HI, this Edd from Fance from KLR Records 

   Good day to you! 

    Although I know many things about old synths , the Synclavier is a mystery for me.So could you give me light
   about it cause I am interested, why not, in buying one1. Is the Synclavier a sampler? Is it a 8bit or a 12bit
   sampler?2. Is the sampling an option?  

   16 bit, 100khz sampling.  The coverters sound as good as 20 bit systems.  It originally started out as an 8 bit
   FM/Additive synthesis system. Direct to Disk recording is also an option. 

    These questions are important to me cause I may like to buy want;I am composing House music , and the Synclavier
   would be interested for me because of his particular sound ( I suppose) to use for my loop samples. 

   The Synclavier has NO sound (except the fuzzy 8 bit FM/Additive Synthesis).  That is why it is such a monster with
   composition/audio in major films and albums. 

    So how much could it cost me for a basic versionI do not need much memory, and polyphony , it is only to give,
   you know that special feeling and sound to my loops, and use it also to transforme them  (has the Synclavier got
   realtime filters with resonnance?). 

   No realtime filters are available.  You can program filters in SFM and apply it to sounds but this is time consuming and
   not instantaneous. 

    So what would be the approximate price for a basic version of the synclavier II (which I suppose must in 8 or 12bit
   (12bit would be my favourite: because of that crispy sound it gives).  

   A Synclavier II is the synthesis model that also had an option of MONO sampling; one voice could be played back at
   any time.  The 8 bit synthesis sounds almost as good as 12 bit.  A used Synclavier II with 60 note, non-velocity
   sensitive keyboard would cost about $2500 or so depending on the condition and the motivation of the seller.  A 76
   note Velociy/Pressure keyboard would be an additional $1000 to $1500. 

   A full blown tower starts at about $8000 for Model D, 16 meg ram, 32 voices.  Both of these systems are available in
   my classifieds.  Check out "Different Models" for more general information. 
     
    A big thank for giving me light to these questions.  

   No problem : ) 

    PS: You may know someone in France which uses a Synclavier.If yes , let me know 

   Probably do...  Just can't keep track of all my visitors.  I meet a lot of new people from all around the world.  A nice
   perk! 

   Let me know if this helps. 

   Brandon Amison 
   Yaking Cat Music Studios 
   and Syncalvier Information 
   http://home.earthlink.net/~yaking/ 

   THE source of Synclavier information