This is a song I had sequenced many years ago using an Ensoniq EPS. Recently, I dumped the MIDI tracks into Ardour for a fresh start. This was not an easy task as the song contains four tempos. Ardour did not like that and would stop recording at each change, so I had to dump each section per tempo separately then piece it back together. This may not be an issue with Ardour, but probably with the Ensoniq EPS itself. After all, it is 30 year old technology. All tracks (with the exception of two which were samples converted from the EPS into a soundfont, Bongos and Roland Blip) are using the excellent GM Synth plugin by Robin Gareus. The lost 1% in the title is simply because of this fact.
This is still very much a work in progress. It has not been properly mixed and very little effects added (only on the hand percussion instruments). I want to replace the guitar samples with real guitars and add a lead guitar in places. Will it remain an instrumental? Yeah, until I get a a better structure to it it will. I do have some lyrics however already written.
The original version directly from the Ensoniq EPS (with external effects processing) can be found here. Amesines â Weird-shit-pt1
The original intent of creating this music was to demonstrate a collection that was using mostly all sampled acoustic instruments and how realistic it could made to sound. The Roland Blip is the only synthesised sound used. It was sampled from a self-created patch from a mono 1980s Roland synthâŚSH-09 I think. Wish I still had that keyboard. I had traded a maple fender telecaster custom for it back in 1983. Stupid mistake. The guitar is now worth about $10k. The Roland synth, about $400. lol.
I probably shouldnât comment, since itâs a work in progress, but itâs such an interesting experiment that I just canât resist.
I must say, I like the EPS version much better. I know the GM version isnât finished yet and will benefit from a proper mix (the EPS version also seems more processed), but still⌠In my opinion, the Ensoniq samples are much better than the GM bank you used, especially in the context of the song. Yes, newer samples may be more ârealistic,â but the EPS sounds more âmusical.â Just listen to the original from 3:08 onward. Those lovely, mellow synth strings in the bridge fit beautifully into the arrangement of the following section. Damn, you just made me want an Ensoniq.
So, what to do? Maybe try broadening the sound palette of your recreation? Try using other samples and/or plugins. I think the track really deserves it. I love the arrangement, and it definitely has a lot of potential. Itâs quite long, but by no means boring. Just donât confine it to a tiny GM cage.
Or simply ignore everything Iâve said and have fun.
Câmon. Itâs 2026. Itâs worth at least twice that. And donât worry â there were people back then who traded their Jupiter-8s or Moog modulars for a DX7. That is what I call a mistake.
Thank you for the very detailed comments. Much appreciated, and yes, it is a very long song, but technically it is more like two or even three songs wrapped into one.
Yes, I agree, the original EPS version is better, while certainly over processed, itâs much more dynamic, musical and warmer. Of course this has much to do with the fact the Ardour version has not been properly mixed. Most of the work has been on tightening up the performances and adding back some things that mysteriously did not transfer over (such as key up events). The original was also dumped using the EPS eight output expander so there were a total of 10 tracks going into the mixer back then. Not really relative to the Ardour dump, but just some more detail how the original was created. The original was also built using only floppy disks and it took about 10 minutes to load it all. Soon after, it was transferred to a SCSI drive for much faster loading (ie 10 seconds instead of 10 minutes).
I have considered dropping some of the GM samples in favor of the original EPS samples, as I have converted all my EPS library to SFZ files already. Especially the âEpic Stringsâ which are so warm and inviting. Also, I did mention I wanted to replace both the nylon and steel string guitars with real ones, as I am first a guitar player with a love for keyboards.
The original EPS drums are not great and the cymbals cut off prematurely often. This was addressed properly with the GM drums and each drum sample was moved into itâs own track for better future control.
I will look into the CC license and consider uploaded the full project for others to look at and maybe even learn from (and possibly even contribute if anyone is interested). The compressed project is only ~3MB.
Haha, you are right about that. Embarrassed as I am over it, I would have been more embarrassed had I traded either of those classic synths for a DX7. lmao!
