Eurorack Sampler Module Comparison

Martin Doudoroff

Related discussion thread: Eurorack sampler comparison (ModWiggler forum)

Latest

2023-10-01 added Error Instruments Brinta
2023-09-04 added 4ms Sampler
2022-07-16 added Mutable Instruments Beads
2022-05-31 minor updates
2022-05-29 added ADDAC112 and Miso Cornflakes
2021-07-28 added Endorphin.es Two of Cups
2020-06-04 added 2hp Loop; additional updates
2020-04-25 added Bitbox Mk2 and Bitbox Micro
2020-04-24 added Disting EX
2020-04-16 errata & updates
2020-02-28 added Squarp Rample
2019-09-27 errata
2019-09-25 clarified some wording
2019-09-24 kicked the DLD back down to the bottom of the page; other corrections
2019-09-22 by request, broke table in two: one for those that capture audio, and one for those that just play
2019-09-19 added (tentatively) Modcan CV Record, Supercell, Microcell and ISD, plus more edits
2019-09-17 added (tentatively) Clouds, more edits/augmentations
2019-09-16 added (nascent) latency column, corrections
2019-09-15 added 4ms DLD; many corrections and details
2019-09-14 added VPME, Doepfer and Ladik modules, ongoing basic corrections
2019-09-13 added Mungo g0, filled in more cells
2019-08-26 super rough first draft
Show full revision history

Introduction

This is an exhaustive comparison grid for Eurorack sampler options. The goal is to provide enough information to identify and narrow the options that interest you.

Not all modules that employ “sampling techniques” are included here; for example, digital delays also sample audio, but this is not a digital delay comparison. Only some of these modules can record/capture audio, but they can all replay audio on demand.

Eurorack samplers generally fall into—or overlap—five main types:

• file player: these play audio data files, typically by triggers or gate, typically with an emphasis on 1v/o pitch control and enveloping; they may or may not have recording functionality
• audio buffer: these devices focus on capturing (recording) and manipulating audio (snippets) in rudimentary ways, such as modulating sample rates, to produce delay or wavetable-like effects; these are more electronic than algorithmic
• virtual tape: these use DSP techniques to play (typically longer) segments of audio in the style of a tape recorder, with an emphasis on variable speed, direction and edits (splices)
• looper: these focus on simultaneously recording and playing (typically longer) ephemeral loops of audio, much like a guitar pedal looper
• granular: these capture (typically ephemeral) audio and use DSP techniques to derive new audio through granular techniques

Many modules do some or all of the above, but there’s nearly always some sort of bias built into the user interface.

Samplers (with recording/capture)

