ENSONIQ MR-61

[Malignus68]

I own this synth. I got it to replace an Ensoniq VFX-SD that had become unusable due to the manufacturing flaw in the internal circuit boards.

The sound of the MR61 is much cleaner...true 16-bit samples and noise floor is much quieter than the VFX. Much better drum samples, as well. But they removed the poly touch, removed the trademark patch buttons above the mod wheel, and removed ability to fully edit sounds and sequencer internally. All in all, MR sounds better, but VFX was a better synth.

[rickyarte]

is this have general midi?

[jamesbooty]

@rickyarte Yes.

[jamesbooty]

@TimForsythe The VFX and SD lines had polyphonic aftertouch, but the MR and ZR did not.

[attilagregory]

Hello friend I have a Mr rack with OS1 .03 and would like to know how to update the OS 2.0 available some help thanks

[MrCarmaster1]

i have this one

[manovardaso]

I just thought that I could get a better keyboard/workstation for this price, cause one of the sellers sold it for 200 USD as he said in good condition. what could You recommend me?

[jamesbooty]

@manovardaso I guess it depends on what you are wanting as far as features. The MR-61 has a sequencer that is very easy to use and it has a large collection of sounds including some nice pads and pianos. Also, the floppy is MSDOS compatible. However, it has no on-board sound editing and no resonant filter. You might also check to see if the one you are considering has any of the expansion cards in it. If it does, I would have no problem with $500.

[manovardaso]

@jamesbooty ok, now I'm doubting between kurzweil SP88 and MR-61, I know that they both different, but from your own position what is better for 580 USD price?

[manovardaso]

Hey, I'm not proffesional, but i think you could help me to decide. I want to buy this keyboard, and seller asks to pay for it 580 USD, do u think it's a good deal, or maybe I should ask him to low a price?

[sheridanmedia]

@manovardaso As long as it is in good working order I would say that is a fair price.

[whitesnake2003]

Nice Amiga's you got there :) .. they were the best back then .. I also like the sounds out of this KB , nice track you composed

[gridsleep]

And now the first thing I will have to do when my ZR comes in is to see if it has an Easter egg. The things that preoccupy one's mind... mm-mm-mm. Also need to get back to rebuilding that Amiga 2000 with the Video Toaster in it.  The good don't die young. They just get dusty.

[sheridanmedia]

@gridsleep That's true. Amiga hardware seems to be aging very well. The main problem is leaking motherboard batteries. I've removed all of them from my machines.

[gridsleep]

And now the first thing I will have to do when my ZR comes in is to see if it has an Easter egg. The things that preoccupy one's mind... mm-mm-mm.

[JustinC721]

I'm looking to buy one of these. Are the keys semi-weighted or fully weighted?

[sheridanmedia]

@JustinC721 The keys on this are very light. The MR-76 had weighted keys.

[darkstar72]

Eh! an Amiga 4000 and a Amiga 500 this is cool!!!!!!!!!

AMIGA RULEZ!!!!

[sheridanmedia]

@darkstar72 For sure. They both work too, however the 4000's Toaster software doesn't appear to be completely intact and I have to TBC with it so that part of it isn't very useful at the moment. The main thing I was doing at the time of this video was backing up my Amiga floppies to a PC hard drive.

[plinko747]

Another great instrument from Ensoniq! RIP Ensoniq. I love my ESQ-1

[DonSolaris]

Beautiful demo! Thank you!!!

[xnonsuchx]

I have a SQ-2...does the MR-61 still have no resonant filter? I always thought that was one of the weakest things about many of the Ensoniq keyboards.

[jamesbooty]

@xnonsuchx No resonant filter on the MR-61 either.

[dreamomatic]

Like you, I have an SD-1 and MR61, and find the machines just spark my imagination all the time. However, it KILLS me that the MR sounds have to be programmed from a computer, and virtually no modern computer can run the correct Unisyn software (especially for Macs). So now I have to hunt down a ten year old computer/software combination. Damn it!

But thanks for the demo.

[australiaray]

i have a dsk 8 ,,,, can u help me with disks and explane how to use it please

[australiaray]

i have a sdk 8 ,,,, can u help me with disks and explane how to use it please

[jamesbooty]

@Balamela I haven't found any. I typically don't use the internal patterns. Most of the time I record my own drum tracks in real time just as the rest of the tracks.

[Geeljasjes]

Nice 7/8 beat.

[MadCommodore]

Don't suppose you have a Mirage keyboard to run through some of the sounds on from one fellow amigan to another? :)

[jamesbooty]

@MadCommodore No, I don't have a Mirage. Since my Amiga computers are all still in good working order, I think my next project will be to do some demo videos on those, showing how the HAM graphics mode worked and stuff like that.

[ricardinhont]

Nothing better than MR-61/76 or ZR, these are amazing keybords very different of any each other... i have one 76 and i dont change for any keyboard!!!...cheers!

[Joeey]

that's not really a song. it's a chord progression. sounds good though, fat. thank you for the video.

[olijack57]

very good sounds ensoniq !!

[syncro16se]

..and thanks for the great song !

