Alm022 Manual

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’
Manual Version: 0.5 ( rmware:185)
ALM 22
SQUID
SALMPLE
USER
GUIDE.
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Introduction .......................................................................................3
Features --------------------------------------------------------------------4
Technical Specifications-----------------------------------------------------5
Operation ...........................................................................................6
Panel Layout ----------------------------------------------------------------6
Getting Started -------------------------------------------------------------7
Channel Parameters ---------------------------------------------------------8
Assigning CV Control --------------------------------------------------------15
Channel Operations --------------------------------------------------------15
Channel Input --------------------------------------------------------------16
Recording Samples ----------------------------------------------------------17
Saving & loading Banks -----------------------------------------------------19
Key Combos ---------------------------------------------------------------25
Patch Ideas ......................................................................................26
Quick Manual Sampling ----------------------------------------------------27
Single Channel Delay -------------------------------------------------------28
Drum Slicing & Playback ----------------------------------------------------29
Internally Triggering Channels ----------------------------------------------30
Playing Back Envelopes & CV -----------------------------------------------31
Limited Warranty ..............................................................................32
Support ............................................................................................33
APPENDIX .........................................................................................34
I. Calibration / System info -------------------------------------------------34
II. Firmware Updates -------------------------------------------------------35
III. The ‘AXON-1’ Expander -------------------------------------------------35
IV. USB Support ------------------------------------------------------------37
V. Included Sample Banks--------------------------------------------------38
VI. Thanks -----------------------------------------------------------------38
VII. Firmware History -------------------------------------------------------38
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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 in uence 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- y 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 eld 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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Features
• 8 independent channels, 4 DC coupled outputs (1-4 channels assigned per
out) and a mix output (ac coupled)
• 1 mono record input handling both CV and audio input signal from modular to
line 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 playback speed/pitch, lter cut off & resonance, amplitude level with a
simple A/D 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!).
• Optional expander providing 4 more assignable CV inputs.
• 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 les arranged in
quick-to-use banks of 8 (Up to 99 per ‘set’, amount of sets limited to USB key size).
• Easy rmware update via USB key.
• Skiff friendly with reverse power protection.
• Made in England
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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 oor.
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Operation
Panel Layout
!"#$%&!'()*(+&
Chan Trigger Inputs
Active Channel selection Channel trigger inputs

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Quality Env
V/Oct pitch controls for
Program
USB Flash Drive Channels 6,7 & 8.

slot
V/Oct
V/Oct
V/Oct
Loop Cues
USB Reverse Func Freq

Program knob and
param selection buttons +5V Trigger output.
CV Control
Level Rec Trigger Mix Out
Assign Assign Assign
Outputs AC Coupled mix output
!
lip
C
CV input and assigment CV 1 CV 2 CV 3 Signal 1+2 Out 3+4 Out 5+6 Out 7+8 Out
DC Coupled output pairs
Sample In
Sample signal input, activation and level controls
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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
individually assignable groups 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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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 (as see
Channel input section).
Active 8 LEVEL Parameter Name

Channel
30 Parameter Value
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.
Holding Func whilst this screen is active will overlay a BPM value for the sample
with the assumption its a bar (4 beats) in length and BPM thus ts 1-300.
Quality - Quant (only present on chans 6, 7 & 8)
This applies pitch quantisation to the sample playback (speed). Note the original
pitch of the sample le serves as the scale’s root note.
Possible settings are;
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• 'OFF' - No quantisation
• '12' - Chromatic 12 tones
• 'OT' - Full per octave quantisation - this is useful for easily matching original
sample speed with controls.
• 'MA' - Major scale
• 'mi' - Minor scale
• 'Hm' - Harmonic Minor
• 'PM' - Pentatonic Major
• 'Pm' - Pentatonic Minor
• 'Ly' - Lydian
• 'Ph' - Phrygian
• 'Jp' - Japanese
• ‘P5' - root & fth
• 'C1' - I Chord
• ‘C4’ - IV Chord
• ‘C5’ - VI Chord
Quality - Filter
Enables a resonant multimode lter on each channel. ‘Unlocks’ the following

