E-MU

(Originally written by barbilux/translated from Audiofanzine FR) I was looking for a compact keyboard to play my hardware and software synths (I already have an 88-key model). This keyboard provides after touch (very good) but I miss a breath controller connector. Sustain and CC7 (volume) use the same input connector so you'll have to choose one. UTILIZATION Good playing feel, which doesn't mean a lot, the dynamic response is more important and I like the way it is adjusted because the playing is very responsive! Many functions and it's rather difficult to remember all of them. The small three-digit display is not enough and you'll have to search in the user's manual pretty often. The function buttons are convenient. I don't use the software. OVERALL OPINION I've been owning it for two years but I don't use it that often because I placed it on my DAW's desk and I don't like to play when the keyboard is too high. I can't say if it's sturdy but I think it was conceived for home use rather than stages. The plastic keys don't seem to be very sturdy... It's ok to trigger instruments in my DAW but a five-octave keyboard would be better to play with both hands. I like the USB connector and the blue LEDs. You get a very comprehensive Midi interface at an affordable price. I had no problems with it in spite of all the things I read about its reliability.

The XK-6 has some really good sounds like the synth leads and pads. These are the sounds that I use the most with it, but it also has some really good basses and analog sounds as well. You can figure out how to use this keyboard after using it for about 5 minutes because it is so simple and user friendly. I purchased it used so I did not have a manual to go by, but I did not need it at all. The XK-6 comes with 32 MB worth of sounds but you can easily purchase an upgrade card to take it to 128 MB if you want to invest a little more money into it. But for me the 32 MB was plenty enough. There are over 1000 presets on this synth depending on how much RAM you go with; if you install 512 MB you will get almost 2000 presets. There are plenty of filters as well, and they are all easy to work with and tweak to your liking. UTILIZATION There are many effects that you will find yourself using frequently with this keyboard because some of the sounds are very dry, well at least to me they were so I had to really dig in to the effects processing to get the sounds that I was looking for. There are over 25 different types of reverb alone; I loved all of the flange effects too. SOUNDS Sounds are amazing, and you can even expand out and upgrade the board with sounds from other systems. OVERALL OPINION This synth is great for all types of music, it was made in 2001-2002 and I have been using it every since it came out. But you can buy one now for a very affordable low price. This is one of the best synths that you can purchase because of the sounds and overall expansion capabilities. You can use some of the E-mu sound with this synth and even add some X Lead or XL-7 sounds too!

The E-Mu SP12 is a classic drum machine and sampler that was an innovator of it's time. I've only used the SP12 in limited use to date, as I only recently got to mess around with it for the first time at a band's home studio that I just started working at. I've really only used the SP12 as a drum machine, but it also has the 12 bit sampler which is awesome to have as well. The drum machine itself has a variety of preset drum sounds that are alterable to a degree. The SP12 has probably been heard by most of you reading this as it's been used by a lot of well known artists in the past since this was first released in the mid 1980's. UTILIZATION If you're familiar with drum machines in general you should be able to get by pretty easily with the E-Mu SP12. It does have a lot going on and for me there's a bit of a learning curve since I'm not the most experienced with analog drum machines. However, those who are will certainly have an easier time than I learning it as there doesn't seem to be too much out of the ordinary going on here. I don't know what the manual might bring to the table here... SOUNDS The sound of the E-Mu SP12 will definitely be recognizable as it's the type of sound heard from other drum machines from the same era as well. However, it is unique in that it's one of the first sampling drum machines and you can sample whatever you want to throw it into the mix. The preset sounds are cool for a vintage drum machine, but the sampling aspect is really what makes it versatile. I've mostly used the preset sounds but I'm hoping to get some more experience with the SP12 and get more involved with sampling my own sounds. So while the preset sounds are cool, but the flexibility of this comes with the sampler. OVERALL OPINION I don't know how hard it would be to get your hands on the E-Mu SP12, but I would imagine you could find one somewhat easily if you're really after this specific model. Of course by modern technology this is kind of a relic, but it can still bring a lot to the table and can be a real blast to play around with. I don't know what kind of price this would command, but if you're a collector of vintage drum machine/samplers or are just looking to get your first, the SP12 is definitely a cool one to have if the price is right.

