The EPS 16 Plus is Ensoniq's 1990 sampling workstation and a low-key legend of golden-era hip-hop. It samples at 16-bit with that warm, slightly gritty Ensoniq character, and its killer trick is real-time polyphonic sampling straight into a velocity-sensitive keyboard with poly-aftertouch. Onboard effects, a built-in sequencer and Ensoniq's famous patch-select buttons for live variations make it a full production box, not just a sampler. Producers chasing the sound of classic D'Angelo and RZA records keep coming back to it. Floppy drive, expandable memory, and a workflow that rewards getting your hands dirty.

FEATURES & PROS:

• 16-Bit Sampling: Warm, characterful Ensoniq conversion that flatters drums and breaks.
• Poly-Aftertouch Keyboard: 61 velocity-sensitive keys with pressure for expressive playing.
• Onboard Effects: A built-in DSP processor for reverb, chorus and more.
• Patch Select Buttons: Ensoniq's signature live sound-variation trick.
• Built-In Sequencer: A full sequencer for sketching whole tracks in the box.
• Hip-Hop Pedigree: The grimy boom-bap sampler heard on countless classic records.

AS USED BY

• RZA, who sampled "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" on it, including "C.R.E.A.M."
• El-P, from Company Flow through "Fantastic Damage" to Run the Jewels' "RTJ4"
• Havoc of Mobb Deep, on the early records
• D'Angelo, plus Autechre, LFO and Massive Attack

THE WORD: Vintage Synth Explorer says it brought real power and musicality to sampling, with that crunchy early-sampler sound that is still genuinely fun to play. Read the review.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Ensoniq EPS 16 Plus
• Released: 1990
• Type: 16-bit sampling workstation
• Keyboard: 61 keys, velocity and poly-aftertouch
• Effects: onboard DSP processor
• Sequencer: built-in
• Storage: 3.5" floppy drive
• Memory: expandable
• Connectivity: MIDI in/out/thru