Torso S-4 Sculpting Sampler - Overview and early impressions
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- Опубликовано: 11 июл 2024
- The S-4 Sculpting Sampler is a new, innovative device by Torso Electronics, the maker of the T-1 sequencer. In this video, I give an overview of the UI and basic functionality of the device-using firmware v. 1.0.1. It is, I think, a good entry point for a new user, or for someone interested in learning more about the device.
[NOTE] My apologies for the missing media in the beginning. Those were just diagrams for dimensions and connectivity, and a list of features found in the user manual. I thought I checked everything :(
Like the T-1, the S-4 is a unique device, which does not easily fit into a category: is it a sampler, a looper, a Live FX processor, a Granular synth?. This is compounded by the fact that this is a very new device (I bought into the very first batch), effectively more an open beta than a definitive version, with a lot of missing features. Still, I think that the user interface and basic workflow is defined enough that it is worth making this video, as a simple entry point for a new user, or for someone interested in the device.
This video is an overview, and is in no way meant as an exhaustive review-I left a lot of more advanced features unaddressed (e.g., Audio Interface features, MIDI CC, File management and file transfer, etc. ). If you have any question, or would like to request a more in-depth tutorial on certain aspect of the device, please let me know in the comment. Also note that I published a whole series of videos on the S-4, which are more actual demos (no-talking) of different use cases of the device-you can check them here: • Torso S-4
Please leave a like, a comment, and subscribe to this channel if you want to see more videos like this one. Your support means a lot :)
Also, Please not that I bought this device with my own funds, and bear no relation whatsoever with the manufacturer (Torso Electronics). The opinions expressed in this video are mine.
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:38 Physical features
02:00 Technical details
02:24 Physical features (cont’d)
02:32 User Interface
06:45 Material: TAPE
14:02 Material: POLY
19:07 Material: Bypass
19:28 Granular: MOSAIC
20:12 Modulation
24:10 Granular: MOSAIC (cont’d)
27:13 Filter: RING
32:34 Color: DEFORM
33:52 Space: VAST
35:38 Track page
35:49 Mix page
36:49 Project management
37:53 TAPE engine: Reverse and Freeze
38:50 Closing thoughts
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And don't forget to check the manufacturer's website, which features a detailed and well-written manual for the S-4: torsoelectronics.com/products... @torsoelectronics 
Хобби
![My Favorite Uses of the Torso S-4 Sculpting Sampler [ Demo pt2 ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/anx1bRjvYq8/mqdefault.jpg)
Been waiting my WHOLE life for this sampler ! Too bad I can’t get my hands on one . 😢
Hope you can make it on a later batch! You will end up with a more complete product (there are still a lot of features missing). Thanks for watching!
good clear walk through dude much appreciated
Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching!
Thank you for making this video- you are the only real source and you are a good one.
I appreciate that! Thanks for watching
Looks like a fun device. Thanks for the clear presentation.
You are welcome, thanks for watching!
nice I'm going to order the s4 soon this is very helpful thanks
Glad you found this helpful!
thanks for this! good video! saved me some time!
Glad it helped! Thanks for watching
Very useful video - thanks for making. Tell you what, be great if you can do an update video later down the line when more features are available.
Thank you, glad this was useful! And yes, I plan on doing more videos as new features come in :)
very good tutorial, thanks
You are welcome!
Brilliant!
Thank you!
Thanks for this! Can you please do more about the poly sampler?
Ideally multiple samples controlled by sequencer, if you have one... maybe mix of granular and plain.
You are welcome and thanks for watching! I made a video that deals more with the poly engine: ruclips.net/video/UJM_4yEb00U/видео.htmlsi=3s_LsMep_KQLbiGg
But I’ll see if I can dig a little deeper and do a tutorial. No multi sampling though (yet)!
Great videos! Very interested about this instrument but I've read (on Dicord and here on YT) about it crashing and having a number of issues at the moment, can you confirm?
