Hi!
I have the opportunity to get an Ensoniq EPS 16+ for a good price, but I don't know how the sampler sounds.
Could somebody with an EPS 16 help me out?
I have this drumloop: http://www.wonderlabs.de/drums.wav
Could someone please sample it with 44khz and 22khz, record it and also pitch it down 5-6 notes and record it? That would really help me decide.
Ensoniq EPS 16
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- KVRist
- 101 posts since 31 Oct, 2009
I am the original owner of my EPS16+. While it is buried in a closet right now, in my opinion, it never sounded very good, and all SW sampler/soundcard combinations that I have used over the years (VSampler, Dimension Pro, Delta 1010, l22, Aurora 
sound much better.
The only reason that I keep the EPS16+ is because it is a backup for my Roland A80 if it ever fails (both have polyphonic aftertouch, which is non-existent in MIDI keyboards today, even though many modules and SW synthesizers support it).
Keith
sound much better.The only reason that I keep the EPS16+ is because it is a backup for my Roland A80 if it ever fails (both have polyphonic aftertouch, which is non-existent in MIDI keyboards today, even though many modules and SW synthesizers support it).
Keith
Keith
Glendale, AZ USA
Glendale, AZ USA
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- KVRian
- 593 posts since 14 Apr, 2005
Theres absolutely nothing bad about the EPS 16+ sound!!!!!! Its actually kinda cool and special, especially if you count in the fx.
The bad thing about it is you have to use floppies if you dont have a scsi-card in it, and you are limited to 2 megs or ram.
However, my eps 16+ (may it rest in peace) was a really cool sounding sampler. I wish I could have the same sound nowadays from software (Kontakt).
/Johnny
The bad thing about it is you have to use floppies if you dont have a scsi-card in it, and you are limited to 2 megs or ram.
However, my eps 16+ (may it rest in peace) was a really cool sounding sampler. I wish I could have the same sound nowadays from software (Kontakt).
/Johnny
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- KVRAF
- 2249 posts since 6 May, 2003 from rat city au
Used one years ago at uni, iirc it had some wild onboard fx. But sheesh, hardware samplers, especially elderly ones. Dataloss disaster waiting to happen.
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Aroused by JarJar Aroused by JarJar https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=191505
- KVRian
- 1048 posts since 16 Oct, 2008
Well I think EPSs sound great. Of course it is not the way to go for completely accurate playback of big sample sets- it is really more like a synthesizer with samples as the basic oscillators. The built-in smoothing, looping, sample-recording and so on are very groovy, a bit russian-roullette but capable of many good sounds. Also, it does patch-level microtuning. As a drum sampler it has a specific sound, dark but solid to my ears.
Where it really shines is as a controller, because it has excellent keys, wheels and something very rare, poly aftertouch. Very expressive.
Where it really shines is as a controller, because it has excellent keys, wheels and something very rare, poly aftertouch. Very expressive.
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- KVRAF
- 2169 posts since 7 Dec, 2005
I have the EPS16 module.
True story: I used to work in a music store, and did a midi class. I remember this one guy and myself were really into the EPS 16, which was the current state-of-the-art at the time.
One evening, we got into 'demoing' the extra content that you could buy for the EPS16; we just wanted to see what the 'pro' programmers were doing with it.
Anyway, I remember to this day: We loaded in this particularly large BASS file (by 1990 standards) and the MIDI content that went with it (the EPS16 has a sequencer), plugged it into a BASS amp, and turned it up a little bit.
When we played back the file, the performance was so convincing, that the assistant manager came out of his office to see who the virtuoso was that was playing one of his BASS guitars!
I bought it after that evening. It is totally capable as a BASS sampler (note: you don't need big files to do BASS....Trilogy is not really necessary!
)
It's all in the expression, and the EPS16 has definitely got it.
-goldenanalog
True story: I used to work in a music store, and did a midi class. I remember this one guy and myself were really into the EPS 16, which was the current state-of-the-art at the time.
One evening, we got into 'demoing' the extra content that you could buy for the EPS16; we just wanted to see what the 'pro' programmers were doing with it.
Anyway, I remember to this day: We loaded in this particularly large BASS file (by 1990 standards) and the MIDI content that went with it (the EPS16 has a sequencer), plugged it into a BASS amp, and turned it up a little bit.
When we played back the file, the performance was so convincing, that the assistant manager came out of his office to see who the virtuoso was that was playing one of his BASS guitars!
I bought it after that evening. It is totally capable as a BASS sampler (note: you don't need big files to do BASS....Trilogy is not really necessary!
)It's all in the expression, and the EPS16 has definitely got it.
-goldenanalog
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- KVRian
- 817 posts since 18 May, 2007 from Berlin
I had an EPS 16 once and absolutely loved it. A bit lo-fi, but punchy and with an amazing fx section.
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- KVRAF
- 2172 posts since 14 Feb, 2003
Ensoniqs rule! They have the bass end of the EMU EOS samplers, the smooth midrange of the Roland S-series, and nice and sweet up top... The EPS (from the original 13 bit model to the 16 and 16+) enhances everything that goes through it in a hi quality lo-fi way. You'll love it (as long as you're into old samplers like I am. The FX are awesome, but IIRC the filter has no resonance.
Oh, and it'll heat your studio for you too!
Oh, and it'll heat your studio for you too!
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- KVRAF
- 6496 posts since 26 Nov, 2004 from Frederick, MD
I can't talk to the 16+ version, only the original EPS (I own 2 of them). The original suffered from lower bit rate sampling (12-bit as opposed to 16-bit with the 16+). The later version added FX that by most accounts are pretty good. With the original, the sound w/out processing was thin and unimpressive. You had to use external EQ and FX to get them sounding really good.
