sloan@leadsv.UUCP (Robert Sloan) (01/31/86)
I recently attended the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show in LA. The products displayed ranged from trombones, sheet music, console organs and dulcimer wax to the GOOD STUFF like M I D I synths, software and effects. The MIDI effects from Yamaha, Lexicon, Ibanez, Alesis and Roland were interesting. I was thinking "What use is MIDI control of effects?", but when I heard the 'size' of a reverb chamber expand with a blast on a breath controller, the I understood the possibilities. All the new MIDI effects have digital reverb and digital delay built-in and its going to be hard to decide which one to get. I saw MIDI controlled lighting and mixing boards as well. What we really need are MIDI controlled kitchen appliances. Who says wave-table synthesis is dead? Both Ensonics (ESQ-1) and Sequential (Prophet VS) have come out with new wave-table synthesizers. The HIGHLIGHT of the show had to be the new sampling keyboards from Roland, Korg, Sequential Circuits and the new AKAI sampler... SAMPLING KEYBOARDS ROLAND Roland showed prototypes of their new S-50 and S-10 samplers. All of the new samplers have gone to 12 bits linear sampling. They have 16 voices, velocity sensitivity, 32k Hz maximum sampling rate, 17.2 seconds sampling time, 60 splits and 4 midi channels in and out. Each voice has a VCF, VCA and LFO for each of its 16 wave oscillators as well as 48 8-parameter envelope generators. But the BIG NEWS is that you can connect an RGB (color) or monochrome monitor and, with its software, analyze the spectrum, set up loop points and edit waveforms. A CD-ROM will be available that can hold 500 discs which, at 3 samples per disc, gives you 1500 samples. Expander module available this Summer for $2600. KORG The Korg sampler has 8 voices, 8 second sampling time, 12 bit linear, 32k Hz sampling rate, 16 multi-samples, noise source, ramping frequency of sample, VCA, VCF. Expander available this Summer. $2400. SEQUENTIAL The Prophet 2002 expander is out. It's basically a rack mount Prophet 2000 12-bit sampler in a box for $2200. AKAI AKAI has added a new rack mount sampler. They have improved on their sampler with 32 splits (originally 0) and built in disc drive. 12 bits, 32kHz sampling, 8 outs. ENSONICS Ensonics has improved its Mirage with a face lift and 12 dB of improved signal to noise ratio. Expander is $1300. Kurtzweil and EMU Kurtzweil and Emu remain at the higher end (in the $10,000 range). Kurtzweil has big bucks and has some big names associated with them including Bob Moog. But, listening to the two, the EMU has a better sound library. The EMU doen't have the same sophisticated hardware but their demo record is fantastic! EMU showed a CD-ROM disk with +1500 samples, incredible! CASIO Do you think Casio would miss the opportunity to introduce a sampler? No way! The SK-1 Sampler for (get this!) $99!! 4-voice sampling as well as preset sounds. I don't have the specifications, but for $99 why not just pick one up and see? Robert Sloan