I like the bass line, and the chords, and the rhythm.

Impressive. I can't wait until I find one of these too.

have a nice day :)

Andy

in Sweden

[jamesbooty]

@syncro16se You are welcome. You might want to look at the ZR-76 as well. It was very closely related to the MR series, but added some more patches, including a supposedly excellent "perfect piano" patch as well as some other minor improvements.

[RFrayo]

I miss my ZR-76.....One of the stupidest mistakes I ever made was selling it. Awesome video.

[syncro16se]

Those pads are just simply wonderful.

Really inspiring.

[jamesbooty]

@syncro16se Yes they are. I also have a KORG Triton which is an extremely nice workstation, but I still find that inspiration typically hits me better when improvising on my MR-61.

[syncro16se]

Hi you have PM.

I also get triggered by that kind of inspiration. It's hard to describe, but powerful. When you find the right instrument, it sings with you.

[syncro16se]

Hi there jamesbooty!

Thanks for the demo, - I had completely missed this one, I was so into the SD-1 when I contacted you about the sounds ! This is just great !

What an awesome machine - just like the SD-1 is so musical and inspirational to work with this one sounds just great.

I'll get me one !

best regards, Andy in Sweden

And thank you enormously again for the sounds and the record ! It's just great.

[walkerbelm]

good video. nice synth

[CoolGuy64]

What a GREAT sounding keyboard! I'm impressed with the warmth and smoothness of it! Are all the Ensoniq's, like this?

And the song is fantastic! I'd like to hear more!

[jamesbooty]

@CoolGuy64 Thanks - I also have an SD-1 which I bought primarily because I liked the sound of it compared to the KORG O1\W. I think most other 90s synths sounded more "metallic" or "cold" than the ENSONIQ boards.

[CoolGuy64]

Be careful of what you say buddy. I am a DIE HARD Korg fan! I can't even BEGIN to tell you how many Korgs I've worked with! lol I LOVE the 01/W! Really do. It's actually the ONLY workstation that offers Waveshaping, other than the Z1 and OASYS.

Yamaha is unprecedented for its sound and the Motif , EX5, W5, and SY99/77 are prime examples of that sound.

But Ensoniq is one of the few keyboards I have a lot of experience with and this really surprised me! I was like WOW!

[CoolGuy64]

It's so Warm, smooth and lush! And sounds COMPLETELY different than anything else I've heard! That blew me away! People have told me Ensoniq was ahead of their time and I really saw that in your MR-61.

The 01/W however is also very smooth, Cold and metallic is not what I'd use to describe it. The Triton by contrast is much more aggressive sounding, unlike the Trinity which was probably THE smoothest sounding keyboard I've ever heard. And the OASYS is by far THE best sounding keyboard, period.

[jamesbooty]

I wouldn't ever badmouth Korg. I currently use a Triton as my main studio unit, and when I saw the first demo of an OASYS I was extremely impressed. I think ENSONIQ's on-board sequencers were the best for their time, and their synths had a unique sound, but things have certainly progressed since they went out of business. This MR-61 is still a primary instrument in my compositions though.

[CoolGuy64]

I can certainly see an MR-61 being a primary instrument for my work, too. It sounds amazing! They made a 76-note version, too didn't they? What are they going for on the used market these days? I might pick up a 76-note when I find one. Was there also an MR-88? That would be the ultimate! Or something they made that's compatible to it's soundset? I may have to get an Ensoniq board now! lol I think it'll really compliment my OASYS and give me that sound I'm looking for! WOW! That would be sweet!

[Aetila]

Great demo; thanks for sharing!

[link0587]

I just got me a ZR76. I love it. I recognize some of the sounds. the warm bath and perfect piano are my favourite

[djkoelkast]

Amiga in the background _O_

[bratniki]

Hey, man! To be honest, when I was watching you playing during the presentation, I expected something terrible after words "here's my new song" ;) Well, I was wrong, this song is really nice, I'm listening to it again. 7/8 makes it original. Good job!

[jamesbooty]

LOL!  Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.

[bulbocapnine]

The MR61 was my first real keyboard. Bought mine new back in '97 and I still have it, though it doesn't quite get the use it once did. I'll use it as a controller or, at least, the strings and pads, which were always nice and smooth.

There was always a problem with the MIDI out bank, even up to the last OS release. Ensoniq ended up sending me a ZR eprom to fix it, though it made my expansion sound a little off.

Anyway, cool to see someone else still uses this board.

[circuslead]

and jbl 4208 the best speakers!!!

[moondog33]

cool song..... nice sounds and mood.

[trisky1234]

P.S. great work, real talent!

[jamesbooty]

Thank you very much.

[trisky1234]

Commodore Amiga 500 in the background! That's where my musical adventure started!!

[jamesbooty]

Good eye! I never used my A500 for music, but I did run Bars and Pipes Professional on my A3000 for a while. The computer to the left is an A4000 with a Video Toaster sticker over the Amiga logo, and I also have an A1200 in this room. It's too bad Commodore and ENSONIQ no longer exist. They both made excellent hardware for creative people.

