DIY LoFi Dual Sample Looper
In this episode of SecondHandSynth we explore the 1820 Voice Recording Playback Module. After watching a video by Lonershy (https://youtu.be/JJU73BE90DU) where he creates a 4 channel version, I was inspired to create a similar build but with only two samplers.
I love these boards because they can be purchased online for very cheap. My favorite feature is that they have a resistance dependant sample rate. So, this makes it easy to add a potentiometer and pitch a sample down for a real slowed down LoFi feel.
The chip doesn’t sample high-quality audio so when you stretch the sample it breaks down even more adding to the LoFi bit-crushed feel. Additionally, these chipboards are really easy to work with and only require a few components to get a DIY sampler going.
For my version of the sample looper, I chose to just create a Eurorack based enclosure/faceplate so that it could be used easily in that fashion down the road. The module is run off of a 9V center negative guitar pedal wall wart. I’m using the 7805 5V voltage regulator to get the voltage down to under 6V needed for the 1820 chip.
I replaced the SMD timing resistor with a 200k potentiometer and a 56k resistor in series. This brings the sample rate down to a lovely buttery downtempo speed when the pot is at max.
At the end of the video I’m jamming with the looper and I passed it through some delay which really enriches the sound and creates some awesome loop-based soundscapes.
All in all this project was a lot of fun to work on and I’m really excited to create some LoFi sounds with this module.
Definitely go check out Lonershy’s video as he talks about the pinout and how to rig up the chip for sample and playback. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4RzOgdJRhRteLy0hqPIkrg
Download the Audio from the video below
Let me know in the comments what you think of the build.
