The ASR-X is a professional quality alternative to the Akai MPC-3000. It's a sampling, synthesizer, sequencer and effects studio in a single tabletop unit with professional sampler specifications, and easy yet professional sample editing features. Although it has been replaced by the ASR-X Pro, this instrument is still pretty great. For the most part, they're both the same - except the ASR-X is not as expandable. However it still has easy programming, excellent analog-like filters (low, high and bandpass with resonance), many sample-editing functions, digital effects and easy sequencing.

What separates the ASR-X Pro from the ASR-X? The newer Pro offers an already built-in SCSI interface for limitless storage to disk or drive; a cool new Flash OS system means you can upgrade it simply by inserting a floppy, no messing with ROM chips; a new Stomper program synthesizes phatt analog drum machine sounds (a built-in drum machine), giving the MPC-3000 a run for its groove; memory is expandable to 66MB; cool Resampling technology allows you to digitally resample with any effects and tweaks you've applied back through. Though this list is long, the older ASR-X is still a very modern machine with just about all you'll ever need in sampler of this type. It has been used by BT.

19 VISITOR COMMENTS

RKM

May 1, 2012 @ 12:54 am

i'm really happy people don't understand the real value of these ASR machines, just got my fourth with scsi & outputs expanded. love the sound.

Richard

March 9, 2012 @ 4:44 am

I bought the ASR-X new and early on, and eventually added the Urban sound set. I liked it, but not so much that I hung on to it. Getting one years later, the sheer sound pressure coming out of it completely surprised me. If you like things that go boooooooomm, the ASR-X is a lot of that for little money. The effects are, of course, top-notch, and the screen is obviously terrible to work through. But at current prices, this is a secret weapon to some I know, and even though it's heresy to say, this can more than hold its sonic own versus e.g. an MPC 2000 XL. A fun beast, like most Ensoniqs.

Thomas

November 8, 2011 @ 8:59 am

Strange beast..: Probably the best sound engine in existence(!), nice pads and interface (sort of) - but it seems that the connection between them is broken. There is no way to edit the sounds to the full potential of the synth engine, except using a computer and special software. Thanks for that BTW, Garth Hjelte! So you're kind of stuck with a good sampler, a so-so loop sequencer, great pads and a locked-in synth. Plus, you'll really need a keyboard to make use of it. And the two knobs will drive you mad. But for rap and urban sounds, this thing kills!

nate

October 1, 2011 @ 11:54 am

This is a great machine with lots of depth but replacement parts are a killer to find. They are either expensive or non existant. I'm trying solve the problem of floppy storage with Sony Floppy Disc Interface for Memory Stick. Has anyone tried or heard of this? The scsi to ide interface is nightmare to find for CF instaltion and I'm not a fan of zip drives. I wish this machine got as much after market love as its mpc counterparts. I love my ASR X but this issue iss definately a downer.

mindcontrol

July 1, 2011 @ 12:07 am

This machine is a beast!!

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