We’re not sure if this is an actual technical tip, but it’s a valid question that deserves an answer:
“When oh when oh WHEN is Roland going to release a successor to the S-760? Something with more memory, polyphony, and with the ability to recognize an external storage medium larger than a CD? Alternatively, does any other sampler offer the same mouse-and-monitor interface that makes the S-760 so wonderful?”
Roland actually does have a successor to the S-760 in the works. I have no idea when it is going to see the light of day though. There wasn’t a hint of it at the last NAMM show. Not even in the back room where the top-secret products are shown to the key accounts.
For those who are used to the unique user interface of the Roland there really is no direct substitute. However, the ergonomics of the new Akai samplers (S5000 & S6000) are pretty impressive, and we really like the new EMU E4 Ultra. It comes with Mac software called EOS Link that puts the entire user interface on the Mac screen, which makes operation about as easy as it can get (A PC version is coming soon). This new E4 has tons of amazing new editing features (including some very ACID like looping tools) and a really fast processor that truly can deliver 128 voices of polyphony ON TIME. Finally, you could always look at the Bit Headz Unity DS1 software sampler. If you’ve got a computer with a healthy load of RAM and a good sound card in it this could be a viable alternative. Especially since its retail price is only $449.