Ensoniq EPS-16

The EPS-16 is extremly easy to use once you get the hang of it. Layering of multiple sounds is quick and simple. The sequencer is straightforward. Sampling requires some practice but really delivers once you get it down.

Keyboard action is good. The SCSI drive is absolutely a must unless you have a real passion for loading floppy disks all night. Loading the Steinway Piano takes about 2 minutes from 2 floppies...about 5 seconds from the SCSI.

The Miami Brass is hands down the best brass sound I've head off of any keyboard out there. I have had more people comment on the realistis sound of my brass section. The pianos are better than most. I bought the Rubber Chicken organ set (10 disks and a ton of organs). This thing is great and provides organs for almost and song or application. The strings are OK, the sax pretty weak (except for Webster Sax, and drums are good but you can't seem to get all the different percussion and drums sounds you need from less than 3 disks, which really sucks up your memory.

The keyboard itself has been extremely reliable. The SCSI is tempermental, though. In order to get my SCSI to work, I have to turn on the SCSI drive and wait 7 seconds...not 6 and not 8....7 seconds! Then I have to turn on the keyboard and hope it "sees" the SCSI. It also has a tendency to lockup when doing a lot of sequencing so save often. I've used it on many gigs without a backup...worst thing that can happen is it locks up and you have to reboot. Has only happened to me a few times in the last 8 years.

They used to be pretty good before they merged with EMU...I haven't called them since so I'm not sure. They can't explain why my SCSI is so tempermental, though.

Love many of the sounds in this board...and I like the fact that I can sample something from another keyboard, or right off a CD. Wish it was PC compatible. If I could find another sampler with the same high quality sounds, or could read EPS-16 disks, I'd but it tomorrow!