Frequency and Resonance controls
Possible settings are;
• 'OFF' - No lter
• 'LP' - Low pass
• 'BP' - Band pass
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• 'NT' - Notch
• 'HP' - High pass
Please be aware lters have a high CPU burden and enabling on all channels
can degrade UI performance.
Quality - Frequency
Adjust the cut off frequency of the lter, only appears when a lter type is
selected. Hold ‘Func’ while turning the encoder to set the resonance without leaving
the Frequency page.
Quality - Resonance
Adjust the resonant peak of the lter, only appears when a lter type is selected.
Hold ‘Func’ while turning the encoder to set the frequency without leaving the
Resonance page.
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 fade out the volume of the sample. Decay time
shortens as value rises.
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.
Env - Attack
Add a simple attack envelope to control volume at the beginning of sample

playback. Behaves similar to Decay if the sample is set to loop.
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Env - E Trig
Fires a trigger when channel sample playback stops - this could be a ‘virtual’
trigger which can trigger another channel internal or a real one sent on the trigger
output.
Env - Steps
Cycles incoming triggers across speci ed adjacent channels in a stepped round

robin fashion. This allows for polyphonic type triggering of samples.
Note encoder clicks won’t cycle triggers only actual patched trigger signals.
Steps parameter doesn’t current support cv assignment.
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.
If ‘GATE’ is also displayed then the sample will only play & loop whilst the
associated channels trigger input is held high (like a sustain). If Decay is set
however, playback will move to this stage when the trigger goes low.
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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Cues - Start, End & Loop
Set the samples start, end and loop points
Active 8 START Cue type

Channel (start, end or loop)
Cues Waveform
(solid - selected)
2 Cue set number (if sets)

Zoom
level/position
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.
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Cue Sets
To access the Cue Sets screen, Hold ‘Func’ and press the Cues button.
Cues Sets allow for multiple groups of Cue start, end and loop points to be used
on the same sample. By then switching between different Cue Sets various
playback effects are possible, the most obvious of which is chopping up a break
beat.
Cues sets can be added direct by the Squid Salmple itself or via common audio
editing software on your computer. Cue Sets can be switched via both CV, Trigger
and direct control.
8 SETS
1
2
3
4
5
Cue set selection

[Func + Cues]
Overlapping cue sets
8 START
01 02 03 04 05
p
op
t
t
d
d
ar
ar
ar
ar
o
o
En
En
En
En
Lo
Lo
Lo
Lo
St
St
St
St
Edit Screen for

