Ginkosynthese Sampleslicer MkIII Eurorack Sampler Module

Manufacturer's description

The Sampleslicer is 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.

It has been a while that the SAMPLESLICER became a classic and a sought after module. Due to the obsolete chipset chosen on the MKI and MKII I was not able to continue building these beauties. Meanwhile I am frequently asked about their availability. Let's make use of modern times and bring the Samplesicer back to live on another level!

The MKIII is born and the SControl is added to the line! What is new:

• SD card: to load and save samples.
• STYLE: sample playback character.
• REC SYNC: start sampling quantized to a clock pulse.
• PUNCH IN: rewrite chosen individual slices instead of all 16 at once.
• MONITOR: mix the incoming audio with the played back samples to the output.
• REVERSE: the samples can now be played backwards
• STEREO: instead of mono
• And the SControl, a complete new, different way to record and control your recorded samples.

What does it do?

The SAMPLESLICER MKIII is a real-time monophonic STEREO sampler, including a 16 step voltage-controlled sequencer. The incoming sound is chopped up automatically into 16 parts by the internal or external clock signal and spread out over the 16 steps in the internal sequencer. 

How long can it sample?

The length of the recorded sample is set by a clock-divider which also functions a a "SPEED" control after recording, so the recording time is always linked to the incoming clock signal. You can choose between time divisions of /4, /3, /2/, 1, x2, x3, x4.

If the divider is set to 1 the sample time is equal to 16 incoming clock-pulses. If set to x2 the clock speed is doubled and 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 x3, as it will spread 6 clock pulses over 16 slices.

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 the 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.

What is more?

Before I dive in new options first have a look at the iconic frontpanel design that is clearly a follow up on the design of the MKII. The power of the Sampleslicer is the way you can play it like an instrument which goes beyond the way most samplers are used for.

My vision on the modular world is that you get most fun out of realtime created sounds. Therefor the MKI and MKII where not equipped with an SD card reader. But, the MKIII will be!

The interface and workflow is designed in a way that it still encourages to sample realtime but the samples can be saved just by selecting one of the 16 slots and one press on the "SAVE" button. Also loading a previous sampled sound is as easy as pressing "LOAD".

There are several added "MODE" functions. These are very easy to acces as they all have their dedicated push button.

• STYLE: sample playback character.
• REC SYNC: start sampling quantized to a clock pulse.
• PUNCH IN: rewrite chosen individual slices instead of all 16 at once.
• MONITOR: mix the incoming audio with the played back samples to the output.
• LOOP: select 1 shot or looping play mode.
• PITCH: select different pitch ranges for the pitch knob.

The new MKIII can play "REVERSE"! By pressing the reverse button the samples are played backwards. You can also control this with an external gate.

As many people requested the MKIII is stereo. While the MKI and MKII where mono samplers the MKIII samples in stereo.

Technical nerdy details

• The MKIII is running on a RP2040. The RP2040 is a 32-bit dual ARM Cortex M0+ microcontroller integrated circuit by Raspberry Pi Ltd.
• The AD/DA converter for the audio path is a high quality AK4558EN 32-bit 2 channel audio CODEC with PLL by Asahi Kasei Microdevices/AKM.
• The CV inputs are converted to 12bit.