Emulator X is a 24-bit/192kHz software sampler with integrated I/O and hardware-accelerated effects for Windows XP and 2000. You can run Emulator X as a VST instrument within your favorite sequencer application or standalone, from RAM or streaming from hard disk. Emulator X is the culmination of over 30 years of sampler and synthesizer development, offering musicians and sound designers the sampling technologies, powerful DSP and pristine sound quality of E-MU's hardware samplers with the latest disk streaming, file management and graphical interface advantages of software.
Automated sample acquisition and preset creation
Emulator X makes sampling as easy as loading a preset by offering intelligent, automated sampling and preset creation from both external audio and batch files, allowing you to turn a .WAV file into a fully functioning preset in seconds with a single click of your mouse.
Advanced synthesis architecture
No software sampler can match the depth of the Emulator X synthesis engine, with 36 patchcords per voice, over 50 patented Z-Plane morphing filters, multi- wave LFO's, conditional voice modulation, clock modulation and a host of other synthesis features and parameters. You can even save your favorite synth setups as templates for quick editing.
Standalone or VSTi operation
You can use Emulator X as a VSTi instrument within your favorite sequencer program or run it standalone for maximum system performance.
RAM and Streaming playback
Emulator X offers you playback from both RAM and hard disk for total flexibility in optimizing the performance of your system.
24-bit/192kHz PCI interface with 12 inputs, 12 outputs, MIDI and FireWire®
Emulator X ships with comprehensive I/O, featuring mastering-grade 120dB SNR converters, MIDI I/O, FireWire® and analog and digital I/O.
E-DSP Multi-effects Processor
The powerful 32-bit E-DSP Processor provides you with an arsenal of hardware-accelerated plug-in effects (over 500 presets) with no CPU overhead, saving your system resources for maximum polyphony and synthesis.
PatchMix DSP
Emulator X ships with PatchMix DSP- software that delivers 32 channels of zero latency hardware mixing and monitoring with a flexible virtual patchbay- no external mixer needed.
Integrated waveform editor
Emulator X provides you with a host of professional DSP tools that you've come to expect from E-MU (i.e. Gain Change, Time Compression/Expansion, Reverse, Pitch Change, Sample Calculation w/automatic digital tuning, etc.), giving you total control over your samples
Comprehensive sound format support
Emulator X supports EOS, EIII, GigaSampler, Akai, HALion, EXS24, SoundFont 2.1, .WAV and many more sound formats- ships with over 2GB of sounds.
Automated preset cataloging across network drives
Emulator X automatically catalogs and tracks all of your presets across your entire network- no wasted time looking for sounds
I/O Configuration: Two 1/4" Balanced Inputs
Two 1/4" Balanced Outputs
24-bit/192kHz ADAT In/Out (switchable to S/PDIF)
24-bit/96kHz S/PDIF In/Out (switchable to AES/EBU)
MIDI In/Out
Firewire® Interface (6-pin)
E-MU Production Tools Software Bundle
Everything you need to create, record, edit, master and burn is in the box, including:
Cakewalk SONAR LE - Audio/MIDI Production
SONAR LE is production environment for Windows that provides musicians with a host of potent features that include: 64 audio and 256 MIDI tracks; 24-bit/192kHz recording support; 14 studio quality real-time effects and 6 MIDI effects; audio loop construction tools; dynamic console view; multi-port graphical drum grid editor; multitrack piano roll view; staff notation; ReWire 2.0 support; DirectX/DXi and VST/VSTi support; MIDI clock and MTC slave; Cyclone DXi groove sampler; Audio Simulation's Dreamstation soft synth DXi; and more. Registered owners of SONAR LE will be able to upgrade to the full version of SONAR Studio Edition for a special price.
Steinberg Cubase LE - Audio/MIDI Production
Cubase LE is a powerful music software workstation that offers: 48 audio and 64 MIDI tracks; 24-bit/192kHz professional audio quality; a full set of audio effects plug-ins; LM-7, VB-1 and USM virtual instruments; and MTC, MIDI-clock and VST System Link support. Steinberg offers all registered Cubase LE customers to purchase the virtual instruments set (SE versions) at a special price, and Cubase LE is upgradeable to Cubase SX/SL.