active cue set
When accessing the Cue Sets screen (hold Func + press Cues) A small menu will
appear of operations to add Cue Sets in various ways. If some Cue Sets already
exist a list of these will also appear in this list. Once added, Cue sets can then
made active and switched between here (or have CV control assigned).
Select 'Add' and click program knob to add a cue set. You can then select the
new Cue Set (by scrolling up) and edit its start, loop and end points by switching
back to the main Cues screens (press ‘Cues’ button - the active cue is now shown in
a small box). Any changes will be remembered.
To remove a Cue Set, in the Cue Sets screen with the set to be removed
highlighted, Hold Func and click program knob to remove it.
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To make a cue set active simply turn program knob to select its number. If
sample is currently playing or recording it will be queued up for next triggered
playback otherwise it will change immediately.
CV can be assigned (see next section) so the active Cue Set selection above is CV
controlled. The 0-5v input voltage range is divided up evenly across the number of
actual cue sets.
The Random and Step options in the Cue list can also be made active when
selected. ‘Random’ will jump to a random Cue Set active when the channel is
triggered. ‘Step’ will step to the next one (or rst if at end of list).
The Split and Auto options create Cue Sets more intelligently.
Select 'Split' to cut all sets into equal halves (useful for quickly cutting up loops
into synchronised chunks).
‘Auto’ will attempt to create Cue Sets automatically by detecting transients and
zero crossings on the original sample. It works best of source material that has
obvious transients. Note this function will delete any existing cue sets even if no
new ones are found. If no Cues are found check for DC offsets (see calibration
appendix) or a high noise oor confusing the zero crossing detection.
The ‘RM ALL’ option will delete all cue sets. There is no undo!
Note If a Wav le contains ‘markers’ these will automatically get converted into
cue sets when the wav le is loaded. A program like ‘Ocen Audio’ (free for Mac & PC)
can be use to add and edit markers.
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 ' sample and hold
style pitching (leading to crunchiness but artifacts & aliasing sometimes obviously
present on 'purer' sounds. Run through a lter to clean to taste.)
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Assigning CV Control
CV control can be assigned to any of the above parameters except steps. There
are 3 CV inputs on the lower left of the module. Squid may be expanded with 4
additional CV inputs by connecting the ‘AXON-1’ expander (See Expander section for
details). 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.
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’,
then the 'Env' Button and then turn the program knob.
Output reassigned
Original sample CHAN 56
frequency x Muted
‘Choke’ destination C6 ... 8 Channel reference
kick-01
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Pressing FUNC + Env will Mute a channel. Pressing Chan + FUNC + Env will Solo
a channel. Press again to un-solo. Multiple channels can be solo’d (un-solo all to
return to normal state). These features can be very useful in a live performance.
A channel’s individual output may be assigned to its neighbour output within its
group of four channels. (i.e. Chans 1-4 to the 1+2 output or 3+4 output and
channels 5-8 to the 5+6 output or 7+8 output). To switch outputs press FUNC +
Quality on the channel page.
Channel Input
By default the Channel or ‘Chan’ input steps the active channel when a trigger
signal is received. From Firmware 185 this input can be recon gured to perform
different tasks when a trigger signal is received. To access this screen, press and
hold Chan + FUNC + USB. Note on exiting the screen there is a slight delay, this is
normal. The available options are:
Activate next channel
The default behaviour. Steps the active channel. Intended for automated
patched sampling type set ups.
Choke all Channels
Chokes (stops playback) of every channel.
Punch in record cue set
With a recording in process a cue set is added at the current point.
Load next bank
Loads the next numbered bank.
Reset all cue steps
Any stepped cue sets are reset to the rst step.
Reset all Step triggers
Resets all and any ‘Steps’ enabled channels to the rst original channel .
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Recording Samples
Samples are recorded into the current selected channel. Max sample time per
channel is 11 seconds. Quality is xed at 16 bit 44.1khz mono. The recorded audio
can be set to overwrite, overdub or extend the sampled audio currently stored in the
channel buffer.
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 modular level to line level.
With an audio source connected (modular or line level) to the ‘signal' input
adjust 'level' knob to just avoid clipping (red LED will light upon audio clipping). 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.
8 SAMPLE 8 SAMPLE
‘Rec’
Pressed
-ARMED- ACTIVE Active indication
PRESS
Sample
RECORD
Time 01.8s...8 Sample destination
Input Level REC channel
8 LEVEL
30
When starting recording of 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. MON Input level
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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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 de nes how the 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.
You can ‘lock’ the recording destination channel by holding Chan and pressing
Rec. Press again to toggle. The Sample arming screen will show if this is set.
Two other recording modes; ‘Overdub’ and ‘Extend’ are available as an alternate
to the default ‘Replace’ mode. These can be set from the main Sample screen by
turning the Program encoder to cycle between .
Overdub records on top of any existing sample data with the underlying audio
having its volume reduced by -3db (50%).
Overdub will not clear any cue sets (unlike ‘Replace’) but will set the rst one to
the start/end points of the current overdubbed recording.
‘Extend’ will add recorded audio to the end of the channels recorded audio. It will
also automatically add a cue set for the newly recorded sample. If Extend reaches
the end of the sample buffer (i.e past 11 seconds) it will not record anymore and
warn that the channel is ‘full’. To clear you can edit the relevant outer cue set(s) or
simply from record screen hold rec down and click the encoder.
The more advanced features above allow for the squid to be used for much more
than a basic sampler - anything from automated bank creation to using the Squid
as a exible digital delay and/or audio and CV processor. Please see the ‘ALM TV’
youtube channel for videos exploring this.
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Saving & loading Banks

Samples are saved and loaded from/to a top level ‘/ALM022’ directory on the
inserted USB stick which is fat32 formatted. This directory will be created if it
doesn’t already exist. Samples are stored and loaded as .wav les following a
speci c directory structure for grouping and mapping samples to the Squid’s
channels. The structure is designed to be edited and les are added from plugging
the USB directly into a computer.
The Squid supports loading and saving of named and numbered ‘banks’ of 8
samples. Banks are stored in a ‘bank set’ which can contain up 99 Banks. A USB key
will always include a default bank set and any number of named others. Squid is
also able to load individual samples from a Pool directory.
The stock USB key comes only with a default bank set directory of 99 banks.
With USB stick plugged into the 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.
USB BANK BANK: 4
04 EMPTY!
Click
Program
Knob
LOAD
SAVE
LOAD 1
SAVE 1
RENAME
Select
Action
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 les as custom metadata.
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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. Note you can preview a
a single sample by holding Func and clicking the encoder.
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.
Using Bank Sets

Additional bank sets of up to 99 banks each can be created by making a sub
folder within the /ALM022 directory and naming it ‘Set ABCDEFGH’ (with ABCDEFG
being anything you want, max 8 characters!). The amount of bank sets is only
limited to the space of the USB stick.
To view or change the currently loaded bank set, press the USB button once and
scroll to the left of Bank 1. The currently loaded set is displayed, press the encoder
once to enter the list of sets and select another to load.
USB BANK
Scroll
Left of
Bank 1
01
606 DRM
USB SETS SETS
CURRENT DEFAULT
SET: Click Getaphix Select LOADING
DEFAULT Program Loops New SET. .
Knob Set
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Sample Pool
There is a Pool sub directory in the /ALM002 directory where single samples and
further directories of samples can be added for more classic and freeform loading
and browsing of samples.
Scrolling once more to the left of Bank Sets or pressing the USB button twice in
a row will open the sample ‘Pool’.
POOL 1
707
Breaks
Clap.wav
Kick.wav
Voices
This can be thought of as an additional ‘load only’ folder for storing bulk or
uncategorised samples to browse through when designing banks directly on the
Squid. Squid will automatically create a Pool directory on start up if a folder does
not already exist.
To preview samples hold Func and press the encoder. Select a sample to load to
the currently selected channel. Wav les must be 16 or 24 bit and 44.1kz for the
squid to load. Note 24 Bit les will be converted to 16 bit. Files longer than 11
seconds will be truncated. Stereo les will be made mono.
File Organisation
As previously mentioned, les are stored on the USB stick in a speci c directory
structure. E.g. at a top level.
Bank 1 & Bank 2 (to 99)are banks from the Default bank set.
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Each Bank directory contains 8 numbered sub directories which each contain a
named wav for their corresponding channel (can be named anything you want but
only rst 8 characters show up).
(Note if a numbered directory does not exist squid will fall back to loading a le
named Chan-00x.wav with x being the channel number - this ensures compatibility
with earlier rmware releases).
There is also an optional 'info.txt' text le within each bank directory which
contains the bank name (First 8 ascii characters of le).
In this example, the ‘Set Getaphix’ & ‘Set Loops’ directories are two additional
bank sets which again contain their own (up to 99) bank directories.
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The Pool/ directory contains extra wavs and subdirectories that can be named
anything you want.
Following these organisation conventions, you can manually add your own
samples and directories, just make sure audio les are 16 or 24 bit and 44.1kHz,
otherwise they will be ignored. Stereo les will be made mono.
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 y'
• Saved les 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 les saved from the sampler contain Squid Salmple speci c metadata
which includes the various panel settings etc for the individual samples.
• The sampler will remember the last bank loaded or saved per usb stick and
attempt to load when powered on.
• You can press the 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.
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• 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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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,
then 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 Solo press Chan + Func + Env.
• To access 'cue sets’: Hold Func + click Cues. Func + program knob click deletes
a cue
• To lock the destination recording channel hold Chan and press Rec
• To clear an ‘extended’ recording, hold Rec + click program knob from record
screen.
• To reassign a channel’s individual output to its neighbour press Func + Quality.

