The EPS (Ensoniq Performance Sampler) was manufactured between 1988 and 1991 and was one of the first few affordable samplers on the market. It was an update to the Mirage 8-bit sampler, as the EPS used a 12-bit sampling architecture. The EPS had a straightforward interface that was easy to use, with configurable controls geared for live performance. It used two processors allowing for loading and playing simultaneously.
The Ensoniq TS-10 was a synthesizer/music workstation introduced in 1993. It featured synthesis, user sample playback, sequencer, effects and performance parameters with a 61 note keyboard. Another version, with 76 weighted keys, but otherwise identical features except polyphonic aftertouch, was offered as the TS-12.
The Ensoniq ASR-10 (Advanced Sampling Recorder) was a sampling keyboard manufactured between 1992 and 1994. It was a follow up product to the very popular Ensoniq EPS and Ensoniq EPS 16+ performance samplers. The ASR-10 was a true performance orientated sampling workstation, and did not require a computer or additional equipment in order to create a complete song. It included a powerful and flexible effects unit, polyphonic aftertouch, an advanced MIDI sequencer, load-while-playing abilities, and a powerful multi-layered synthesis engine. Different layers could be triggered by any number of modulation sources, including velocity, polyphonic aftertouch, or combinations of the two layer keys on the left hand side of the keyboard. The ASR-X followed as a single tabletop unit with professional sampler specifications, and easy yet professional sample editing features.
The CDR library was a result of many years of sound content gathered for these products and assembled from floppy disks to create CD-ROM’s. Digital Sound Factory has re mastered this nostalgic library for use with software synthesizers.
