ok i've seen all the videos, read all the threads...still i can't make up my mind which one to get

EPS16 has the grimey sound, ASR10 the full features, ASRX the pads but buggy sequencer

I'm interested in the rack units for the EPS/ASR, do they have all the same commands as the keyboard versions?

I'd also like to know if all 3 can be used as a standalone FX unit (i know for sure ASR-10 can) ?


I'm leaning towards an ASR-x pro, found a fully expanded one with SCSI, but does it offer the same crossfade looping as the EPS/ASR's ?
do those 2 knobs work like the 2 sliders? is the sequencer really inferior to the EPS/ASR?

I've owned all three, and now own an ASR-88, I can't imagine trading it for the other two for any reason whatsoever. I'm not sure if any of them can be used as stand alone effects boxes but I don't really see the point in that either, DAW's have much better effects available, and If you're THAT dead set on the ensoniq FX the DP series aren't very expensive these days either...

I've heard from a owner who has the ASR rack and black ASR-X that they sound different - he says rack sounds better - he's opened up both and say parts are different enough to explain different sound.

doesn't ASR-X read WAVs, where as rack doesn't? that would be bonus for ASR-X if so...

I currently have maxed ASR Keyboard, but am swapping for rack version with built in CF drive soon as I need to save on space big time.

For features I'd pick ASR over EPS+. you can always pick up EPS+ later, they are kinda cheapish, although on the up price wise.

currently rocking s950/ASR/MPC3000 - only flavor I'm really missing is a Emax.

actually DP's are getting expensive, especially here in europe, so i'm hoping the EPS/ASR would double up as a FX unit. comparison to DAW features is a moot point, with that mentality the whole point of getting a vintage sampler would seem obsolete.. but thanks for sharing, care to expand what you like more about the ASR over the X?

@xanax
The EPS 16 can be used as a stand alone effect unit when using this software with it:
Chicken Systems Inc: Products: Sounds: Waveboy Effects: Audio In-Time Dicer

@Studio507
I appreciate that the ASR10 has far greater memory capabilities than the EPS16 and is a stereo sampler, but is there really that much difference in their sound when both are sampling in mono at their highest sample rate?
Have you ever directly compared the 2 units?

there are some sounds you might want to sample in stereo - worth baring in mind no?

I would mainly be using the EPS16 for drum hits, bass lines etc, mostly mono based stuff. I have the likes of the Akai S1100 and MPC2000XL should I need a hardware unit to take care of stereo duties.

I am just curious to know that if set to mono and optimum bandwidth/sample rate, if they sound that different when playing back the same sound source?

All ensoniq samplers sound great. The newer the model the cleaner the sound in my experience. But they all sound like ensoniq samplers if that makes sense. I don't have much experience with the eps16, but from what I remember it didn't sound much different from the asr10. Never used the original eps.

All three of the models you mentioned can be used as standalone effects units. Ensoniq effects are dope. Especially the modulation (chorus, phaser, ensemble, etc.) and eq/filter. Not a big fan of the reverb, distortion or amp/speaker modeling effects though, but some people love them. Again, newer = cleaner, but they all sound great.

All the racks are identical to their keyboard versions. The ASR 10 rack comes with scsi and 8 outs, those are optional expansions on the keyboard.

The X is the only one with resonant filters, but it loses out on the crossfade looping. Advanced layering and most of the transwave functions are hidden and need the chickensys editor to use.

The X has the fastest interface IMO. It's designed for quick sampling and chopping. Although for deeper editing they are all pretty much equal workflow-wise. The eps/ asr10 actually have more advanced functions. the X is more cut down but still a very powerful sampler.

Overall the X is my personal favorite but IMO the 10 is the overall better sampler.

Yes, with the use of the Waveboy software it appears than many features are opened up including resonant filter.

What about the effects unit/engine that features in the EPS16 and the ASR10, how do these compare?

The ASR-X does not offer a rack mount model. It is the upgrade to the ASR10. The reason they sound so different is that the company who made the sound chips for the ASR10 went out of business so Ensoniq used a different chip for the X and X pro. If you want another price option remember all of the Ensoniq Samplers are part of a family that were just upgrades of each other. The Mirage>Eps>EPS16>ASR10>ASRX>ASRXPro. From what I understand the ASRX was Ensoniq's answer to the Mpc series which had become standard by the late 90s.

