Ensoniq Mirage DSK8 / DSK1 (1984) Digital Sampling Keyboard

In the eighties samplers like Fairlight/ E-MU Emulators were expensive dreams, byt then in 1984 came the MIRAGE-: the first affordable sampler for the proletarian masses :-)

Project developped by Robert Yannes, the man who created famous SID from Commodore 64.

KEYBOARD 61 velocity keys.
Main panel features a simple 2-digit segments display and 25 buttons, while on the left part there is the floppy disk drive and 2 wheels for modulation and pitch bending functions.


Back panel terminal connectors:
- Midi interface
- mono analog signal out
- mono audio Input for sampling
- slot expansion for sequencer memory cartridge.

 

TECH the main core is based on a Motorola 6809 CPU manages up to 8 voices polyphony A basic patch is a layer of 2 samples, and each sample has various edit parameters including:

- wave start - end offset - volume balancing - detune ratio - variable loop points HEAR

MEMORY the internal RAM is split into 2 banks: upper and lower memory.
Each bank holds 64 Kb data for a total amount of 128 KB - time recording / frequency are limited to:

- 2,0 seconds at 33 kHz frequency - 6,5 seconds at 8 kHz frequency

INTERFACE uncomfortable. All parameter edit with single parameters and hexadecimal value on segment display.

"great...hexadecimal edit..."

 

MIRAGE KEYBOARD 3 mirage keyboard models:

- DSK-8 mk1 first "black" original version (pic 1) - DSK-8 mk2 enhanced "grey" keyboard and slightly different case design (pic 2) - DSK-1 (1986-1988) is the latest version featuring a red stripe under the logo (pic 3) MODELS CLICK to enlarge PIC

 

 

FILTER section is based on 8 chips CURTIS CEM 3328 with a 4-poles resonant filter.
Mirage VCF also features a KEYTRACK function that compensates the filter cutoff toward higher or lower octaves with either positive or negative values.

HEAR filter samples

 

LFO a single triangle modulator from 5 Hz to 40 Hz frequency range.
The LFO modulates only the oscillator pitch (too bad no filter destination) and it is triggered by 4 sources:

- modulation wheel - breath control - foot volume pedal - aftertouch

 

ENVELOPE there are 2 EGs based on CEM3360 VCA:

- 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 (can be either a note, a bender or modulation value) or even 1024 events if expanded with SXQ-1 cartridge.

SYNC hardware transmits Midi clock and can be slaved to other units such as compatible drum machines. HEAR sequenced samples

STORAGE floppy disk DD 3.5" 400 KB formatted with custom Ensoniq file system format, NOT-DOS compatible, although some third-part company softwares are able to read and write floppy disks images.

TIP: common disk error on display are: - "NF" stands for No Disk - "Ud" stands for Unformatted Disk.

A neat upgrade is the USB devices emulator like HxC or other.

 

OS MASOS is not stored in ROM: for operating system or copy disk function you have to deal each time with floppy disk BOOT system, so be sure to get a Mirage with proper operational drive.

EDIT everything is programmed on the display by hexadecimal system and the relative parameters list is essential, luckily the Mirage responds to Midi exclusive systems
Mainly some old computer software for the glorious Commodore 64 and Apple IIe, are available like:

- MMirage Data Displayer: displays sample parameters (with graphic) - MirageFREQ: an utility to match in tune samples using Sid chip - VES :another waveform displayer for perfect loop and tuning - Soundworks Mirage (for Atari ST) PIC - ST Sonic Editor (for Atari ST) PIC - Digidesign Sound designer (Atari ST) PIC - Mirage editor (PC modern) PIC - Mirage editor (PC modern) PIC - kindly sent by its author David Barraclough Download

 

MIRAGE RELATED FAMILY:

DMS-8 is the rackmount version same specs as DSK-8

 

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