(Channel outs are assignable within their group of four channels, I.e. 1-4 and 5-8).
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Patch Ideas
Simple Oscillator
1. Record or load an audio sample to channel 6, 7, or 8.
2. Turn on looping.
3. Enter the cues page and begin to adjust the start, end, and loop points. Zoom
in on the sample for ner time adjustments [Func + Turn Encoder]. Isolate a single
wave cycle with start and end aligned on the zero crossings. The sound should be
fairly clean once the loop points are properly aligned.
4. Patch a V/Oct sequence to the pitch input. The droning oscillator can be
patched out through an external lter and VCA or directly triggered internally by
engaging the built in attack / decay volume envelope.
mmMidi
ext. Chan Trigger Inputs
MIDI
In DI
MI
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Adjusting
Activity
Quality Env
Cues
Program
Learn
6 START 6 START
V/Oct
V/Oct
V/Oct
Loop Cues
Clock
x24 Run Freq

Zoom In
USB Reverse Func
[Func + Turn Enc]
1 V/Oct 2
CV Control
Velocity Level Rec Trigger Mix Out Default Aligning to
Outputs View Zero Cross
!
lip
C
Gates CV 1 CV 2 CV 3 Signal 1+2 Out 3+4 Out 5+6 Out 7+8 Out
Sample In
Signal out
Tips
1. Try engaging pitch quantisation for a more stable oscillator if you are
sequencing pitch in traditional ‘western’ intervals.
2. Different wave shapes can be saved by creating a new cue set for each one.
These can be modulated by assigning CV on the cue sets page [Func + Cues].
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Quick Manual Sampling

1. The Squid produces a trigger at the output upon engaging record. It works with
drum modules, synth voices or other events that can be triggered.
2. Patch the trigger output to a trigger or gate input on a drum module or

envelope and the audio output of the triggered module(s) into the sample input of
the Squid.
3. Engage record monitoring [Func + Rec].
4. Arm recording by pressing Rec once and choose the record mode (FW125).
Then press Rec again to trigger your source and capture the audio.
5. Change up the source sound parameters and continue sampling to

consecutive channels by pressing the Chan button to skip forward one at a time.
DINKY’S TAIKO
Noise Chan Trigger Inputs
Rec Sample
EQ
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Spectrum
Mix Monitor Screen
Quality Env
Program
Release
CHANNEL 1 SAMPLE
1
Oscillator
V/Oct
V/Oct
V/Oct
Loop Cues
-ARMED-
PRESS
Start Freq End Freq Reverse Func Freq RECORD
USB
REPLACE
MON MON
Speed Release Wave CV Control
Level Rec Trigger Mix Out [Func + Rec]
Outputs
!
lip
C
Trigger Acc Choke Out CV 1 CV 2 CV 3 Signal 1+2 Out 3+4 Out 5+6 Out 7+8 Out
Signal out
Sample In
Tips
1. Using the recently added extend record mode, samples can be split up into a
new cue set immediately with each consecutive recording.
2. This patch is great for recording CV as well, trigger an envelope and sample its
voltages just like audio! Make sure to keep the input level low when sampling CV for
the most accurate recreation. (See the “Playing Back Envelopes & CV” patch
example for more info).
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Single Channel Delay

1. This is the basic starting delay patch. Pamela will set the delay time by
clocking both recording to Ch. 1 and playback of Ch. 2. The MUM M8 is acting as
both the mixer and a lter for the feedback path.
2. Reference the record buffer on channel 1 from channel 2 [Chan + Turn

Encoder].
3. Lock recording to channel 1 [Chan + Rec].
4. Engage record monitoring [Func + Rec]. This is the dry signal.
5. Engage the clock to start recording and playback. Remember the clock rate
sets the delay time.
6. Set the feedback with MUM M8 input level, the lter Cut off will control the
darkness of the repeats.
s
“Pamela’
NEW!Workou
t” MUM M8 Reference Lock Rec
Inputs Chan Trigger Inputs Channel Destination
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 CHANNEL 1 SAMPLE
CV+
CV/-
Clk
Ru
2
+
n
-ARMED-
Clip
Quality Env Cut off ... 1 PRESS
Program
RECORD
Program REPLACE
V/Oct
V/Oct
V/Oct
- + Freq
Loop Cues DST 1
VCA
[Chan + Turn Enc] [Chan + Rec]

