Ensoniq ASR-X FAQ

Ensoniq ASR-X FAQ Page

This page under construction!!!

This page is sponsored by the ASR-X Mailing list at asrx@onelist.com. It covers all topics about the Ensoniq ASR-X and ASR-X Pro musical instruments, manufactured by Emu-Ensoniq Corp. This page is meant to give support information to current users, and give buying information to non-users.

The Ensoniq ASR-X FAQ has been composed by various members of the ASR-X mailing list. It is independant and in no way affiliated with Emu-Ensoniq Corp. It is meant to be only factual, in order to for present users to make their ASR-X usage more satisfactory, and for musicans interested in buying an ASR-X to make a better buying decision.

Last updated on 07/05/99 To make a contribution to this FAQ, please click here

About Samplers in General

Samplers, as far as musical instruments, have been around since the late 1970's. The first commercial sampler was the CMI Fairlight, made in Australia. E-mu then produced the Emulator, which was the first mass-produced sampling keyboard. But it was the Ensoniq Mirage that really brought sampling to the mainstrean market.

Sampling keyboards are similar to "synthesizers", except the wave sources (waveforms) can be recorded from external sources and are stored in RAM of FlashROM, instead of burned-in ROM.

Since the Mirage, Ensoniq has made many musical instruments. Their synthesizer line has generally followed their sampler line:

Sampler	Synthesizer	Date	Comments
Mirage	ESQ-1, SQ-80	1985	The ESQ actually was designed first, but the Mirage was rushed to market before it. The ESQ had a great sound architecture, and was the forerunner of the great Ensoniq sequencer designs.
Original EPS	VFX, VFX-SD	1988	The EPS's design lasted until the ASR-10, really - the ASR-10 was really an expansion on the design. Although marketed after the 12-bit sampler wave, the EPS incorporated incredible design features such as Play-While-Load that set it apart from the other samplers in the market. The VFX was released shortly afterward and started the Ensoniq onboard-FX/DSP designs. The VFX-SD added floppy storage and a sequencer (thus "SD").
EPS 16-Plus	SD-1, SQ-1,2,R	1990	Ensoniq quickly redesigned the base EPS/VFX structure to upgrade to 16-bit specs in late 1990 with the SD-1 and 16-Plus. They also incorporated the DSP technology into the 16-Plus, and toyed with FlashROM storage with Flashbank. The SQ series was a scaled down VFX-SD model.
ASR-10	TS-10	1992	Released in late 1992, the ASR was the last push toward a "complete" sampler, by upgrading the memory to a maximum 16megs, including stereo sampling, and adding to the DSP technology, among other things. It also showed the age of the original EPS design; sluggishness of operations while playing showed the need for faster designs. The TS was an impressive design, blurring the sampler/synth lines by being able to play sampled sounds.
ASR-88	TS-12	1994	Ensoniq did not release as many new designs in the following years, being occupied by other items, including standalone effects (DP line) and PC sound cards (which perhaps carried their company later). To keep things exciting, Ensoniq released weighted-key versions of the ASR and TS. Functionally, they were no different than the original designs. Ensoniq also released new OS versions of the ASR, enabling foreign sample import and audio-track DiskTrack capability.
ASR-X, ASR-X Pro	MR-Rack, Workstation, ZR series	1995, 1997	The MR was the first new design of the "modern" era - the MR-Rack came first, with the Workstations coming about 6-8 months later. These represented changes in Ensoniq's sound architecture - no play-while-load, no polyphonic aftertouch, no front panel editing. However, the sound was improved, the editing was streamlined, and the FX were better than ever. The ASR-X was grafted from this design, and was released in June 1997, about two years after the MR-Rack was released. The ZR seems to be a re-release of the MR with a different name and a couple newer features. The ASR-X Pro, released a year later, is identical to the original ASR-X, with the exception of more memory capacity, added interface buttons, Stomper utility, and FlashROM OS update capability, among other things. The original ASR-X was discontinued when the ASR-X Pro was released.

Presently the Ensoniq keyboards in production are the ASR-X Pro, the ZR-series, Fizmo (a transwave based synthesiszer), and Avista 7600 (an inexpensive digital piano).

