Export Options

Overview

EP-PatchStudio supports flexible audio export with multiple sample rates and bit depths in both the Batch Processor and Sample Editor. Lower bit depths (8/10/12-bit) create vintage lofi character whilst maintaining device compatibility.

These export options apply when processing audio in the Batch Processor or exporting from the Sample Editor.

Sample rates

EP-PatchStudio supports four sample rates for batch processing:

Sample Rate	Use Case	Notes
11,025 Hz	Extreme lofi, retro games	Quarter of CD quality, very small files
22,254 Hz	EP default (recommended)	The app’s default, a good balance of size and quality
44,100 Hz	CD quality	Standard for music production
48,000 Hz	Professional audio	Studio standard, slightly higher quality

Recommendation

Use 22,254 Hz for EP devices (the app’s default, and a good balance of quality and file size). The hardware records natively at 46,875 Hz, but 22,254 Hz is the sweet spot for stored samples.

Bit depths

EP-PatchStudio supports five bit depth options with different sonic characteristics:

Supported bit depths

8-bit

• Levels: 256
• Sound Character: Extreme lofi, harsh crunch, gritty
• Reference Hardware: Vintage drum machines, early samplers
• Output Format: 16-bit WAV

10-bit

• Levels: 1,024
• Sound Character: Gritty vintage warmth, SP-12 character
• Reference Hardware: E-mu SP-12 (1985)
• Output Format: 16-bit WAV

12-bit

• Levels: 4,096
• Sound Character: Classic sampler grit, warm analogue feel
• Reference Hardware: SP-1200, MPC60, early Akai samplers
• Output Format: 16-bit WAV

16-bit

• Levels: 65,536
• Sound Character: Clean, modern, no artifacts
• Reference Hardware: CD quality, professional standard
• Output Format: 16-bit WAV

24-bit

• Levels: 16,777,216
• Sound Character: Pristine, high dynamic range
• Reference Hardware: Studio recording, mastering
• Output Format: 24-bit WAV

Lofi bit depth workflow (8/10/12-bit)

How it works

The EP-40 Riddim only supports 16-bit and 24-bit WAV files natively. To achieve 8-bit, 10-bit, or 12-bit lofi sound:

1. Quantise audio to target bit depth (8/10/12-bit)
   • Reduces precision to create vintage character
   • Introduces quantisation noise (the “lofi” sound)
2. Upconvert to 16-bit
   • Stores the degraded audio in 16-bit container
   • “Bakes in” the lofi sound permanently
3. Export as 16-bit WAV
   • EP-40 Riddim compatible
   • Retains the vintage lofi character

Result

A 16-bit WAV file that sounds like 8/10/12-bit audio.

Example

Input:

44.1kHz 16-bit clean drum sample

↓

Quantise to 12-bit

(creates SP-1200 grit)

↓

Upconvert to 16-bit

(bakes in the grit)

↓

Output:

44.1kHz 16-bit WAV with 12-bit character

The quantisation permanently degrades the audio quality in a musical way, creating the classic sampler sound.

Technical details

File size comparison

Sample rates and bit depths affect file size:

1 second of mono audio:

• 11,025 Hz × 16-bit = 22 KB/sec
• 22,254 Hz × 16-bit = 44 KB/sec ← EP-40 Riddim optimal
• 44,100 Hz × 16-bit = 88 KB/sec
• 48,000 Hz × 24-bit = 144 KB/sec

Stereo doubles the file size.

EP-40 Riddim device constraints

Parameter	Limit	Notes
Max sample duration	40 seconds	Longer samples require splitting or pitch-up
Supported bit depths	16-bit, 24-bit	Lower depths upconverted to 16-bit
Supported sample rates	Up to 48 kHz	Preserves source rate if within range
Channels	Mono or Stereo	Stereo doubles file size

Use cases

8-bit - extreme lofi

Best for:

• Chiptune, retro game sounds
• Extreme lo-fi hip-hop
• Deliberately degraded/crushed drums
• Experimental noise textures

Sound: Very audible stair-stepping, harsh quantisation noise, digital crunch.

