2026: A Year in Gear (What You've Bought or Want to Buy in 2026)

[Seafire Mk2]

Cheers

[justin3am]

What is it?

No idea, but the 'e' looks a tiny bit like 'evolution' e, but I don't think it is...

It's an obsolete sampler, lol
An EMU E4XT Ultra. It has some neat tricks. Should be a lot of fun for cutting up break beats.

[DrGonzo]

I've always wanted one of these.

The PSU needed some work but it's in great condition.
I have a WinXP computer at work, so I should be able to get the firmware updated. With a SCSI emulator I'll be able to transfer sound files pretty easily.
I can't wait to get this hooked up with the Cirklon.

I hope it didn't set you back too much. These things cost a fortune these days. The time stretching algos are very very fun.

[justin3am]

I hope it didn't set you back too much. These things cost a fortune these days. The time stretching algos are very very fun.

The owner had originally asked me to repair it but before I had the chance, he asked if I wanted it. I gave him a few hundred bucks but nothing approaching what people typically ask for them.

If I ever want to get any of the various add-ons, I'd likely need to fork over a ton!

[Constructed Identity]

I've always wanted one of these.

The PSU needed some work but it's in great condition.
I have a WinXP computer at work, so I should be able to get the firmware updated. With a SCSI emulator I'll be able to transfer sound files pretty easily.
I can't wait to get this hooked up with the Cirklon.

I would think AKAI MPCs would have all the oldschool sampling formulas and that's the reason people buy them.
Got one of those mic cables that go from XLR to TRS to get vocal into the Fusionbox.
It works, but I probably should have a preamp for the Shure 565SD.

[justin3am]

I would think AKAI MPCs would have all the oldschool sampling formulas and that's the reason people buy them.

I've never gotten along with AKAI samplers or sequencers. I mean the S612 and S950 have their charm but they are too limited to be practical for me. Never really liked any of the MPCs. But I like what others do with them!

I tend to prefer E-MU and Ensoniq. I had an Ensonique ASR-X and a Mirage for a while but I've always wanted to try one of these higher end EOS based samplers. I'm just playing with the sounds which are in the unit from the previous owner at the moment but I'm already having a lot of fun. It can do a lot of interesting processing to the samples. The time stretching algorithm can get really gnarly. So far I'm liking it! It'll probably be a few months until I work it into a project, there is a lot to learn!

[Constructed Identity]

Just recently reinstalled Paul Stretch, hadn't touched it in years, but I am also thinking about :

[vurt]

another shitty little shortwave receiver radio. with headphone socket this time :woohoo:
probably total shite, but it cost 8.50 worth a shot for some lo fi sampling

and a new duvet cover. not audio i know, but since the move, the studio is the bedroom is the studio...

[DrGonzo]

The time stretching algorithm can get really gnarly. So far I'm liking it! It'll probably be a few months until I work it into a project, there is a lot to learn!

...and absolutely check out the Transform Multiplication function. Start with very small samples but it's incredibly interesting if you like experimenting with sounds.