SUPERBOOTH 2024: Torso Electronics - S4 Sculpting Sampler

At Superbooth 2024, Sonic State caught up with Mathias from Torso Electronics to showcase their newest product, the S4 Sculpting Sampler
According to Mathias, the S4 is a versatile device that can function as a tape player, polyphonic sampler, and real-time effects processor. With features like a granular device, 48-band filter bank, modulation system, and more, the S4 offers a range of creative possibilities for musicians and producers alike.
The S4's ability to transform sounds in advanced and musical ways was evident in the demo, where Mathias showcased its granular device, filter device, modulation system, and live effects processing capabilities. With eight notes of polyphony per track, the S4 is now available for purchase on their website and through select retailers worldwide.
S4 Sculpting Sampler Price: 899 Euros
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[@vexkiddy]

Ritchie Hawtin casually in the background, looking at synths.

[@e.b.1279]

I know, right!!!

[@howlinberry1645]

Hahahaha holy shit, how’d I miss that?!

[@Ian-gw2vx]

Who ?

[@edjwise]

Oh look, more than 20 seconds of video on the S4

[@nkozi]

Never thought I'd see the day.

[@aikighost]

Yes if this had been the pre launch video I might have actually ordered one, but in the meantime elektron got my money 🤣

[@steventaylor3789]

Ooramusic has some great long form video demoing the S4.

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

@@steventaylor3789 it's great in hiding the real state of the device. certainly a hidden paid promotion. no respect at all

[@scienceofsound]

FINALLY!

[@eento06]

What a beast of sampler, kudos to Torso Electronics for such an incredible UI/UX, modulations look amazing and the device seems so immediat!

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

Bloody hell that’s mind blowing

[@olafsigursons]

Just a VST. You can do the same in any DAW for the quarter of the price and no waiting list.

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

@@olafsigursons I don't use either, and find this attractive rather than repulsive as I do DAW/VST workflows (both for my dayjob and funtimes)

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

@@Farold_Haltermeyer how about iPad? otherwise it's just weird saying it's mind blowing ) also, it's still in beta (or alpha now?) more or less

[@colmmadden8526]

Great machine. The bit where he took the beat to a drone and back to the beat again was like instant Fourtet.

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

I always wondered when people say 'instant X..', or 'X in a pedal', do they really mean it as a compliment? because it sounds just the opposite - either we want to be original, or 'instant copy of X'

[@bobtheman1]

The drone to beat part is at 3:14

[@kgbinfo]

hmmm, the “granular” part doesn’t really seem like real granular synthesis. more like just sample slicing.

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

the granular engine is pretty weak here.

[@arentsynthsbrilliant-uq8hr]

such a clever approach, taking some of the best of things like Norns and the er-301 into a focussed workflow. And intuitive too. Well done Torso 🙌

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

it's more like iDensity combined with Octatrack. but it's still not 'done' in any way. and Torso's to blame for not communicating this in any honest manner. 4 buttons on the surface are just TBA my god. bug list is longer than this video

[@stevenicholsonproducer]

Fantastic demo sounds great 😊

[@duncan-rmi]

the S4 will be brilliant when it's finished. I love mine to bits how it is now, but I wish they'd fix it.

[@sub-harmonik]

wow i was skeptical at first but there's some pretty creative/unique multi-effects stuff

[@Lofyne]

A pretty impressive little box.

[@olafsigursons]

Just a fancy VST.

[@mattbrown-mb]

@@olafsigursons Why the bias, some of us prefer hardware that has limited functions to allow us to focus on creative direction 😀 & not distractions.

[@greyaltaer8788]

Oh, Hey Ritchie!

[@jonbirchartist]

Very powerful, creative and fun. Clever stuff!

[@olafsigursons]

Overpriced VST.

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

@@olafsigursons yeah, or an iPad app from 10 years ago. but it adds a hands-on UI and some performative stuff (which is not there yet though.. they sold everyone a beta version for testing, shit happens)

[@troyjlandry]

I'll keep my GR1 for now.....

[@dolo747]

Definitely buying one in the near future.

[@olafsigursons]

You won't. they give them all to influencers. It will be discontinued before you can get one.

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

better wait until they fix the bugs

[@ukbloke28]

I like doing the live granular stuff with my Lemondrop. the multi filter thing is wild though

[@KLI333-9]

Probably the best device came out in 2020's so far. Hopefully we will see longer videos like this on their channel too

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

boy, this best of our times device doesn't even work properly, what are you talking about

[@Ian-gw2vx]

I have been thinking about a black box for a while but this seems more my style. I hope it can do experimental

[@e-conrecords4665]

The encoders make this look like an Elektron box.

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

it looks like a lot of design clues taken from Elektron

[@RDHamel]

I hope there’s Moyes going on in the granular section. Yikes! Work on that!

[@robert_lippok]

It's a very cool machine but I find the eight dials feel too cheap for the price. they are not wobbly but move too easily, especially in conjunction with the, sometimes, tiny display of some parameters.

[@qo0n.]

i love it, glad to have had the chance to try it. fits perfectly in the gap i feel the need to close, but i hope for the encoders to have a more solid feel in the final product.

[@devonhansen7705]

Wondering if it can do quantized live looping w/ overdubbing per track.

