Ensoniq EPS

I absolutely adore the sequencer. It the sequencer I use when writting songs. I can work on vs, chorus and bridge parts independantly and chain them together as a song. I love to do this with Chainer(as a sound module. The sampler is a solid deep however the lack of a res filter is a disappointment

Price paid

$1200 USD

UTILIZATION

The is a pro level sampler circa 1988. Its is very intuitive and quick to use. You will need to read the manual to get the most out this amazing machine. Its very easy to use however there is alot you can do with it and the sheer power of the synthesis engine is reveal in the manual. I just played with and when I wanted to learn how to program the filters - I would read that part of the manual. I think the Envelope are confusing but I grew up with analog synth with adsr envelopes which I like so I would change that and add a res filter.

These are fragile and I have them all repaired.

SOUNDS

The EPS sample at 12 bits to my ear its warm and dirty.You can get some really crunchy lofi samples with abit of clipping. When you reduce the sample rate noise is introduced but this can be eq out later or use many tools to clean up tracks. Sometime the noise add to the track. I love this sampler's sound. I have a keyboard and soon a rack.

OVERALL OPINION

I love to program the drum part live using the EPS's sequencer. The quantizing really tightens up the groove. This inspires me to write new songs. I can work so fast with it. Its very easy to get into flow of ideas with it. I'm planning on adding the EMU Emulator X. I have a host of software- awave, translator, seamless looper and chainer with virtual synths and fx. Its so easy to build instruments with eps that can be sent to the Emulator X (which has the envelopes I like). It the hub of the studio. It goes from my brain to the EPS and from there my imagination and all the options listed above. Its a piece that I wish was recreated in software because these are fragile and I don't think will last forever.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: bizarreboy ( 2-, 2006)

I wish it would have had a chopper and fx on board. Tho they added this on future updates of this board I thought that would have been a obvious choice to put on this one. I also wish it would have had dedicated sequencer and sample times instead of combining the 2. Granted in todays day and age we can hook it to a computer and knock out both of those issues but I wonder what they did about it back in the day.

Price paid

$300

UTILIZATION

If u read the manual its quite simple and all logical. I teamed it with Propellerheads Recycle version 2.0 and everything before that will allow u to send ur samples to the EPS via midi tho this is very buggy and slow when it works its magic. Other than that it has all the typical sampler stuff.

I didnt have to get it repaired because I only had it for a month. But it seems to have been built like a tank.

SOUNDS

Its a vintage sampler and I love the old vintage sound of it. Its a 12bit sampler so of course its going to give u that bit of crunch sound and u can always lower the sample rate to make ur sound much more lofi. I love the sound of this machine.

OVERALL OPINION

I only sold it because I didnt know how to sync the midi from the board to the midi on my computer but now that Ive done so I feel like an idiot I want a new one.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Xabiton ( 4-, 2006)