[Korgator]

this is a fanthastic Song! Five stars *****

[jamesbooty]

Thank you. I will probably get some sort of full video for it uploaded eventually.

[diablo22900]

I truly miss Ensoniq. I got myu EPS back in 94. I recently aquired a Mirage and an ASR 10. They just dont make them like this anymore.

[circuslead]

awesome song!!

[jamesbooty]

Thanks!

[kuwasaaki]

shut up and play synth

[chinchinchonchan]

Dude, the easter egg thing was GREAT !!!!! hahahaha...what a shame they stopped doing synths. Cheers.

[44Bigs]

I've never heard of this synth before (I've only been into synths for 2-3 year), but it sounds great!

[Ottosmu]

I have an Ensoniq ZR 76 and am trying (with no luck) to hook it up as a controller keyboard for Pro Tools. All it will play is one synth sound using the Xpand2 plug-in. Any advice?

[miltone1967]

I have th MR 76 and got it for 200.00 in 2005, but dont rally use it.

[kartooned2]

do you plan on selling it ?

[bizmarc999]

I've owned an MR61 - new - since '97. I do love this KB. Mine is fully loaded (all 3 exp boards). The 'bug' with "solo" is fixed with the last update chip they made (version 2.1 I think).

But, realistically, the some new machines are better for arranging and recording. More effects busses and mixing options, to name a few. But if you want good performing machine at a decent price, MR61 is a good way to go. Especially if it has the exp boards in it. EVEN BETTER E & A pianos, synths, etc...

[PianoKeysPlease]

Well at the time I wasn't that impressed but the MOTIF has some superior sounds, but the MR is still a great board. I still think it is every bit as good as the MOTIF. I also have the FANTOM by Roland and the Ensoniq can still hang with both boards. Honestly it might be the best overall board made based on how it has held its own over time.

[DJIronSword]

Dude, your like the first person I've ever seen not use a mr-61/rack for anything other than hip hop! Very Nice.

[retroracer30]

Thanks for that. I'll just dust my MR61 off and go play now. :D

[mouimen]

hello can u record ur own drums and sounds too? like sequencer

[jamesbooty]

mouimen: The MR61 did not include an internal drum pattern editor. Of course you could send one of the preset drum patterns into a sequence or simply make your own drum tracks in the sequencer. I think there was a way to create custom patterns via a pc software program, but since I bought this on ebay I didn't get the software with it.

[moniqueohashi]

GOOD!"

[nikiwonoto]

which one do you think is better, if compared with the recent Korg M3, or Yamaha Motif XS, or Fantom G series ?

[jamesbooty]

I haven't had any experience with the new Yamaha machines, but they look pretty cool. The Korg M3 is largely an evolution of the Triton, which I like a lot.

[kamil1027]

Wspaniały klawisz i wspoaniałe brzmienia ,cos pieknego

[link0587]

I love the warm bath and transcend patches

[PianoKeysPlease]

I've owned Ensoniqs since 2001. The MR boards are still the best boards made ever. I own the new Motif XS8 and the ensoniq still has superior sounds, and is much easier to use.

[KitsuneDarkStalker]

WOW.

[cyberholix]

"Dense Mist" patch was OUTSTANDING! Awesome machine.

[link0587]

I'm an ensoniq fan. Nice video. Though, some of the preset sound a bit like, uggg, korg's m1

[TR0jAX]

Awesome !! Hey man, can u probably send me the drumsamples as zip archive you demonstrated in this vid !

[AY3EIGHTYNINE10]

Nice A500...But no ST?

[jamesbooty]

I never got into the Atari PCs. I went from the Commodore 64 to an Amiga500, then to an A3000, and finally broke down and bought a Win95 machine in 1996.

[Ahle2]

Did you ever use the Amiga for MIDI music?

[Ahle2]

I just wanted to add one fun fact. Did you know that Ensoniq was founded in 1982 by the former MOS Technology engineers Robert "Bob" Yannes ,designer of the MOS Technology SID chip for the Commodore 64 home computer ?

[jamesbooty]

Yes, that is an interesting connection... too bad neither company still exists. They made some excellent equipment.

[jamesbooty]

I did use my Amiga 3000 as a MIDI controller with Bars & Pipes Professional for a while, and I have been thinking about using it as a sound source for some upcoming work.

[maseki]

looks like 2 pac 'until the end of time'.(sample form mister mister 'broken wings'

nice machine

[nirsul]

very nice!

Great song

[dyspraxia]

I used to own the VFX SD.

This MR is clearly a better sounding synth but I miss the old style display and the wave tables a bit. But thats nostalgia for you.

Thanks for posting

[jamesbooty]

Yes, the VFDs on the old ENSONIQ boards like the VFX and SD-1 and so on were nice, especially on an outdoor stage. You could usually still read those displays under those conditions while an LCD would be totally washed out.

[kerzwhile]

If you take off the 2 larger knobs on each side of the screen there is a suprise screen printed there!! AWESOME workstation!! I still use my ZR-76

[ditroiamusic]

Nice presentation. Thank you.