W7

Back in the mid-90s, this workstation packed an 8MB wave ROM with pristine 16-bit, 48kHz samples into a sleek 61-key velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive keyboard, making it a go-to for players who wanted pro sounds without the bulk of a full-sized rig.

Its AWM2 engine lets you build voices from up to four elements—each with its own oscillator, resonant low-pass or band-pass filter, dedicated envelopes for pitch, filter, and amplitude, plus LFO modulation—all shaped via intuitive templates for quick edits or deep dives. A large backlit 240x64 LCD and dual dials make tweaking a breeze, while 16-part multitimbrality and 32-note polyphony handle complex arrangements. You'll find 128 GM voices, 128 presets, and user slots, plus eight drum kits, backed by a built-in 720KB floppy drive and optional 4MB expansion. Effects shine with three insertion (35 types) and three system processors (40 types) for up to six simultaneous flavors like chorus on a single track. The 16-track sequencer offers 100,000-note capacity across 16 songs at 96 PPQN, with real-time, step, and punch-in recording, plus song-specific voice banks for seamless setups.

Players loved its straightforward workflow and gorgeous, realistic tones—electric pianos and strings that still hold up—earning high marks in reviews for power and ease, though some noted the modest polyphony as a limit for huge orchestral stacks. A true hidden gem for hands-on songwriting.