About

Signal Function Set and SampleStack are software brands developed by Stuart Frederich-Smith, focused on tools for electronic music makers. Signal Function Set publishes free, open-source modules for VCV Rack and the Critter & Guitari EYESY, with hardware ports for the 4ms MetaModule and the Expert Sleepers Disting NT. Modules draw on historical works in computer music including Barry Truax's GSX, Steve Reich's tape phasing, Paul DeMarinis' Pygmy Gamelan, and the IRCAM CHANT project. SampleStack is the companion desktop sample manager for Eurorack and hardware samplers, supporting formats including Morphagene, Multigrain, and Digitakt.

The work is organized around four areas:

• VCV Rack modules: sequencers, LFOs, samplers, granular and additive synthesis, formant voices, and pingable resonators. Many are inspired by historical works in computer music: Barry Truax's GSX, Steve Reich's tape phasing, Paul DeMarinis' Pygmy Gamelan, the IRCAM CHANT project. All are available in the VCV Rack Library for free, and most also run on the 4ms MetaModule Eurorack platform.
• EYESY video synthesis modes: Python visual modes for the Critter & Guitari EYESY video synthesizer, plus a native macOS and Windows simulator for developing EYESY modes without the hardware.
• Desktop software: most notably SampleStack, a sample manager built for Eurorack and hardware samplers.
• Workshops: interactive slide decks and curated materials on synthesis topics. Run with Synth Library Portland.

Most of these projects came out of running into a problem in my own setup and deciding the path of least resistance was to build the tool myself. The work tries to take historical ideas (concrete music, granular synthesis, tape phasing, gamelan tunings) and make them playable in a modern modular environment.

Find me

• Instagram: @shotsy (personal) and @samplestack (SampleStack)
• YouTube: @StuartFrederichSmith
• Discord: SignalFunctionSet community
• Code: github.com/stuart78