Conference napalm::commusic_v1

2474.0. "Ensoniq EPS16 Plus / EPS16-R Wave Sampler" by SUBSYS::GUBBER () Tue Oct 16 1990 12:33

    	
    		Here is the 'flyer' spec's for the Ensoniq EPS16/EPS16R
    	wave sampler. The rack mount version is due out in middle
    	November. If anyone has the keyboard version, I'd be interested
    	in what they think because I'm thinking of getting the rack
    	when it's out.
    

    KEYBOARD :

      o 61 note (C-C) weighted action Poly-Key ( polyphonic aftertouch )
        keyboard with programmable velocity and pressure sensitivity. *
      o Up to 8 "Instruments" instantly available.
      o Stack/split any 2 or more Instruments together by double-clicking
        Instrument buttons.

    CONTROLLERS :

      o Exclusive Patch Select Buttons for instant access to 4 different
        sounds within each Instrument.
      o Pitch and Mod wheels. *
      o Programmable footswitches ( SW-1, optional SW-5 ).
      o Mod/Volume pedal ( optional CVP-1 ).
      o Data Entry slider.

    INTERNAL MEMORY :

      o 1 Megabyte internal RAM ( 512K words - 16 bit format ) *
      o Expandable to 2 Megabytes internal RAM with optional ME-16 PLUS
        Memory Expander ( 1 Megaword word - 16 bit format ) **
      o Optional FLASHBANK memory allows user to add programmable ROM
        ( FB-1 512K/256K words, FB-2 1 Meg/512K words ).

    SAMPLING :

      o True 16 bit input linear sampling utilizing multiple oversampling
        technology.
      o Sample rates - 11.16kHz, 12.76kHz, 14.88kHz, 17.86kHz, 22.32kHz,
        29.76kHz, 44.64kHz.
      o Maximum sample times :

          - Internal Memory : *
            11.5 sec @ 44.64kHz
            17.2 sec @ 29.76kHz
            22.9 sec @ 22.32kHz
            28.6 sec @ 17.86kHz
            34.4 sec @ 14.88kHz
            40.1 sec @ 12.76kHz
            45.9 sec @ 11.16kHz

          - With optional ME-16 Plus Memory Expander : **
            23.2 sec @ 44.64kHz
            34.8 sec @ 29.76kHz
            46.4 sec @ 22.32kHz
            58.0 sec @ 17.86kHz
            69.6 sec @ 14.88kHz
            81.2 sec @ 12.76kHz
            92.9 sec @ 11.16kHz

      o No maximum or minimum size for Instruments ( within the limits of
        available memory ).
      o Expert System Autoloop.
      o Wide variety of Digital Signal Processing editing commands :
          - wavesample copy, truncate, mix, merge, splice, volume smooth-
            ing, gain normalize, fade in, fade out, five different kinds
            of cross fade loops ( with the ability to audition most of
            these edits ).
      o Resample sounds with effects.



    PLAYBACK :

      o Frequency response : 2-20kHz +-1.5 dB @ 44.64kHz.
      o 2x oversampling with the 1st order linear interpolation for en-
        hanced frequency response.
      o 100 dB signal-to-noise, 96 dB dynamic range, 94 dB THD + noise
        ( >.002% ) at unity playback.
      o 3 playback modes :
          - 20 voices at 29.76 kHz playback rate for 14.8 kHz frequency
            response.
          - 13 voices at 44.64 kHz playback rate for 20 kHz frequency
            response.
          - 7 voices at 78.13 kHz playback rate for 20 kHz frequency
            response with enhanced transposition fidelity.
      o Compatible with all existing EPS libraries with improved fidelity
        playback.
      o Can convert Mirage sounds to EPS format and play them with improved
        fidelity.

