ALM Squid Salmple User manual

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Manual Version: 0.12 (firmware:71)
ALM022
SQUID
SALMPLE
USER
GUIDE.
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ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Introduction 3.......................................................................................
Features 4--------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical Specifications 5-----------------------------------------------------
Operation 6...........................................................................................
Panel Layout 6----------------------------------------------------------------
Getting Started 7-------------------------------------------------------------
Channel Parameters 8---------------------------------------------------------
Assigning CV Control 11--------------------------------------------------------
Channel Operations 12--------------------------------------------------------
Recording Samples 13----------------------------------------------------------
Saving & loading Banks 15-----------------------------------------------------
Key Combos 18----------------------------------------------------------------
Patch Ideas 19.......................................................................................
Limited Warranty 20.............................................................................
Support 21.............................................................................................
APPENDIX 22.........................................................................................
I. Calibration / System info 22-------------------------------------------------
II. Firmware Updates 23-------------------------------------------------------
III. USB Support 23------------------------------------------------------------
IV. Included Sample Banks 24------------------------------------------------
VI. Thanks 24-----------------------------------------------------------------
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ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Introduction
The ‘Squid Salmpler’ is a Eurorack 8 channel audio & CV sampler. It is designed
for immediate real time sampling, editing and mangling within a modular context.
Taking influence from early hardware samplers,The Squid Salmple focuses on
usability & instinctive operation, incorporating a proven Pamela’s Workout style
user interface for minimal screen dependance & a fun, hands on experience.
With support for sampling and playback for both audio and CV, as well as CV
control of all parameters, on-the-fly bank loading & saving to USB, The Squid
Salmple brings a unique take on old school sampling into the modular realm
The Squid Salmple comes with a USB Stick containing approximately 90 banks
of original carefully curated royalty free samples.This includes a wide range of
sounds from classic drum machines & weird synths to field recordings & CV
modulations. Banks are provided by both ALM and some of our favourite artists and
friends including Mumdance, Solid Blake, Russell Haswell, Lauren Flax, Dave
Burraston (NYZ), Sue Zuki, Dungeon Acid, Sasha Lewis and Andrew Duff.
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ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Features
•8 independent channels, 4 DC coupled outputs (2 channels per out) and a mix
output (ac coupled)
•1 mono record input handling both CV and audio input signal from line to
modular level.
•Each channel has approx 11 seconds of 16 bit / 44.1Khz CD quality sample
time stored in low latency RAM.
•Each channel can have various parameters edited all in real time; bit depth,
rate, lo fi playback speed/pitch, amplitude level with a simple envelope, looping
with crossfade, playback direction, start, end and loop ‘cue' positions, multiple
cue groups and more.
•Three CV inputs allow for CV control to be assigned to any & multiple
parameters. Channels 6, 7 & 8 have dedicate 1v/oct input for control of pitch
(expect crunchy aliasing!).
•Sample record and channel destination can be controlled either by automated
patching or manually via UI controls.
•Save and load samples to USB keys as regular Wav format files arranged in
quick-to-use banks of 8 (Up to 99 per key).
•Easy firmware update via USB key.
•Skiff friendly with reverse power protection.
•Made in England,
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ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Technical Specifications
•Supply: +12V 300mA Max / -12v 35mA
•Size: 21 HP
•Depth: 38mm
•AKM audio codecs with 44.1khz / 16 bit quality audio (in & out)
•1-2ms trigger response time
•Approx -75db noise floor.
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ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Operation
Panel Layout
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Cues
Loop
Freq
Reverse
USB Func
1+2 Out 3+4 Out 5+6 Out 7+8 Out
V/Oct
V/Oct
V/Oct
Mix Out
Trigger
Level
Assign Assign
Clip!
Env
Quality
12345678
Signal
Rec
Trigger Inputs
Program
Outputs
CV Control
Sample In
CV 3
CV 2
Assign
CV 1
Chan
!"#$%&!'()*(+&
AC Coupled mix output
V/Oct pitch controls for
Channels 6,7 & 8.
Channel trigger inputsActive Channel selection
CV input and assigment
USB Flash Drive
slot
Program knob and
param selection buttons
DC Coupled output pairs
Sample signal input, activation and level controls
+5V Trigger output.

