Do as many takes as you need: the STS never deletes your files. Reordering or rearranging samples into banks is easy, even without a computer. You can even fill a bank with 10 different variations and immediately use them for playback. By default, the STS records at 44.1 kHz / 16-bit, with an option to record at up to 96 kHz.

• Stereo recording can be simultaneous to operation of Play channels
• Easily record output of sample playback, bouncing a play session into a new sample file
• Recording initiated by button or trigger
• Monitor mode lets you check the signal before starting a recording
• Record into any sample slot in any bank
• Every recording is saved as a WAV file on the microSD Card and can be played back instantly
• Edit features allow you to manually browse all the takes, and assign them to banks/sample slots
• Recording can be disarmed to prevent accidental recordings
• 44.1 kHz / 24-bit stereo or 16-bit stereo recording, selectable in System Mode
• Unlimited recording time (records continuously until card is full)
• 256GB card = 18 days of continuous recording (432.9 hours)
• Audio data is split into maximum 4GB WAV files on the microSD card

File Organization

Using a computer is completely optional with the STS, since samples can be recorded directly to the module and placed into the bank of your choosing. But for users with large existing sample banks, the intuitive automatic bank loading features make dragging and dropping your entire sample library a snap. You never have to rename your files again.

• Ships with a high-speed 16GB microSD card loaded with hundreds of samples created for 4ms from musicians such as Richard Devine, Wobbly, Moor Mother, Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe, Joseph Pailo, Russell E.L. Butler, Hugo Paris & Marc Kate, Paul Barker, Baseck, Animal Collective, Cristian Vogel, Jay E, Marcus Fischer, Chris Carter, Daedelus, Nero Bellum, Anna Sitko, Thomas Fang, Bogdan Raczynski, and more
• Intuitive bank/color organization system no need to rename your WAV files
• Record new samples directly to a bank with the Record input jacks or drag your folders of sound files onto the microSD card, and each folder will become a bank
• Folders starting with a color name will be loaded into that color bank. (Example: Blue - Frooty Loops will load into the Blue bank)
• Subfolders are ignored, only folders in the root directory are scanned for WAV files
• Works best with UHS Speed Class 3 cards with |3| symbol printed on the card

Eurorack Ready

• 20 HP Eurorack format module
• Maximum Depth: 0.98" (25mm)
• Includes power ribbon cable with 10-pin Eurorack power header
• Power consumption: +12V: 145mA, -12V: 39mA