Presently, there is no Ensoniq anymore! The factory and employees used to be based in Malvern, PA USA. Creative Technology Ltd., based in Singapore, bought them out in late 1997 for $77 million. Creative also owns E-mu, based in California. Creative wound up merging the two companies as Emu-Ensoniq and assimilated the Ensoniq Musical Instrument Division into Emu's structure - moving it to Emu HQ. The Malvern location is now part of the Creative Multimedia (i.e. sound card) division.

What this means for the ASR-X is this: for the original ASR-X, OS 2.67 is the last OS it will have - no more upgrades. The ASR-X Pro was promised a new OS (4.0) which would include SoundFont support, a Recycle type option, and CD ripping, but has not appeared yet. The people ar "Emu-Ensoniq" have expressed interest in releasing the OS, but have not made any public committments. The owrd is that "there is more work to be done on it."

Upon release, the ASR-X competed head to head with the Akai "drumsamplers", and helped redefine the "beatbox" concept. Ensoniq chose to market it directly to the dance/postmodern/industrial user. The price was kept low, while retaining the distinctive Ensoniq features.

*The ASR-X Mailing List

*signup details
*archives

*The ASR-X FTP site

*ASR-X Sampler Compatibility

*Can read..
*EPS/ASR sounds - translated
*Roland/Akai CD-ROMS - how well?

*Explanation of the voice architecture

*What is traditional Ensoniq architecture; what is the ASR-X's

*ASR-X User Interface

*links to images - Scott's image, good jpegs of the X
*opinion on it
*how quick sampling on the X is
*what you can and can't do from the front panel

*ASR-X Sequencer Information

ASR-X SCSI & storage devices

The only SCSI Interface available for the ASR-X is the Ensoniq made SP-5, retailing for $199.95. The SP-5 is made for user installation, and comes with a hex wrench and instructions (and usually new ROM chips). OS version 2.0 or higher is required.

So far, the only drive that has been observed that does not work well with the ASR-X is the Nomai 750mb. Most popular drives have been found to work:

Iomega Jaz Drive, ZipDrive
Syquest EZ135, EZ230 Flyer, Syjet
Nomai 540mb
Many Seagate, Quantum, and Maxtor drives

Rubber Chicken Software Co. has released a kit that replaces the internal floppy drive with a ZipDrive. It has not been approved by Ensoniq; for more information, see www.chickensys.com/asrx/IntZipDrive.html

SCSI - SMDI connection with a Computer

Ensoniq, with OS 3.04/2.67, has built in full support for SMDI with Mac and PC computers. But before OS 3.04/2.67, a Windows computer was not able to see the ASR-X to do SMDI transfers unless you performed a small trick. It is reccommended that you upgrade to OS 2.67 to avoid all this mess, but it is reprinted here for completeness.

(reprinted from the Ensoniq ASR-X Knowledge Base)

Ensoniq implemented SMDI/SCSI communication with the ASR-X starting is revision 2.5. SMDI is a general protocol devised in 1991 to standardize SCSI communication between musical-related instruments.

However, due to differences in the way Windows and the ASR-X implement SCSI communication (see below), SMDI communication requires "tricking" Win95/98.

The ASR-X is identified as a DEV_TYPE_PROCESSOR. For some reason, Windows (actually, ASPI - Adaptec SCSI Protocal Interface - which is the miniport driver sparrow.mpd) doesn't recognize these types of SCSI devices upon bootup; or if it does, the SCSI bus is reset and the ASR-X is "forgotton". So when you use your SMDI enabled program (Sound Forge, others), the ASR-X can't be found.

However, ASPI can see the ASR-X through this "trick".

1) Turn off all ASR-X and SCSI Devices on the chain
2) Boot up computer
3) Turn on ASR-X and optionally any other SCSI Devices
4) Go to Control Panel-Device Manager, select your SCSI Controller, and "REFRESH"
5) You'll probably get a screen that says "ENSONIQ ASR-X SAMPLER" and asks you about a driver. Select the "Do Not Install Driver", and click OK. You may also select "Chosse Driver", and then choose the "Unsupported Device" option.
6) The system "refreshes"; now look at the Other Devices catagoy - you'll see ENSONIQ ASR-X SAMPLER.
7) Now the computer can see the ASR-X, and you can set up Sound Forge or whatever SMDI compatible program to SMDI with your ASR-X!

