EXs157 MKS-EP
Introduced in 1986 as one of the first digital piano modules, this popular device was widely used by stage performers during the 1980s and beyond. Unlike the majority of the digital piano products that followed, it did not utilize sampling for sound generation but rather relied on a unique form of sound synthesis resulting in sounds that are sought after to this day. The module contained eight instruments:
- PIANO 1
- PIANO 2
- PIANO 3
- E.PIANO 1
- E.PIANO 2
- VIBRAPHONE
- CLAVI
- HARPSICHORD
To augment the base sound of the instruments, stereo chorus and/or tremolo effects could be applied. The Purgatory Creek Soundware MKS-EP was deeply sampled at up to six velocity levels recorded for full duration, so you will hear neither loops nor artificial envelope decays.
The sample-set requires 1.8GB of RAM or 54MB using virtual memory. 33 programs are provided.
Updated for the Nautilus
RMI 368
The electronic piano, upon which this sample-set is based, was manufactured 1967 and 1980 by the Rocky Mountain Instruments company. It was one of the very first electronic pianos ever produced and was used by a variety of artists on many recordings. The instrument did not respond to the velocity touch of the performer but nonetheless was used as a piano and organ substitute due to its portability. The instrument includes five stops: Piano, Piano pp, Harpsi, Harpsi pp, and Lute. The pp voices are identical to the standard voices but at a lower volume. The following tab settings were recorded in both piano and organ mode:
- Piano
- Harpsi
- Lute
- Piano+Harpsi
- Piano+Lute
- Harpsi+Lute
- Piano+Harpsi+Lute
In addition, the Accenter setting was sampled. Unlike a normal static organ tone, the RMI 368 organ mode is actually a very long decay. For practical purposes, it can easily function as an organ.
The sample-set requires 1.7GB of RAM or 46MB using virtual memory.
Updated for the Nautilus
Creative Commons License
Attribution + Noncommercial + NoDerivatives
TX816 EPs
The sample library was created by recording the legendary FM synthesis king, the TX816, in stereo. The TX816 was a rack-mounted unit which hosted up to eight “DX-7” FM synthesis cards providing a “larger than life” sound. It can be heard on many recordings beginning in the 1980s through the present day.
Most of the included programs are of the familiar FM electric piano variety. While the Korg Kronos does include native FM synthesis, it is limited to 56 notes of polyphony and emulations of the TX816 would leave one with a mere six notes of polyphony. So, the decision was made to sample the TX816 in stereo, which provides a Kronos user of far more polyphony than even the original instrument’s 16 notes. In addition, velocity crossfades provide a seamless transition through the timbre range, an important characteristic of FM synthesis.
The sample-set requires 2.8GB of RAM or 171MB using virtual memory.
Regarding the Korg Nautilus: Because this library is large and requires so much RAM, it will not be specifically updated for the Nautilus. However, even without an update, it can be loaded given sufficient RAM.
Creative Commons License
Attribution + Noncommercial + NoDerivatives
