Hi Christophe

> I'd like to have the module to record and play at the same time, so,
> having one gate for record and another for play.
> [...]
> This would
> require one extra feature: a cross fade between the old and new
> sample-play position.
> [...]
> Same type of crossfade would be desirable if the record mode starts in
> the middle of the sample (crossfade between old and new sound).

Those suggestions require heavy hardcore DSP programming.
A simple sampler could be achieved much easier by an A/D-converter, a
clocked counter and a SRAM chip. Dieter did this in the SSS-modules 20
years ago.

> It would be great if negative voltages would lead to the sample being
> played backwards.

cute idea, but assumingly not easy to achieve (at least in an exact
reproducable way).

> Why not have two outputs with independent positions Opens
> possibilities for ping-pong delays, as well as stereo chorussing,
> a loop playing in canon and the monitoring function.

Very fine idea. This would require to have the same clock, but
independant address counters. This leads again to a even more modulized
version: separate modules for
- highspeed VCO module,
- VC addresscounter module,
- A/D-RAM-D/A module

> I think the independent input, output and monitoring would make it a
> real live performer, and that is how I like to use my modular!

Definitely true

Florian