We have tested this with a couple Adaptec cards (1542, 1505), using the latest ASPI layer. It probably works with most SCSI setups. If your SCSI card has a hardware BIOS that is uses upon computer startup, you probably will have to bypass that - check your card documentation.

SMDI is implemented in the ASR-X correctly. The problem is not SMDI itself - it's the computers (mainly PC/Windows host adapters) ability to see the ASR-X in the first place. Whether that's the ASR-X's fault or the computers fault - that's for the courts to decide.

Ensoniq designed SMDI apparently with Mac's in mind, so since the Mac SCSI didn't have a problem seeing the ASR-X (SCSI DEV_PROCESSOR device type) continuously, there's "no problem". Unfortunately, the PC has a problem seeing the ASR-X, thus a trick is needed to "link up" to the PC.

Software that uses SMDI include Sound Forge (PC), Peak (Mac), TransferStation (Mac).

PC Computer Use with the ASR-X

SCSI
You must use the latest OS 3.04 (ASR-X Pro) or 2.67 (ASR-X) for SCSI connection between your PC computer and your ASR-X.

The only application for direct SCSI connection is SMDI transfer of wavesamples to/from the ASR-X and the PC. The only Windows programs that currently support this are SoundForge and Wavelab. (There are probably others - please let us know any others as you know them.) Here is a short procedure on SMDI with Sound Forge:

1) Hook your ASR-X to the PC via SCSI
2) Boot up the computer
3) There will be some messages about drivers and the ASR-X. Don't worry
about those.
4) Open SF
5) Open a workspace, and choose Tools-Sampler
6) Click on Configure...
7) Under Send to.. and Receive from..., select Generic (SCSI/SMDI)
8) You should find the ASR-X listed under SCSI Sampler - make sure your SCSI host setting is correct.
9) Name your configuration, and "Save As..."
10) Pick your sample number, and click "Get Sample". If the sample number exists and is of the correct format, SF will grab the wavesample and display it onscreen.
11) When you are done, you can click "Send Sample" to send the sample back to the RAM of the ASR-X.

MIDI
Most, if not every, MIDI sequencing program works with the ASR-X. As far as sound editors, there are two available: Ensoniq ASR-X Tools for Windows, and Unisyn (which has a profile written for it).

ASR-X SysEx Commands

Ensoniq has given the impression to most inquirers that the documentation for the specific sys-ex commands for the ASR-X will never be released. Fortunately, the commands for the MR-series are practically identical, and the sysex documentation for that instrument is excellent. You can order it for free from Ensoniq, 610-647-3930.

(in hex)	Start of SysEx	Ensoniq Code	Product Family Code	Member Code
EPS/ASR SysEx Header	F0	0F	03	(represents Base Channel)
MR SysEx Header	F0	0F	09	0 (Rack), 1 (MR-61), 2 (MR-76)
ASR-X SysEx Header	F0	0F	10	1

Also, the ASR-X uses several Universal SysEx commands that are not listed in the MR SysEx documents. For more information, see the MIDI Manufacturers Association at www.midi.org

Computer Software for the ASR-X

Direct Editors	Ensoniq ASR-X Tools (PC) Unisyn (PC, Mac)	Rubber Chicken Software Co. MOTU (profile available from Ensoniq)
Generic PC Sample Editors	CoolEdit Pro, 96 Sound Forge Goldwave	Syntrillium Software Sonic Foundry (supports SMDI) unknown
Generic Mac Sample Editors	Peak Alchemy Sound Designer SoundHack	BIAS (supports SMDI) Passport Digidesign SoundHack
Utilities	Transfer Station (Mac)	Interval Music Systems (supports SMDI)

This is just a partial list of the most prominent programs.

*Looping

*How to loop a breakbeat
*How to loop instrument sounds
*Zero crossing
*Using a computer

*Effects, Resampling

*What effects are covered by the X?
*Where are effects settings stored?

ASR-X Disk and File Formats

The ASR-X reads and writes to a MS-DOS FAT16 type disk format. It can format any floppy or SCSI Drive volume up to approximately 2gigs. It does not write a file date or time into the file, since it does not have an internal battery to keep datetime. It automatically creates five default directories/folders for it's file types.