    VOICE ARCHITECTURE :

      o 20 voices dynamically assigned.
      o 2 independent multi-mode dynamic digital filters per wavesample -
        low pass, high pass, or variable-width band-pass.
      o Instant selection of alternate samples with exclusive Patch Select
        buttons, velocity, or legato playing.
      o Each Instrument can contain up to 127 wavesamples.
      o Each individual wavesample has a complete set of program para-
        meters; including pitch, filter and amplitude envelopes ( 5-stage ),
        LFO, and 15 routable modulation sources with 8 assignable destin-
        ations ( including pan position modulation ).
      o Wavesamples are organized into layers, which map groups of
        wavesamples across the keyboard. Each Instrument can contain up to
        8 layers, which can be cross faded at any number of points by the
        keyboard, pressure velocity or any other modulator.
      o Layers can be delayed up to 5 seconds.
      o Each wavesample can be individually panned and assigned to one
        of for stereo busses ( with optional OEX-6 output expander ).
      o Fully programmable pitch tables - up to 8 per instrument.
      o Exclusive loop modulation provides real-time modulation of
        loop start, loop end, loop position, and wave start index from
        any of the 15 mod sources.

    EFFECTS :

      o Custom VLSI 24-bit digital signal processor ( ESP Chip ) w/48 bit
        accumulation.
      o Programmable stereo multi-effects processing with real-time
        dynamic performance capability, including modulation of reverb
        decay time, chorus depth, flanger feedback, delay regeneration
        and effects mix.
      o Effects can be loaded from disk allowing easy updating and copying.
      o Effects inlude Hall Reverb, Room Reverb, Chorus, Flange, Phaser,
        Delay, Rotor Speaker simulation, Distortion, and multiple
        combinations.
      o 4 Stereo busses allowing for dry, individual or grouped effects
        processing with routing to optional OEX-6 expander box. **



    SEQUENCER :

      o 8 polyphonic tracks, each with separate Instruments, Volume and
        MIDI channel.
      o 8 additional "song tracks" permit recording of song length tracks
        once sequences are assembled into a song, for virtual 16-track
        recording.
      o Tracks can play internal voices and/or external MIDI instruments.
      o Song form provides up to 99 steps with up to 99 repetitions for
        each step ( each Sequence Track in a Step can be individually
        muted ).
      o Sequence size limited only by internal memory ( up to 160,000
        notes without the ME-16 PLUS expander, up to 320,000 with
        expander ). **
      o Clock resolution of 96PPQ.
      o 3 real-time recording modes ( Replace, Add, Looped ) and Multi-
        track recording.
      o Up to 20 internal voices per track, dynamically assigned ( no
        limit on MIDI voices per track ).
      o Post-quantization ( auto-correct to 1/64 note triplets ).
      o Step-editing, transposition, time-shifting, append, change length,
        track merge, and filter events.
      o Auto-locate controls, adjustable click track and Tap tempo
        control.
      o MIDI Auto Mix automated mixdown feature records all volume/panning
        changes for each track.

    MIDI :

      o Poly, Omni, Multi, Mono A and B modes supported.
      o Multi-timbral, accommodating up to 8 simultaneous ployphonic MIDI
        channels with separate Instruments.
      o MIDI local on/off per Instrument allows up to 8 outbound MIDI
        keyboard zones for master controller applications.
      o Global controllers in Mono mode for use with MIDI guitar and
        alternate controllers.
      o MIDI song position pointer supported for use with SMPTE auto-
        locators and other sequencing hardware.

    DISK :

      o 800K double-sided 3.5" micro-floppy.
      o DMA ( Direct Memory Access ) for "Play While Load" feature.
      o Variable-size file storage ( even across disks ).
      o Subdirectory orginization.
      o Save MIDI System Exclusive dumps from any MIDI device to disk.
      o Optional SCSI connection ( SP-2 ) allows hook up to hard disks
        ( up to 5 Gigabytes ) or CD-ROM players with "direct dialing"
        of any sound on the storage device.




    INPUTS/OUTPUTS :

      o Left/Mono and Right/Mono audio outputs for programmable stereo
        mix.
      o Headphone jacks.
      o Optional OEX-6 output expander provides 3 additional sets of
        stereo outputs or 6 mono outputs. **
      o Pedal/Control Voltage input ( allows modulation of voices or
        volume control w/optional CVP-1 pedal ).
      o Audio input switchable between mic and line level.
      o Single/dual pedal input ( SW-1, optional SW-5 ).
      o MIDI IN/OUT/THRU.
      o Optional SP-2 SCSI port available for ME-16 PLUS memory
        expander. **

    STANDARD ACCESSORIES :

      o Musician's Manual.
      o Current Operating System disk.
      o 15 Essential sound disks.
      o Detachable power cord.
      o SW-1 Footswitch.

    OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES :

      o Additional sound disks [SLT-1 thru 13 ( 10 disks per set ),
        Signature Series ( 3 disks per set ), SL series ( 5 disks per
        set ).
      o SW-5 dual footswitch - 2 pedal piano-type for sustain, Patch
        Select and sequencer control.
      o OEX-6 output expander box. **
      o ME-16 PLUS memory expander. **
      o SP-2 SCSI option ( requires ME-16 PLUS ).
      o FB series FLASHBANK Eproms for non-volatile storage of sounds
        in unit ( FB-1 512k/256k words, FB-2 1 Meg/512k words ).

    PHYSICAL :

      o Keyboard dimensions : 40.5" ( 103cm ) wide x 4" ( 10cm ) high
        x 13.5" ( 34cm ) deep.
      o Keyboard weight : 29 pounds ( 13.2 kilograms ).
      o Rack dimensions : 17" ( 43.2cm ) wide x 5.25" ( 13.3cm ) high
        x 15" ( 38.1cm ) deep.
      o Rack weight : 28 pounds ( 13 kilograms ).

    LIMITED WARRANTY :

      o One Year parts and labor.



            * Specifies keyboard version only
           ** Rack comes standard with expanded memory and additional
              outputs.


    
    
    	Dan

    
    The hot feature I see here is the "Flashbank" ROM. This is a
    user-writable ROM, using "Flash" ROM, a new electrically erasable
    technology.  With it, you can keep either 1/2 meg or 1 meg of samples
    residnet on board all the time...no disks, Ma!!!  Kind of like the
    Roland W-30, but *you* can pick the samples.  Too bad it's an option
    ($$).
    
    The compatibility/upgrade patch for Mirage and EPS samples is
    commendable.  Now, someone loan me $2400....
    
    							Brian

    It's probably too much to ask but can I use my old EPSs 4x memory
    expander in the EPS 16? Is it compatable, or do I have to start out all
    over again?
    
    	Mark

	I haven't seen it yet, but it looks like it's just that much different
	as to be incompatible hardware-wise with the current EPS. The tip-off
	from the sheet is the OBX-6 output expander. The current output
	expander is the obx-8 (8 out). Except for 16 voices and the 
	EPROM, it seems to be much of the same thing as an EPS. I wish that
	just once, one could preserve an investment by upgrading a piece
	of gear instead of having to shell out $2K+ for a new one. 

	grumble

	/pjh

    
    		From what I remember being told at Union Music, it
    	is back compatible with the other EPS products. I'll be going
    	there today after work, so I'll make sure to ask and will post
    	some more information tommorrow.
    
    
    		Dan ( book'm )

    
    Re: .4
    
    Back compatibility is with regards to sample disks only.  The memory
    and output expanders are different, as is sequencer format.
    
    						Brian

    		Well, I went and put an EPS16R on order last night
    	and while I was there, of course I decided to check out some
    	more of the samples that come with the unit. The wind instruments
    	were very much so "alive". You could almost here the musician
    	taking a breath between each note. The string were just as
    	good. The steel guitar sample was exquisite.

    		Now, as far as compatibility goes..... the samples
	from any of the EPS line are compatible both ways. This means
	that samples that are generated on the EPS16/EPS16R can be
	us on the later version of the EPS line and visa-versa. Keep
	in mind though that due to electronics involved, you loose
	on sample quality. Also, it is not compatible with any of the
	"SQ" line due to a totally different format being used. The
	memory is not compatible at all and neither is the expander
	due to the fact that the older ones were eight channel expanders
	and the newer setup only handles a six channel expansion.
    	
		That's the scoop for now. Let me know if anyone has
	any other questions.


		book'm

    I'm bewildered by RAM of 1 MEG, expandable to 2. A MEG of SIMs costs
    $60 and occupies about 1x3 inches. Why aren't samplers starting with 4
    MEG, expandable to 16, like many PCs nowadays? Surely that memory
    could be put to good use?!
    
