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I bought the ESI -32 new way the f back in like 1996? for like $1100. Granted I could get another nowadays for like $450 on Ebay, but I LOVE this sampler. First off, the sounds you get with it suck. So anyone who is "preset" oriented should just go somewhere else instead of even commenting on this sampler. I'll cut to the chase and give you the bottom line on this sampler. If you are attempting to run a 32mb bank per song live you can forget about using this sampler. The load time is real slow regardless if you have the scsi interface or not. Also, if you can't find one preloaded with the 32mb of ram forget it. 30 pin simms are so obsolete it's not even funny, I was fortunate to equip mine as cheaply as I did back in 96... If you love Yanni or need 64 voice polyphony forget this machine. Now onto the positives...
This sampler is dollar for dollar the best bargain you will find PERIOD!! Now that it is an older piece of equipment you should be able to find one right around $500 fully loaded if you know where to look.. If you are waffling with your wallet and can spend @ 950 or more than go with the ESI -2000 new release which gives you more polyphony and the ridiculous 128mb of ram capability, but otherwise, the ESI-32 is the one to look at.
Storage solutions: Originally we used an Syquest 135mb drive. We still use that, but supplement it with a Castlewood ORB 2.2 gb drive that I bought for $199 from macconnection.com. The ORB is a little flaky at times with the OS (prob because I have v1.0 :) but still works fairly well and is awesome to archive all my samples due to the sick price of only $29 per 2.2 gb cartridge that Castlewood is asking.
I sample everything but the kitchen sink into the ESI with great results... I play Nintendo and Arcade emulation programs thru my mac right into the 1/4" stereo inputs of the ESI and tweak away with all the LFO's... I'll play bass, guitar, sing, whatever it doesn't matter. This is a piece of equipment that requires a little effort, but it's pretty bulletproof in my opinion.
Considering I paid $1500 for my first sampler (an Emax II) the ESI is a blessing big time! I know that the times have changed an you can get software based samplers like giga sampler or the new Emagic one, but the ESI gives you a nice hardware based solution and the EMU sounds very RAW when you record into it...
I love it but I also love my old Akai 900.. Older gear means some limitations with sample time and loading performance, but be creative and READ the manual and you'll learn to love it...
L8r
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