Ensoniq Mirage
| Sampler | |
|---|---|
|
|
| General | |
| Surname | Mirage |
| Manufacturer | Ensoniq |
| Sound synthesis | digital, samples |
| Period | 1985-1988 |
| Price (year of publication) | approx. 5800 DM |
| properties | |
| Polyphonic | yes, 8 |
| Multitimbral | yes, 8 |
| VCF | 8 analog low-pass , 5-stage envelope |
| LFO | Yes |
| Effects | - |
| Keys | 61, velocity sensitive |
| Int. Game aids | Pitch, modulation wheel |
| Ext. Controller | pedal |
| Interface (noun) | MIDI |
| Sequencer | 333 events |
| D / A converter | 8 bit |
| Samples | 48 (8 bit, up to 33 kHz) |
| Storage spaces | 16 |
| ROME | - |
| R.A.M. | 144 kB |
| Ext. Memory | 3.5 "floppy disks (400 kB) |
The Ensoniq Mirage was the first affordable sampler for the masses .
In 1985, Ensoniq presented the Mirage. Up until then, sampling was an expensive pleasure, which changed with the Mirage. At a price of less than US $ 1700, it was affordable for the general public and offered editing options that a few years earlier were reserved for the expensive Fairlight CMI .
The basic version of the Mirage offered sampling in an 8-bit resolution with up to 33 kHz . For the rack and first keyboard version there was an optional input filter module that enabled sampling at a 50 kHz rate. Due to the extensive library and the difficult editing options, the Mirage was mainly used as a sample player. The further processing of the sound was done in the classic subtractive manner via analog VCF . The envelope and LFO were generated completely digitally, a VCA is not used with the Mirage. Using multi-sampling, you could assign different samples to different areas of the 61-key, velocity-sensitive keyboard , which could also be played simultaneously, i.e. multitimbral, via MIDI .
The operating system was booted via the 3.5 " floppy disk drive and data was saved, with each data floppy disk also containing a copy of the operating system. The externally synchronizable internal sequencer rounded off the image of a cheap and fairly complete music production system at the time.
The head of development of the Mirage was Bob Yannes , who also designed the legendary SID chip (sound interface device) for the Commodore 64 . A Motorola 6809 was used as the CPU .
In 1988 the Mirage was followed by the EPS (Ensoniq Performance Sampler), which allowed a resolution of 13 bits at up to 52 kHz and initially had a memory of 480 kB.