@@jonathansoko1085 As I said - anything I ever sampled into my Mirage came out HUGE and BETTER. There’s no arguing that because it’s my direct experience with an instrument I knew very well.
Man I absolutely love the sound of thes E there’s so much you can do with almost every single sound you get out of that not only how dope it crunches a break at just sample speed and then keyed down just dissecting every sounds inner matrix it’s amazing - and yes I literally just bought the rack so I’ll be scooping that manual as soon as it arrives- great Chanel man 🫡
SO grateful my brother, I have 2, 16 plus, asrx and asr 10...but just about to get my mitts on a MIRAGE now after your video as my other ones just cant nail this lo fi texture! so so grateful , bless your soul from Australia!
The mirage was the first keyboard I started using. Had to midi a sequencer to it. They never over heated and malfunctioned like the EPS classic.but the EPS has a lot more funtions.my EPS 16 plus is maxed out memory, & has a disk emulator on it.
First off, bro, so thankful for your review. Second the HISTORY behind this is SO many levels deep. Janet. Jam & Lewis. JUST NASTY. Absolutely essential. Thus Wu-Tang was born. What an important walk into history. Well done my man. Appreciate you my bro.
One of your best videos! That´s why I have 3 Mirages. The Emax 1 is a little more hifi, but has that kind of granular texture mixed with the analogue filter sound.
@@poetryinmotion9057 Lovely sampling synth. Specs wise, very similar to the DSS1. The sound is 16 bit, but sounds like 12. The filters are great, and distort a lot depending on the level of the samples. They´re digitally controlled analogue filters. I bought mine for next to nothing, they´re rising a lot lately. Mine came with memory expansion. There´s some nice demos, specially the ones from mylarmelodies, Synths and Sounds, etc, but my favourite is from Elmo Sexwhistle. You can hear some beautiful filter sweeps in there.
i think even the nastiest bits you don't like still sound a lot better than most downsampling/bit reduction effects, i guess because it at least has all the components of a basic sampler ADC-DAC chain that helps mellow out the grit some instead of just raw conversion. but also yeah the only "samplers" i've heard get as gross as the mirage when pitching down are the extremely basic ADA/DAC samplers for commodore amiga, and the casio SK series toys.
11:13 That's what I love about the PO-33. It should sound terrible for how basic and cheap it is, but I usually love the sound of anything put into it.
@@TheDaydreamSound yeah still a few bargains to be had. I have a mirage, an ASR-10 and an eps16 plus. Not all fully working .. well the asr is it just needs the os disk. Fdd works perfectly. It's a mint condish too. Paid $300 aud for it. Looking forward to restoring the other two and adding the SQ to the collection.
What do you like more the dsk 8 or the dsk1 ? If I’m not mistaken that’s the 1 with the red stripe but I think I seen another video of yours with the dsk8
The FZ-1 sounds different but also has a lot of grit and punch. I think it is 16 bit though. One of its great features is the filter, very unique sound, especially when used in combination with lower sample rates.
Ensoniq made some great products. The Mirage is one of them. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis made FULL USED of the Mirage on their earlier productions. Their strings sounds were awesome. Shame Ensoniq went out of business. Even love the ASR 10 & the DP4+. Great products. Love the tutorial.😌🎹🎶👍🏾
Is there a mirage make/model that sounds warmer, or more pleasing to your ear.. You said they all sound slightly different.. Out of the red striped mirage your using and the rack mount version you have, is there a noticably more pleasing tone from one of them ? just curious..
Casio FZ-1 is 16bit I believe. Maybe referring the SK-1? Thanks for the demo though. This might get me working on fixing the power supply on mine finally.
Does that bad boy allow sysex dumps? If so, you can compand 32 bit samples into 8 bit a-law with no loss in accuracy. Ensoniq's sampler math is based on a-law companding to match the ESP chip's output.
Great machine, but for most people I would honestly recommend simply using bitcrunching plug-ins, rather than running out and dropping half a grand on one of these machines. The Mirage interface is notoriously archaic and difficult for the average person to use (as it is for many seasoned hardware sampler users as well). Everything is done in hexadecimal using combinations of keypresses on a numerical keypad + a few buttons, and a 2 character LED display. There is no waveform display, no information at all on the screen other than the two hex characters. You need to have the manual or the parameter card in front of you at all times, because even after you think you've memorized most of the parameters, you'll find yourself getting lost and needing to reference the card at some point. Also, the sample memory is insanely small. Not like an akai S-612, but close (unlike the Mirage, the S-612 is ridiculously user-friendly). You get *2 SECONDS* at high bitrate (around 30 kHz) and *6 seconds* at the lowest samplerate wherein the sound is reduced nearly to little more than aliasing noise. A lot of people see a video or read some forum post about the Mirage, thinking it's one thing, only to get it and realize how truly non-user friendly it is. They use it once or twice in the most basic manner, sampling and playing something back (i.e. using it as nothing more than an FX unit) and never touching it again. I honestly think bit reduction plugs would suffice for most of these people. To be completely honest, if you're only looking use it for the low bitrate sound, you can get very very close with a combination of bitcrunchers and filters if you take some time and are creative. Considering that a lot of people have a hard time with later Ensoniq samplers, and other more advanced samplers with much easier to navigate interfaces + displays, I would recommend looking into the Mirage thoroughly before running out and buying one. They are very unique machines, but they require A LOT of work to learn to use as a proper sampler, work which most people who are used to software and/or knob filled analog gear probably aren't going to end up investing into the machine when simpler alternatives exist in abundance.
