Sequential Circuits Studio 440 Explained

The Studio 440 was a sampler, sequencer, and 32 sound drum machine manufactured by Dave Smith's Sequential Circuits (SCI) and released in 1986. The sampler's core is similar to that of the Prophet 2000 and Prophet 2002. There is a 3.5" floppy disk drive to ^[2] store samples and data.

Sample rate

The 440 also made it easier to access the full 768 KB of memory available, to create 12-bit samples from 12.5 to 33.5 seconds and up to 41.667 kHz.^[3]

• 15.625 kHz rate : 33.5 seconds  —  6 kHz bandwidth ^[4]
• 31.250 kHz rate : 16.7 seconds  —  12 kHz bandwidth
• 41.667 kHz rate : 12.5 seconds  —  18 kHz bandwidth

Sequencer

• 8 tracks^[5]
• 40,000 note capacity^[6]
• 999 measures per sequence
• 99 sequences
• Two discrete MIDI outs with up to 32 channels of MIDI

Notable users

• Aphex Twin^[7]
• The Beatmasters^[8]
• Dan the Automator^[9]
• Simon Harris^{[10] [11]}
• King Tech
• Mantronix^[12]
• Rod Modell^{[13] [14]}
• The Orb^[15]
• Prince Paul
• Three Times Dope

References

1. Web site: Sequential Circuits Studio 440 Drum Machine Sampler. Encyclotronic. en-US. 2018-08-16.
2. Web site: The Sequential Circuits Studio 440. synthhead. 2010-02-02. Synthtopia. en-US. 2018-08-16.
3. Web site: Sequential Circuits Studio-440 introduction.. SCI. Pierre G. / Copyrights. siliciumalpha.chez.com. 2018-08-16.
4. Web site: Sequential Curcuits STUDIO-440 introduction.. SCI. Pierre G. / Copyrights. siliciumalpha.chez.com. 2018-08-16.
5. Web site: Sequential Circuits Studio 440 Vintage Synth Explorer. www.vintagesynth.com. en. 2018-08-16.
6. Web site: The Shape Of Things To Come (SOS Sep 86). www.muzines.co.uk. 2018-08-16.
7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RhrgV_nex4 Live in Paris, 24/4/1993
8. Rowland. Nicholas. Mar 1988. House Masters. 28-30. Music Technology. Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing.. United Kingdom. 2022-10-03.
9. Web site: Sequential Circuits Studio 440: Samplers. synth.market. en. 2018-08-16.
10. Goodyer. Tim. Sep 1989. The Bassment Tapes. 44-49. Music Technology. Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing.. United Kingdom. 2022-10-03.
11. Goodyer. Tim. Mar 1992. Criminal Record?. 54-59. Music Technology. Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing.. United Kingdom. 2022-10-03.
12. Goodyer. Tim. Apr 1987. Music Madness. 67-70. Music Technology. Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing.. United Kingdom. 2022-10-03.
13. Rod Modell Interview (English Version) . 2012-10-29 . 1ConceptOne . 2024-08-24 . YouTube.
14. Web site: 2015-12-29 . In the studio with Rod Modell . 2024-08-24 . Headphone Commute . en-GB.
15. Prendergast. Mark. May 1993. The Orb. 28-34. Sound On Sound. United Kingdom. 2022-10-03.

Further reading

• The Shape Of Things To Come. Sound On Sound. September 1986. 6. 0951-6816. 925234032.