Superbooth 2026: Torso Electronics showcased S-4 OS 2.2, an update for its sculpting sampler with a deeper granular engine, and more.
The developers from Torso Electronics were also at Superbooth this year. They didn’t have a new product or prototype to show us, but they did have new firmware for the S-4 sampler.
Torso Electronics announced firmware version 2.2 for the S-4 sculpting sampler.
Torso Electronics S-4 Firmware 2.2
The S-4 had a somewhat unfortunate start, but then evolved into a super exciting sculpting sampler with a workflow like no other. With firmware version 2.2, the Torso Electronics developers have expanded the engine once again.
It reworks the granular capabilities of the S-4, aka the Mosaic device. It now comes with more flexibility for the granular engine, where you want to use it in the buffer.
The first addition is a new scan parameter that lets you scan through the looped audio and choose the position in the buffer from which we read. You can do this now with real-time time stretching, and with modulation applied, you achieve very crazy results.
There is also the position mode, where you can manually specify the position in the buffer from which it starts reading. It is also now possible to load the buffer to hold any moment in time. And you can also use a syncable delay mode for granular delay effects.
Firmware 2.2 also introduces randomization on the pitch (stereo/mono), amplitude, and reverse playback. The latter lets you dial in the chance that grains are reversed-playbacked. Other new features are:
- Feedback has been reworked (formerly SOS)
- Feed output back into the buffer for evolving textures
- Legacy SOS remains as a mode
- Expanded movement within grains
- Warp is now part of Spray, with new modes
- Mosaic can run independently of playback (configurable)
Great new features for the S-4, which raise it higher on my wishlist. I find it a very inspiring tool that I would like to test for a longer period of time.
Plus, it has two of my favorite sound design tools: resonators and granular processing, which makes it even more tempting.
The new Torso Electronics S-4 firmware 2.2 is now in beta and available as a free download for existing users.
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Update from June 19, 2025
Last year, Torso Electronics released the S-4, a fascinating hardware device that combines sampler duties with tape workflow and creative effects. The user community has received both positive feedback and criticism, which primarily pointed to an unfinished device with numerous missing features and bugs.
Many were also disappointed by the slowness of firmware update releases. Salvation arrived at Superbooth 2025, where the developers unveiled a major update. Even happier are the users now that Torso Electronics has released the firmware 2.0 update, which includes many long-awaited features.
Torso Electronics S-4 2.0
Firmware 2.0 is now available, marking the largest update to the S-4 since its launch. According to Torso Electronics, it is a total rewrite of the core engine that finally fulfills the original vision for the instrument.
The update introduces several new key features that make the S-4 sampler significantly more mature in its concept, including macro controls, scenes, variable-speed recording, unlimited sample length playback, and new dynamic modulation options.
Starting with the Perform section, which adds the ability to create global macros, enabling control of multiple parameters across the entire instrument simultaneously. Any parameter can be mapped to eight performance knobs and four punch-in effect buttons, allowing transformative changes with a single gesture.
The Scene tab has also got a significant feature boost. It enables saving and instantly launching parameter and sample snapshots. You can now save full machine states, create variations, capture moments, and swap samples on the fly. There are up to 128 scenes available per project, which can be controlled directly on the device or via MIDI Program Change.
Then Temp brings performance functionality with temporary control of all parameters. When temp is enabled, Torso Electronics S-4 saves the initial state and snaps
back instantly when released.
Disk Streaming, Modulation…
Also neat, disk streaming is now available. Disc is a new sample playback device that streams audio directly from S-4’s internal storage, enabling playback of long-form audio files. This is a great feature that unlocks workflows with full-length stems, field recordings, or long loops. Disc is only limited by available storage space.
The modulation engine also got a makeover with a new envelope follower (Follow) that uses the amplitude of any of the four track outputs or the S-4’s inputs to modulate parameters. This gives you dynamic, responsive modulation that perfectly adapts to your tracks.
Improvements were desired in the workflow, which were followed up with the update 2.0. The S-4 now comes with new performance and utility features, including copy for duplicating devices, tracks, and scenes. Also, the Tape device now has better live looping with varispeed recording.
Other improvements are:
- comprehensive overhaul for the interface
- preview samples directly in the sample browser
- track record and track launch quantization options available
- increased gain for line out and headphones.
- USB audio out is now post-fader, respecting levels set in the Mix View.
- ring processor has new modes for the decay parameter
- deform processor has new modes for the crush parameter
- and many more
There are also numerous bug fixes. You can find the full changelog of the firmware 2.0 here.
I’m happy to see that the Torso S-4 has now received this major update. The concept immediately caught my attention, and I wanted to test it to see if it would fit into my live workflow. Due to the numerous negative comments I’ve read, I’ve refrained from requesting testing and was waiting for an update that would improve many aspects.
The moment is now here, and what I see in the videos so far looks much more mature and satisfying as an instrument.
Torso Electronics S-4 firmware 2.0 is available now as a free download. S-4 is out now for 899€.
