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.
The apps
EP-PatchStudio
The full workflow app for the EP series: multisampling, auto-sampling, file management and backups. Core Sample Editor free, Pro is a one-off pay-what-you-want purchase.
OP-PatchStudio
A free, open-source preset creator for the OP-XY. It runs in the browser today, and a new desktop version is in development.
PO-PatchStudio
A 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 this isn't someone typing "make me an app" into a chatbot and shipping whatever comes out.
These are properly engineered apps, tested on real hardware. The EP Auto-Sampler works because I've spent countless hours refining the MIDI timing, audio detection and zone mapping. The file manager is fast because I've optimised how the software talks to the hardware.
I use these tools every day on my own devices. If something's broken, I'm the first to notice, and the first to fix it.
The philosophy
- Pay once, or pay nothing. OP-PatchStudio and PO-PatchStudio are free. EP-PatchStudio Pro is a single pay-what-you-want purchase with lifetime updates. There are no subscriptions anywhere.
- 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. Theblog covers what's new and what's coming.
Feature requests and bug reports are always welcome: emailhello@squarewave.studio. I read every message and try to respond within 24 hours.