[@braggaboutit1233]

Yeah it can. It’s a big buggy at it atm but should be cleaned up in a FW update

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

@@braggaboutit1233 not a bit buggy, but bug-ridden beta state. why people can't be honest and protect the manufacturers who lie to them? alas, it will be finalised one day surely. but can it do QUANTIZED looping, is there any demo?

[@MeerkatMuzic]

Hope they fix the usb c issue.

[@planetpoog]

do they click all the 'coming soon' buttons😅

[@QuantumSynths1]

I’m not a sample guy and never pay attention to samplers. But this device looks so cool. Amazing.

[@derekholland3328]

woah, powerful machine..torso have always been one step ahead.

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

now honestly, were you paid to say it? you know well that Torso's had only ONE single product before it, so it couldn't be ALWAYS ahead of ANYONE. and that product was so unique it didnt even compete with anyone really )

[@derekholland3328]

@@yurijogurtsov8710 just a synth player dude, not paid a dime.

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

@@derekholland3328 I know pal, just kidding. and we both know that exaggeration was baseless

[@derekholland3328]

@@yurijogurtsov8710 lol true. cheers man.

[@Jason75913]

Badass interface. Am I right to guess it is very Polyend-inspired? Damn, do I love the original Polyend Tracker, absolutely fantastic sampler, but a sampling workflow isn't for me.

[@andersschroder2483]

HOLY SHIT

[@paulwhittaker5494]

That's Super Sauce!!!... ( What an awesome product!!!... ) ~ Also at a fairly reasonable price considering...

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

...considering you pay to enrol in beta-testing program? midi sync not working, usb problems, as many as 4 buttons (or rather their functions) are 'coming soon'. they rushed preorders before any demo was out, and now half a year later they ship half-baked instrument. I can hardly remember a similar case, even with boutique companies. also, the granular engine is very basic, just like the FX. on a positive side, the filter is nice, and modulation system is great. does this justify the Torso way of running the show or the price? I think not (curious and sad how Torso NEVER mentions the real state of the device). but when they get all functions working, add a more controllable/repeatable sequencing method (the not working 'perf' button may do half the trick), maybe more FX - then it becomes more palatable. but it is as it is now. and bizarrely, a company with just 1 product in its history asking you to pay the Digitakt (or Tempera, or GR-1) kind of money for beta testing.

[@NH-gz2kh]

@@yurijogurtsov8710 ouch

[@fumarolas]

@@yurijogurtsov8710you’re kind to comment a comment and don’t post this upfront. Let’s hope they don’t keep shipping faulty and buggy units.

[@dream_static]

@@yurijogurtsov8710 somebody had to say it 🙏

[@GirlfightClub]

I can do all that on my iPad tbh

[@phatplates]

With what apps??

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

@@phatplates ..and more. iDensity+Borderlands+Samplr, and others for FX. but not ALL can be done with it, tbh. and UI/UX on the S4 lends itself to some special methods, so it won't sound or feel the same at all. on the other hand, the S4 is still in beta, and you PAY for being a tester for Torso. and you pay more than you should, really

[@def4425]

😳

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

sonicstate, why didn't you ask them why some functions do not work, and whether those would be ready when it's shipping. it is shipping, and lots of things do not work. the device is in beta state. people watch vids, yours including, and pay to be enrolled into beta-testing program w/o knowing it. you're meant to support buyers, not sellers!

[@sonicstate]

Fair question, because we are often seeing these things at trade shows for the first time so are not able to prepare questions in advance. Our role at these kind of shows is to cover whats there generally.

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

@@sonicstate thanks. I can imagine, so was hesitant posting that, really.. but still I felt it worth saying, because during the demo it was clear that some functions were not being shown, and so it felt a bit like the interviewer didn't want to bother the Torso guys with an inconvenient question..

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

@@sonicstate I see now you even awarded them 'best of Superbooth', that's hilarious. a prize for lies. as a matter of fact, they cheated thrice, and scrape for every dollar now - not even deducing VAT for non-EU customers. shame

[@SlaserX]

This is what Polyend WISHES they were making

[@ITATTRACTS]

Goofy statement.

[@dirkkeersmaekers4343]

👍

[@deepseadiver8191]

Nah

[@BB69175]

Meh

[@olafsigursons]

Useless marketing, you can't buy the machine until end of July, we will all have forgotten about it by then. I hate when stupid companies can't deliver. Well, they saved me money.

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

worse, you CAN NOT buy it in working state even now )

[@Justsobusy]

What about the Redshift 6?

[@tekrahmuzik2119]

This one is good

[@kisho2679]

does it offer live loopimg/sampling for DJ performances?

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

this is aimed squarely at experimental looping, for dj style thing there're many other more traditional options. but I guess it can be utilised as an additional FX in any circumstances

[@davevendetta2386]

One of those little gems. I miss it already. Was very intuitive to play around.

[@renevanderkraats224]

Now there's a good demo of it's possibilities. Just a little bit more saving and I'll be able to put my order in.

[@olafsigursons]

Good luck with that, they sell them all to influencers, it will be discontinued before you can buy one.

[@renevanderkraats224]

@@olafsigursons We're on the same frequency here. I'll be putting in my pre-order this week at one of the stores :-)

[@yurijogurtsov8710]

@@olafsigursons they probably just create artificial scarcity in order to both make the price feel 'boutique', and to iron bugs out while it's still not marketed as wide as they would like to. early adopters here are beta testers. who pay to work for Torso. it's the most outrageously anti-community attitude I've ever seen in this hobby for 20 years, overtaken Polyend in no time )