Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    There is also an add-on board you can buy.
    
    The device costs about $25 and accepts "trigger" inputs from an
    external device.                          
    
    Edd

When are they going to publish the article on the EEPROM expansion board????
The damn thing still can't save any sounds to permanent storage...

Todd.

    The kit in KEYBOARD goes for around $60.  So, total cost (if you
    go with the kit, which I would even though I could save maybe $30
    by rolling my own) would be about $160 for a sampler with MIDI in,
    only.  Now, anybody know how much it costs for a low-end sampler
    that has MIDI already built in?  Right off the bat I'd imagine a
    rig could be had with a Commodore 64 and a little vendor 
    hardware/software for maybe $300 total.  More likely, there's some 
    other sampling keyboard with MIDI in and out for around $300.  
    Anybody know?
    
    Steve_the_sampler-less_but_still_content_so_far

RE < Note 865.3 by ECADSR::SHERMAN "one rubber nose!" >

	The lowest priced MIDI sampler that I know about was just announced at
the latest NAMM - Roland's MKS-?? (a rack-mount, keyboardless S-10) @ $695 list.
Next up, I believe is Akai's loser, the S612 (?).  It listed for $995, but was 
selling off at LaSalle's for $399.  The mirage, or perhaps Akai's keyboard 
sampler fits in there next.

	If you want to remove user sampling from the scene, you can bring 
several limited-application boxes into the picture.  There is the MIDI-BASS,
which has sampled bass sounds (monophonic).  The first version of this was
selling for $399, I think.  I suppose when you go this route, you have to
start including sampling drum machines as well, of which Casio's RZ-1 has
got to be the best deal ($219 at Sam Ash's).

	I know this is off the subject, but I can't wait to hear more about
Roland's new rack-mount S-10.  For $695 list it sounds like a REAL good
alternative to the mirage.  Not as feature-packed and, if it is like the S-10,
it will only hold 4 samples, but, heck, all I want is a piano anyway.

	Dan

    Re: .3
    
    The circuit they talked about in the KEYBOARD article is incomplete...
    at least I couldn't find it - there is no listing of the software
    that you run in the 8751!  It would have been nice in the article
    to see the 8751 code... unless they want everyone to get most the
    way through building it only to find out they have to purchase the
    software!
    
    /Mitch.
    

    RE: .5  According to the article, contact Datastream to get the
    code.  You need to provide them with an IBM diskette.  Of course,
    this implies that you have a burner attached to your PC with associated
    software.  I'm sure Datastream knows this and that most hackers
    don't have the stuff for it.  So, looks to me like the article is
    mostly free PR for Datastream.  I suppose that KEYBOARD has interest
    because it can be a way of providing its readers with a cheap sampler.
    Gee, wonder if Datastream paid for what amounts to a 5-page glossy
    color ad?
    
    Steve

< Note 865.6 by ECADSR::SHERMAN "one rubber nose!" >
>    RE: .5  According to the article, contact Datastream to get the
>    code.  You need to provide them with an IBM diskette.  Of course,
>    Steve

The second column is clear in stating that a programmed controller
will be sent.  The diskette thing is an optional plan for those who
wish to roll there own, starting with their code.

Yeah, I ordered it.
Tom

    The problem that I see with this is that for $160, and a fair amount
    of your own time doing assembly and case drilling, you get something
    that has problems with the sound (the popping mentioned in the review
    notes), and can't save the sample.  This isn't really that good
    a deal considering that it creates something that you can't have
    serviced locally.  It would probably have some interesting behaviour
    and will surely work for the sort of applications I've seen Tom
    use.  Heck, if I didn't have to put it together, I'd get one.
    
    Roland (Boss) has a new MicroStudio series box that purports to
    allow you to play the sample in the delay line from any keyboard.
     MIDI or not.  No further info.  Price was about $250.
                                                                        

       You can buy the SK-1 on the west coast for around $85.00, but
    the newer SK-5 CAN SAVE THE SAMPLE. From what I heard, it is the same
    as the SK-1 with that exception, plus it has it's drum pads separate
    of the keyboard. The SK-5 was suppose to go for around $120-$140.
    Midi adaptable, but as an option. The option price ? I don't know
    though. I played around with the SK-1 this past weekend and liked it
    alot. I think my 4 and 6 yrs olds liked it better though. I'm planning 
    on buying my own SK-5 this week. It certainly has alot less than most 
    on the market, but for that price.....?  Besides... it's fun !!!