Product		Type	Recording	Max record length	Clocked recording	Simultaneous samples (playback)	Triggered Latency	Outputs	CV support	storage/file format	Shipping	Approx. Price (USD)	Additional Notes
1010 Music Bitbox 2016 26 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player	24-bit 48kHz stereo	hours	clocked/quantized	16	5 milliseconds	4 mono or 2 stereo or combo	4 to 8 assignable (pitch, slice selection)	non-volatile buffers; FAT32 microSD, WAV	Yes	600	can start/stop recording based on clock can stream up to 4 samples from microSD card Ableton export Arturia-style TRS MIDI support ships with sample content
1010 Music Bitbox mk2 2020 26 HP Web site >		file player	24-bit 48kHz stereo	hours	clocked/quantized	24	5 milliseconds	4 mono or 2 stereo or combo	4 to 8 assignable (pitch, slice selection)	non-volatile buffers; FAT32 microSD, WAV	Yes	600	DC coupled (can record and play CV) can start/stop recording based on clock can stream up to 4 samples from microSD card Ableton export Arturia-style TRS MIDI support ships with sample content
1010 Music Bitbox Micro 2020 18 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player, granular	24-bit 48kHz stereo	hours	clocked/quantized	24	5 milliseconds	6 mono or 3 stereo or combo, plus master stereo	up to 8 assignable (pitch, slice selection, etc.) but shared with clock, trigger and audio input	non-volatile buffers; FAT32 microSD, WAV	Yes	400	DC coupled (can record and play CV) can start/stop recording based on clock can stream up to 4 samples from microSD card Ableton export Arturia-style TRS MIDI support ships with sample content
2hp Loop 2020 2 HP Modular Grid >		looper	24-bit 48kHz mono	5 minutes	patched	1		1 mono			Yes	150
4ms Sampler 2023 16 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player	24-bit 48kHz stereo	hours	patched	1	1 millisecond	1 stereo	file, pitch, direction, start, length	volatile buffers; FAT32 microSD, 44.1Khz 24-bit (or 16-bit), up to 60 banks of 10 samples	Yes	300	available pre-built or DIY
4ms Stereo Triggered Sampler 2015 20 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player	2 × variable up to 32-bit 96kHz	hours	patched	1-2	1 millisecond	1 stereo	file, pitch, direction, start, length	volatile buffers; FAT32 microSD, 44.1Khz 24-bit (or 16-bit), up to 60 banks of 10 samples	Yes	450	ships with sample content end-of-sample trigger outputs
ADDAC 112 2021 45 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		looper, granular	8-bit or 16-bit stereo up to 96Khz	5 minutes	patched or clocked	1	???	1 stereo, 1 mono	direct patch cv control over some 30 parameters	class 10 FAT 32 microSD	Yes	700	two-module set extensive features (please consult manual)
ALM Busy Circuits Squid Salmple 2018 21 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player	16-bit 44.1kHz mono; cv recording	11 seconds per channel	patched	8	1-2 milliseconds	4-5 mono (it’s complicated)	3 assignable (quality, reverse, level, decay, loop, etc), 3 channels with pitch cv	partial non-volatile state; FAT32 USB flash drive, 99 banks of 8 samples	Yes	500	DC coupled (can record and play CV) ships with sample content
Doepfer A-112 Sampler 2012 10 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		audio buffer	8-bit variable sample rate mono	~2 seconds	patched	1	???	1 mono	pitch	volatile buffer	Yes	195	can be used as a sort of wavetable oscillator manufacturer’s software for side-loading data through SysEx defunct non-volatile memory requires battery
Erica Synths Sample Drum 2018 14 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player	12-bit 48kHz mono	~5 minutes total	no	2	~1 millisecond	2 mono	6 assignable (pitch, play mode, file, start, end, attack, hold, decay, etc.)	partial non-volatile state; microSD, 16-bit 48kHz WAV	Yes	350	sample recording is not a primary function includes sample content
Error Instruments Brinta 2023 12 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		granular	mono	3.5 seconds	patched	1		1 stereo	4 dedicated (pitch, speed, size, mode-dependent parameter)		Yes	350	designed principally as a stereo effect five save slots three granular modes
Expert Sleepers Disting mk4 2017 4 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player	16 bit 46.875kHz stereo or mono	hours	patched	2	~8 milliseconds	1 stereo	depends on mode (pitch, decay, file, speed, reverse, scrub, pan)	volatile buffer; FAT32 microSD, 16-bit WAV (any sample rate)	Yes	190	multi-purpose utility module (sample recording & playing is one of many functions) many features require file-based configuration on a computer beforehand multi-sample playback support DC coupled (can record/play CV) some MIDI support