Start / Stop
Resonance
Outputs Rec Monitor
CV Control
1 2 3 4 Level Rec Trigger Mix Out In
CHANNEL
1
Outputs
!
lip
C
CV 1 CV 2 CV 3 Signal 1+2 Out 3+4 Out 5+6 Out 7+8 Out In Freq Res Out
5 6 7 8
Sample In MON
[Func + Rec]
Signal in
Signal out
Tips
1. Try changing sample rate, bit depth, and playback speed. Note that changing
the speed will create a pitch shifting delay. For cleaner pitch shifting delay use
channel 6, 7, or 8 with quantising on.
2. To minimise clicks and pops try adding a small amount of attack time to the
playback channel. The clock driving playback can be slightly delayed as well.
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Drum Slicing & Playback

1. In this patch we will split up a recorded drum beat into cue sets using the built
in transient detection.
2. Patch in a beat and record it to any channel like you normally would.
3. Once the recording is nished enter the cue sets page [Func + Cues], scroll
down and select Auto. A number of transient aligned cue sets should appear (see
tips section if you are having trouble).
4. Press the CV1 Assign button on the cue sets page.
5. Patch a x1 clock from Pam to trigger the beat and a random voltage to the CV1
input. Hit start and the Squid will begin playing the sliced beat, randomly selecting
a new drum slice with each trigger.
6. If playback sounds off try adjusting the tempo or pitch of the sample.
Transient alignment can be adjusted by setting start and end times manually.
s
“Pamela’
NEW!Workou
t”
Inputs
Creating CV Addressing
Chan Trigger Inputs
Cue Sets Cue Sets
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
CV+
CV/-
Clk
Ru
+
n
1 SETS 1 SETS
1
120
BPM:
Quality Env ADD 1

Program
SPLIT 2
Program AUTO 3
V/Oct
V/Oct
V/Oct
Loop Cues
4 CV
5
Start / Stop
[Func + Cues]
Outputs
CV Control
1 2 3 4 Level Rec Trigger Mix Out 1 START
Outputs
!
lip
C
5 6 7 8 CV 1 CV 2 CV 3 Signal 1+2 Out 3+4 Out 5+6 Out 7+8 Out
Signal out 02
Sample In
Cue Set 2
Selected
Tips
1. If selecting Auto does nothing, there may be DC offset or extra noise in your
audio which makes it hard for the Squid to detect transients. You may need to check
that your calibration settings are correct. (See manual Appendix for calibration).
2. Auto chop works nicely on single sampled drum hits as well. If you are
sampling straight from a drum machine down to a single channel its an easy way to
quickly get going.
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Internally Triggering Channels

1. Internal end of sample triggers allow one channel to trigger another when it
reaches its set end point. The patch below has a 909 bank loaded with the kick and
snare triggered from Pam by x1 and /2 clocks respectively. This sounds like a typical
four on the oor beat.
2. Let’s add the open hi-hat on the off beat. Instead of using up another channel
of Pam, lets try an end of sample trigger. The hi-hat needs to hit at the same rate as
the kick, but land between the beats.
3. Press the channel 1 Env button four times until E Trig appears. Turn the
encoder until the display reads >4. The hi-hat on channel 4 should begin to play -
but a little out of time.
4. Adjust the end time of channel 1 to align channel 4’s timing. In this case it
needs to be shortened and will cut off some of the kick’s tail which isn’t too
noticeable at this speed.
s
“Pamela’
NEW!Workou
t”
Inputs Chan Trigger Inputs End of Adjusting
Sample Trig End Point
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
CV+
CV/-
Clk
Ru
+
n
1 END
120 1 E TRIG
BPM:
4
Quality Env
Program
Program
V/Oct
V/Oct
V/Oct
Loop Cues
Start / Stop
Outputs
Set to trigger
channel 4
x1 1 2 /23 4
CV Control
Level Rec Trigger Mix Out
Playhead
Outputs
lip
! End/E Trig
C
5 6 7 8 CV 1 CV 2 CV 3 Signal 1+2 Out 3+4 Out 5+6 Out 7+8 Out
Signal out
Sample In
Tips
1. The EOS destination channel may be modulated by pressing any of the three
CV assignment buttons on the E Trig pages.
2. Each channel can add its EOS trigger to the physical trigger output bus. Just
turn the program knob until the display reads ON on the E Trig page.
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Playing Back Envelopes & CV