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Getting Started
The Squid Salmple works with a bank of 8 independent samples each having
their own channel and trigger input to initiate playback. Outputs are shared in both
fixed pairs and all together via an AC coupled mix output. The panel allows for the
user to quickly navigate between channels (via the program knob encoder or
channel selection button), preview channel samples (click program knob) and edit
various sample parameters (accessed via controls in centre and right of module).
Many of these parameter can also have CV control assigned.There are also controls
for populating channels either via loading from USB or via sampling an input signal.
The Salmple powers on to the channel selection screen. Firstly to load a sample
bank, with the supplied usb stick inserted, press the USB button and then turn the
program knob to select a bank, then click and select 'Load' from the menu clicking
the program knob again. The bank’s samples will load and then you will be returned
to the channel screen.
To cycle through and select a different channel, press the 'Chan' button or turn
the program control knob. Clicking the program control knob will play any sample
loaded for the currently selected channel. You can also start a channel’s sample
playing by patching a trigger into its associated input. Playback will come from the
mix output or the channel’s associated pair output (a cable patched in here will
remove from the mix output).
You can adjust various parameters for the current sample channel by repeatedly
pressing one of the relevant blue buttons to cycle through related grouped
parameters. Parameter values are then adjusted by turning the program knob. You
can return to the channel screen by pressing the channel button. Parameter
screens explained in next section.
Connect an audio source to the ‘Signal’ input and adjust the level control until
just before the red ‘clip’ LED lights. Press ‘rec’ once to arm the sampler and then
again to start sampling. Wait a few seconds and then press rec again to stop
sampling. Press program knob to play back the sample. Press ‘Cues’ to see the
waveform of your captured waveform. See the “recording Samples’ section for more
info on sampling. !
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ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Channel Parameters
This section covers editing parameters for the currently selected channel. You
can select a channel via pressing the ‘Chan’ switch, cycling the encoder whilst the
Channel screen is active or by patching a trigger into the Channel input.
You can move to the same parameter screen but for another channel by holding
the channel button down and turning the encoder.
Each of the blue button sections has the following parameters;
Quality - Bits
Adjust bit depth of played back sample.
Quality - Rate
Adjust the playback rate of the sample in khz.
Quality - Speed (not present on chans 6,7 & 8)
A linear playback speed control.
Quality - Quant (only present on chans 6,7 & 8)
This is a basic quantisation control for the playback speed.
Possible settings are;
•'NO' - No quantisation
•'12' - Quantisation to Chromatic 12 tones
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Parameter Name
Parameter Value
Active
Channel
LEVEL 8
30

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
•'OT' - Full per octave quantisation - this is useful for easily matching original
sample speed with controls.
Env - Level
Adjust the playback volume of a sample. At 50 is unity gain. below will attenuate,
above increase.
Use this setting to avoid digital clipping when mixed. Value defaults to 30 as to
conservatively avoid digital clipping.
Env -Decay
Add a simple decay envelope to the sample when set to less than 99.
If a sample is set to loop the envelope will effect the loop as a whole (rather than
single sample) with max decay time being 10 seconds.
Loop - Loop
The arrow indicates the current looping mode for the sample. A single forward
arrow indicates usual forward playback. An arrow with loop sample indicates basic
looping between sample loop and end points.
Both back and forward arrows indicates 'zig zag' type looping where sample
playback goes alternatively forwards then backwards between loop and end points.
Loop - X-Fade
Adds a simple cross fade between the sample end and loop points as to smooth
out loops.
Reverse - Reverse the sample.
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ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Cues - Start, End & Loop
Set the samples start, end and loop points
Repeatedly pressing the ‘Cues’ button will cycle between the channels samples
start, end and loop ‘cue’ points - i.e. where sample playback begins, ends and loops.
Twist the program knob to adjust selected cue point. Hold Func and twist
program knob to zoom in and out of the sample centred around the current cue
point. How far the cue point moves will be dependent on zoom level and encoder
acceleration.
The zoom level and position within the sample is indicated at the bottom of the
display. At maximum zoom level the actual sample offset value (in samples) is also
displayed.
Moving a start point beyond the loop point will also move the loop point forward.
Bringing the end point behind the loop point will bring the loop point backwards.
Cue Sets
Cue sets allow for multiple different sets (up to 32) of start, end and loop points
for the same channel. They can also overlap.You can then switch between them
both manually and via CV control.
Press Func + Cues button to access the 'cue sets' screen. Select 'Add' and click
program knob to add a cue set. Hold Func and click program knob to remove a set.
Select 'Split' to cut all sets into equal halves (useful for quickly cutting up loops
etc).
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Cue type
(start, end or loop)
Waveform
Cue set number (if sets)
Active
Channel
Cues
(solid - selected)
Zoom
level/position
START 8
2

