The story behind SquareWave Studio
Grown-up software for Teenage Engineering devices, built by one person.
Why I build these tools
When I got my EP-40 Riddim, I was excited to start creating multisamples from my synth collection. What I wasn't prepared for was the workflow nightmare that awaited me.
The official EP Sample Tool is browser-based and limited. Want to work offline? Tough luck. Need to create multisamples? You can't. Preparing samples meant three different apps and a lot of patience, and backing up the device properly could eat an hour.
I spent more time managing files than making music. And as someone who has been building software for nearly 20 years, I knew there had to be a better way.
So I built it.
Who I am
I'm Joe, a software engineer with 20 years of experience in IT and development, based in Ireland. By day I build enterprise software. By night (and weekends) I make music and build tools that scratch my own itch.
EP-PatchStudio started as a personal project: I needed something that would let me create multisamples quickly, auto-sample my hardware synths and manage my EP-40 without the frustration of browser-based tools. After months of daily use on my own gear, I realised other owners might find it useful too. That's why SquareWave Studio exists: to share tools like these with other musicians.
Make videos, guides or lessons with TE gear? See Partners.
The apps
EP-PatchStudio
The full workflow app for the EP series: multisampling, auto-sampling, file management and backups. The Sample Editor is always free. Pro is a one-off licence for the device workflow (pay what you want on desktop).
OP-PatchStudio
Tools for the OP series. Making samples and presets is always free, starting with the OP-XY. Pro adds the Tape Editor and Memos.
PO-PatchStudio
A completely free sound and pattern tool for the Pocket Operator PO-32 Tonic, with more Pocket Operators on the roadmap.
Not Vibe-Coded
Yes, I use AI tools to help with development. Who doesn't these days? But a vibe-coded app is someone typing "make me an app" into a chatbot and shipping whatever comes out. That isn't how these are made.
I've worked in IT for 20 years. I design each app, I know how every part of it is built and I check everything before it ships. A lot of the work is device research: how each device stores its samples and presets, what its file formats expect and where its firmware is fussy. Then I test on the real hardware.
The EP Auto-Sampler works because I spent a long time on its MIDI timing, audio detection and zone mapping. EP-PatchStudio's file manager is quick because it caches what it has already loaded instead of fetching everything again.
I use these apps every day on my own devices. If something breaks, I usually notice before anyone else and fix it.
The philosophy
- Pay once, or pay nothing. PO-PatchStudio is completely free. In EP-PatchStudio, making samples and presets is always free, and Pro adds the workflow tools as a one-off purchase with lifetime updates (pay what you want on desktop). OP-PatchStudio follows the same rule, with Pro arriving in its public beta. There's no subscription for any of the apps.
- No annoying DRM. Enter your licence key once and you are done. Everything works offline after activation.
- Your work is yours. Export everything. Nothing is locked into the apps.
- Direct support. When you email, you are talking to the person who built the software. Not a support team, not a chatbot.
What's next
Everything here is actively developed, with a roadmap based on my own needs and feedback from users. The blog covers what's new and what's coming.
Feature requests and bug reports are always welcome: email support@squarewave.studio. I read every message and try to respond within 24 hours.