All user reviews for the Ensoniq Mirage

It has 333 notes for sequencing with keyboard tracking. Has a sequencer expander cartridge gives it like 1000+ something. There is also the o/s which expands it sequencing capabilities. for sampling VCA, VCF, LFO <--peep dis makes rooks cry, and lowpeezie VCF filter., 8 bits, nice o/s's, and the analog filters are sick its other features r subpar. Must load the o/s from the floppy DISK on startup. no sczi. DEFINITELY NOT a workstation. It is made for creating measures or bars, maybe a melody, saving it to disk .

Price paid: $200 because of sample set

UTILIZATION

Hex editing to control this rude boy. Make sure you have the manual available online via google, make sure you have the reference card when sampling !! If you don't this machine will be extremely difficult to learn.

SOUNDS

The mirage was the first mass produced sampler, and supposedly sold the most according to this source http://jonathan.miller4.users.btopenworld.com/Articlespage/80sGear.pdf . It is 8 bit, but it has analog filters and envelopes. Drums sound nice and 80's very Janet Jackson definitely a 10. I have a lot of phil collin sounds of all types which sound sick. Some sample sets i have sound very analogish. If Only Tonight We Could Sleep < -- that phil collins track the sitar sample is done on the mirage There are also a lot of upgrades for this o/s . There are like 4 - 5 different o/s out. Some expand the sequencing capabilities dramatically, one is just the 3.2 update, one expands the sampling capabilities but totally limits the sequencing abilities, and another o/s totally integrates the ensoniq mirage as vst which allows you through midi to control sampling parameters.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it second hand and this sampler was sold to the public in 1985. It is very durable it would be a nice unweighted midi kb with velocity sensitivty. This keyboard is made of metal. All of my keys work, just a little dirty from being in the case w/ the old foam. Replace your old foam its not good for the insides of the machine. For mine one of the sides is taped on. I will get that repaired not sure how much tho , probably to get a side repaird and clean all the contacts like $200 250 This is for los angeles.

for drums 10 filters 10 other stuff makes it a 7

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: rokuez ( 8-, 2005)