E-Mu's Vintage Keys is a rack mountable synthesizer that is made to emulate vintage analog keyboard sounds. I've used it with an M-Audio Pro 88 MIDI controller, as a MIDI controller is of course necessary for playing the sounds in the module. The Vintage Keys rack is from the early 1990's, so at this point this is certainly an older piece of gear. The only connections that I remember using with this are the MIDI ports, but it definitely has some other routing options as well. It will only take up a single space in your rack. UTILIZATION It isn't difficult at all to use E-Mu's Vintage Keys synthesizer. To be honest, I've really only used the presets for the most part, as I haven't done too much tweaking of the sounds that it already has built into it. It does have a whole ton of preset sounds in here, ranging from Moog synth sounds to Fender Rhodes sounds. I don't know too much about changing the parameters here, but if you want to get in depth with it, it might be a good thing to have the manual around if you can find it. SOUNDS The sounds found on the E-Mu Vintage Keys synth are varied and versatile to say the least. You've got pretty much every type of analog and vintage keyboard sound in here, or at least some form of it. In my opinion, the more synth types of sounds are the best sounding ones in here, rather than the Rhodes and other more traditional type of keyboards. Those sounds are very good sounding as well, but the really synthy sounds are definitely the most realistic sounding ones. I definitely haven't tried out every single sound in here, as there are hundreds to choose from... OVERALL OPINION While there are certainly a lot of modern day rack synthesizer out there that are probably cleaner sounding than E-Mu's Vintage Keys, but this is one of the first collection of vintage keyboard sounds, so there is definitely a lot that should be said for this. Beyond this, it's still a great sounding synth module, with a lot of different sounds and plenty of versatility. I don't really know what type of price these would command these days, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to have one of these in your MIDI rack.

I don't really use much of the features on it. I sequence it from my PC running Cubase. One thing to remember: When you tune your samples and have them the way you like them, the tuning will NOT be saved with the sounds. If you're sequencing from the SP-12 then you don't have to worry, the tuning will be saved in each sequence the sounds are used in, but if you are sequencing from some outside device, MAKE ONE SEQUENCE ONCE YOUR SAMPLES ARE TUNED THE WAY YOU LIKE THEM, AND JUST HIT EACH SAMPLE BUTTON ONE AT A TIME. This will make a sequence containing your current tuning, which you can save. When you load it up, you can use that sequence to re-tune all your samples by ear. Annoying? Yes, but I guess that's the price you pay for that sound... Price paid: $449 USD UTILIZATION Very easy. Didn't require much reading from the manual to use it. Some people might find the memory limitation to be a bit annoying for chopping up samples, but once again, it's the price you pay for that sound. SOUNDS This really is the one and only reason to buy one. It's got that grit that you just don't get with new equipment. Sample in some kicks and snares from vinyl fast + tune em down = hip hop at its grittiest and finest. OVERALL OPINION Built like a tank. I doubt many devices today are built with the kind of durability in mind that E-mu's designers did. I will get another one if this one dies. It IS that missing ingredient I needed in my setup. I'll never get rid of it. Originally posted on FutureProducers.com Posted by: BigRyan ( 7-, 2005)

My first drum machine I learned on! It's so user friendly with all the instructions written on the faceplate! The shape and vibe that comes off this thing is like it's saying, "Feed me samples... let's make a beat today!" Sampling drums into here accompanied by an 8 channel mixer with eqs, makes this your best friend! There's limited sampling time, which makes for an amazing sounding texture... just put a drum loop from the turntable on 45 speed, sample, then pitch the sound down to a normal speed, and you get it back with the magic only an sp1200 can provide! :bravo:

This is definitely a piece of software that you have to read the manual to. It's a little clunky and most certainly isn't intuitive, demanding that you do your homework. Once you do though, there's little difficulty. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE The software works fine and is stable, but the interface is showing its age. It doesn't use many resources, despite having built in effects. OVERALL OPINION I worked in a pro audio shop in the early 2000's. This thing then came in the form of a large, expensive rackmount device and they FLEW off the shelves. SO MUCH music was produced using these things, it's unreal. Reading the reviews here, it just goes to show how people are unaware what this thing is - basically pop-music in a box. It's the king of sound modules - everything is laid on, even the effects, panning, you name it. The software implementation does lack of course the hardware advantages of the rackmount, like multiple outputs, but for free? This is a steal. Give it a try, you really cannot go wrong with this thing for making any remotely MOR music.

