The S-4 is a sculpting sampler designed to capture and transform sounds. Merging tape-era workflows with cutting-edge technology, the S-4 redefines sound mangling by providing a futuristic platform for crafting unique soundscapes and compositions, using samples and real-time audio processing.

S-4 is a tool made for sonic explorers. It has four parallel stereo tracks, each with an audio engine featuring a chain of audio devices including samplers, live granular processing, morphing resonators, and a range of audio effects. A novel modulation system allows anything and everything to be modulated with four modulators per track. Capture sounds on the fly with the onboard microphone and stereo line input, or load samples from the four gigabyte internal flash storage.

Use cases

The S-4 is a versatile powerhouse, capable of serving as an effects processor, transformative sound designer, tape machine, live looper, classic sample player, or textural synthesizer.

Tape machine

Capture your surroundings. Use S-4 as a transformative four-track tape machine.

Effect processor

Manipulate live audio, and add color and textures to your beats, melodies, and sounds

Midi controlled sampler

Hook up a MIDI keyboard or sequencer and use S-4 as a powerful textural synthesizer and sample player.

Audio engine

Push the creative boundaries and transform audio into uncharted depths. S-4 has four parallel stereo tracks, each of which contains a chain of five audio devices tailored to cover specific sonic areas and applications. Create everything from glittering textures to broken soundscapes or evolving synth sounds.

Together, the devices form a playful toolbox for sculpting sample material and live audio.

Material

Stereo tape and sample players with live audio and looping capabilities.

Granular

Live granular processing with time-warping and pitch-shifting algorithms.

Filter

Morphing resonator: 48-band tuned filter bank with animation, tonal control, and classic filter functions.

Color

Collection of destructive effects including bit crushing, drive, and compression.

Space

Combined reverb and delay with pitch-shifting and shimmer.

Modulation system

Animate and bring life to any parameter using the rich and unique modulation system. Each track has four configurable modulators that can be mapped to any parameter with unlimited mapping destinations. It is even possible to do cross-modulation between modulators. Choose between a range of different modulators from complex LFOs, and generative sequencers to envelopes.

Capture your surroundings

Utilize the built-in microphone to record sounds, sample and loop your external gear with the stereo line input, resample the internal tracks, or effortlessly load samples from the S-4’s flash memory or an external drive.

Versatile powerhouse

The S-4 is designed with durable RGB buttons offering tactile feedback and a high-quality 3.5-inch LCD display ensuring all the visual feedback you need. It features USB connectivity for seamless connection to class-compliant devices and effortless file transfers to and from your laptop. Moreover, it can function as an audio interface when you require a simplified setup.  You can also expand the number of inputs and outputs by connecting a class-compliant external USB interface.

Audio engine features

• 4 parallel stereo audio tracks
• Tape player with live looping capabilities
• Polyphonic sample player
• Live granular processing with time-warping and pitch-shifting algorithms
• Morphing resonator (48-band filter bank)
• Bit crushing, drive, and compression
• Combined reverb and delay with pitch-shifting and shimmer

Modulation features

• 4 modulators per track
• Modulate any parameter of the audio engine
• Modulator types:
• – Complex LFOs
• – Generative sequencing tools
• – Envelopes

Hardware

• Quad-core 1.5 GHz processor
• 4 GB flash memory (sample pool)
• 24-bit / 48 kHz stereo audio in and out

I/O

• 2 line-inputs
• 2 line-outputs
• Built-in microphone
• Stereo headphone output
• MIDI in/out
• Analog sync in/out
• USB-C

Miscellaneous

• WiFi – Ableton Link
• Class-compliant USB audio interface
• Expandable number of inputs/outputs with class-compliant USB interfaces

User Interface

• High-resolution LCD color display, 3.5 inch
• 21 tactile RGB buttons
• 9 high-quality endless encoders

Physical

• Matte black aluminum casing
• Dimensions: 242 x 156 x 39 mm (9.5” x 6.1” x 1.5”)
• Weight: 820g (1.8 lbs)