Article Update from May 5, 2024
Torso Electronics S-4 is a new portable sampler device bringing the tape workflow into the modern era paired with advanced sound sculpting features.
And there you go. The Torso Electronics S-4 is out now. The first batch was delivered at the end of April. According to TE, the second batch is already sold out, and shipping will start at the end of May.
But you can pre-order the device for 899€ in the third batch, which will then be delivered in July 2024.
Update From January 17th, 2024
In November 2023, the makers of the inspiring T-1 algorithm sequencer announced the S-4. It is Torso Electronics’ second product and is also unique.
It’s a sampler and sound processor with a tape machine’s workflow. For the announcement, there were only a few demos available. Over the last weeks, Torso uploaded several small video demos showcasing the device.
Article From November 16, 2023
The T-1 was the first product from the young Danish company Torso Electronics. A MIDI sequencer that broke new ground thanks to intelligent and user-customizable algorithms.
But it doesn’t stop with a MIDI sequencer. Today, Torso expands its portfolio with its first instrument. This is just as different and playful as the T-1.
“Sound is not just an auditory experience; it’s a tactile, living entity that evolves in real-time. The S-4 Sculpting Sampler is designed to be an extension of the artist’s imagination, offering an infinite canvas to mold, carve, and transform sound in the most intuitive way possible,” says Lars Buchholtz, CEO of Torso Electronics.
Torso Electronics S-4
The S-4 is a new portable sound design exploration machine or, in Torso’s words, a sculpting sampler. Sampling is only a part of what the instrument can do. It’s more of a door opener for many sound-sculpting adventures.
Torso’s first instrument is made of aluminum and has a beautiful, classic matte black finish. At only 820g, it is a very portable and light device that easily fits into any bag. I kind of get Monome Norns vibes looking at the hardware; who else?
The core of the S-4 is powered by a quad-core 1.5 GHz processor with 4GB flash memory. Sufficient power for long sound design sessions. 4GB, on the other hand, isn’t very much, I hope you can expand it externally via USB.
There are no surprises on the interface side: a high-resolution LCD color display, 21 tactile RGB buttons, and nine high-quality endless encoders.
A Sound Sculpting Engine
Small device, but big, powerful, and fun engine. Interestingly, Torso doesn’t go the groovebox direction with the S-4, but adapts the immediate, fun workflow of vintage tape machines to a modern area instrument. This is also reflected in the S-4 operation. Everything is very direct and made to do live experiments
The engine’s center is a stereo sampler with four parallel stereo tracks. You can feed them with live audio via the line inputs (real-time sampling) or import ready-made samples. You can use various modes, including stereo tape, offering a wide range of live audio and looping capabilities.
Since the device is still in full development, Torso can’t say all the details of what the sampling engine can do. But expect features like start and stop manipulation, time-stretch, and more. This material can then be routed to other processors, which opens further the sonic door.
Colorful Bouquet Of Creative Processors
First, it hosts a live granular processor with time-warping and pitch-shifting algorithms. The full feature set, including the maximum grain amount, are not yet fixed. But it shows in which direction it goes and that you can use the S4 as a quad granular sampler.
In addition to granular processing, the S-4 also offers exciting filtering options. But not the classic lowpass/highpass filtering. The Torso developers have implemented a morphing resonator powered by a 48-band tuned filter bank, giving you unique sound-shaping options.
All the in-depth details about the filter block are still missing, but I can imagine that you can achieve physical modeling-like, organic tones with it.
In two further engine blocks, you can add color and space to your sample content. The color section will feature a collection of effects made for sonic destruction, like bit-crushing, drive, distortion, and compression.
Space, on the other side, gives you everything to raise your soundscapes into sound clouds with a reverb/delay combo with pitch-shifting and shimmer.
Modulation A La Torso
Torso’s first product was an algorithmic MIDI sequencer packed with exciting, inspiring features. This know-how will be found in modulation. S-4 will feature four modulators per track supported by a unique modulation system, allowing you to bring life to any parameters.
Choose between a range of different modulators, from complex LFOs, and generative sequencers to envelopes, says Torso Electronics. That sounds like a lot of flexibility and fun.
Connectivity
On the back, the S-4 offers everything a live musician and studio producer needs: a stereo input/output on two mono 6.35mm line inputs/outputs, a stereo 3.5mm headphone socket, and a TRS-MIDI in/out.
Plus, you get analog sync in/out for working seamlessly with external gear and, a USB-C port, and a power supply input.
Not to forget, it also features a WiFI module with Ableton Link support. And you can turn it into a class-compliant USB audio interface with the option to expand the inputs and outputs via another USB interface.
(Early) First Impression
Since the device is still in development, it is difficult to make a first impression. But I really like what I see so far. Above all that Torso doesn’t go the groovebox route but of a modern tape sampler without being fixated on a grid.
Features like real-time granular processing and resonator are very promising, and I’m excited to see what will be possible.
Torso Electronics S-4 is available now for pre-order for 899€. Shipping starts in March 2024.
More information here: Torso Electronics