1. Using the earlier “Quick Manual Sampling” patch method, we can easily record
envelopes and other CV just as we would audio. Once an envelope is recorded a
basic synth voice can be patched up for playback.
2. Patch a gate to trigger the recorded envelope, in this example the sampled CV
is on channel 8.
3. Patch the 7+8 output to the Cut off and(or) VCA CV input(s) of the MUM M8.
The individual channel pair outputs are DC coupled, the mix out is AC coupled and
will not reproduce recorded CV signals.
4. Patch a sequenced oscillator through the lter to complete the synth voice.
5. Envelope velocity can be adjusted with the level parameter and its overall
time can be changed with the pitch control on channels 6-8 or speed parameter on
channels 1-5.
mmMidi MUM M8
ext. Chan Trigger Inputs
Recorded
MIDI
In DI
Voltage
MI
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Activity
V/Oct
Clip
Quality Env Cut off 8 START
Freq
Program
Learn
Sync
V/Oct
V/Oct
V/Oct
- + Freq
Loop Cues
Clock
Wave VCA
PWM
x24 Run USB Reverse Func Freq
1 V/Oct 2 Resonance
CV Control
Adjusting start time
Velocity Level Rec Trigger Mix Out PWM Type Wave In to remove the recorded
Outputs
attack stage
!
lip
C
Gates CV 1 CV 2 CV 3 Signal 1+2 Out 3+4 Out 5+6 Out 7+8 Out Sub Pulse Out In Freq Res Out
Sample In
Signal out
Tips
1. The envelope shape can be modi ed with the start and end cue points. The
built in attack and decay volume envelope can be used to smooth out the CV.
2. Recorded envelopes can easily be made into LFOs by engaging loop and the
bit depth can be lowered to introduce stair stepping to CV curves.
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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 of cial rmware
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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Support
For the latest news, additional info, downloads and rmware updates please
visit the ALM website at http://busycircuits.com and follow @busycircuits on
twitter.
Questions? email help@busycircuits.com .
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APPENDIX
I. Calibration / System info
Sampling input and outputs can be calibrated to remove slight DC offsets.
Module should come calibrated from factory. Press Func + USB to access 'System'
screen.
The 'V' row show the current installed rmware version.
The 'S' row shows the current sample input dc offset (can be +/-)
The 'A' row shows the current sample output dc offset (can be +/-)
The DC offset values can be adjusted via turning the program knob. Either value
can be selected by clicking the program knob. Any other button will exit the system
screen and save the con g (there will be a pause).
To calibrate;
1. Power on module with no usb key inserted and nothing patched into module.
2. Patch '7+8 Out' to a good multimeter, or oscilloscope etc - something that

will show 0v with good precision.
3. Select and adjust 'A' row value using the encoder so 7+8 output reads 0v
(Expect value around -2000)
4. Now press 'Func + Rec' to enable audio monitoring. The level of '7+8 Out'
should change from 0V again.
5. Select and adjust 'S' row value (click program) so multimeter etc again reads
0v. (Expect value around -200)
6. Exit the menu by pressing Chan button (or other). Device should pause for a
second or two whilst con g is saved
(Note: if you hold Func whilst turning encoder values will increase by +/- 100)
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II. Firmware Updates

Put supplied alm022-fw.bin on root of USB stick. Power on with Func button
held down and release after a few seconds. Display will stay blank for a second and
then ‘Update’ will be displayed together with a progress bar (which will ash
rapidly). Wait for update process to complete and unit will reboot.
If the display stays blank, its likely either the USB stick is not recognised (try
removing and re-inserting USB stick, or a different stick) or rmware le is not
found (check name and is located in root i.e top directory of stick).
Please use only of cial rmware les when made available from the
BusyCircuits website.
III. The ‘AXON-1’ Expander

