Sampler/sequencer/drum machine from Sequential Circuits, circa 1987. S/N 582. The present owner bought this from Wine Country in 2007. It has version 2.30 (SCSI) operating system by Pointsource, 512K RAM, 12-bit sampling, up to 35 seconds sample time (at 16kHz, max rate is 44kHz), 50,000 note sequencer capacity, 8-note polyphonic, stereo audio outputs as well as individual track outputs 1 to 8. And, of course, it has MIDI – very easy to sequence up other synthesizers.

Quite a lot of functionality in a single box and easy to operate. The Studio 440 is fairly rare (about 600 made through 1986, ’87) and considered one of the pioneering forerunners to the later MPC units of the nineties.

This unit is in excellent condition – the cosmetics are very good, with tiny scratches around some of the edges of the enclosure. The main panel paintwork, graphics, knobs and switches are like new. No known issues operationally. Disks load fine, sound configuration, sampling, sequencing and audio all good, menus look normal. Display backlight is good, all hardware good. An easy instrument to get to know and operate, and sounds pretty good for a 12-bit sampler. Includes original manual (NOS from Wine Country), some service data, a number of sample disks, head protector disk (this will have to be ejected following transit) and a survival kit consisting of 8 spare touch pads (unused), two NOS pots, one switch module, one I-624 voice chip. The mains connection is standard IEC socket. The buyer will have to acquire their own mains cord that suits their country and change the internal voltage setting if necessary (explained in the manual. The present setting is 230V).