Ensoniq EPS-16 Plus, released in 1990, is a legendary 16-bit sampler known for its "grit" and integrated effects. While newer gear has more memory, this machine is still a staple for many because its variable sampling rate and onboard processing give audio a character that's hard to replicate digitally.

If you are working with the unit you showed in the photo, here is the technical breakdown:

Core Specifications

Sampling: 16-bit mono sampling with a variable rate from 11.2 kHz to 44.6 kHz.

Polyphony: 7 to 20 voices (depending on the complexity of the effects and layers used).

Memory: It comes with 1MB standard (expandable to 2MB). With that 1MB PS Systems cartridge you have, you’ll get roughly 11.5 seconds of sampling time at the highest quality (44.6 kHz).

Onboard Effects: This was the first Ensoniq sampler to include a dedicated 24-bit effects processor. It can do reverb, delay, chorus, and even distortion PS Systems EPS16-1MB memory expansion module, specifically designed for the Ensoniq EPS-16 Plusdigital sampling workstation.

PS Systems EPS16-1MB memory PLUS SCASI INSTALLED expansion module

In the late '80s and early '90s, third-party companies like PS Systems were essential because Ensoniq’s proprietary memory was often more expensive or harder to find.

Key Specifications & Purpose

• Capacity: It provides 1 Megabyte (1MB) of additional RAM.
• Compatibility: This is primarily for the EPS-16 Plus (keyboard or rack version). It is not compatible with the original EPS (which used different memory architecture) or the later ASR-10.
• Function: It expands the sampling time and allows you to load more complex "Instruments" (Ensoniq's term for patches) simultaneously.

Technical Details

• Connector: It uses a standard DB-25 style connector that plugs into the expansion port on the back of the sampler.
• SCSI Pass-through: Many of these PS Systems modules were designed to sit between the sampler and a SCSI interface. If you see a port on the other side of that casing, it likely allows you to stack a SCSI kit for connecting external hard drives or CD-ROM players.
• The keyboard is very clean works perfectly, comes in the case and OS floppy disk, one sound floppy disk.power cable. to get sound you have to have have sound library on the floppy disk, or losd from the SCSI drive (not included}