All user reviews for the Ensoniq EPS

A good old BCAN coronation. Frankly it sounds to hell, you can enter any signal, it appears with a big fat analog sound pais much as we like.
its default: backup to disk, abominable charge time, a lot of failure: mine DLIR completely at times because of the keyboard that has a bad contact, it must be twisted so that it works again. Good opportunity if you find 300 euros with disks and bone indispensable

UTILIZATION

Setup simple and intuitive edition of the samples a little galley, a little notch strait
Manual very explicit, machine made for the live one major default: floppy disks, but can be loaded by playing

SOUNDS

12-bit converters with its rough and dirty well fed.
Good dynamic

OVERALL OPINION

This BCAN was released in 1985 and was worth 18,000 bullets era
CTAIT a pro machine used by the pros so very good
To get better, we must look at Kurzweil

Its polyphony is 20-way mini frequency (11 khz ...) and can vary depending on the quality selected (up to 52kHz!). Polyphonic aftertouch present on this keyboard. The EPS also has a big fat 2 x 8-track sequencer with a capacity of about 140,000 marks. The resolution is 1/48th of black.

Useful detail: the work convertos 13-bit (!), Not 12.
No internal effect, but it is a machine which dates back to 1985.

Base memory, if I n "abuse, is 768 k, and EPS dipose a port on the back for two types of memory cartridge (2X or 4X).
CAUTION: contrary to what one might think, a cartridge does not mean 2x 2 MB !!!!! To extend the maximum EPS of his memory, it must 4X (2MB)!
In separate outputs, that is where the hurt down, since a pair of outputs from the EPS has no outputs.
There he left a box with 8 separate outputs as an option, but it was not found.

For 85 'was a complete machine architecture: at the time, and in front of Ensoniq, Emu The only I and II, with the Kurzweil K250 and the Fairlight held the top of the bill.
Akai stammered with s700 and 900 very credible level editing and Sequential died.

UTILIZATION

It is a very complete machine for its time, and many hardware samplers of aujoud'hui, do not offer much (S2000, A3000, ESI4000 ...).
However, its use is extremely simple ergonomics is a key word at Ensoniq. With its logical architecture (the function buttons are grouped together), its color code, and especially a bewildering selection facility for any sample of a multisample.
The big argument at the time, it was loading in-game sounds Same edition: you can keep the score down while changing the loop in real time.
The English manual is very clear, orderly, and it reads easily.

The EPS is almost a full synthesizer in its architecture (VCF, LFO, ENV multifaceted and loopable x 3), and got much synth sounds incredible, just by a few samples trafficker. In +, everything is flexible as desired.

SOUNDS

Large dynamic output, and also a lot of noise: small audio plays at the end of sampling (easily troncables), presence of breath, and grain of 13 bits.
This gives her a massive and very rich, full bodied.
Very credible for acoustic sounds.
The filter is not resonant, like the Akai S900/1000, but multi-mode, and its cut is daunting.

OVERALL OPINION

Excellent machine with a soul. I had two, and kept the latter as a master keyboard (also good).
Indestructible bike.

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)

No onboard effects, and not may other "features" per se but the filters are great. Once again, one of a kind classic sound that you hear on many of the records that are considered classic today. Make sure to max your peice out and you will be happy. I have the 4x RAM and the 8 out and am very pleased.

UTILIZATION

I don't care what anyone says, the sequencer is a breeze. VERY easy to create sequences and link them in song mode. The interface is small but it is all business. No graphics, but it gets your ears in shape (like they should be!).. Once again Very easy to use. I had a few bangers before I even cracked the manual which is also written very straight forward.

SOUNDS

Very warm sound. Crunchy snares, strong kicks. It has that 12 bit sound to it although I would say it is somehow warmer and cleaner than say an Sp-1200..The sound is uniqe, once you become familiar with it you will hear it i=on many classic hip-hop records.

OVERALL OPINION

Tough to say... This peice is built to last, but it is getting a little buggy. Factoring in the fact that this thing has literally been being used since it's original purchase in '88 I think it's held up like a thorobred!

I can't imagine a project studio without one! The sound, the ease of use and the sentimental factors make this one something I can't be without. Ensoniq por vida!

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