keyboard sampler

[elsquirrel]

Does a keyboard sampler exist with the following features:

Full size keys with decent playing action
Upgradable disk system (preferably cf)
Multiple outputs
analog filters

I was looking at the eps 16+ (with output expander), though I hear the keyboard is similar to that on the sq-80 (not esq-1) and is therefore clacky and not that nice to play.

The next best, although outside my budget probably would be an emax?

Any other suggestions? Key action is important so using a rack sampler with a nice keyboard is an option. Though Using a rack has always seemed ergonomically awkward to me.

[Ashe37]

the EPS doesn't have analog filters. The Mirage has analog filters, and the early Emu samplers did.

[elsquirrel]

Oh ok. I don't know why I thought it did. At any rate, the analog filters aren't a deal breaker. I think one of the casio keybaords had them, the fz-1? Going to have to look into that..

[Ashe37]

Digital filter, according to our front page.

[elsquirrel]

Strike two.

They do like interesting though....http://www.buchty.net/casio/dcf.html

[Vxster]

I'd use a master keyboard midi'd to your choice of rack. S900 or S950?

[Ashe37]

except, he was asking for analog filters, and neither have them.

[Aaron2]

Korg DSS-1? But it weighs about 6,000 lbs.

[elsquirrel]

Have you used one? If so, how did you like it, especially the keyboard?

They do look pretty huge. I owned a dw-8000 briefly and found the keyboard to be one of the worst I'd ever used for my tastes.

[commodorejohn]

The DSS-1 keyboard is fairly light and plastic-ey. It's not terrible, but it's nothing special. Also, the disk access is agonizingly slow, unless you have one of the rare-ish upgrades for SCSI capability. That said, it sounds pretty terrific (SSM filters plus the Korg digital delay/chorus = gloriousness.)

Overall, though, I'd grab an Emax HD and set it up with a SCSI2SD adapter. The sound is almost as good, the keybed is better, and you don't have to go hunting down obscure upgrades to improve the storage options.

[ninja6485]

Oh ok. I don't know why I thought it did. At any rate, the analog filters aren't a deal breaker. I think one of the casio keybaords had them, the fz-1? Going to have to look into that..

It might be a good idea to look beyond the analog filters if they're not a deal breaker. Maybe just look for a sampler with particularly good filters instead, like some of the Ensoniqs?

I'd use a master keyboard midi'd to your choice of rack. S900 or S950?

I second this, since it opens up so many options. The Emu Ultras, and possibly even earlier models have some really unique Z plane morphing filters and virtual modular patch routing that really opens up unique possibilities. As much as I love the S series, the filters are usually pretty basic, outside of perhaps the S5000, or if you get one of the filter boards. You also have the ASR 10, which comes in keyboard form which could be excellent, and don't forget about the V synth

[Baus]

The Ensoniq EPS-16 Plus and ASR-10 do have good filters even though they don't have a resonance filter. You can still make them growl by using the Wah effect that's available. If you load the Waveboy Rez Filter Disk they will have a resonance filter. Check my demo and listen how it can sound.



The Casio FZ-1 Filter is just really fat as you can hear in elmosexwhistle's demo on YT. I have one, I love the sound but it's not the most ideal sampler to edit. As soon as I have the backlight working again I will make a demo or tutorial on it. It weighs a lot too.

The Ensoniq Mirage does have an analog filter and, although limited in todays terms, it sounds good. When you update it with the Soundprocess OS it will improve the sound as well and it'll become an awesome synth too. I am working on a video for that too.

What is you objective? What do you want to accomplish with your sampler?

Robin
The Netherlands

[elsquirrel]

Also, the disk access is agonizingly slow, unless you have one of the rare-ish upgrades for SCSI capability.

The loading times on my mpc60 are so slow, I sometimes wonder if there's something wrong with it. You know it's bad when you have to leave the room and do some errands while it loads. It actually bothers me more than I thought it would when I first got it.

The Emu Ultras, and possibly even earlier models have some really unique Z plane morphing filters and virtual modular patch routing that really opens up unique possibilities. .... and don't forget about the V synth

I remember the filters on the command station being interesting if they are similar. I always dismissed the v-synth based on the way it looks, which I know is stupid. Also anything with a big screen makes me feel like I'm on a computer that happens to have a keyboard around it. I know lots of people like it though.

What is you objective? What do you want to accomplish with your sampler?

General duties I would say. I like the idea of it being a central piece...in theory.

[pflosi]

IMO, the V-Synth is the best "keyboard" sampler (as opposed to "rhythmical" samplers, like MPCs - I'm using the V-Synth XT version, ironically), period. If not even the best digital synth, certainly in my top 5 of all digital synths. You should not overlook it.

[crystalmsc]

The V-Synth is the only Digital synth that I'm still interested to own one day, besides a hybrid like the JD-XA.