Ensoniq ASR-X user reviews ( 8/10) - 5 user reviews

• 10/31/08

  FP User Reviews's review

  Characteristics

  Features on this machine are good. Sampling is easy, and the sampler engine is wonderful. Resampling is another great feature included on the asr-x, which enables it to sample its own main output. The asr-x comes with 40 effects, all of which sound great. Each pad and track can have a reverb assigned to it, but without the x-8 output expansion, you only get one insert effects for all the pads, and tracks. However, this can be overcome by resampling the pad with after assigning an effect, it just takes some time. When thinking of bad features of the asr-x, the first, and pretty much only feature that comes to mind is the sequencer. It is just hard to work with sometimes, but with the newest os installed, it's not too much of a problem. In the back of the machine, you get a midi in, out, and thru; a footswitch input, and a main in(left and right), main out(left and right), and a headphones out. With the x-8 output expander, you get six more outs, bringing your total to eight. SCSI is not standard, so keep in mind if you are looking for an asr-x, its better to get one with the SCSI because it you buy it separate, it will probably cost you more than the actual asr-x. You will also want the SCSI for the fact that working with floppy disks is not a pleasant task.
  
  
  
  Price paid: $265 USD

  Utilization

  Navigating the asr-x is hard to get used to, because of the screen, which is a two-line display. Once you get used to the organization of it though, you will fly through tasks, or not. Navigating is also hampered because of the encoders. The value and parameter knobs, which are your controls for moving around the asr-x, will make you want to kill yourself! They jump from place to place. I'm sure all asr-x's have this problem. Sampling and resampling is easy with the asr-x. Just setup the time you want to sample for, whether you want mono L or R, or stereo, whether you want to sample the input dry, or with effects, and then trigger the stop and start of the sample. Assigning effects is easy also. Overall, it's pretty easy to use, besides the fact of the encoders...but if you go slow and take your time with them, they will not jump that often.

  Sounds

  The sound quality of this machine is great in my opinion. Sampled drums hit hard and the 16-bit sampling sort of gives them that grimy feel. The pre-loaded rom sounds are nothing special, but then again this is mainly a sampler right?

  Overall Opinion

  The asr-x is built like a rock. It's heavy and solid, with a metal outer case. The only thing that I do not like the quality of is the encoders.
  
  
  
  I love the effects, the sound, and the sampling very much. However, I hate the encoders, and the fact that I do not have the SCSI, and I hate using floppies. The only reason I will be getting rid of it is the lack of SCSI, and upgrading it, to me is just not worth it because of how expensive the SCSI is now. If that were not the case, I would keep this machine forever.
  
  
  
  Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
  
  Posted by: rapmaster_e ( 6-, 2005)
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• 02/28/07

  synthmaniac's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  The diffrent CHARACTERISTICS having dja t nonces, we will focus on the positives of etngatifs bcanne

  Utilization

  The edition sounds sefait 2 lines: given the number of paramtres edit, in other words it trs long, although with a little practice you remember the order of the param tres.
  
  Some Settings, such as the stacking of DIFFERENT sounds are not acccessible directly from the machine, you will find a publisher for this pc as SoundDiver. therefore, no layers, no more splits sounds directly on the machine.
  
  Defines against you can direct your drumkits it.
  
  You are entitled Programs e 256 total samples or patches runis.
  
  level sequencer, you can not edit the sequence in millimtre, everything is done tempsrel, you can happily delete a wrong note, but it also sefait in real time.
  
  Let me tell you right now, the sequencer is trs unstable is to say that the more you use the MIDI channel, the higher the sequence does oue more pace. amchine but works perfectly with an external sequencer.
  
  If you have ditiond'un timestretch mode, and a por bitreducer to Dessons in 12bits. However, the sampling is done only in 44Hz doncpas way to save memory in the sample over low frequencies (less than resampler in acclr).
  
  Beware the knobs checker before you buy because if his last malfunctioning, it will make life impossible vaous.

  Sounds

  Sound good slap, and internal effects (reverb + multi efffets indpendante) are of high quality. It is true that it is a pleasure to resample with a vintage synth, and filter sounds good trs. The machine possde internal sounds and is compatible with cards of roml mr76. This is the same architecture in terms of patches and programs are compatible.

  Overall Opinion

  Used with an external sequencer and editor PC is a good sampler booster nammoins if your concern is the productivity and the all in one, better to invest in an mpc you will make more music and the public probably not hear the diffrence in sound grain.
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• 02/18/06

  Dalshim's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  I liked her face with her big toy papads and nipples. Regressive and friendly.
  
