Back in 1999, this synth doubled the polyphony of its predecessor to 64 voices and packed in 16MB of waveforms, making it a hands-on powerhouse for dance music producers craving real-time tweaks.
Its AWM2 sample-based engine delivers 779 voices and 30 drum kits in Multi mode, with Performance mode layering up to four voices from 1500 material sounds tailored for electronic genres, plus XG and TG300B compatibility. You'll find resonant 24dB/oct lowpass and highpass filters, three envelopes, one LFO, and a mod matrix for deep shaping, all accessible via eight dedicated real-time knobs handling attack, decay, release, resonance, and more assignable parameters. Three 24-bit effects—reverb, chorus, and 62 variations—add polish, while the arpeggiator offers 40 patterns with hold, split, and MIDI transmit. The slim 61 velocity-sensitive keys, pitch/mod wheels, two scene memories for knob morphing, and full MIDI I/O with USB keep it stage-ready at just 5.7kg.
Players love its intuitive panel for live morphing and evolving pads, though some note the lightweight action suits electronic styles over piano work. Depeche Mode even tapped it for tours, cementing its cult status among synth heads.
