E-MU Pro/Cussion

This is a 1U rack MIDI, dedicated only to batteries, drums, percussion and bass sounds. The connector has 6 outputs, assignable. No internal effects, but we can "decide" that this snare drum is composed of a) the sound as such, then b) a sound reverb snare already existing in the Procussions. All core samples (several hundred) can be detuned, reversed, assigned alone or in layer on all or part of the master keyboard. An interesting feature is the ability to say "when I hit the F3 key, all the preset settings related to the preset activated by pressing F3 are displayed in the LCD.

The LCD is small, but no matter: with 4 buttons and an LCD, the architecture is well thought out and fairly intuitive.

The Procussions, like its Proteus congeners, is extremely solid. And elegant. And sober. Pro, indeed! Probably lack a filter to be modern, and internal effects. But, at the level of quality which is intended for this instrument usage, one would expect to rather use the separate outputs and an external effector.

UTILIZATION

The config is simple to use. Editing sounds is easy, with patience and tact. The manual is impeccable. It is not an "all purpose" expander , but a professional module designed primarily to give some Good Sound. Consequently, the interface is dry, but we do not buy it for the fun: one buy it for the Sound.

SOUNDS

The sounds have aged. If you are looking for modern boom-boom electronic , look elsewhere. For "natural" sounds (rock-jazz-hiphop-hardrock drums), melodic percussive (excellent marimbas, vibra...), low (bass "OWL", carved, short but very well defined, warm, the only ones that can be added to a mix already too filled), do not say more, this instrument is perfect for you.

As with other expanders of the mark, pat it dry dynamics. The 500 core samples were recorded with LOTS of warmth and depth. Although it has almost 20 years, this expander remains terribly topical for natural sounds defined above. That's the kind of objects that makes you understand the true meaning of the word "sonic dynamic". In a mix, it will ALWAYS come out, unless your mixer does not follow.

With 6 separate outputs and assignable outs, it is possible for your recording to be rendered highly professional .

The kick, snare, hi-hat and cymbals and bass are breathtaking.

OVERALL OPINION

One does not acquire this instrument by accident or for a general purpose use: one buys it because he wants to capture a great drum set, coupled with the unique warmth / depth / dynamics of the EMU samples from the late 80s. Likely other brands produced interesting stuff, or well constructed drum machines. But remember: in a double-blind test, one will always recognize an EMU product, whose "punch", at least for the Pro-cussion and Proteus series, has been widely praised as being unique.