Trend price : 100-200€
In the eighties samplers like Fairlight/ E-MU Emulators were so expensive ... then in 1984 came the MIRAGE: the first affordable sampler for the masses.
Company: Ensoniq
Model: Mirage
Class: keyboard sampler
Country: USA
Weight: 10,8 Kg
Dimensions:103 (w) x 10 (h) x 34 (d) cm
Keyboard: 61 keys
Dates: 1984
Display: 2-digit segments
Resolution: 12 bits
S.Frequency: 8 / 33 kHz
Polyphony: 8 voices
Filter: low pass
LFO: 1 modulator
Envelope: 2 EGs
Memory: 128 kb
Sequencer: 333 events
Sync: Midi clock
Storage: DD disk 400 kb
Midi : IN / OUT / THRU
Cpu: 6809
IC: CEM 3328 + 3360
Demo: 1
Video: 1
Review: 1
DOWNLOAD: user manual - service manual -
Overview
There are various mirage models:
-
DSK-8: exists in 2 different cosmetical versions, the dark grey or the black one.
- DSM-8 is the DSK8 rackmount version
-
DSK-1: is the "ultimate" keyboard version featuring a red stripe under the logo.
Voice
main core is based on a Motorola 6809 CPU manages 8 digital voices polyphony.
Structure
an elementary patch is a layer of 2 samples, and each sample has various edit parameters including: wave start, end offset, volume balancing, detune ratio or loop points.
Memory
RAM is split into 2 banks: lower and upper.
Each bank holds 64 Kb data for a total amount of 128 KB, consequently time recording is limited to:
-
2.0 seconds at 33 kHz rate
-
6.5 seconds at 8 kHz frequency
Filter
section is based on 8 X chips CURTIS CEM 3328 with a 4-poles resonant filter.
VCF also features a KEYTRACK function.
LFO
a single triangular modulator, 5 Hz-> 40 Hz frequency range.
The LFO modulates only the oscillator pitch (too bad no filter destination) and it is triggered by 4 possible sources:
-
modulation wheel
-
breath control
-
foot volume pedal
-
Aftertouch
Envelope
-
EG1 amplitude: 5-segments
-
EG2 filter: 5-segments APDSR (P stands for PEAK)
Sequencer really simple and useful for some on-the-fly ideas: basically it is a
step sequencer with overdub function that records up to 333 events (it can be a note, a bender or modulation value) or 1024 events if expanded with SXQ-1cartridge. Sequence can be synched to external Midi clock
Storage floppy disk DD 3.5" 400 KB formatted with custom Ensoniq file system format, It is NOT-DOS compatible, but some third-part company softwares read and write floppy disks images. A neat upgrade are the USB devices emulator like HxC or other commercial.
Review
OK: filter / dirty sound
NOT : memory / storage / edit
"It takes time to understand this sampler, but Mirage is an old classic with analog filter"
Text , review, special demos copyright polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci
