[sdiy] Anyone ever build a sampler?

[Theo]

There is also the Elektor sampler by C. Assall and Dieter D. (1986)
Don't think it was published in the magazine but there was a book (german).
Sound-Sampler, ISBN 3-921608-44-9 Elektor Verlag GmbH, 5100 Aachen

Basically it was a modular 8 bit sampler with CV or optional midi control.
Modules are;
- Record module, only one needed
- Playback module, 32Kb ram + CEM 3320 VCF and DA
- Loop module, needed if you want to use sample loops
- High Speed VCO card, for generating the sample clock.
- Computer control unit (CCU), replaces the HSVCOs
- Optional compressor/expander card, for better dynamic range.

The number of voices depend on the number of playback modules and you may
cascade playback modules for longer sampling times.
The VCF is used as the anti alliasing filter and tracks the HSVCO.
However it is also possible to use the VCF for synthesis.
There are CV inputs on the VCF and VCA (= the reverence voltage of the DA),
but EGs are not included.
Also missing is a resonance control, but this is not too difficult to add
cause the 3320 does include a CV input for resonance control.

With the CCU installed the front panel controls are not used.
In return you get full computer control over all parameters except cutoff
and gives the option to store samples.
The computer is a C64 and came with a good set of editing and synthesis
software.
Midi was supplied by the C64.

I have the schematics and PCB layouts, but at the moment the whole book is a
bit too bulky for me to scan/copy.
Also it might be a problem to get hold of the software there days,
but the CV version (no CCU) might be more interesting to build anyway as it
will blend into a modular system.
Hooking up the sampler to a parallel port of a PC for sample storage should
be no big deal.

Theo



From: Steve Ridley <spr at spridley.freeserve.co.uk>

> > I was hoping to hear a higher ratio of direct responses, but I guess
> building
> > gear like this is a bit alien to a lot of the people on this list.
>
> There was a sampler kit as part of the Tantek rack effects range.
> I think it was covered as a construction article in "Home Studio
> Recording" magazine in the late 1980s.  I think it was a basic
> monophonic thing aimed mainly at percussion and effects.  If
> anyone's seriously interested, maybe I may be able to find the
> magazine (they're in storage at the moment).
>
>
> Steve Ridley
>
>