But, the real story is more complex than that. It's the P in "EPS" that's most important in the EPS story. And that letter stands for "Performance".
EPS = Ensoniq Performance Sampler
The performance features of the synth made the overall assessment of its worth far outstrip the original's sonic qualities. It's got a decent sequencer. You can load instruments while still playing those already loaded. It holds up to 8 individual instruments (if memory allows), had an audio expansion box you could buy to get 8 more outputs. Polyphonic aftertouch and an extensive array of sample functions to modulate (sample or loop start, end, position, etc.). Its ability to create layers in an instrument and to utilize the same sample source on different layers, adjusting all sample properties (i.e. make completely new instruments from already loaded wav forms without using more memory)...and to trigger 4 layer combinations with two buttons...it all added up to a powerful and expressive machine, despite its limitations. See http://www.vintagesynth.com/ensoniq/ens_eps.php for more.
Here are 3 examples of the original EPS played largely from sequencer (recorded live, not as quantized loops, just using the seq as a tape machine) and run through two FX units (MIDIVerb II & III) and an analog mixer's EQ (digital mastering was done along with some added digital VST FX). All the instruments were made by me and a friend, many coming from strange sources like dysfunctional baseboard heaters, auto garage machines and who knows what else.
[Warning, these are long, making up one continuous song that's over 20 minutes in length.]
These were recorded in 1996 to reel-to-reel tape and remastered a few years ago. IIRC I recorded the main sequence dry in stereo, and two other channels of FX in stereo...no musical overdubs were used:
Until the Isban Moon pts 1 & 1a
Until the Isban Moon pt 2
Until the Isban Moon pt 3
But, the real story is more complex than that. It's the P in "EPS" that's most important in the EPS story. And that letter stands for "Performance".
EPS = Ensoniq Performance Sampler
The performance features of the synth made the overall assessment of its worth far outstrip the original's sonic qualities. It's got a decent sequencer. You can load instruments while still playing those already loaded. It holds up to 8 individual instruments (if memory allows), had an audio expansion box you could buy to get 8 more outputs. Polyphonic aftertouch and an extensive array of sample functions to modulate (sample or loop start, end, position, etc.). Its ability to create layers in an instrument and to utilize the same sample source on different layers, adjusting all sample properties (i.e. make completely new instruments from already loaded wav forms without using more memory)...and to trigger 4 layer combinations with two buttons...it all added up to a powerful and expressive machine, despite its limitations. See http://www.vintagesynth.com/ensoniq/ens_eps.php for more.
Here are 3 examples of the original EPS played largely from sequencer (recorded live, not as quantized loops, just using the seq as a tape machine) and run through two FX units (MIDIVerb II & III) and an analog mixer's EQ (digital mastering was done along with some added digital VST FX). All the instruments were made by me and a friend, many coming from strange sources like dysfunctional baseboard heaters, auto garage machines and who knows what else.
[Warning, these are long, making up one continuous song that's over 20 minutes in length.]
These were recorded in 1996 to reel-to-reel tape and remastered a few years ago. IIRC I recorded the main sequence dry in stereo, and two other channels of FX in stereo...no musical overdubs were used:
Until the Isban Moon pts 1 & 1a
Until the Isban Moon pt 2
Until the Isban Moon pt 3
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- KVRAF
- 2841 posts since 23 Feb, 2004 from Planet Earth...for now
I've got an ASR-88 gathering dust that I'm considerng putting on ebay. Prior to that I owned an EPS 16+. I'd definately look for an ASR-10, or ASR-88 over and EPS, since they can load the 'larger' sample sets.
ASR-88 System: Fully loaded RAM (16M), Flash, SCSI connection, OEX-6 output expander, CDROM Drive, External 6GB SCSI hard drive(3 2GB drives), Zip250 Drive w/4 discs, and large CD Library.
ASR-88 System: Fully loaded RAM (16M), Flash, SCSI connection, OEX-6 output expander, CDROM Drive, External 6GB SCSI hard drive(3 2GB drives), Zip250 Drive w/4 discs, and large CD Library.
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- KVRAF
- 2172 posts since 14 Feb, 2003
Got a price in mind?1-2-Many wrote:I've got an ASR-88 gathering dust that I'm considerng putting on ebay. Prior to that I owned an EPS 16+. I'd definately look for an ASR-10, or ASR-88 over and EPS, since they can load the 'larger' sample sets.
ASR-88 System: Fully loaded RAM (16M), Flash, SCSI connection, OEX-6 output expander, CDROM Drive, External 6GB SCSI hard drive(3 2GB drives), Zip250 Drive w/4 discs, and large CD Library.
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- KVRAF
- 2841 posts since 23 Feb, 2004 from Planet Earth...for now
jones-y wrote:Got a price in mind?1-2-Many wrote:I've got an ASR-88 gathering dust that I'm considerng putting on ebay. Prior to that I owned an EPS 16+. I'd definately look for an ASR-10, or ASR-88 over and EPS, since they can load the 'larger' sample sets.
ASR-88 System: Fully loaded RAM (16M), Flash, SCSI connection, OEX-6 output expander, CDROM Drive, External 6GB SCSI hard drive(3 2GB drives), Zip250 Drive w/4 discs, and large CD Library.
not really - there's currently a couple on ebay going for about 1299-1800, btw they're not as fully loaded as mine. I'm thinking I might start the auction at $1250