The MK -6 by Emu Mo Phatt sounds is a great synth, I have read several reviews about this before I bought it and I was skeptical at first because of a few bad reviews. But after trying it out myself I will be able to write a good review because this synth is exactly what I needed. The Mk 6 has 61 keys and comes with a 32 MB soundest that has be created by a solid group of sound designers from around the world in order to come up with some universal synths that no other synth boards have. There are 640 presets on board, so for the price that I paid which was 550 you flat out cant beat that. UTILIZATION There are four analog outputs and two footswitch inputs. You can control all the parameters in real times and there are a nice set of arps as well. SOUNDS Sounds are great, a bunch of high quality synths that haven’t been on any other board on the market yet. OVERALL OPINION Overall the E-Mu MK 6 is a great synth board, don’t expect to be able to get this board and lay down full songs with it, I think that’s what confuses people when they purchase a synth board. Its just for synths, you will still need something to sequence on. This is a very affordable synth board, for synths like this and a workstation you will be paying thousands of dollars. But if you don’t need the sequencing on board then go with this and sequence on a computer like I do, it will save you a lot of money in the long run and time because this board is extremely easy to use because there really isn’t anything that you need to know. You just need it to have some good synth’s for your compositions.

Sequencer is very powerful and can take any mpc (not takin 4000 in count) out. editing sequences is easy, adding groove, and live-helps are very nice. Price paid 990€ UTILIZATION Read the manual once, learn the rest by using it. Very simple. unless you're an idiot. I've had mine for about 3 years now, never needed any service. Knobs seem solid and it's made of aluminium/steel, very rugged material. SOUNDS Very clear and good samplewaveforms. Editing on sounds is easy and layering em makes em more solid and stronger. Drums and bass-sounds are definitive strong points here, lack of pianos etc is a drag, but you can get another ROM for that. OVERALL OPINION It's one machine I won't be selling anytime soon. Fully expanded with roms, i've got the OS in my backbone. Makin beats with it is still as fun as it was the first day. Originally posted on FutureProducers.com Posted by: 1005 ( 6-, 2005)

The features are tremendous. 16 track sequencer suitable for live use, great sounds, very hands on tactile control. Every single knob and button can be assigned to your liking if desired. Almost every menu and editing feature is never more then 2 button presses away. The box features 2 midi outs, 4 audio outs as well as digital audio outs. There is only midi in however and the command station can only sequence 16 tracks at a time despite its 32 track capabilities. Effects are limited usually to the machine as a whole, but can be overcome with the use of the filters much of the time. It also features a usb plug, which only has limited functionality. I think it was added merely as an after thought by EMU Price paid: 500 USD UTILIZATION Initially the box is very intimidating. its quite heavey and well built, and the manual is well over 260 pages. more then 300 with the many addedums from OS updates. The manual is very easy to read, and once its read through opeation is a breeze. The command station was designed for live use, and succesds at it. Features are merely a touch away and everything can be done with two hands. Things can be touch at times with the smaller lcd screen, but due to almost everything being labled and accessable through the triggers and knobs navigation does not need to rely on reading the lcd screen. SOUNDS Overall the sound quality is very nice. The XL-7 is a rompler, which provides both flexabilities and limitations to the sound making capability. All of the standard waveforms are there including some variations on them called "Audityxxxxx" (insert your favorite wavfrom into "xxx". Since the wavforms are samples, not DSP or analog they sound quite good, but not exact. Unless your going for a classic saw rip or something similar however one will not know the difference. there is also quite a collection of other noises, hits pads, samples and such suitable for electronic music. Each patatch in the XL-7 is saved independantly, and you can use any sample in the box to create patches with up to 4 layers per voice. Each layer can be routed, and patched through various key ranges on a keyboard to create evolving sounds. There is also an extensive patchord system which allows you to rout ANY paramater to modulate any other paramater. This goes way beyond any simple LFO routing. To add even more to this you also have the delicious z-plain filters which make EMU gear so famous. up to 12 pole filtering capabilities with EQ, distortions, Wahs and much more. Of course the classic LPF, HPF, BPF are included as well. the only problems arise that since the routing is so deep the sound can often times get out of your control. a sound maybe modulating or changing, and you just cant figure out what is affecting it. you'll be scrolling through patch-chords and filters and cant figure it out sometimes. OVERALL OPINION Very well built. its an aluminum or steel casing. the sides are black plasitc, but I have not had any problems with them. They are easily removeable to rack mount the command station. Repair is easy as the machine opens up nicely and is easy for a user to install new roms if desired. I love this thing with all my heart. They are sadly now discontinued. Buy one if you can. It is the heart of my live Pa project and is equally powerfull in the studio. Owning anything discontinued always draws envy. The bright yellow casing always drasw people's attention to the stage or in the studio. The "wow" factor certainly is present. The flexability is quite remarkable. The power of a synth, but with the added features of layerable and mixable sounds. As a standalone midi sequencer in and of itself it is probably one of the best around, and can be the heart of anyone's studio if they want it to. Originally posted on FutureProducers.com Posted by: sup909 ( 8-, 2004)