Once you understand it, it’s really easy. I had one for a while. It’s helpful to have a pencil and paper to jot down some numbers, the hex conversion chart and the parameter chart, but after a while you get to know a lot of it.
![[Watch Party] RoV Pro League 2024 Winter | ( Bacon Time Vs FS )](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/lD6z1BugdZw/mqdefault.jpg)
This is the most challenging sampler I have love for.
Your enthusiasm for the Mirage is infectious. I mentioned this a while back but I would love you to do some tutorials on it :)
Thanks for reaching out man!!! Much appreciated!!! Possibly in the future.
Love my mirage - I've spent days just running so many drums and bass tones through there for when they're needed.
Please do a Drum Pack with it Homie...and I will send it through the Roland MS-1. Greetings!
@@karoi4952 If you go on the site and search for mirage you'll see a handful of free sample packs that use the mirage!
@@LoFiWeekly I know, but it's never enough :)
Anything I ever sampled into my Mirage came out HUGE and BETTER. Like you said, it just sounds GOOD! 😎👍🏼
Not everything, you still have to understand whats good and whats not. Some things wont sound good.
@@jonathansoko1085 As I said - anything I ever sampled into my Mirage came out HUGE and BETTER. There’s no arguing that because it’s my direct experience with an instrument I knew very well.
@@a_nick_t I dont belive you
@@jonathansoko1085 so you’re calling me a liar?
Man I absolutely love the sound of thes
E there’s so much you can do with almost every single sound you get out of that not only how dope it crunches a break at just sample speed and then keyed down just dissecting every sounds inner matrix it’s amazing - and yes I literally just bought the rack so I’ll be scooping that manual as soon as it arrives- great Chanel man 🫡
SO grateful my brother, I have 2, 16 plus, asrx and asr 10...but just about to get my mitts on a MIRAGE now after your video as my other ones just cant nail this lo fi texture! so so grateful , bless your soul from Australia!
The mirage was the first keyboard I started using. Had to midi a sequencer to it. They never over heated and malfunctioned like the EPS classic.but the EPS has a lot more funtions.my EPS 16 plus is maxed out memory, & has a disk emulator on it.
I always knew I wanted a Mirage... now I know I NEED one!
also props to your slow-mo hand lifts! ;)
There were some sweet spots in there. Even some of the stuff you didn't like. Thanks for doing this!
First off, bro, so thankful for your review. Second the HISTORY behind this is SO many levels deep. Janet. Jam & Lewis. JUST NASTY. Absolutely essential. Thus Wu-Tang was born. What an important walk into history. Well done my man. Appreciate you my bro.
One of your best videos! That´s why I have 3 Mirages. The Emax 1 is a little more hifi, but has that kind of granular texture mixed with the analogue filter sound.
I HAVE 3 AS WELL ;) PLUS 2 EPS CLASSICS
@@poetryinmotion9057 I also have 3 Emax, two prophet 2000, a DSS1, FZ1, etc etc ;)
@@juno6 what are your thoughts on the casio fz?
@@poetryinmotion9057 Lovely sampling synth. Specs wise, very similar to the DSS1. The sound is 16 bit, but sounds like 12. The filters are great, and distort a lot depending on the level of the samples. They´re digitally controlled analogue filters. I bought mine for next to nothing, they´re rising a lot lately. Mine came with memory expansion. There´s some nice demos, specially the ones from mylarmelodies, Synths and Sounds, etc, but my favourite is from Elmo Sexwhistle. You can hear some beautiful filter sweeps in there.
Hi everyone! Is it reliable? I know it’s old…. Easy to fix? I know it’s built like a tank…. But? Answers please!!!😉
I honestly love the metallic sounds.. I feel like you get best of both worlds with the mirage
i think even the nastiest bits you don't like still sound a lot better than most downsampling/bit reduction effects, i guess because it at least has all the components of a basic sampler ADC-DAC chain that helps mellow out the grit some instead of just raw conversion. but also yeah the only "samplers" i've heard get as gross as the mirage when pitching down are the extremely basic ADA/DAC samplers for commodore amiga, and the casio SK series toys.
