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The 80s EPs are virtual versions of 4 iconic 80s EP sounds from the Yamaha DX7 Mark II, each counting two times 1144 24bit/48kHz samples for the Pro versions. 88 keys sampled in 12 velocity layers. There are three more of them: 80s EP Bright, 80s EP Classic and 80s EP FM.
No software emulation beats the expressiveness and bite of the real thing. I played around two thousand EP presets and customized 32 of my favourites on my TX802/DX7II and then sampled 4 like all the virtual Wurlitzers and Rhodes out there: extremely detailed and programmed to behave exactly like the original.
The “Warm” is a unique preset. The attack is a little like a lithophone – a stone marimba – and the decay is dark, especially when playing soft. It has a natural tremolo.
Requires the full version of Kontakt 3.5 or higher. The 80s EPs will only work for 30 minutes in the free Kontakt Player.
For accompaniment the 140 versions will suffice. For solos, get the full Pro version for $30 instead. You can also buy the upgrade to the Pro version for $15 if you want to improve the instrument after trying it out.
In the demo below you can hear the same midi file rendered by by TX802 module, the Pro/Pure version for Kontakt, the Pro/Coloured version, the 140 version and finally FM8 using the same preset.
In the video you can see what the instrument is capable of. Also, download the free 80s EP FM 140, it has the same engine.