Ensoniq • EPS-16+
The EPS-16+ was an innovative early sampler workstation designed for the 90's. Its sampler specs are impressive: 16-bit, variable sampling rates from 11.2kHz to 44.6kHz. With a slim 1Mb of memory this gives just about 11.5 seconds of sampling time in mono at 44.6kHz. Editing functions are quite nice: normalizing, sample splicing, merging, phase switching, auto-looping, auto-truncating, sample rate conversion and more.
On the synthesizer side it has two great filters with switchable hi, low and band pass, 6dB to 24dB cutoffs. BUT, they aren't resonant. The keyboard is velocity and pressure sensitive and it has full MIDI implementation. There is also a sophisticated 8-track sequencer that can really be fun in a live performance situation. A wildly flexible and variable LFO with seven shapes always adds a new twist to your samples! Topping it off is a full suite of on-board effects like reverb, delay, chorus, flange, phaser, Leslie sim, distortion and wah-wah and these effects can be re-sampled to become a part of the sample! It can even be played while it is loading samples!
In its time, the EPS-16+ was a revolutionary machine. It brought a lot of power and musicality to sampling. These days, the EPS-16+ is still useful. It brings back the early crunchy sampler sound but with a lot of features that make it really fun to play with. Even with its non-resonant filters you can still find yourself filtering a 'garage-beat' drum loop for hours while muting and un-muting other loops on the 8-track sequencer! The EPS-16+ was also made available in a rack-mount version. All EPS-16+ synths can be upgraded via non-volatile flash ROM (available on-line from Waveboy Industries and Chicken Systems, Inc.) to expand your EPS's memory, effects algorithms and creative potential! It has been used by Autechre, LFO, Massive Attack and Slam.
1. Those who know FM-Synthesis from Yamaha DX/TX series would be a bit disappointed if they would buy Ensoniq and expecting to get FM-Synth via Waveboys Effect. That FM-effect can simply combine two samples so that other modulates that another one.
Practically no other parameters. So its hardly FM synth. It would be crime against FM-synthesis to call it like that.
2. Transwave which EPS/ASR uses is first generation and not that good. FIZMO has newer and better version.
And by the way, Waldorfs Microwaves use Wavetable synthesis which is totally different story.. . .
There is nothing the ep16+ cant do. First it can sample super easy. Then the sequencer in better then an mpc. Also key groups!
If you buy the wave boy fx's you have access to the resonant filter, and fm synth. Also transwave synth like the microwave...!
Basically. Eps16+ can do anything. you can get it to sound as fat as an access virus. Sound quality is very good.
Real shame software came along and killed machines like this..