  
  
  The spec is very good, those of a modern sampler, with MIDI sync, correct memory, two votes of effects, dual filters, automated sampling, SMDI transfers ...
  
  
  
  Compared to the asr 10, you win the resonance filters, unfortunately not independently adjustable for each filter and certainly not available for high passes, but you lose the import effects (such as FM synthesis) and especially TRANSWAVE Only legible. At first glance, it's completely absurd, as the TRANSWAVE was the stuff of Ensoniq them alone. Why?

  Utilization

  Probably becaufe TRANSWAVE schedule is too complicated for the target of the asr x, ie children aged 5 to 9 years. Special design for toys 'n' rus. A moron is slight indeed able to turn the machine into a shoot. Everything has been planned for him. He has put together a good physical interface and a beautiful bones minimum with virtually no submenus or group of pages to make them work too much memory. For use ultimately confuse usability and simplicity, it is not very profitable.
  
  
  
  The two knobs with which it does most of the TAF are completely rotten. After replacing them, they are just vague ...
  
  
  
  The menus are long as your arm. They were trying to break a record. See the end, it takes time. Since it is impossible to move in the microscopic screen, there is only one parameter per page. For envellope, instead of having a page like this:
  
  A: D XX: XX S: R XX: XX, we have a page with written out in full attack (gné!) and the value, to release another page etc. ... It leeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnt.
  
  
  
  Louder, edit the start point of a sound is impossible. I thought it was a default in my copy, but in the forums, I saw not.
  
  You have a sound of 4000 samples, you want the start point to two thousand? From 2 to 5 minutes (optimistic forecast) to turn the knob to the con. I know it's unbelievable. Besides, I still believe it, because there are lots of opinions where people say it's great to split with x. I'll be happy to know that I missed something.
  
  
  
  A priori, it is quite necessary to use the SMDI transfers for cutting. Will revert to the concept of autonomous workstation. Especially since the sequencer inspires pity.
  
  
  
  Banks that stores sampled sounds are buried under the sounds of plants that smell bad.
  
  
  
  It simply maps kits, multi, it's not too scheduled.
  
  
  
  Asr tools x, x is editor for the buggy. I have not tried soundiver.
  
  
  
  Using an mpc is easy, after learning to use it. By providing this step, the next step asr x. I do not go to the bottom of things with a lot of samplers, but enough to know that chio, sorry, ergonomics such is far beyond the tolerable.
  
  
  
  Edit after a new test: I still exaggeration regarding the editing of start and end points. But it's still very laborious. The resampling itself is fast. The threshold for automatic pre-trigger, it's really good, it can happen when cutting resample.
  
  
  
  I rediscovered some things, however distressing that had contributed to my general feeling, including automatic backups useless for any cumbersome and very destructive audio editing, timing mean noon with an external sequencer, or requests for confirmation ups.
  
  
  
  For the rest, I will not repeat my opinion. Even a year later for a test without budgetary pressure (I have been ready), the asr x is the bat-sampler slowest I know. Very frustrating. If you count his music stand on it, chances are having to regularly control the desires of the rock through the window, as a writing afien.

  Sounds

  Asr 10 with a cleaner sound, better definition in the treble, less grain but who cares, especially the really big bass. Also key Ensoniq: presence of aggressive and violent dynamics. It is subjective, but for me, this box has the coolest sound I heard out of a sampler. I would put 10 to any other.
  
  
  
  Edit: the effects are even better than on the asr 10, such as distortion, rather poor for my taste on the 10, very correct on x. Delays are great, they go into a spin when changing the parameters while running. In the mind is like a tape delay, and it is also musical. The modulations are very beautiful.
  
  
  
  The filters are not shattering, but they are nicely browned.

  Overall Opinion

  Like everyone else, I heard a asr10, found information that made me even more appetite for x: resonant filters, memory and too bad for TRANSWAVE, I even know what it is. Like everyone else, I sold the x and took a 10. Like everyone else I'm happy.
  
  
  
  Especially since I had some technical problems with the x, which probably influenced my decision, and that allows me to warn you of a fragile and temperamental machine. If you do not believe me, trains on the forums. The asr x / x pro collects bugs and breakdowns.
  
  
  
  I think sometimes in resume, for the sound and features. Even if not everything you expect from a musical instrument.
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• 01/24/04

  kestatoi's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  CAUTION This machine is a blast!
  
  Unlike the concept was an MPC or squenceur (excellent) with a sampler (mdiocre) ENSONIQ vritable proposes a workstation! A real sampler (an excellent conversion!), 34MB of RAM to see it coming, the resampling infinite effects DP4 formidable! and a squenceur pads / trs prcis external keyboard and intuitive!
  
