700S Monophonic Synthesiser (16) - The collection starts off with this classic little monosynth, originally designed to sit on top of an organ, this synth gained quite some popularity in its day being much cheaper than the competition. Starts off rather suspectly with a "trombone" patch it quickly moves on to much better things, the duett, parallel and detuned chorus sounds are excellent, classic analogue synth sounds. One or two of the other sounds are a bit weak but the good ones out shine those by a way. As with many of the samples contained here they do sound better with a touch of effects applied, many of these machines were built long before built in effects units.

800DV Duophonic Synthesiser (15) - Basically two 700S synths in a box the sounds are as you would expect, still the classic analogue sound, but a little richer and more complex. Excellent square, chorus and male chorus samples, closely followed by one or two others. Very well programmed collection.

PS 3100 Semi Modular Polyphonic Synthesiser (10) - One that has rather been lost in the mists of time, and perhaps you can hear why. Strong analogue synth sounds but without the richness or uniqueness of some others, Deep Random Repeat and Fast LFO Modulated samples are good, the rest in the category of "OK".

Trident MkII Polyphonic Synthesiser (13) - You can tell the progression that was made by Korg between 1977 and 1982 here, the sounds though not dissimilar from the PS 3100 have a superior presence to them. The brass based sounds have little resemblance to their real life counterparts and are rather weak but the string sounds are excellent. Unrealistic of course, but a great warm analogue synth pad feel to them, in a way quite anonymous, but fine track underpins, you've certainly heard these before I am sure

Poly 800 (17) - Moving towards modern times now this digital synth was surpassed at the time by the Roland (JX) and Yamaha (DX) models. Despite having, for the time, a respectable specification the sounds are rather thin. The sounds really need a healthy dose of effects to beef them up a bit. Probably the weakest part of this collection, there is little here that would have me return to them.

DW8000 Polyphonic DWGS Synthesiser (14) - Just as Casio's phase distortion synthesis method never caught on neither did Korgs Digital Waveform Generation Synthesis of around the same period. Can't say that there is too much that is distinctive about it mind but the synth is unique nonetheless. Compared with the Poly 800 the sounds are much more powerful and interesting. Nice Brass, Organ and Synth Bass sounds.

DS-8 Digital Synthesiser (10) - Using Yahama's FM tone generators this is another synth rather forgotten by time. Producing a distinctly different overall sound than say the DW8000 the sounds have, as you would expect, the sounds are similar to the FM sounds of the Yamaha DX synths. Do like the Whistle Lead, a light haunting whistle type pad and the Fat Solo samples. But otherwise a bit of a mixed bag.

Wavestation AD Vector Synthesis module (13) - Love the Wavestations sound and this collection of samples does the machine justice, the couple of bass samples are forgettable, but the pad sounds are excellent. Huge menacing, evolving complex sounds, brilliant and my pick of the CD. Think I've found where Gary Numan has found a couple of sounds from !

T1 AI-Synthesis Music Workstation (13) - Flagship version of the classic M1 we have here more great digital synth sounds, sparkly complex pads, smooth string "soundtrack" sounds and some fine piano samples. As ever just that hint of digital harshness that led to the analogue revival from the early 90's. Another fine collection of sounds.

CX 3 Portable Organ (8) - More than passable Hammond Organ impersonator, and this collection faithfully reproduces that, not as good as the real thing, but not bad at all.

SG-1D Digital Piano (1) - Just the one sound here, and as you would expect a fine digital piano sound is to be had here, enough said.

P3 Piano Module & Symphonie O3 Orchestra module (6) - Dedicated Korg modules from the late 1980's. Digital technology allowed accurate sounds to be created with small modules and here we have a nice little collection of piano and orchestral samples. At the time no doubt were very good indeed, today though perhaps no better than a good quality soundcard.

Wavedrum (90) - The newest instrument in the collection, 1995, we have a nice assortment of percussive sounds, from kicks and snares, shakers, toms, whistles, bleeps and the like.

minipops 120W Rhythm, MR16, DDD1, DS-8, Wavestation & T1 (169) - The percussive elements of these beat boxes and drum kits from the workstations have been faithfully recorded here. A little different from the norm perhaps, though none of the machines here ever set the world alight for their percussive abilities. But a little different from what you may already have and variety is the spice of life !

Korg FX Family (225) - The collection finishes with a whole host of effects from the machines sampled here. As per the other Universe volume you get a whole mixed bag of wind, surf, laser, shot, helicopter, gunshot, reverse clap, spooky, bell and so forth type of effects. As you might expect there is a variety of spot effects available here, some of which I doubt you could ever find a use for, others might be just what you need to spice up a loop, computer game or ambience.

Summary & Overall...