ALM Busy Circuits Squid Salmple (2023–)

Name: ALM Busy Squid
Brand: ALM Busy

It’s not every day a sampler lands in Eurorack with this much muscle and zero attitude—just 8 channels of no-nonsense sampling, CV manipulation, and USB simplicity that feels like it was designed by someone who’s actually tried to sample a snare hit mid-set.

Overview

The ALM Busy Circuits Squid Salmple isn’t trying to be a workstation, a synth engine, or a visual spectacle. It’s a sampler—eight channels of them—built for the modular world where patch cables outnumber buttons and screens are a liability. Released in 2023, it arrived not with a press release, but as the resolution of a years-long rumor: ALM/Busy Circuit’s “mystery sampler module” first teased around 2018. When it finally surfaced, it didn’t disappoint. This is a module that assumes you know what you want: record audio or CV, manipulate it in real time, play it back with precision, and move on. No touchscreens, no endless menus—just encoders, CV inputs, and a workflow that borrows from the no-frills pragmatism of early hardware samplers. It slots into a 21HP Eurorack space, draws a manageable 300mA from the +12V rail, and gives you eight independent channels, each capable of holding up to 11 seconds of 16-bit, 44.1kHz audio. That’s not endless looping territory, but it’s more than enough for rhythmic fragments, transient hits, or CV sequences lifted from the ether. And yes, it samples CVs—meaning you can record modulation sources, LFOs, or even random voltages and play them back exactly as captured. Line-level audio sampling is supported, so you’re not limited to mic-level signals or external preamps. It’s a rare breed: a Eurorack module that does one thing, does it deeply, and doesn’t pretend to be anything else.

Specifications

Manufacturer	ALM Busy Circuits
Model number	ALM022
Format	Eurorack
Width	21HP
Depth	38mm
Current	300mA @ +12V, 35mA @ -12V
Channels	8 independent channels
Outputs	4 DC coupling outputs, and one mixac coupling output
Sample input	Can sample CVs and audio; line-level sampling is possible
Sample memory per channel	Up to a sample of about 11 seconds
Sample format	Stored in low latency memory at 16-bit, 44.1khz
Sample file support	Samples can be stored on usb sticks in normal Wav format; 24-bit samples are playable (downsampled to 16-bit)
Latency	1-2ms trigger response time
Sample storage	8 banks can be switched quickly; 99 banks can be stored per USB stick
Original price	$519 MSRP
Expander compatibility	Axon-1, Axon-2
Included content	Comes with a USB Stick containing approximately 90 banks of original carefully curated royalty free samples

Key Features

Designed to be used, not deciphered

The Squid Salmple’s interface is its quiet superpower. It uses a proven design language borrowed from ALM’s own Pamela’s Pro Workout—minimal screen dependence, tactile encoders, and a layout that prioritizes immediate access over nested menus. You can edit samples in real time, adjust parameters on the fly, and load or save entire banks directly to USB without rebooting or entering a “mode.” That kind of immediacy is rare in digital Eurorack modules, where firmware updates and menu diving are often the norm. Here, you turn a knob, you hear the change. You press a button, the bank switches. It’s refreshing.

Eight channels of independent control

Each of the eight channels is fully independent, with per-channel control over bit depth, sampling rate, playback speed (pitch), volume (with a simple envelope), crossfade looping, playback direction, start and end points, and multi-queue grouping. That means you can have one channel playing a lo-fi, bit-crushed kick at half speed while another loops a clean 11-second ambient pad in reverse—and modulate both simultaneously via CV. The ability to control all parameters via CV is a given in the modular world, but it’s not always implemented cleanly. Here, it’s baked in: three assignable CV inputs, plus dedicated 1V/oct input for pitch control on channels 6, 7, and 8. That kind of integration means the Squid doesn’t just sit in your rack—it talks to it.

USB as a workflow, not an afterthought

The Squid ships with a USB stick loaded with around 90 banks of royalty-free samples—curated, not just dumped. But more importantly, USB isn’t just for loading: you can save banks on the fly, swap between 8 quick-access banks during performance, and store up to 99 banks per stick. Wav files are the standard, and while 24-bit samples are supported (downsampled to 16-bit), everything runs internally at 16-bit/44.1kHz via AKM codecs, known for their clean, low-noise performance. The 1–2ms trigger response time means there’s no perceptible lag when clocking from a sequencer or hitting a pad—critical for rhythmic precision.

Collectibility & Value

The Squid Salmple is too new to be “vintage,” but in the fast-moving world of Eurorack, it’s already a sought-after piece. The original MSRP was $519, and current market pricing reflects strong demand: one retailer lists it at €443.11, while a Japanese vendor prices it at ¥96,900 (tax excluded: ¥88,091). These aren’t collector’s markups—they’re real-time market prices for a module that ships with useful content and solves real problems. There’s no data yet on common failures or maintenance issues, which is typical for a recent release. Still, ALM’s track record with build quality and firmware support suggests it’s a safe bet. If you’re looking for one, check Reverb or eBay for new or used units, but don’t expect bargains—this isn’t the kind of module that gets traded in after a month.