SESSION	.spb,	These files include what files to load to replicate an almost identical ASR-X state at the the time of saving. When saving, will write a Bank, Sequence, any included AIFF files, and a SYSTEM-SETUP file.
BANKS	.sbx	These are just a collection of .sou files for each track, included in one file
SEQUENCE	.mfb, .mid	ALL-SEQ files are .mfb, 1-SEQUENCE are .mid; both are Standard MIDI File format. ALL-SEQ are .mid combined. If there is Song information saved, it occurs at the end of the file. NOTE: These files use a 10 byte header instead of the more common 6 byte header. Some more poorly written sequencer may have a problem loading these files.
SOUNDS	.sou	Includes instrument parameters and listings for what AIFF files to include. Includes the master looping and tuning information for the AIFF files it uses. Can include RAMKit information or layering information.
WAVES	.aif, .wav	Reads both types of files, writes to .aif. When writing to multiple files, the ASR-X will write a .af0 and .af1 file if it needs to seperate an AIFF file.
SYSTEM-SETUP	.spb	Includes most of the parameters in the SYSTEM menu, and the Resampling areas.

Since the ASR-X uses a Motorola processor, it uses the AIFF format to store wavedata (which typically are in Motorola byte-ordering); although it can read and translate .WAV files. The AIFF files that the ASR-X writes and can read have two custom chunks in them to store loop, tuning, and other information pertinant to the wavedata. The reason for this is to have this information portable so it can transport the loop, tuning, and other information if it is chosen to load the AIFF by itself.

Note: Most, if not all, sample editors that read and save to AIFF erase the custom chunks that the ASR-X includes in it's AIFF files. If you edit an ASR-X AIFF on a computer editor and you CHANGE THE SIZE, any .sou file that included that AIFF file will not be able to load it again. Any non-sizing operation will be OK, however. Ensoniq ASR-X Tools provides an operation where you can edit an ASR-X AIFF file and do anything including resizing and the integrity is maintained. For more information, see www.chickensys.com/asrx/ASRXTools.html.

ASR-X Optional Accessories

So far Ensoniq is the only manufacturer to produce additional accessories for the ASR-X.

The original ASR-X had one SIMM slot, capable of using 1,4,8,16, or 32mb 72-pin SIMM's chips. The ASR-X Pro added another slot, with no matching requirement.Although the ASR-X manual specifies that EDO or non.EDO SIMM's may be used, recent tests have suggested that the ASR-X Pro can have problems with EDO SIMM's when using them in pairs.

Both ASR-X's can use one EXP board. There are four available, World Board, Drum Expansion Board, Urban Dance Project, and Perfect Piano series. See www.ensoniq.com for more information.

ASR-X Expansion Card Extended Reviews

Ensoniq offers an 8-output expansion board, retailing for $249.95, and the SP-5 SCSI Interface, retailing for $199.95. There are no digital outs.

OS Versions, Upgrading, Bugs, Wanted Features

Emu-Ensoniq has released Version 2.67 of the Black Box ASR-X, but is not sending it automatically to people who have signed up for OS's in the past. Best way to order is by calling 610-647-3930 (on voice-system, press 1,1,5) and order via credit card. Otherwise, send $9.95 for shipping and handling to:

Ensoniq Corp.
ASR-X 2.67 Update
155 Great Valley Parkway
Malvern, PA 19335

ASR-X Pro users can download 3.04 from:

PC Download (518,056 bytes): http://www.ensoniq.com/binary/asrxpro/ASRXProOS304.exe
Mac Download (741,650 bytes): http://www.ensoniq.com/binary/asrxpro/ASRXPro304Update.hqx
Instructions: http://www.ensoniq.com/html/asrxpro/asrxproosupdate.htm
Update Specifics: http://www.ensoniq.com/binary/asrxpro/ASR-X_Pro_304.pdf