Ableton Live Lite 4 for E-MU Systems - Audio/MIDI Production
Ableton Live is the music-production solution that allows you to spontaneously compose, record, remix, improvise and edit your musical ideas. Live brings your acoustic, electronic and virtual instruments, as well as your digital audio recordings, together in a single interface with unparalleled ease of use. Live's specialty is composition by improvisation. Record musical ideas, combine or create new songs, and compose on the fly, and offers complete multitrack recording and editing for any acoustic source, hardware synthesizer or software instrument.
Steinberg WaveLab Lite - Audio Editor
WaveLab Lite is a light version of the popular mastering and wave editing program.
IK Multimedia Amplitube LE - Guitar Amp & FX Modeling Plug-In
AmpliTube® is a powerful plug-in for guitar players that puts a virtually unlimited array of tones and effects at your fingertips. AmpliTube's stomp-box, post-effects and amp simulation capabilities make it easy to craft everything from rich, vintage tones to unique cutting-edge sounds.
IK Multimedia T-RackS EQ - Mastering EQ Plug-in
The T-RackS® EQ was especially developed for mastering - no other single software processor sounds like T-RackS and none makes mastering so easy by enhancing mix frequencies. T-RackS has been created with algorithms based on real analog circuitry, which is why T-RackS sounds so similar to real analog audio hardware, and so unique when compared to other software. T-RackS also delivers high order 32-bit floating point resolution and uses the best possible method to physically model analog components, resulting in an amazingly real tube sound.
Minnetonka Audio Software discWelder BRONZE - DVD Audio Authoring
Minnetonka Audio Software's discWelder™ BRONZE, is an award-winning basic DVD-Audio authoring program that allows users to deliver surround and high-resolution audio on DVD-Recordable media. With discWelder BRONZE, the you can import all Linear PCM formats supported in the DVD-Audio specification, including surround (up to 6 channels of 24-bit, 48kHz audio) and high-resolution stereo (two channels of 24-bit, 192kHz audio). Surround and stereo tracks may be used on the same disc, in WAV or AIFF file format, and discWelder-burned media will play on any DVD-A player that supports DVD±R/RW. discWelder BRONZE is brilliantly simple to use, and can burn DVD-Audio discs utilizing inexpensive DVD±R/RW drives. So, whether you are making commercial releases, creating high resolution reference discs, archiving your analogue tape or vinyl or simply consolidation you CD collection (with seven hours of CDs on one DVD) discWelder offers tools for every level of DVD-Audio Authoring.
SFX Machine LT - Audio Multi-effects Plug-in
SFX Machine LT is a powerful audio multi-effects plug-in for musicians and sound designers, featuring 21 presets such as BackwardsFragment, RoboTalk, Sitar Drone and Stutter. The plug-in provides up to six sliders for fine-tuning of each preset and allows automated parameter control via a simple "MIDI Learn" interface. It also provides a Randomize button for quick experimentation. SFX Machine LT is a subset of the RT version, which includes hundreds of presets, and a special upgrade price is available for registered E-MU users.
E-MU Proteus X LE - Desktop Sound Module
Proteus X LE is a 24-bit/192kHz VST instrument for your PC that offers the pristine sound quality and powerful Z-Plane filters of E-MU's powerful Proteus X Desktop Sound Module, plus over 1,000 sounds from E-MU's legendary Proteus 2000 sound module. You can also expand your Proteus X LE with any soundset from E-MU's comprehensive sound library. Proteus X LE offers you an intuitive sound module interface to quickly dial in your sounds, with easy-to-use librarian and search functions to find that perfect preset in seconds, as well as two discrete effects processors with comprehensive MIDI modulation per preset.
