SAMPO
The Sampo is an instrumental augmentation extension for any performer or composer. It enables musicians to expand the sound field of their acoustic instrument. The Sampo's gestural approach makes the augmented instrument accessible to all. Sampo is designed for professionals and amateurs alike.
MYTHOLOGY
In Finnish mythology, Sampo is a magical object that will bring wealth to whomever possesses it. Today’s Sampo is an object that enriches the sound possibilities of acoustic instruments and gives access to a vast repertoire of works.
Presentation
Sampo is an instrumental extension to increase the sound possibilities of acoustic instruments. It allows the solo musician to access the effects parameters using expression pedals. The resulting sound is reproduced directly on the Sampo thanks to the integrated loudspeakers.
The purpose is to present to musicians an effective way to produce mixed music autonomously, without any location constraint and without complex installations. The musician manages all the electronics himself and has total control over the sound creation.
The Sampo is easy to transport and install. You can play wherever there is a simple electrical outlet.
Sound examples
Presentation
Booklet-EN
Playing the Sampo
The Sampo is played using expression pedals.
For real-time signal treatment, each continuous variation pedal affects one or more sound processing parameters, such as delay, transposition, feedback, decay and others. This way, the musician modifies and augments the sonorities of their instrument through the movement of the pedals. The goal is to add a new sound dimension to a traditional acoustic instrument.
In addition to real-time treatment, one can play tape music (sound files). In this case the musician uses pedals to:
• trigger the sound files and to move inside, facilitating rehearsals
• manage output volume level of the instrument
• manage output volume level of the tape
• potentially, add effects (usually reverb)
Most of the pieces with tape are accompanied by a click-track or sound announcements to help synchronising with the tape.
Equipment
The Sampo is composed of a wooden box containing the electronic equipment, and a set of continuous variation pedals.
The box
The box contains all the elements to capture, process and play sound.
The Sampo is delivered with a dynamic microphone, which can easily be replaced by the user if needed.
A touch screen gives access to selecting works to play and modifying the electronic configurations. It also serves as a dashboard for the user, displaying information useful for performing (the positions of the pedals, selected effects, position in the sound file, etc).
A sound card and high-quality loudspeakers are integrated in the box. The Sampo is a completely autonomous system that does not need any extra equipment. Two Jack TRS outputs at the back of the box make it possible to connect the Sampo to external loudspeakers during concerts
The pedals
The parameters are accessed through expression pedals. The seven continuous variation pedals give true control and real-time access to the sound parameter
Transport
Le design du Sampo permet un transport facile : soit avec deux valises – une pour la boîte et une pour les pédales – soit dans une seule valise (flycase) dans le cas d’un envoi par la poste ou de déplacements par avion.
Software
The Sampo runs a dedicated software with an intuitive user interface.
The dashboard shows the selected configuration and effects, the position of each pedal, etc. A specific window gives access to all available configurations.
Other tabs of the interface give access to setting the sound processing parameters as well as the pedal affectations.