Expert Sleepers Disting EX 2020 8 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player	24 bit 96kHz stereo or mono	hours	patched	8	0.7 milliseconds	4 assignable mono or stereo	depends on mode (pitch, decay, file, speed, reverse, scrub, pan)	volatile buffer; FAT32 microSD, 24-bit WAV (any sample rate)	Yes	350	multi-purpose utility module (sample recording & playing is one of many functions) many features require file-based configuration on a computer beforehand multi-sample playback support DC coupled (can record/play CV) some MIDI support
Ginko Synthese Sampleslicer MkII 2017 16 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		audio buffer	12-bit mono	~15 seconds	patched	1	???	1 mono	length, pitch, start	volatile buffer	Yes	230	capable of audio rate modulation
Grayscale Supercell 2018 34 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		granular	16-bit 32kHz stereo or mono; 8-bit 16kHz stereo or mono	1 second, 2 seconds, 4 seconds or 8 seconds, respectively	patched	1 (up to 30-40 grains)	???	1 stereo	pitch and various granular synthesis parameters (varies depending on selected algorithm)	4 non-volatile backup slots (manual)	Yes	470	real time granular processor that can freeze (and store and recall) its (short) buffer for use like a sampler alternate modes (algorithms) and alternate firmware
Grayscale Microcell 2019 14 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		granular	16-bit 32kHz stereo or mono; 8-bit 16kHz stereo or mono	1 second, 2 seconds, 4 seconds or 8 seconds, respectively	patched	1 (up to 30-40 grains)	???	1 stereo	pitch and various granular synthesis parameters (varies depending on selected algorithm)	4 non-volatile backup slots (manual)	Yes	370	real time granular processor that can freeze (and store and recall) its (short) buffer for use like a sampler alternate modes (algorithms) and alternate firmware
Harvestman Tyme Sefari 2 2012 15 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		audio buffer	mono	~4 seconds (variable)	patched	1	???	1 mono	direction, loop position, tempo, etc.	non-volatile backup (manual)	Yes	430	designed for audio rate modulation extensive expander available that also enables stereo operation
Instruo arbhar 2019 18 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		granular	mono	10 seconds (six ten second buffers)	patched	1 (16+ grains)	40 milliseconds	1 mono or 2 pseuo-stereo	pitch, intensity, spray, layer, dub, hold, dry/wet, etc.	non-volatile buffers?	Yes	580	includes 2hp expander with additional CV ins (not shown) wavetable oscillator mode preamp and microphone
Instruo Lúbadh 2019 20 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		virtual tape	2 × 24-bit 96kHz mono	5 minutes	patched	2	???	2 mono	speed, length, start, clock division, erase, etc.	non-volatile buffers?	Yes	580	dual varispeed looper with one-shot mode includes 2hp expander with additional CV ins (not shown)
Make Noise Morphagene 2017 20 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		virtual tape, granular	24-bit 48kHz stereo	~3 minutes	patched	1	???	1 stereo	gain, varispeed, splice, slide, size, morph, etc.	non-volatile buffer; FAT32 microSD, 32-bit 48kHz stereo WAV, up to 32 files	Yes	530	reel “ecosystem” on freesound.org end-of-splice trigger
Make Noise Phonogene 2012 20 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		virtual tape	mono	~2 seconds at 44.1kHz (variable)	patched	1	???	1 mono	gain, varispeed, splice, slide, size, etc.	non-volatile buffer	Discontinued	530
Miso Modular Cornflakes 2021 14 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		granular	24-bit 48kHz stereo	40 seconds	patched	1(plus grains with 4 voice polyphonic pitching)	???	1 stereo	speed, pitch, size, diffuse, position, length, harmonize, distribute, etc.	class 10 microSD FAT32 up to 32Gb	Yes	525	can process live audio or play back from buffer time stretching, pitch shifting and harmonization (quantized or not)
Modcan CV Record 2012 10 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		audio buffer	two mono or one stereo 400hz to 44.1kHz at unknown bitdepth	4 seconds at 44.1kHz (variable)	patched	2	???	1 stereo or 2 mono	speed (not 1v/o), start, end	non-volatile backup (manual)	Yes	440	DC-coupled and designed for CV not audio, so no anti-aliasing filter third channel for recording and playing a parallel gate stream
Mordax GXN 2018 20 HP Modular Grid >		granular	stereo	???	patched	1	???	1 stereo	???	TBD;microSD	No	600
Mungo s0 Sample/Slicer 2015 12 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		virtual tape, file player	16-bit mono	up to 20 seconds (variable)	patched	1 looper, 1 triggered sample	0.02 millisecond	1 mono	pitch	volatile buffer; FAT16 microSD, 16-bit WAV up to 500,000 samples	Yes	750	DC coupled (can record/play CV) looping sustain
