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Friends.

I've purged myself from all gear, and kept only an Octatrack and a Yamaha Reface CS.

Recently, though, I felt that I wanted something to feed my Octatrack with other than my existing samples and the Reface sounds, so I got an Electribe Sampler for loop creating, beats and other such things. I'm loving it so far.

However, I sometimes miss my Volca Sample, mainly because I have this idea that it has a very distinct sound. I listen to the stuff I made on it when I owned one, and it has this distinct, warm character - kind of punchy, with some grain and dirt in there, yet warm. Like something vintage that has aged with dignity.

But perhaps I'm just imagining it.

What are your experiences? Does the Volca Sample really have a character of its own in how it sounds, or is it just something we'd like to believe, to remember the sample glory days of MPC60, 12-bit crunching and mono samples for the win?

Is it true or just a mirage?

Yes I think it sounds great, it has a nice sound probably due to the analog isolator smoothing everything even when not used drastically. I seem to remember the sample rate being about 32khz so probably adds to the grit slightly too.

it has this distinct, warm character - kind of punchy, with some grain and dirt in there, yet warm

yeah, pretty much. a combination of the lofi sample rate and whatever filter/boost is used by the isolator (would be interested to see exactly how this works actually as it's a killer little circuit).

i don't think it's all in your head, sample has the knack of making most things you throw into it sound decent right away, and seems to balance itself reasonably well internally, it's a no brainer to get a decent mix without actually doing anything. no mean feat.

Well, you're right.

I went ahead and bought one. Ideas just pour out of it and they sound great at once. I've got an Electribe Sampler on loan, and while it's massively featured compared to the Sample, I just don't get equally cool things done with it.

Part me, part the instrument, I think.

I don't think it's imaginary. There's real character to it. I imagine it's like other have said, it's probably a combination of sample rate and the analogue isolator. The analogue isolator might add some subtle saturation I've thought. I think the Volca Sample is somewhat of a hidden gem (hidden as in it hasn't been met with the fanfare and buzz as the other Volcas). It really inspires me creatively. I love it. I have the Electribe Sampler as well and it's more of a workhorse but frustrating workflow. The VS workflow is genius simplicity at work. I probably need three total I think.