    - Hoyt

    
    
    		I forgot to mention - there's going to be an ENSONIQ
    	clinic on NOV 27 at Union Music in Worcester. Carl asked that
    	you call for reservations.
    
    
    		book'm

re                       <<< Note 2474.8 by SUBSYS::GUBBER >>>
>                              -< ENSONIQ CLINIC >-

    
    
>    		I forgot to mention - there's going to be an ENSONIQ
>    	clinic on NOV 27 at Union Music in Worcester. Carl asked that
>    	you call for reservations.


	Right, its at 7pm and the  "clinician"  is Bob Spillman
	It seems the  "focus"  will be the EPS 16.

	R	{gee, I spent so much time trying to put this in the 
		right place that I found it was already here (-:, (-: }

    It's finally time to get a sampler.  Daddy's in Nashua, the one music
    store in the area I know which takes DEC purchase orders, was pushing
    the EPS-16 Plus.  I'll be using this machine for MIDI sound output in
    multisensory computer interface demos.  Many other folks in the
    industry already are using other EPS samplers for similar work.
    
    The EPS-16 Plus seems to have the type of multi-timbral capability I
    need, with adequate sampling rates, precision, and memory.  They quoted
    me $2000 for the rack-mount version, which is just within my budget.
    
    Does anybody have one of these and care to comment on their experiences
    with it?  Or to suggest other samplers in the $2000 range that I should
    really look at before committing to this one?  Or know of other folks
    offering a better price for this unit?
    
    Thanks,
    Michael

    Just a thought, you may want to look at the T3 which, I think, is in
    that price range and supports MIDI sample dump standard.  I did a
    head-to-head comparison with it and a D70 and went for the D70.
    But, I wasn't limiting myself to a sampler.  They have one you can hear
    at Wurly's.  They also have a Korg WS.  As I recall, it can also handle
    the sample dump standard, but don't quote me on that.
    
    
    Steve

    The February 1991 issue of Keyboard and the April 1991 issue of
    Electronic Musician review the EPS-16 Plus.  Both are generally
    favorable reviews.  I get the impression from reading them that the
    combination of 16-bit sampling and the flexible effects processing of
    the samples is so far unique in this price range.  So it looks like
    this is indeed the machine to get for my needs, and that the price is
    reasonable.  I plan to get the rack-mount with the SCSI option.

    Watch out for the SCSI.  I don't know if Ensoniq is any worse in this
    regard than other brands, but many SCSI drives won't work.  Ensoniq
    does have an approved list (I think I posted it in the original EPS
    note).  
    
    No DEC drives on it yet  8^)  8^)  8^)

    re: .13
    Yes, Ensoniq does have an approved drive list but I am not sure how
    much it means. There are drives that they haven't tested that may work
    quite well, and there are drives that they did test that may not work
    with revisions or the particular SCSI interface that you happen to buy.
    
    	I bought the Maartists 4X memory with the SCSI interface. I tried
    it with an Elketon removable drive. It worked once then never again. I
    ended up sending the drive back for a refund just before the warranty
    ran out. I couldn't afford to get caught in the finger pointing between
    Ensoniq, Maartists and Elketon.
    
    	The safest route would seem to be to buy only the Ensoniq SCSI
    interface and an approved drive. At least then you can focus all of
    your troubleshooting calls at Ensoniq...  :-}

    Re .13 and .14:
    
    Thanks for the warning on the SCSI.  I think I'll take my chances, and
    see if we can get things fixed up if they indeed don't work.  Maybe
    we'll get DEC on the magic list for SCSI drives...

I've connected an RZ23 SCSI disk to the EPS-16 Plus and it worked
with no problems.  I wonder how you get a disk on the Ensoniq
"approved" list?  I probably don't have time in the next
couple months to pursue it, though.

    Re: .16
    
    To get on the approved list, *Ensoniq* has to check it out.  They have
    maintained that many other disks may work, but they have not verfied
    it.
    
    					Brian