Mungo g0 2012 12 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		granular	16-bit mono	5 seconds at 16-bit 100kHz (variable)	patched	1	0.02 millisecond	1 mono	pitch, depth, width	volatile buffer; FAT16 microSD, 16-bit WAV up to 500,000 samples	Yes	499
Mutable Instruments Beads 2021 14 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		granular	48kHz 16-bit stereo 24kHz mono	4–32 seconds	internally clocked or externally triggered	30	0.25 milliseconds	1 stereo	extensive	internal	Yes	360	wavetable oscillator mode
Mutable Instruments Clouds 2014 18 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		granular	16-bit 32kHz stereo or mono; 8-bit 16kHz stereo or mono	1 second, 2 seconds, 4 seconds or 8 seconds, respectively	patched	1 (up to 30-40 grains)	???	1 stereo	pitch and various granular synthesis parameters (varies depending on selected algorithm)	4 non-volatile backup slots (manual)	Discontinued	360	real time granular processor that can freeze (and store and recall) its (short) buffer for use like a sampler alternate modes (algorithms) and alternate firmware NOTE: numerous miniaturized 8hp “uClouds” clones are on the market
Noise Reap ISD Sampler 2017 10 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		audio buffer	lo-fi mono	9+ seconds (variable)	patched	1	???	1 mono	speed	non-volatile buffer	Yes	120	bandpass-filtered around human vocal frequencies
Orthogonal Devices ER-301 Sound Computer 2016 30 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player, granular	16-bit mono or stereo (up to six simultaneous mono tracks), external or internal (bounce); cv recording (for internal use only)	hours	clocked/quantized (many options)	it’s complicated	8 milliseconds at 48kHz, 5 milliseconds at 96kHz, 4 milliseconds with experimental “low latency” firmware	4 assignable mono or stereo	16 multi-assignable (extensive software parameter destinations)	???; microSD	Yes	890	generalized audio processing computer with many functions, including sampling
Percussa SSP 2017 60 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player, granular	32-bit 48/96/192kHz (up to 16 channels or more)	hours	no	it’s complicated	~5 milliseconds	8 assignable mono or stereo	16 multi-assignable (extensive software parameter destinations)	???; USB flash drive	Yes	2000	multipurpose music computer (sampling one of many functions) DC coupled (can record/play CV) USB I/O
Pulse Synthesizers Load Runner 2019 25 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		granular	16-bit 44.1kHz mono	90 seconds	???	1	???	1 mono	pitch, start, length, granular density, granular range	???; USB flash drive	Yes	480
Qu-bit Nebulae 2 2018 20 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		granular	24-bit 48kHz stereo	5 minutes	patched	1	~45 milliseconds	1 stereo	file, pitch, freeze, start, size, granular density, granular blend, granular overlap	non-volatile buffers; FAT32 USB flash drive, 48kHz WAV/AIFF/FLAC	Yes	430	alternate firmware
Rossum Electro-Music Assimil8or 2017 28 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player	24-bit variable rate stereo up to 192kHz	~38 minutes	patched	8	0.1-0.18 milliseconds	8 assignable mono or stereo, plus stereo mix	24 multi-assignable (pitch, level, phase modulation, bit depth, pan, scrub, sample start/length offsets, and many more)	partial non-volatile state; FAT32 microSD, 8-bit/16-bit/24-bit/32-bit WAV files of any sample rate	Yes	900	DC coupled (can record/play CV) eight-channel multi-timbral operation phase modulation
SDS Digital Reflex LiveLoop 2016 16 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		looper, virtual tape	16-bit variable rate 1.5kHz–48kHz	~3 minutes at 44.1kHz to 93.2 minutes at LFO rates (variable)	clocked/quantized	1	well under 1 millisecond	1 stereo	pitch, slice, EQ band level, start, end, length, position, granule size, granule rate/direction, stutter mode	volatile buffer (8 slot non-volatile storage with add-on PCB)	Yes	350	EQ feature automatic peak slicing slice sequencing foot switch support feedback send/return flash board expansion PCB adds 8 slots of non-volatile memory for module state and TRS MIDI
Strymon Magneto 2018 28 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		looper, virtual tape	stereo	15 seconds to 2 minutes (variable)	patched	1	???	1 stereo	pitch, direction, “tape pause”	volatile buffer	Yes	600	this is really a tape delay simulator with a looper and pitch-able “phrase sampler” grafted on four virtual playback heads to play with
Whimsical Raps MANNEQUINS W/ 2018 2 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		virtual tape, looper	mono	hours	patched or through Teletype???	1	???	1 mono	um… yes?	non-volatile buffer	Yes	250	unique