I haven’t experienced crashes on my end, but I have been away from my studio (and the S-4) for a few weeks and did not update my firmware to the most recent versions (1.0.3 and 1.0.4 I think?), so I can’t vouch for these. Also, there are so many ways to use this device that it might just be that my way of using it did not trigger the bugs that you heard about (for example, I never used much the project management features). But again, on my end, no crashing.
On the other hand, there are definitely a lot of missing features, including crucial ones (MIDI sync!). I personally can live with that because I trust Torso to keep working to fill the gaps, but I can understand people that are frustrated with this and consider that the device was launched too early.
That’s my two cents, I hope it helps :)
Hold clear and twist any corresponding knob to the parameter you want to reset to zero ☺️ real time saver
Oh sweet! Thanks for the tip :)
How long can be the samples (recording and loading)?
I believe the limit for recording and loading individual samples is six minutes (as of firmware 1.0.2). he total memory is 4 GB. But if this is a really crucial element for a purchasing decision, please don't take my word for it and double check with Torso :)
@@abregegere Thanks!
does it beat the Octatrack in regard sample mangli ng?
maybe not in terms of depth (how far you can go) but really easier, intuitive and quick (look at this display! ) I sold my Octa few days after receiving my S4. no sequencing capabilities, though
@@yannleroch1760 Thank you. Intersting performance device indeed. How would you emulate the Octatrack's fader capabilities wiht the Torso S-4 (e.g. to blend between sceenes)?
Hi there, thanks for watching! I am not an octatrack user, so I can't really contribute, but I still just wanted to point out that there are two buttons, "Scene" and "Perform" that suggest that some of these capabilities might be coming later (I have no idea in what form though)
The wobbly buttons make me nervous.
It’s really not that bad.
It is really not that bad. Thanks for watching!
xanax will help
Lol
we already received 1.0.2 lol ;-)
Yes, Torso is working hard :) But these are very incremental changes, not changing the general workflow.
Media missing amigo
Dammit :( thanks for letting me know! These were just diagrams from the manual, so not a big loss hopefully!
@@abregegere Kinda adds to it...been a while since I saw those screens (running a tv channel they were my bane!!). Awesome and really useful video once again, and paced beautifully too. Really can't wait to get working with this thing, and you're helping speed up that learning process. Big thanks for all the efforts :)
Lol thanks!
'keylocked' timestretch (thus, timestretch proper) sounds horrible. it already does when the keylock is engaged. worse than the 10 yo octatrack really. o/d and bitcrush sounds quite weak and samey too
thanks for your output. I wouldn’t judge the quality of the timestretch algorithm based on my video: I change the tempo very quickly and venture quite far from the original. For the effects, I agree that, individually, they are not exceptional. Their strength lies in the complete package, with the flexible routing and modulation options. Also, I feel that Torso released the S-4 before perfecting it, and the real benchmark will be firmware 2.0, whenever that comes out. We’ll see!
@@abregegere I concur, with FX it's the modulation that matters. and its mod system is the S4's key strength. we'll see how it goes with fw2.0 and all those missing performative functions.
yet, I feel it's also important to judge what's there now. Torso decided to issue the instrument as is, in beta, w/o even clearly stating it (twice! first during the preoder, than the rollout itself), so it's only fair to criticise the actual state. and speaking of the S4 timestretch, I dunno man, I find your demo quite good for how I usually check and use the function (for mangling, not just to fit the sample in). also, as I said, it already sounds bad when 'keylock' is just simply engaged, w/o any other changes. the same Groc Granular, the S4's main competitor, sounds much cleaner.
the sum of the S4's parts is still great. the bits I'm talking about might be important for certain workflows though.. (btw, same with bitcrusher and saturation - very safe digital sound, very small range...)
on a side note: I can't help but feeling there's a program limiter built it - the S4 in demos never distorts or sounds 'too loud' even when things like drive go to 11, while the mix sounds very compressed. is that so, in your experience?
Same price than an MPC, really ? 😂😂😂😂
Thanks for watching!
for twice the value !!
@@yannleroch1760 and one hundred times the bugs 💩💩💩💩