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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!iham1!rwn
From: rwn@iham1.UUCP (Bob Neumann)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Re: Ensonique Digita Sampling Keyboard
Message-ID: <266@iham1.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 3-Dec-84 13:08:22 EST
Article-I.D.: iham1.266
Posted: Mon Dec  3 13:08:22 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 4-Dec-84 19:36:09 EST
References: <260@iham1.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 66


Since posting my last article requesting information on
the Ensonique Digital Sampling Keyboard, I have recieved
mail from a number of people requesting that I post any
information that I receive back to the net for general
reading.  I have received some information from Richard Zaffino
which I will reprint here:


"I haven't seen the ad you mentioned but I have a pseudo spec-sheet
that Ensonique passed around at the Symposium on Small Computers in the
Arts in Philadelphia last month.  According to this sheet the keyboard
has a maximum sampling rate of 30khz.  They say that for user sampling
there is a variable sample rate from 8-30Khz.  But they also show spec's
for sample duration/frequency response as:

		2 seconds/15 KHz |
		4 seconds/8 KHz	 |-   per half keyboard
		8 seconds/4 KHz	 |
		
But, they don't specify the resolution of their DACs.

They spec the sequencer as:

	- On-board
	- Records pitch, modulation, sustain pedal, velocity
	- Multi-overdub ability
	- Sync from outboard devices (drum machine, sequencer)
	- Save sequences on diskettes
	- Plays or records external MIDI equipment
	
The keyboard supports MIDI but it's unclear just how thoroughly
it does so.  I spoke with the engineer who gave a talk at the symposium
and found out that they don't support volume control or local off
through MIDI.  They did, however, buy a lot of other synthesizers and
others and ran programs on them in order to see for thenselves just 
what MIDI subtleties existed on those instruments in an attempt to be 
as compatible as possible with them.

Among their options are:

	- Formatted diskettes for user sound sampling and sound storage
	- Complete library of sounds
	- Foot switch
	- Sequencer expander
	
That first one scares me.  One is led to believe that the sound recording
capability is built-in and included in the purchase price.  But option
one up there sounds like you have to buy their pre-formatted diskettes
in order to record.

I hope this information is useful to you. "


					Richard Zaffino
					
Thanks for the information, Richard.  If anyone has any further 
information or any personal experience with this instrument, feel
free to post news or send me mail. 

					Bob Neumann
					BTL IH 4J-409
					(312) - 979-6533