Ensoniq Mirage
The mirage is a classic 8-bit beast with VERY limited sampling time. 2 seconds in full 33khz mode, or 6.5 seconds in 10 khz mode. If you want GRIMEY dirty drums, it doesn’t get much dirtier than the Mirage. You can find it locally for about $50, expect to pay about $70 on eBay.
More info on the Mirage: http://www.syntaur.com/tech-mir.html
Cazio RZ-1
This is another 8-bit beast, but it might be a little bit more fun than the mirage since it’s already a drum machine. You are given 4 0.2 second banks to work with, or one .8 second bank. That means kick, snare, hat, hat2 if you’re lucky.
Obviously the RZ-1 is not meant to be your centerpiece in the 21st century but a cool little toy none the less. It’s HUGE for circuit benders who like to make it do really crazy stuff. You should be able to pick one up for about $50 – $75 eBay or local.
More info on the Casio RZ-1: http://www.vintagesynth.com/casio/rz1.php
Roland S-330
Probably THE BEST option on this list due to it’s sound, resolution, storage, and sampling time. The S-330 gives you about 29 seconds total sampling time in crisp 12-bit 30khz resolution. It’s like a little S-50 in a box and not many people know about it.
You can pick up one up for dirt cheap. I saw a set of 2 w/ a controller go on eBay recently for only $40, that’s a real deal right there. Harder to find, but cheap and worth it.
More info on the Roland S-330: http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/s330.php
Yamaha TX16w
The Yamaha tx16w is a NIGHTMARE function-wise unless you get the Typhoon OS (free) and install it via floppy drive. Once you get the new OS it’s a pretty sweet machine.
12-bit 33.3 khz, expandable up to 6mb ram so you get well over 60 seconds sampling time, and a 3.5″ floppy drive! Another great option for a 12-bit crunch on a budget. These have been going on eBay for about $50 – $75 lately, and at that price, it’s a steal, just make sure the drive works so you can install the Typhoon OS.
More info on the Yamaha TX16w: http://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/tx16w.php
Korg DSM-1
The Korg DSM1 is one of the harder 12-bit samplers to find, but if you can, get it. It’s the rack version of the more expensive and bulkier Korg DSS1.
It features 8-outputs standard, about 1mb of built-in ram, optional 8-bit or 12-bit sampler, and a 3.5″ floppy drive to save everything. One of the few pure samplers from Korg, this thing is well known (as is it’s keyed brother the DSS-1) for having a great deep sound.
These are going for close to $100, but you might have to take your time and keep an eye out since it’s not as common as a Mirage or TX16w.
More info on the Korg DSM-1: http://www.sonicstate.com/synth/korgdsm1.cfm
That concludes another edition of Recession Gear, next up will be 16-bit samplers under $100.
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June 16th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Nice lil’ post – glad that you warned folks about the Yamaha’s notoriously horrible OS.
Comments:
* If buying a Mirage, make sure it comes with a floppy disk OS. Otherwise, you’ll be chasing one down online, and usually paying too much for it. Personally, I wouldn’t bother …
* The Korg DSM/DSS siblings are HIGHLY underrated, but while rackmount is nice, I’d avoid the DSM-1, simply because it doesn’t have the full filter capabilities of the DSS-1.
* Might want to include the Casio FZ series. OS can be buggy (mine would often randomly place pops & clicks into samples), but if it’s good enough for the entirety of Deee-Lite’s first album … oh, if only all this gear would’ve been this cheap back in the day.