Sample Players (no recording/capture)

Product		Type	Simultaneous samples (playback)	Triggered Latency	Outputs	CV support	storage/file format	Shipping	Approx. Price (USD)	Additional Notes
2hp Play 2018 2 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player				1	“extremely low”	1 mono	file, pitch	volatile buffers; FAT32 microSD, 16-bit 44.1kHz mono WAV, up to 32 files per card	Yes	150	ships with sample content
ADDAC 111 2013 16 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player				1	???	1 mono	file, pitch, start, length	volatile buffers; FAT16 microSD, 16-bit 22.05kHz mono, 72 files per card	Yes	500	built in VCA, envelope follower expander enables gate sequencing of eight sample files
Bastl GrandPa 2015 5 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player, granular				1	“some” (anecdotal)	1 mono	1 assignable (pitch, crush, grain size, attack, release, start, end, etc.)	volatile buffers; microSD, 12-bit 22.05kHz mono WAV, up to 35 samples per card	Yes	185	expander available that significantly expands CV support DC coupled (can play CV)
Endorphin.es Two of Cups 2021 6 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player				2		2 mono		microSD, 8- or 16-bit WAV of any sample rate	Yes	210	12-bit DAC ships with sample content
Erica Synths Pico Drums 2016 3 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player				2	1-5 milliseconds	1 mono	1 assignable (pitch, decay, file, volume)	non-volatile state; side-load, 12-bit 44kHz mono WAV	Yes	135	swapping samples requires USB programmer adapter (sold separately) and computer web browser includes sample content
Futureretro Transient Plus 2018 12 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player				1	???	1 mono	2 assignable (pitch, distortion, filtration, various kinds of audio modulations, etc.)	non-volatile state; FAT16 microSD, up to 600 files of max 16MB total	Yes	250	really a sample-based percussion module, but you can swap out the samples includes sample content
Ladik D-333 2015 4 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player				1	???	1 mono	file, pitch	replaceable EEPROM chip	Yes	80	not designed for frequently changing the sample content
Music Thing Radio Music 2015 4 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player				1	9+ milliseconds (depends on sd card)	1 mono	file select	FAT16 or FAT32 microSD, 16-bit 44.1kHz mono, up to 16 banks of up to 75 samples	Yes	115	designed to play long clips directly of microSD
Qu-bit Wave 2016 28 HP Modular Grid >		file player				4	???	4 mono	pitch, file	microSD, 16-bit 44kHz mono WAV, up to four banks of 16 samples each	Discontinued	480	includes sample content
Squarp Rample 2020 14 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player				4	~1 millisecond	4 outputs assignable mono or stereo, plus mono mix	4 assignable cv inputs via modulation matrix to pitch, bit depth, filter, freeze, start, length, envelope, run and levels	microSD (included)	Yes	270	MIDI support onboard supports hundreds of “kits” (sample loadouts) includes sample content
Tesseract Modular Nutella Tsunami 2018 16 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player				32 mono or 18 stereo	8 milliseconds	8 mono or 4 stereo	a few assignable trigger-based parameters (see manual)	microSD, 16-bit 44kHz mono or stereo, up to 32 banks of 128 sounds each	Yes	250	MIDI DIN DIY
Tiptop Audio ONE 2017 4 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player				1	~0.25 milliseconds (depending on mode)	1 mono	1 assignable (pitch or file)	FATFS microSD, 16-bit or 24-bit WAV up to 96kHz (up to 256 files, length limited only by FATFS)	Yes	175	DC coupled (can play CV) supports gated playback and looping
vpme.de Quad Drum Voice 2019 22 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player				4	???	2 mono or 1 stereo	4 assignable (pitch, decay, file)	FAT32 microSD 16-bit 44.1kHz or 48kHz WAV, up to 1024 samples organized in sets	Yes	399	internal EQ and mix controls also drum synth and wavetable engines includes sample content
XOR Electronics Nerdseq 2016 32 HP Modular Grid > Web site >		file player				4	???	2 mono	4 assignable (???)	microSD, 8-bit or 16-bit mono or stereo WAV/RAW, twelve assignable sample slots, up to 200kB total	Yes	680	this is really a Eurorack sequencer that happens to have built-in sample playback features

Other modules of interest

These don’t really fit in the above comparison, but are probably worth being aware of.

• Eurotrash Mk II dual mono WAV player (teensy-based DIY hackable platform by mxmxmx)
• Analogue Systems RS-290 Sampler/Delay (venerable, nominally-Eurorack-compatible delay/sample/effect unit of the “audio buffer” sort)
• 4ms Dual Looping Delay (delay with some sampler-esque capabilities)
• 4ms Looping Delay (delay with some sampler-esque capabilities)
• 4ms WAV Recorder
• Alyseum Record
• Patching Panda Ephemere (cv recorder/looper than can also record up to 4 seconds of audio)

Non-modular alternatives

• 1010 Music Blackbox
• Elektron Digitakt
• Elektron Octatrack MKII
• Synthstrom Deluge
• Tasty Chips GR-1
• Teenage Engineering OP-1
• Teenage Engineering OP-Z
• Teenage Engineering PO-33

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