What is your favorite sampler and why!

[MacTron]

What is STEIM's LiSa? there is Mac Os 9 version?
BTW: Can Max/MSP be considered a sampler?

[Protools5LEGuy]

What is STEIM's LiSa?

LiSa X ©is sound manipulation software ultimately designed for live sonic performance. LiSa’s functionality is centered around creating a sound field in the computer, where the performer can record and manipulate multiple sound streams on the fly.

http://steim.org/2012/01/lisa-x-v1-25/

there is Mac Os 9 version?

http://steim.org/software/LiSa/OS9/

BTW: Can Max/MSP be considered a sampler?

I guess. In the right hands it can be a swiss knife. In wrong hands it can be considered a toy. So YMMV. If Metrophage uses it as samples, who are we to discuss his methods... 

I just updated the poll so hardware-only user can use it, like SonikArchitects or Ed Redfern

[MacTron]

Ok, thanks for clarification.

[Protools5LEGuy]

My favs : Fairlight CMI III, EII, S900, EPS16+, S6000, K2500 in no particular order. I couldn't part with any of them!
_BT

With a buzzing and whirring and explosion of lights, my Fairlight sings sonorously on this sweet winters night.

[mvangen]

Exs24 for simplicity
Machfive is able to convert and play back my roland and akai sound library and sounds amazing.
very accurate conversion.
Akai s6000 is a powerhouse and solid as a rock stability.

[CF3]

So many Samplers, so little time....

some favs:
E-MU E4XT Ultra (with EOS 4.7 and SSD drive)
E-MU EIII
Akai S1100
Akai s950
Akai MPC60, MPC3000
Sequential Prophet 2002
Ensoniq ASR-10
plus more...

It's hard to pick one cause they all do different things.

[geforceg4]

fairlight cmi can be seen used in this video during the solo by jane child from 1989
jamming on the mod wheel
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWd__w5UWVc[/youtube]
as well as a oldschool macintosh computer in the background!

[DieHard]

OMG... flashback, we were all so in love with her !!

She rocks !

[RETTER]

So many Samplers, so little time....

some favs:
E-MU E4XT Ultra (with EOS 4.7 and SSD drive)
E-MU 5000 ULTRA
E-MU EII
E-MU ESI32
Roland VP-90000
AKAI S1000
ENSONIQ MIRAGE
EMAGIC EXS24
plus more...

It's hard to pick one cause they all do different things.

[WhiteWarlock]

Favorites on the List
ASR10r
(top of the list for multiple reasons in Sound quality/DP effects engine/Waveboy/custom sample libraries/natural intuitive ease of use/plus started using EPS16 so long ago that it was automatic instant learning curve for me... intimate with that machine inside and out... nothing else really compares for me... yet will use them anyway for learning/experimenting/creating... ASR10r is my personal goto Fav)
BTW does anyone have the factory VHS Covert tutorial series tapes digitized?
they are so funny
haven't watched them in ages and need refresher of days with them looping on TV in background
EPS16+
Roland S760
Roland S550
Emulator I & II
Emax I & II
plus Korg DSS1 12 bit hybrid Aircraft Carrier
threw a Mirage in the trash before... Doh!
yet still use Ensoniq Mirage string sounds

[Syn-Fi]

1. Prophet 3000 - the most 16bit musical sampler, lovely tone on anything
2. Emu EIIIx (because is it cheaper than what follows, next)
3. Emu EIII - too expensive but a huge sound, it dominates the mix and is super stereo
4. Roland S770 - lovely tone
5. Emu EIV - modulation machine, released in 1994 quickly superseded by iterations but the original is the most dynamic and loudest of all the EIV line.  Later they got rid of the SSM2142 line drivers which give 'transformer' like 'warm' sound.  It goes right up to EOS 4.10 thats the year 2000 (6 years of support!)

[Pushpull76]

No one mentioned the mervellous Akai MPC4000 ? Ahhhhhhhhh