Of course you can buy a software sampler that may exceed the E4 capabilities but nothing comes close to the features, reliability, & application ratios in a hardware sampler. I must add that the price has come down quite considerably since I bought mine in 1999. I highly recommend it if you primarily use sampled sound material in the studio and gig quite a bit. 8 outputs, transparent sampling, a 4 gig HD, and more than enough memory. XLR digital inputs & outputs, large LCD, etc. Some of the other really cool add ons cost extra. It's about time for a full function software interface though! Price paid: 2495.00 USD UTILIZATION I record a lot of sounds "on the fly" which makes it difficult to reproduce live. With this baby, I can sample and play, patches, fx, etc. at a gig. It is one of the few pieces of equipment that works flawlessly. It's hard to tell you how it would be applied to your studio. It's fun to use as well as so many possible applications. The editing is percise and easy. You can start sampling right out of the box. I've sampled backing trax for live gigs and no one was the wiser. The manual is easy to understand and is useful. You can get around without it though. It may be a bit overkill for the average user but once you have one, you wonder how you lived without it. SOUNDS The sound is transparent! What you sample is what you get , verbatim. It also has extensive manipulation possiblities. Filters, EQ, compression, beat match, etc. are offline but it does come stock with a more than usable multi FX engine that can be assigned to any of its 8 outputs. OVERALL OPINION It's the "Benz" of samplers! it's built on proven rock solid technology. Never had to call EMU once for anything! Like most things you love, you take it for granted and push for more. Originally posted on FutureProducers.com Posted by: Unknown (January 1-, 2003)

The E-MU 0404 USB interface gives you a pretty good audio recording quality to your PC ( don’t think you can use with a MAC). It has a ultra low noise, and is a very well built unit. The latency is very low with Windows XP and you can overdub and record without that delay that a lot of cheaper interface has. They have built the E-MU 0404 around the whole “Plug and Play” theme because they wanted to give the customer to ability to use this device very easily without a bunch of driver problems and hardware/software configuration problems. For the short time which I had a chance to work with it , I encountered very few problems. The really only issue I encountered was when I couldn’t get Acid Pro to recognize the interface, but once I restarted the system it recognized it and the problem was solved. UTILIZATION Your system will need at least 256MB and 900MB of free disk space in order to be able to install the E-MU 0404 USB interface. This is a must, so double check your system before purchasing the 0404 to make sure its compatible and everything is in order. If you are using Windows XP you will have to be using Service Pack 2 if you have SP 1 you wont be able to use the interface. GETTING STARTED No manual was needed to install or se the E-MU 0404 interface. The setup was easy and quick, and all of the functions of the interface are easy to use and access. OVERALL OPINION The precision and quality of sound is average, nothing that really stands out. But what can you expect for an interface this price. I have tried several other E-MU interfaces before this one and they all provide good quality. Outside of the issue with Acid Pro recognizing it, I had not a single other issue with this on XP systems. Great buy.