360 FROM MARS

One of the Earliest Multi-Sampled Synthesizers The 360 Systems Keyboard is a rare, sampled-based synth made in California in the early '80s, featuring real strings, flutes, brass, electric piano, basses, guitars, percussion, and more. Sharing similar components (EPROMs and an analog filter) as some of our favorite vintage drum machines, it's no wonder the 360 is as punchy as our favorite samplers, and as silky as our vintage synths. So why then, have we never heard of it? Because, despite its grandiose vision to be a smaller and more portable alternative to the Mellotron, the 360 ultimately missed the mark for commercial success. Only 200 were made, and as a result, its epic sounds have gone largely unused...until now!  Humble Beginnings The 360 was created by an electronic musician who had always admired the sound of traditional instruments, but wanted a cheaper alternative - something that could be taken on tour. While samplers like the Emulator had started to hit the market just