Sir, Your Gold Revelation track is simply awesome!
11:13 That's what I love about the PO-33. It should sound terrible for how basic and cheap it is, but I usually love the sound of anything put into it.
This channel is like wine tasting but for samplers
Good info on this . Thnx. Would collect samples on it(rack mount version);, and load into eps16+ to arrange
Love love your presentation of the breakdown of sound quality .. what do these units go for these days ? Nothing almost ?
What's up! Thanks!!! Much appreciated!!! I hear the price has gone up a lot lately!
@@TheDaydreamSound yeah still a few bargains to be had. I have a mirage, an ASR-10 and an eps16 plus. Not all fully working .. well the asr is it just needs the os disk. Fdd works perfectly. It's a mint condish too. Paid $300 aud for it. Looking forward to restoring the other two and adding the SQ to the collection.
What do you like more the dsk 8 or the dsk1 ? If I’m not mistaken that’s the 1 with the red stripe but I think I seen another video of yours with the dsk8
you ever figure this out?
love these vids of yours. bravo!!
The FZ-1 sounds different but also has a lot of grit and punch. I think it is 16 bit though. One of its great features is the filter, very unique sound, especially when used in combination with lower sample rates.
I was thinking of getting an asr 10 but i love this sound. Is it the same as asr10?
Cool stuff! Digging the channel!
Ensoniq made some great products. The Mirage is one of them. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis made FULL USED of the Mirage on their earlier productions. Their strings sounds were awesome. Shame Ensoniq went out of business. Even love the ASR 10 & the DP4+. Great products. Love the tutorial.😌🎹🎶👍🏾
What's up!!! Thanks!!! Much appreciated!!! Yep! Great samplers!!!! DP4+ is still a winner!
This is an excellent (and funny) review. I've never heard a synth referred to as 'disgusting'.😅
Is there a mirage make/model that sounds warmer, or more pleasing to your ear.. You said they all sound slightly different.. Out of the red striped mirage your using and the rack mount version you have, is there a noticably more pleasing tone from one of them ? just curious..
Casio FZ-1 is 16bit I believe. Maybe referring the SK-1? Thanks for the demo though. This might get me working on fixing the power supply on mine finally.
Does that bad boy allow sysex dumps? If so, you can compand 32 bit samples into 8 bit a-law with no loss in accuracy. Ensoniq's sampler math is based on a-law companding to match the ESP chip's output.
You would be better off sampling from analog right? Or DSD SuperAudio CDs
Great machine, but for most people I would honestly recommend simply using bitcrunching plug-ins, rather than running out and dropping half a grand on one of these machines. The Mirage interface is notoriously archaic and difficult for the average person to use (as it is for many seasoned hardware sampler users as well). Everything is done in hexadecimal using combinations of keypresses on a numerical keypad + a few buttons, and a 2 character LED display. There is no waveform display, no information at all on the screen other than the two hex characters. You need to have the manual or the parameter card in front of you at all times, because even after you think you've memorized most of the parameters, you'll find yourself getting lost and needing to reference the card at some point. Also, the sample memory is insanely small. Not like an akai S-612, but close (unlike the Mirage, the S-612 is ridiculously user-friendly). You get *2 SECONDS* at high bitrate (around 30 kHz) and *6 seconds* at the lowest samplerate wherein the sound is reduced nearly to little more than aliasing noise. A lot of people see a video or read some forum post about the Mirage, thinking it's one thing, only to get it and realize how truly non-user friendly it is. They use it once or twice in the most basic manner, sampling and playing something back (i.e. using it as nothing more than an FX unit) and never touching it again. I honestly think bit reduction plugs would suffice for most of these people. To be completely honest, if you're only looking use it for the low bitrate sound, you can get very very close with a combination of bitcrunchers and filters if you take some time and are creative. Considering that a lot of people have a hard time with later Ensoniq samplers, and other more advanced samplers with much easier to navigate interfaces + displays, I would recommend looking into the Mirage thoroughly before running out and buying one. They are very unique machines, but they require A LOT of work to learn to use as a proper sampler, work which most people who are used to software and/or knob filled analog gear probably aren't going to end up investing into the machine when simpler alternatives exist in abundance.
Once you understand it, it’s really easy. I had one for a while. It’s helpful to have a pencil and paper to jot down some numbers, the hex conversion chart and the parameter chart, but after a while you get to know a lot of it.
You'll have no idea how the mirage sounds compared to a plugin, until you try it.
Remember me house of pain/Dj Muggs/funkdoobiest/predator ICE cube album sounds
Sounds like a toy❤