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SAM-16 Sequential
Analogue Memory
high-end MIDI / analogue sequencer
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The SAM-16
is a high-end analogue and MIDI-sequencer with special emphasis
on tightness and intuitive handling. It has 16 steps, each with
the following controls:
- 3-position
toggle switch for trigger/mute/reset
- 12-position
rotary encoder for semitones/chords
- 3-position
toggle switch for transpositions
- control
for second parameter (i.e. filter)
- control
for third parameter (i.e. volume) or gate/step length
- 3-position
toggle switch for audio/CV routing between 2 busses and individual
input/ouput jacks
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A fundamental
problem of all sequencers using pots and electronic quantisation,
is that a control may be (unknowingly) set close to a switching point
of the quantizer, such that even a small (and inevitable) drift will
cause sudden and unwanted changes in the sequence. The use of rotary
encoders for setting the notes eliminates this problem, and - in conjunction
with the transpose-switches - it also allows a much more intuitive
and predictable control of the sequence. |
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The second
row of knobs controls MIDI-velocity. In addition to the normal mode
there are 6 special modes, in which the SAM-16 simultaniously or alternatingly
transmits on 2 MIDI-channels to allow velocity -crossfades and -switching. |
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The third
row can be used for various functions. It controls either step or
gate length, but can also generate another control voltage and/or
MIDI-controller (#1-14). In addition it is possible to feed it 1 or
2 audio/CV signals, that appear at the rows output with a different
attenuation/mix for each step. |
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With
the lower row of toggle switches audio and/or CV-signals can be routed
from or to 2 busses and 14 individual jacks. This can be used to create
´wave-sequences´ by routing various waveforms of a modular system´s
oscillators (or other audio sources) to the filter, or to activate
CV-modulations only for certain steps of a sequence. The row can also
control the gate length, or generate MIDI-switch-controllers (#64-74). |
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All rows
have CV-outputs (0-5V, pitch 1V/octave), rows 1 and 2 also have a
CV-input that is added to the values produced by the sequencer. These
modulations also influence the MIDI-output data. The input attenuator
for pitch modulation doubles as a global tranpose control with a 2-octave
range. |
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The build-in
MIDI-interface syncronises the SAM-16 to MIDI-clock or MIDI-notes
(!) and translates all settings into MIDI-data. Thus it is possible
to control classic analogue equipment as well as modern sound generators.
Also sequences and their transformations over time can be recorded
into a software sequencer for further editing, storage, and recall.
A special feature of the MIDI-section is the possibility to ´re-define´
the 12 positions of the pitch encoders, that is to assign any note
or chord (up to 7 notes) to each position. The timing control of the
SAM-16 also has some advanced options, such as the possibility to
wait untill the end of the current measure at any given step. This
allows convenient syncronisation even when changing the sequence length.
An ´alternating´-mode allows the sequence to be split into 2 halfes,
and to switch between them by hand or automatically after 1 - 15 runs.
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Only high-grade
controls and components are used in the SAM-16. The internal MIDI-software
has been carefully optimized for speed (latency < 0.1 mS) and reliability. |
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All CV-inputs/outpus
through 1/4"-jacks on the frontpanel, MIDI-In/Thru/Out on the back |
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19", 5 rack
units, depth (behind frontpanel): 105mm + plugs, external power supply |
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Price: €
2000 plus VAT & freight. 5 year warranty. Available
again in limited quantities !
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| "... blew
us off our chairs", "Creating sequences with this thing is pure fun",
"ultra-tight" (Keyboards 3/97) |
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"... the most elaborate
knob-sequencer", "... brings to a point all aspects of analogue
sequencer technology", "It is a delight to operate it, its artistic
value is enormous", "... is worth its high price" (Keys 10/97)
"... not from this world!" (Peter Kruder, Kruder&Dorfmeister)
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