Befaco Sampling Modulator

Befaco Sampling Modulator

A surprising Swiss knife in just 8HP.
Documentation here: Befaco Sampling Modulator

Sampling Modulator is a multi-function module — something between a VCO a Sample & Hold and a 8 step trigger sequencer.

It can work as:

– Sequencer clocked Sample and Hold
In this mode it is like a regular sample and hold, but since it is “sequencer clocked” make more interesting patterns than the usual S&H melodies because they can have more repetition. The clock In, can work in two ways: Clock and Sync. Clock is just a typical clock and Sync is a “positive going Hard sync” so you can create shuffling and poly-rhythmic Fx with it.
also the hold In is useful to keep some notes on.
— Analog Down Sampling Effect
In that mode (with the clock running at audio rates) you can go from nasty and harsh Sampling rate reduction to almost clean signal (the clock run up to 25Khz without external CV and up to 200Khz with CV on the input).
— Sampling Modulator (or maybe is better to call it sampling shaper)
Due to the V/oct clock, you can feed the IN with a simple wave shape like a sine, and later send pitch CV to that VCO and to the Sampling modulator CV In, so the two frequencies are related to each other and the aliasing created by the sampling rate reduction is also related to that frequency creating lots of clangorous metallic sound, 8 bit textures and much more. The game became much more interesting when you begging to destroy the wave turning on and off the switches of the sequencer. (sometimes it sound like tree VCOs the same time…)
To understand this mode keep in mind it have a temperature compensated ramp core VCO with more than 4 octaves tracking, so the timbre keep the same when you move trough different notes because the internal and external VCOs are moving same way in something like a “frequency related sampling rate modulation”
— 8 Step Trigger Sequencer
Just a regular utility trig generator, useful also as clock divider. The switches have tree position. On, Off and Reset (reset to the first step for non 4/4 signatures)
— Unusual V/oct VCO
You can use the trigger outs like a pulse VCO but when you switch on and off the switches timbre changes a lot.

Features

— Sequencer Clocked Sample & Hold
— Analog Down-sampling Effect
— Sampling Modulator/Shaper
— 8 Step Trigger Sequencer
— Unusual V/Oct VCO

Specs

— Current needs: +12V: 48mA, -12V: 18mA
— Width: 8 HP
— Depth: 40 mm (including power connector)
— Alluminium, heat-treated front panel
— Designed, kits prepared and completed modules assembled in Barcelona