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
To make cue a set active simply turn program knob to select it. If sample is
currently playing or recording it will be queued up for next triggered playback
otherwise it will change immediately.
To edit a cue set press the Cues button to go to the Cues screen. It will indicate
the current selected cue set in lower right of display.
If a Wav file has markers (aka cue points, pre-added in desktop audio editing
software) set on it these will automatically get imported and converted into cue
sets when the wav file is loaded.
V/Oct knob controls
Channels 6, 7 & 8 have a dedicated v/oct control and input.
When the pitch roughly matches the original sample speed a ‘tuning fork’ icon
will be displayed on the channel screen. To match precisely the original sampling
speed use the ‘Quant’ parameter under Quality.
Expect only 2-3 octaves of rough tracking with deliberate 'lo fi' sample and hold
style pitching (leading to crunchiness but artefacts & aliasing sometimes obviously
present on 'purer' sounds. Run through a filter to clean to taste.)
Assigning CV Control
CV control can be assign to any of the above parameters. There are 3 CV inputs
on the lower left of the module. CV inputs respond to voltages between 0 and 5v.
Voltages input outside of this range are safe but will be ignored.
With a parameter screen active that you want to assign to CV control, press the
relevant CV assign button.You can digitally adjust attenuation and offset for that
assignment by pressing Func + assign button for that CV input.
CV control of Reverse is a slightly different mapping. To assign/un-assign CV to
reverse, press & hold Reverse and the selected assign button.
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ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Channel Operations
As well as displaying the currently selected channel number, the screen also can
display some other info and perform some useful operations.
Channels 6, 7 & 8 will display a small ‘tuning fork’ icon if the frequency of the
sample is set close to the original sampling frequency (note: use Quant option for
precise matching).
If the Channel is set to reference the sample data of another channel - in which
case the referenced channel number is displayed to the right of the main channel
number. The referenced Channel can be set via holding 'Chan' button and turning
program knob.
A 'Cx' will be displayed to the left of the channel number if set to 'Choke'
another channel - 'x' being the Channel. You can set this by holding down the 'Chan'
and 'Env' Button and then turning the program knob.
!
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1
CHANNEL
x
...8C6
((Y))
Muted
Channel reference
Original sample
frequency
‘Choke’
destination

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Recording Samples
Samples are recorded into the current selected channel. Max sample time per
channel is 11 seconds. Quality is fixed at 16 bit 44.1khz mono. The existing sample
will be OVERWRITTEN - there is no undo if the recording is not previously saved to
USB.
Audio as well as CV can be recorded but can be tricky to precisely match levels
(for v/oct type sequences for example).
You can input anything from line level to modular level.
With an audio source connected (modular or line level) to the ‘signal' input
adjust thumb 'level' knob to just avoid clipping (red LED will light). Arm sampler by
pressing 'Rec' record button. Display will indicate sampler armed and ready. Press
record again to begin recording. The Display will show level and elapsed sample
time. Press the record button again to stop sampling. The channel will now contain
this new sample.
When starting recording a sample a gate will be emitted from the ‘Trigger’ output
(high whilst recording active). This can be used when sampling drum type modules
which are trigger activated.
Note:You can audition (preview) the
input source by pressing - Func + Rec
button to enable monitoring of the sample
input. The monitored audio can be heard
out of output number 8 (and mix output
unless 8 is patched out).
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Active indication
Sample destination
channel
‘Rec’
Pressed
Input Level
Sample
Time 01.8s...8
SAMPLE
ACTIVE
8
REC
SAMPLE
-ARMED-
PRESS
RECORD
8
Input level
LEVEL 8
30
MON

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Sampling can be automated by patching a trigger into the jack below the ‘Rec’
button as to initiate sampling.
The length of the trigger into the 'Rec' input defines how recording behaves. A
short ( < 500 ms) trigger will enable an internal envelope follower which will keep
sampling until the signal source appears to drop to zero. Triggers longer than
500ms this be treated as a gate with the recording continuing whilst the trigger is
high. if the maximum sample time is reached the sample will loop back back to the
beginning. Either recording type can also be stopped manually by pressing the
record button.
The destination channel can be controlled by a trigger patched into the Chan
input. A trigger signal will step through the active Chan.
Both these above features allow for automated bank creation.
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ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Saving & loading Banks
Samples are saved as .wav files to a USB stick. They follow a custom but simple
directory structure and naming convention which allows 99 banks of 8 samples per
usb key.
Sample banks exist within an /alm022 directory on the root of the USB stick.
Within this are numbered sub directories for each bank - named 'Bank 1'..'Bank 99'
etc. Within each bank directory are up to 8 wav files named chan-00X.wav with X
being the channel number. There is also an optional 'info.txt' text file which contains
the bank name (First 8 ascii characters of file).
Following this naming convention, you can manually add your own samples, just
make sure they are 16 bit and 44.1khz Otherwise they will be ignored. Stereo
samples become / treated as mono.
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ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
With USB stick plugged into front of the unit (on initial insertion you will need to
wait a few seconds for the stick to be registered - a small window will ‘pop up’
indicating initial USB access), Press the 'USB' button to access the initial USB
screen. Use the program knob to select a bank and then click the program knob to
select an operation to perform.
You can then perform one of the following options;
LOAD
Load a complete bank into ram.
SAVE
Save your current channel set up as a bank (potentially overwriting!). Parameter
data, cv settings etc will be saved with the Wav files as custom metadata.
LOAD 1
Load a single channel from a bank. Select the channel number from selected
bank. It will be loaded into the currently active channel slot.
SAVE 1
Save currently active single channel to a bank. Select the destination channel
number.
RENAME
Rename a bank. Use program knob to select characters. Press USB button to
commit the name, any other to abort operation.
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SEL BANK
04
EMPTY!
BANK: 3
LOAD
SAVE
LOAD 1
SAVE 1
RENAME
Click
Program
Knob
Select
Action