2.62/3.04	2.62/3.0	2.53
A new Disk/Global system parameter "Playlist FX Load" has been added. This parameter allows you to enable or disable the loading of each sequence's insert effect in a song playlist to achieve smoother sequence-to-sequence transitions during playback. When Playlist FX Load is set to Off, the insert effect associated with the playlist's first sequence is used for the entire playlist; when it's set to On, each sequence's insert effect is installed as just prior to its playback. Sequencer tracks can now transmit System Exclusive data intended for any ENSONIQ product. This allows you to load ENSONIQ FIZMO operating system updates into the ASR-X and transmit them via MIDI to FIZMO to update its operating system. The current sequencer Loop Playback parameter setting is retained when a song bank is loaded. When a sequence is shortened as the result of erasing a region from its longest track, the region To feature is de-activated and the Region ToPoint location is now updated to reflect the actual length of the sequence if the Region ToPoint had been set beyond the sequence's new end. The sequencer can now Undo edits more quickly. The smoothness of the ASR-X's response to the tapping of tempos has been improved. The ASR-X's handling of its built-in Transwaves has been streamlined. LFO and MIDI synchronization has been tightened. SMDI transfers now work properly with Windows 95 and 98. SCSI saving operations have been accelerated. AIF files load from and save to disk more quickly. ENSONIQ EPS/ASR Instrument translation during importing has been improved. Prior to OS 2.67/3.04, when the sound on an empty track was changed, the sound on Track 16 also changed if Track 16 contained recorded data. This has been fixed.	Increased note-on timing performance by 40% Increased floppy file loading and saving performance by 35% Elimination of unnecessary disk file name sorting Elimination of left audio channel "blip" during playback of several EXP-3 sounds, and sounds with PAN modulation Sample parameters are now correctly copied during a wavesample copy\par ASR-10 file laoding - particularly envelope and velocity response parameters have been improved The MIDI-OUT sound now allows selection of both MSB and LSB Bank numbers for tranmission Elimination of improper playlist playback of song steps Disk system now supports up to 32,512 files MIDI sync has been improved	Song Mode: Write your sequences and then chain them together non-destructively. Input Quantize: allows correction of timing during recording. SCSI Disk Copy: allows you to copy and optimize the performance of SCSI disks. SMIDI Transfer: receive samples via SCSI from any SMIDI application or product. Faster ASR-10 Sample Loading (than other versions) Support for ISO-9660 (computer format) CD-ROM'S Selectable "MIDI OUT" Soundfinder Category Time Compression/Expansion: allows you to time-stretch and shrink your sampled sounds. EFE/EFA File Support: Will now translate EFE and EFA files from MS-DOS disks and drives

*Known bugs
*Feature/bug fix request

Native ASR-X Sampling CD-ROMs

Only two companies presently offer sounds in native ASR-X format.

Rubber Chicken Software Co.
Sound Engineering

*User opinions about the ASR-X

*What's the difference between the ASR-X and the ASR-X Pro?

*Comparison of ASR-X with other samplers

*Moving from older Ensoniqs
*Comparison UI, sound, features
*ASR10 lineage
*A3000
*Emu's ESI32, ESI4000
*Akai's S2000, MPC2000
*etc.

Links

Ensoniq Links		http://www.ensoniq.com http://www.emu-ensoniq.com http://www.ensoniq.com/html/mainasrxpro.htm
Other Links		http://www.transoniq.com (Transoniq Hacker) http://www.onelist.com/archives.cgi/asrx (ASR-X Archieves) http://www.op.net/~mikeh/ensoniq.html (Ensoniq Resources on the Net) http://www.chickensys.com/asrx/kb (ASR-X Knowledge Base) http://www.soundcentral.com/keyboard/ensoniq/asrx.html (SoundCentral ASR-X Page)
Company Links (ASR-X specific)		http://www.chickensys.com/asrx (Rubber Chicken Software Co.) http://www.soundengine.com (Sound Engineering)
Company Links (ASR-X related)		http://www.soundforge.com (Sound Forge PC Sound Editor) http://www.imuse.com (Transfer Station, SoundHack) http://www.bias-inc.com (Peak, Mac sound editor) http://www.soundengine.com (Sound Engineering)
Sample Links		http://www.nonex-group.simplenet.com/music/william/index.htm http://www.futurenet.com/samplenet

General FAQs

*How do I set up 'default' settings for everyday use?
*Why is the sample not as loud as it was on the Scratch Pad?