Ensonic EPS - Key quality?

[aredj]

So, I have the opportunity to grab one cheeeaaap... And I thought it may be fun to have kicking around, and at least make a good midi keyboard - (poly aftertouch...)
So here I am fishing for any comments from experienced users on the quality of the keys/aftertouch performance...
Also I may add that in my own narrow experience of keyboard synths - I've really liked the feel of the DX7, Supernova2, Evolvers - and my own radium61 midi keys are pretty passable.... I also find the aftertouch on my little axiom to respond extremely well...

Any opinions?

[Ashe37]

If its had the keyboard fixed, and its kept clean, the EPS has a very high-quality key action manufactured by Fatar for Ensoniq. The keys are semi-weighted, so they may feel different than most of your other keys. Also, the EPS can transmit poly aftertouch (per-key aftertouch) where others only transmit channel aftertouch. Even if you don't use it as a sampler, it still makes a good controller for actually playing keys.

[krushing]

Don't know about the technicalities, but I do remember that the keyboard on my late EPS16+ felt really nice, a bit snappier and more responsive than your regular "synth action" keys. I would've probably kept it as a controller if I wouldn't have needed the cash at the time.

[King Julien]

I find the action to be quite odd - "clacky" is the best way I can describe it. Mind you, i found it by the side of the road, so I'm not sure whether mine needs to be adjusted in some way. I'm only using mine as a controller at the moment as I haven't figured out how to sample yet. I'll have to check out the poly aftertouch thing at some stage. How does that work?

[Ashe37]

Each key sends separate aftertouch data. whatever you are using to create sounds also has to respond to poly aftertouch... usually you turn it to channel aftertouch when you dont need it cause it does generate a lot of midi traffic

[aredj]

Thanks guys... I think I'll grab it then... For $50 - s**t, why not?

ps - my friend found a dx7 on the side of the road yesterday - It works. f**k

[Alex E]

Go for it.

Definitely one of my favorite feeling keyboards.