Ensoniq EPS-16 Plus
| EPS-16 Plus | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ensoniq EPS-16 Plus (keyboard) | |
| Manufacturer | Ensoniq |
| Dates | 1990–? |
| Price | £1795[1] |
| Technical specifications | |
| Polyphony | 20 voices |
| Synthesis type | 16-bit samples, 11.2 kHz–44.6 kHz |
| Aftertouch expression | Yes |
| Velocity expression | Yes |
| Storage memory | 1 MB , expandable to 2 MB (1 MB RAM, 1 MB flash memory on "Turbo" units) |
| Effects | 13 onboard effects |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | 61-note with polyphonic aftertouch |
| Left-hand control | pitch-bend and modulation wheels |
| External control | MIDI |
The Ensoniq EPS-16 Plus is a sampling keyboard produced by Ensoniq starting in 1990. It was the successor to the EPS, one of the first truly affordable samplers on the market. The EPS-16 Plus uses 16-bit samples[2] at seven sample rates ranging from 11.2 kHz to 44.6 kHz and features 13 onboard effects. The unit was available in both keyboard and rackmount versions (EPS-16R). Some versions of the EPS-16 Plus were sold as "Turbo" units, which included an extra 1 MB of flash memory and SCSI upgrades. These units are designated with a "T" after the model number.
The EPS-16 Plus features a mono input and stereo outputs, made useful by the unit's stereo panning and internal effects. It was succeeded in 1992 by the stereo-capable ASR-10.
Notable users[edit]
Notable users include Havoc of Mobb Deep, RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan as well as Wu-Tang affiliate True Master,[3] and Speech of Arrested Development.[4]
De facto Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA produced some tracks for Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) on an EPS-16 Plus, including the group's biggest single "C.R.E.A.M.".[5] He then sold the unit to True Master, who used it to produce "Fish" from Ghostface Killah's debut solo album Ironman[6] as well as "Brooklyn Zoo" from Ol' Dirty Bastard's debut solo album Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version.[3] Havoc of Mobb Deep has stated that he produced "Shook Ones, Part II" an EPS-16 Plus.[a][7]
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Trask, Simon (Feb 1991). "Ensoniq EPS16 Plus". Music Technology. United Kingdom: Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. pp. 48–53. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ Music, Computer (17 May 2019). "Blast from the past: Ensoniq EPS". Musicradar. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ a b Said, Amir (15 December 2016). "True Master: One of the sharpest masters of the art of beatmaking". BeatTips. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ Sorcinelli, Gino (2 October 2019). "When Ensoniq brought samplers to the masses: The Mirage, EPS, and ASR-10". Reverb. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ Wu-Tang's RZA talks to Kotori about his producing history. Kotori Magazine. 20 November 2007. Event occurs at 5:30. Archived from the original (YouTube) on 13 December 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ WuTang Producer True Master talks about making 'Fish' for Ghostface Killah Ironman 25th Anniversary (YouTube). True Master Music. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ Hrishikesh Hirway; Havoc (17 June 2020). "Mobb Deep "Shook Ones, Pt. II"". Song Exploder (Podcast). Radiotopia. Event occurs at 3:34. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
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