Back in the late '90s, this box revolutionized how producers jammed out dance tracks on the fly, packing a full sequencer and synth into one unit that felt like a secret weapon for instant grooves.
Its AWM2 digital tone engine delivers 654 killer voices plus 46 drum kits across 16 multitimbral parts, with 32-note polyphony for thick layers and per-voice filters offering cutoff, resonance, and envelope tweaks. The 16-track sequencer holds 110,000 notes at 480 PPQ resolution, supporting real-time replace/overdub, punch-in, step, and grid recording—perfect for building patterns up to 256 bars long, grouped into styles with 16 switchable sections via the two-octave button keyboard. Eight assignable knobs and four parameter dials let you morph sounds live, while arpeggiator, harmonizer for unison/octave layers, and effects like 11 reverbs, 11 choruses, plus 43 variations (delays, distortion, rotary sims) add polish. A backlit graphic LCD guides you, with stereo outs, MIDI I/O, footswitch, phones, and a floppy drive for saving 50 user patterns, 20 songs, or 60 presets in a compact 420 x 282 x 98mm chassis.
Over the years, it's earned a cult following among electronic musicians for its tactile workflow and dance-ready presets—folks love the hands-on pattern chaining and low-boost bass punch, though some note the non-velocity-sensitive keys push you toward external controllers.