The ‘AXON-1’ is an optional expander module available for use with the Squid
Salmple. It extends Squid’s functionality by adding 4 additional freely assignable CV
inputs that behave exactly like the 3 built-in CV inputs.
The ‘AXON-1’ connects to the 6 pin header on the back of Squid via the supplied
keyed cable. Connect before powering the Squid. Firmware 165 or later is required
for the expander to work.
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Axon-1
!"# $%&
Assign
CV 7
Assign
CV 6
Assign
CV 5
Assign
CV 4
4HP module provides Squid with 4 additional freely assignable CV inputs. Per
assignment digital attenuation and offset accessed by pressing FUNC + CV Input
Assign Button.
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IV. USB Support

It is possible that issues occur with certain USB ash drives - it could be that
they fail to be recognised or in some rare cases lock up the unit (removing the key
usually unlocks).
The following USB ash drives are known to work.. Generally go for drives which
explicitly state USB2.0 support and are made by a well known manufacturer. Watch
out for fakes!
• SanDisk Cruzer Fit 16GB
• SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 / 64 GB
• Kingston Technology DTSE9 16GB & 8GB (32GB SE9 G2 does not work)
• Kingston DT micro 3.1 16GB
• Kingston Datatraveler 100 G3 16GB
• Integral Micro Fusion 8Gb
• Integral Metal Fusion 16Gb
!!DO NOT PLUG ANYTHING OTHER THAN USB FLASH DRIVES INTO THE USB PORT!!
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V. Included Sample Banks

The squid sample ships with 85 Banks of various sounds. See table here for
details of each bank’s contents and authors.
These banks are released into the public domain licensed under the Creative
Commons CC0 License - see https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
VI. Thanks
Thanks for Sasha Lewis for sound bank mastering, collation and documentation.
Thanks to Russell Haswell, Jack Adams, Sasha Lewis, Emma Blake, Lauren Flax,
Andrew Duff, Dave Burraston, Alicia Matthews, Jean-Louis Huhta and Phil Bilsby
for sample contributions, encouragement and beta testing.
Thanks to Heikki Lotvonen for Amiga ascii squid illustration.
VII. Firmware History

For more detailed history visit;
https://busycircuits.com/ rmware/alm022/ChangeLog.txt
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Alm022 Manual

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ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’

Manual Version: 0.5 ( rmware:185)

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’

• Each channel has approx 11 seconds of 16 bit / 44.1Khz CD quality sample

• Three CV inputs allow for CV control to be assigned to any & multiple

• Optional expander providing 4 more assignable CV inputs.

• Sample record and channel destination can be controlled either by automated

• Easy rmware update via USB key.

• Skiff friendly with reverse power protection.

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’

Active Channel selection Channel trigger inputs

USB Flash Drive Channels 6,7 & 8.

USB Reverse Func Freq

DC Coupled output pairs

Sample signal input, activation and level controls

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’

Active 8 LEVEL Parameter Name

Each of the blue button sections has the following parameters;

Adjust bit depth of played back sample.

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)

Possible settings are;

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’

• '12' - Chromatic 12 tones

• 'MA' - Major scale

• 'mi' - Minor scale

• 'Hm' - Harmonic Minor

• 'PM' - Pentatonic Major

• 'Pm' - Pentatonic Minor

• ‘P5' - root & fth

Enables a resonant multimode lter on each channel. ‘Unlocks’ the following

Possible settings are;

• 'LP' - Low pass

• 'BP' - Band pass

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’

• 'HP' - High pass

Add a simple attack envelope to control volume at the beginning of sample

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’

Cycles incoming triggers across speci ed adjacent channels in a stepped round

Reverse - Reverse the sample.

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’

Cues - Start, End & Loop

Set the samples start, end and loop points

Active 8 START Cue type

2 Cue set number (if sets)

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’

Cue set selection

Edit Screen for

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’

V/Oct knob controls

Channels 6, 7 & 8 have a dedicated v/oct control and input.

ALM-022 - ‘Squid Salmple’