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Important notes regarding USB operation;
•Loading/saving can be slow but playback / triggering on the sampler will
continue whilst this process occurs allows banks to change 'on the fly'
•Saved files will get clipped from their start to end points. (if cue sets are used,
then clip will be at the min/max cue)
•Loading wavs that are too long will just get clipped at maximum sample
length.
•Wav files saved from the sampler contain Squid Salmple specific metadata
which includes the various panel settings etc for the individual samples.
•The sampler will remember the last bank loaded per usb stick and attempt to
load when powered on.
•You can press USB button to go back a menu. Press ‘Chan’ or any parameter
button to exit USB screen
•Recording will be disabled whilst the USB screen is active.
•See Appendix 3 for info on supported USB sticks.
•USB button goes back up menus (i.e to exit rename)
!!DO NOT PLUG ANYTHING OTHER THAN USB FLASH DRIVES INTO THE USB PORT!!
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ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Key Combos
Various useful key combos for power-user functionality;
•From a parameter screen, to quickly switch to the same parameter but for
another channel, hold Chan button down and turn program knob.
•From a parameter screen, to change the selected parameter for ALL channels
(to the SAME value), Hold Chan & Func down & turn program knob.
•To swap two channels Hold Chan down, turn program knob to channel you
want to swap with and press Func.
•To have a sample bank reference sample data of another; Hold Chan down,
turn program knob to selected referenced channel (the referenced channel is
shown to the right on the channel number)
•To have a Channel 'Choke' another (stop playing when it starts) Hold Chan,
hold Env and turn program knob to reference other channel (A 'c<num>' is
displayed on the channel screen indicating what its choking)
•To send trigger out of Trigger output without enabling sampling Hold Func +
click program knob
•To 'audition' / monitor audio input; Hold Func + press ‘Rec’ to toggle -
monitored audio is sent to output 8.
•To quickly mute a channel press Func + Env
•To access 'cue sets’: Hold Func + click Cues. Func + program knob click deletes
a cue
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ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Patch Ideas
Synced Cue Sets
With a channel containing beat aligned cue sets, assign a synced (to the original
samples BPM) waveform type output (i.e from Pamelas New Workout) to a CV input
assigned to select the active cue set. Also make sure the channel input is triggered
by a beat trigger that is a factor of the original BPM.
The included 303 loops samples work very well for this.
Poor Mans delay
1. Increase end cue position of sample.
2. Set sample to loop sample
3. Adjust decay to taste.
Experiment with CV control of loop/end point. Reverse and Zig Zag loop types.
Complex CV modulation source
Sample a basic LFO source whilst manually modulating available LFO params
(i.e frequency / shape) . Add cue sets to the sample together with an active loop. Via
trigger input and voltage control of active cue set you have a complex controllable
modulation source that can also be beat synced (reset) via the trigger input.
Sampling and modified playback of CV opens up a lot of possibilities. For
example use bit depth as a kind of quantisation effect.
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ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Limited Warranty
From the date of manufacture this device is guaranteed for a period of 2 years
against any manufacturing or material defects. Any such defects will be repaired or
replaced at the discretion of ALM. This does not apply to;
•Physical damage arising for mis treating (i,e dropping, submerging etc).
•Damage caused by incorrect power connections.
•Overexposure to heat or direct sunlight.
•Damage caused by inappropriate or mis-use.
•Use of incorrect or non official firmware
No responsibility is implied or accepted for harm to person or apparatus caused
through operation of this product.
By using this product you agree to these terms. !
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