Name: Visage
Availability: InStock
Author: Boxed Ear

macOS, Windows · Standalone

A modern editor for the Ensoniq Mirage sampler. Together with MASOS_BE, our custom OS update that adds direct sysex parameter control for complete two-way communication, you can now edit the Mirage directly from your computer.

Free macOS, Windows

Downloads

01 / The Editor

What is Visage?

The Ensoniq Mirage is a 1984 sampler with awesome, lo-fi musical character. But it’s not easy to use. Every parameter lives behind a two-digit LED display and a hexadecimal parameter system.

Visage is a modern editor that puts every parameter on screen with direct, two-way sysex control, thanks to the first update to the Mirage operating system in nearly 40 years.

Visage runs as a standalone application.

Formats

Standalone

Platforms

macOS, Windows

Version

1.1.5

02 / MASOS_BE

What is MASOS_BE?

MASOS v2 is the most used operating system for the Mirage. Whilst it had rudimentary sysex support, it was never designed for real-time editing.

MASOS_BE is a custom build of MASOS that adds a small but transformative sysex handler: it listens for individual parameter messages and applies them immediately, just like a modern synthesizer.

MASOS_BE is available here as an .hfe disk image. If you have a Gotek floppy drive emulator, you can simply copy it to the SD card and boot. The original boot ROM is hardware-protected, so it is entirely safe to try it.

Format

Disk image (.hfe)

Compatible with

All Mirage models (DSK / DSK-8 / DSM-8)

Recommended hardware

Gotek floppy emulator with HxC firmware

Version

0.20

03 / How it works

Boot MASOS_BE on the Mirage

Drop the disk image onto your Gotek SD card. Power on the Mirage and boot the MASOS_BE disk.

Connect MIDI

Run two MIDI cables between your computer and the Mirage’s MIDI in and out ports. The editor sends and receives.

Open Visage

Launch the standalone app. Pick your MIDI ports in the editor, request a program dump, and start tweaking.

Import Sounds from Disk

MASOS_BE is compatible with MASOSv2 wavesamples. You can import your existing wavesamples using the Upper/Lower sample load functions on the Mirage itself, and then save them in MASOS_BE format.