10-bit - E-mu SP-12

Best for:

• Classic 80s hip-hop (pre-SP-1200)
• Gritty boom-bap drums
• Vintage house/techno
• Old-school breakbeats

Sound: Warm analogue-style grit, subtle crunch, slightly softer than 8-bit.

Historical note: E-mu SP-12 (1985) was the first affordable drum sampler with 10-bit converters.

12-bit - SP-1200 / MPC60

Best for:

• Golden age hip-hop (1987-1995)
• Classic boom-bap production
• Vintage drum processing
• “That SP-1200 sound”

Sound: Subtle warmth, slight grit on transients, classic sampler character without harshness.

Historical note: SP-1200 (1987) and MPC60 (1988) defined hip-hop’s sound with 12-bit converters.

16-bit - standard

Best for:

• Modern production (default)
• Clean, professional sound
• Maximum compatibility
• General-purpose sampling

Sound: Clean, no artifacts, CD quality.

24-bit - high quality

Best for:

• Studio recording
• Mastering-grade samples
• Maximum dynamic range
• Post-processing headroom

Sound: Pristine, very low noise floor, professional studio quality.

File size: 50% larger than 16-bit.

Workflow examples

Lofi drum kit (12-bit SP-1200 style)

Settings:

• Sample Rate: 22,254 Hz (EP default)
• Bit Depth: 12-bit (SP-1200)
• Normalise: ✓ (-6dB headroom)
• Trim Silence: ✓

Output:

• 50 drums processed to 16-bit WAV files
• Baked-in 12-bit character (classic grit)
• ZIP download or direct device upload

Clean modern kit (16-bit)

Settings:

• Sample Rate: 44,100 Hz (CD quality)
• Bit Depth: 16-bit
• Normalise: ✓ (-3dB headroom)
• Pitch Shift: -12 semitones (octave down)

Output:

• Clean, modern sound
• Optimal file size
• Professional quality

Extreme lofi (8-bit + 11kHz)

Settings:

• Sample Rate: 11,025 Hz (quarter CD quality)
• Bit Depth: 8-bit (harsh crunch)
• Normalise: ✓ (-6dB)

Output:

• Very small files (~11 KB/sec mono)
• Extreme lofi character
• Retro/chiptune aesthetic

FAQ

Q: Why do 8/10/12-bit files export as 16-bit?

A: The EP-40 Riddim only supports 16-bit and 24-bit WAV files. Lower bit depths are quantised first (creating the lofi sound), then saved in a 16-bit container. The vintage character is permanently “baked in.”

Q: Will 8-bit files sound lofi on the device?

A: Yes! The quantisation creates the lofi sound in the audio data itself. The device plays back the degraded signal perfectly.

Q: What’s the difference between 10-bit and 12-bit?

A: 10-bit (1,024 levels) is grittier with more audible quantisation noise - E-mu SP-12 character. 12-bit (4,096 levels) is subtler and warmer - SP-1200/MPC60 character.

Q: Should I use 24-bit for everything?

A: Only if you need maximum dynamic range for post-processing. For final samples, 16-bit is sufficient and saves file space (especially on device with limited storage).

Q: Can I combine lofi bit depth with high sample rate?

A: Yes! You can have 12-bit at 48kHz for example. Bit depth affects dynamic range/noise floor, sample rate affects frequency response.

Recommendations by genre

Genre	Sample Rate	Bit Depth	Notes
Golden Age Hip-Hop	22,254 Hz	12-bit	Classic SP-1200 sound
Lofi Hip-Hop	22,254 Hz	10-bit or 12-bit	Warm vintage character
Modern Hip-Hop	44,100 Hz	16-bit	Clean and professional
House/Techno	44,100 Hz	16-bit	Standard for electronic music
Chiptune/8-bit	11,025 Hz	8-bit	Authentic retro sound
Studio/Mastering	48,000 Hz	24-bit	Maximum quality

Related documentation

Audio processing

Normalisation, trimming and pitch shifting options

View Audio Processing →

Batch Processor

Process multiple samples at once with these export options

View Batch Processor Docs →

Sample Editor

Create multisamples and export with these format options

View Sample Editor Docs →