Deluge

SampleStack supported

Synthstrom Audible

A portable synth, sampler and sequencer that streams its samples straight from an SD card.

The Deluge is a self-contained groovebox built around a grid of RGB pads. It combines subtractive, wavetable and FM synth engines with sample-based kits, audio clips and a deep sequencer, and it runs on batteries.

Samples are streamed from the SD card rather than loaded into memory, so long samples are fine. Kits and synth presets are stored as XML files on the card, and every sound they use has to live in the SAMPLES folder.

Format

Standalone

Sample Rate

44.1 kHz native (up to 96 kHz)

Bit Depth

16 or 24-bit native (up to 32-bit)

Channels

Mono or Stereo

File Formats

WAV, AIFF

Storage

SD card (FAT32, any size)

Specifications

Memory 64 MB working memory. Samples stream from the SD card

Features

  • Subtractive, wavetable and FM synth engines
  • Sample kits, audio clips and resampling
  • Loads a folder of samples as a multisampled synth
  • A multisampled instrument counts as one sound, however many samples it holds

Transfer Method

Copy files to the SD card with a card reader.

Folder Structure

SD Card Root (FAT32)/
├── KITS/            kit presets (KIT000.XML …)
├── SYNTHS/          synth presets (SYNT000.XML …)
├── SONGS/
└── SAMPLES/         all audio lives here
    ├── ARTISTS/
    ├── CLIPS/
    ├── DRUMS/
    ├── RECORD/
    └── RESAMPLE/

Notes

  • All audio must be inside SAMPLES/ or a subfolder of it. The Deluge doesn't load samples from anywhere else
  • To load a multisampled instrument from a plain folder, browse to it, hold SELECT and choose MULTi. That plays, but creates no preset
  • SampleStack also writes the preset itself: SYNTHS/<name>.XML for a synth, KITS/<name>.XML for a kit, with the audio under SAMPLES/<name>/
  • Files shorter than 20 ms load as single-cycle waveforms when loaded into a synth
  • Presets moved between cards need their XML file plus the folder of the same name that holds their audio, kept side by side

Preparing samples for the Deluge

The Deluge's native format is 44.1 kHz, 16 or 24-bit. It will play other rates up to 96 kHz and bit depths up to 32-bit, but anything that isn't 44.1 kHz is resampled every time it plays. SampleStack converts to the native format so your samples cost less CPU.

SampleStack exports a Deluge instrument as a card layout: the samples under SAMPLES/, and a preset alongside them, either a synth preset in SYNTHS/ or a kit in KITS/. Copy both folders to your card and the instrument appears in the browser ready to load, rather than needing to be rebuilt by hand.

Each sample also carries a note tag inside the WAV file, which overrides the Deluge's own pitch detection, and filenames that sort from lowest to highest note. Between them, instruments map correctly the first time.

Links

Frequently Asked Questions

What sample format does the Deluge want?

WAV or AIFF. The native format is 44.1 kHz at 16 or 24-bit, and the Deluge accepts up to 96 kHz and 32-bit. Other rates are resampled on playback, which costs CPU, so converting to 44.1 kHz is worthwhile.

How do I load a multisampled instrument on the Deluge?

Put the samples in a folder under SAMPLES/, then in a synth's sample browser select that folder, hold SELECT and choose MULTi. SampleStack exports multisampled instruments in exactly this form, and can write them straight into the SAMPLES folder of a Deluge card.

Why are my multisamples mapped to the wrong notes?

The Deluge guesses each sample's pitch, which can go wrong on detuned or noisy material. A note tag in the WAV file overrides the guess. SampleStack writes that tag for every sample it exports, so the Deluge uses the note you set.

Why doesn't the Deluge see my samples?

The Deluge only loads audio from the SAMPLES folder or a folder inside it. SampleStack flags samples that sit anywhere else on the card.

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