All the the Ensoniq 16 bit samplers sound nearly identical. Most 16 bit samplers sound nearly identical...main thing as mentioned before was stereo vs mono, plus the 16+ has more sample rates available. I wouldn't compare buying a hardware sampler/workstation to working in a daw, I'd say that buying one for the effects unit alone as an effect unit for your daw (at least in the case of the Ensoniq stuff) might be a little overkill, unless you're really just trying to geek/slut-out...that's just my opinion.

The ASR-X has sounds built in and can read wavs, that's about your only advantage there IMO...

^^ did i ever say i was "buying one for the effects unit alone as an effect unit for my daw" ??? hell no, i'm interested in the sampler first and foremost... if it can double as a DP type standalone effects box all the better and an incentive for me to go towards a particular model, and btw the fx wouldn't be for my daw but for processing my analog synths and drum machines through a bus on my analog mackie board.. hope thats clear enough for you..


ok but the ASR is the only one that can do this standard? the EPS needs the $39 chikensys audio-in software.. what about the X can it do it straight out the box?


so there is no crossfade looping on the X? again you can get it but only with the chickensys software?
this could be a deal breaker for me.. too bad cuz i was really leaning towards the X

The X can be used as a standalone fx unit. The X does not have crossfade looping. Sorry I thought I was clear.

By the way the X uses DOS as its disk format, and aiff as its sample format, so exchanging samples with a computer is straight forward. The 10 uses proprietary formats so you need special software to exchange samples with your computer.

That's cool but i would probably use the analog in/outs to get the sweet ensoniq converters anyways so file transfer isn't that high up on my wishlist... however crossfade looping is kind of essential, btw i love what this dude is able to do using that with the 10:



here's a dope review by same dude on the X:




btw, i noticed in the comments section that sample editing with the knobs is coarser / less precise on the X than with the slider on the 10 making fine tuning chops harder, can anyone confirm?

Well, you could, of course, use file transfer (and an audio editor) to overcome that limitation... Which is why I mentioned it. Also great for backup/archiving.

No difference between the two, aside from the inherent differences between a slider and a rotary pot.

I was talking about the ASR 10 rack.

I think the ASR10 is better for chopping ultimately due to its fine and coarse resolution and long precise slider(more satisfying than a lil knob).Its very effective while the x is a little fiddly.Maybe preferance!!!I have the rack but as you know there not the best for editing on unless tilted.

yea apparently the fine resolution on the X is kind of unusable even for the shortest samples, you gotta scroll that knob for hours lol... it looks like it's going to be the 10 for my needs, then again i hadn't thought of the rack being a PITA for editing, unfortunately the keyboard is out of the question due to space..

Fine chopping on the x sux

I chop in computer or mpc then sample each chop into x

I loved chopping on the X when I had one. Even more so than the 10 I have now. I guess to each his own, but I could usually get close enough with the coarse percentage and then fine tuning wasn't that big a deal.

The ASR X sucked back in the day in it sucks now.

Reading between the lines, I think we can safely assume you've never actually owned one.

Yep,you get used to it and then its quick.

Just an example of an X.Done this a long time ago comepletely on the 1 machine in 1 session with a few edits on the comp.Tons of other detailed work came around this time.Im not complaining its hardly a joke like you say-

awesome! i can't believe that was done all on the x. nice

Thanx man.I cant believe it nowadays my self

I have the asr-x and eps 16+ you can't go wrong with either

I think the X's sequencer was its downfall, i remember that was the reason i didn't pick one up over the mpc 2K when it came out in the late 90's. that being said i was very impressed by it's sound, typical ensoniq top notch converters with a nice sheen when detuning, and of course the classic DP effects... still very desirable imo

The eps16+ and asr 10 do NOT sound the same. Had both. Get the asr unless u want grimey.

To each his own but the Asr-x does not suck, it's one of the best sounding samplers ever! The only negative thing that can be said about it is the sequencer would hiccup occasionally when a sequence was playing and you turned the value knob. As a matter of fact i am about to purchase a replacement internal zip so I can use mine again. I think it's easier to chop on an ASR-X than on an MPC. I think ensoniq fell short by not giving it mad midi ins and outs like the MPC has, and the note repeat.

I don't mean to insult it so much, just compared to EPS 16 I dont know why anyone would throw the dough down on one of these. I use EPS 16 for years and I remember when the ASR X came out no one took it seriously, it was handicapped. It has barely capable loop sequencer, a pretty good sampler, two annoying knobs, crappy interface, buggy OS, and now they just break down. Kind of joke in my opinion as a serious production tool. Useful for simple nostalgia maybe, and simple tracks.