Sahara

“The first digital sampler for the rest of us: the Mirage defines an era of popular access to sampling technology • Thick, warm, gritty sounds from 8-bit DACs and a tiny 128kB of sample storage • Entire Ensoniq factory soundset: 179 original Mirage patches, plus custom Multis: Splits to recreate original keyboard splits, and Layers to take the Mirage sound in whole new directions • Extensive control set gives you the option to sculpt the sounds; or click “Vintage” to restore authentic 1984-compatible settings!

The Ensoniq Mirage was a landmark machine in the history of sampling. Before its release, sampling was strictly the purview of the very well-heeled musician: a Fairlight Series II cost £30,000 (the price of a house); a Synclavier would set you back between $25,000 and $200,000 (yee-ouch); and there were no alternatives.

All that changed in 1984. Two astonishing machines hit the market more or less simultaneously: the superb Emulator II snuck it at just under $10,000 and captured the hearts (and wallets) of mid-range studios and musos who wanted in on the sampling action but couldn’t stretch to a Fairlight. But if it thought it was going to steal all the limelight, it was wrong – because elbowing its way into the party like a scrawny punk rocker who no-one invited, here comes the Mirage”