  For the technical specifications, see the website E-MU dealing a bit of "back catalog" of ENSONIQ, if not see here (http://www.geocities.com/asrxcite/).

  Utilization

  It has the machine extremely friendly, easy to use trs o one can only regret the lack of readability of the screen far too small edition.
  
  The edition is a breeze double fun! The sound design takes on its way!
  
  Trs can be fine man to his productions, but even when it is strongly advised to take a look rgulirement to learn stuff really nice and helpful!

  Sounds

  Without rflchir, without explanation, by default I put 10/10 to be able to more!
  
  The sound is very dynamic and powerful trs. Low frequencies in this machine excels! IDAL tool for any producer of Hip-Hop or Electro!
  
  Filters, effects, tools of deformation and transformation sound is absolutely terrible!!
  
  A MUST!

  Overall Opinion

  I use this machine since its release, I have long hsit swap my old rack against a ASR10 EPS16, but ultimately I keep prfr m'quiper EPS and a as a portable workstation MPC, but with the Ensoniq sound!
  
  That's what I like about this machine:
  
  - SOUND
  
  - Publishing and tools to customize its sounds
  
  - The rapid utilization of Fast Fashion and staff a real drumkit (10 minutes max per song)
  
  - The fabulous squenceur
  
  - The robustness of the machine (much bouncing around forever abyss!)
  
  - I forget!
  
  That's what I dislike:
  
  - I prfr fawn MPC pads
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• 06/12/03

  torpcsan's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Poly 32
  
  Jamco converters
  
  effects: very good (Ensoniq), it's going to filter distortion + reverb + comp + + reverb time limit
  
  c combinations with qques presets.
  
  fx in one insert + one reverb
  
  RAM: 2 34 mo
  
  no numrique, option 8 outputs + (hard to find)
  
  
  
  soft: Is there a freeware mac that I did not test a module SoundDiver recently
  
  and a soft pc: asrx-tools, just rotten all buggbr /> SMDI compatible with sound forge and recycled without problem
  
  
  
  7 because no output numrique possible for the small screen

  Utilization

  Super simple to use, I had okaz and I never opened the manual
  
  small step to edit sounds (2 lines) but with a bit of time we know where everything is.
  
  c super simple, I love how organized c: resampling with effect from the master output or entered without any problems, super simple assignment to the pads etc etc ...
  
  
  
  problem: the possibility of looping are not super evolve: just forward or backward 2.
  
  also: not too overloaded to give noon, because the processor is just power, especially if one uses the squenceur (which I do not). if not: ca "jump", just like a pc cpu overload, but must qd even abuse it.
  
  Personal I use above 8 10 tracks (6 drums synths 2 + 2 "samples" pure) with filters on each, + the effect on the in between tps tps (because a real c multi-fx Intgr running apart from the rest, so its a possibility to leave a spare output and return ds effect via a console) and ca not jump. no problem of timing.
  
  -2 For cpu "too" small.
  
  forget the time-stretch it: ca takes ages (hours rllement)
  
  manipulation of the samples rather complte: flanging bits, effects, LFOs, filters ...
  
  
  
  y'avait if not this "problem" of cpu (also on the asr-x pro), I put 9

  Sounds

  Transparency?
  
  oh no, c why I took it.
  
  I love the sound: not need the radiator ds piece. for ground c absolutely terrible.
  
  to have a good big potato is more than enough for me, csr can do better, but even more c CATEGORY.
  
  the effects are excellent: Ensoniq, really terrible. There's everything you need.
  
  Filters: LP or HP or BP, per couple. eg 1LP a HP or BP or a 1LP and 2LP this: for pad!! ie as many pairs of samples of filters (by Thor) + + 3enveloppes modulators (like a mini matrix) + lfo + pitch octave / semi / fine etc etc
  
  Full MIDI, as long as he can send NRPN.
  
  it has a sound that I really love.
  
  c really above shall decide that the purchase is: we like it or not, the rest (CHARACTERISTICS) who cares.
  
  9 / 10 even if it is not a asr10

  Overall Opinion

  Purchased November 02
  
  If we know in advance its default (cpu just as the only default I think), and we love his sound, so it can not be a bad choice.
  
  it is super hard to find, but at the same time Super Cheap. ca is between 500 and 700 euros, depending on options. make absolutely scsi, and if one knows qqun rom "urban dance" sell ...
  
  between 500 and 700: from a MPC2000 + that will sell cheap, there's absolutely no photo, AC is nothing to see.
  
  the sound is terrible, it can be messy to super super warm and soft. I love it. I keep until death do us would spare as the other.
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