Minimum System Requirements:
Genuine Intel® Pentium® III or AMD® K6® class processor or higher operating at 1.5GHz or faster (Pentium® 4 at 2.4GHz or faster recommended)
Intel®, AMD® or 100% compatible motherboard & chipset
512MB System RAM (1GB or greater recommended)
7200 RPM hard disk
200MB of free hard disk space for minimum installation (3GB needed for full installation)
Windows® 2000 SP 4, Windows® XP SP 1 or greater
PCI 2.1 compliant slot for E-MU® 1010 PCI card
Adjacent PCI slot for E-MU® 0202 I/O daughter card
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive required for software installation
XVGA Video (1024 X 768)
General Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 96, 192kHz from internal crystal or externally supplied clock (no sample rate conversion)
Bit Depth: 16 or 24 bits
PCI Bus-Mastering DMA subsystem reduces CPU usage
Zero-latency direct hardware monitoring w/effects
Analog Line Inputs Type: servo-balanced, DC-coupled, low-noise input circuitry
Level (software selectable):
- Professional: +4dBu nominal, 20dBu maximum (balanced)
- Consumer: -10dBV nominal, 6dBV maximum (unbalanced)
Frequency Response: +/- .05dB, 20Hz - 22kHz
THD+N (1kHz signal at -1dBFS): -110dB
SNR (1kHz signal at -1dBFS): 120.7dB, A-weighted
Dynamic Range: 121dB, A-weighted
Channel Crosstalk: < -125dB, 1kHz signal at -1dBFS
Analog Line Outputs Type: balanced, low-noise, 2-pole low-pass differential filter
Level (software selectable):
- Professional: +4dBu nominal, 20dBu maximum (balanced)
- Consumer: -10dBV nominal, 6dBV maximum (unbalanced)
Frequency Response: 0.0/-.35dB, 20Hz - 20kHz
THD+N (1kHz signal at -1dBFS): -105dB
SNR (1kHz signal at -1dBFS): 120dB, A-weighted
Dynamic Range: 120dB, A-weighted
Channel Crosstalk: < -120dB, 1kHz signal at -1dBFS
Digital I/O S/PDIF:
- 2 in/2 out coaxial (transformer coupled)
- AES/EBU or S/PDIF format, switchable under software control
How To Choose / Useful Information for Pro Keyboards
Click a question to see the answer.
Why a Pro Workstation keyboard vs.a Portable/Electronic/Arranger keyboard vs. a Synthesizer?
Pro keyboards have a multitude of other features like audio recording,
editing the sound to the most elemental part of the sound, a 16+ track sequencer
with detailed editing, a lot of synth sounds, they will run 4 to 18 simultaneous
higher quality effects like reverb, … and have no arranging or styles other than possibly
arpeggiators or drum patterns, . . A fully orchestrated sound/song can be accomplished
with a pro keyboard but it assumes you want to create each part or instrument sound in
a song much more closely (from scratch) than a portable ++
Portable/arranger type keyboards are more for fast songwriting,
for backing tracks when you play or for one person band with drum patterns,
bass, and other sounds with the accompaniment having different song style genres
(blues, swing, rock,...) with different patterns for the verse, chorus,...
of the song. The song styles and performances are very educational as well for
learning genres that you may be unfamiliar with. You can have many instruments
follow what your left hand plays in real time and chord recognition for
fast performing,
portables have more meat and potato sounds and fewer synthesizer sounds
Synthesizers- typically do not have workstation features
like sequencing, recording audio, having all types of sounds, . . .
but rather focus on doing a few or sounds extremely well which usually
are not acoustic or real world instruments but 'other worldly' sounds
with many ways to manipulate the sound.
What affects the price you will pay and what should you look for?
The level of realism and selection of the sounds-
each keyboard typically does some sounds better than others so decide
which main sounds are important to you and play each model (or listen to sound files)
you are interested in to find the one that sounds best to you. Does it have all the
sounds you are looking for to make a completed song?
Ease of use- hardware knobs, buttons,... amount and location and logically placed
Display size- touchscreen, color, icon based, easy to read, backlighting not too dark,...
Sequencer- depth of editing features, ease of use as you could spend most of your time here, linear recording only or pattern based recording as well, ...
Quality and number of effects- reverb, EQ per part, compressors, master FX, number of part insert FX, master/global FX, does it have enough DSP to finish a 16 track song without needing external processing
Audio recording/sampling -2 to 8 tracks or more- how easy is it to actually record and playback, does it have enough recording memory/time- re: roughly 10 meg a stereo minute, how is the recording backed up,..
Drums- does it have ‘easy to chain’ patterns or is the arpegiator easy to use, does it have pads on top of keyboard or none at all,...
The number of simultaneous notes the keyboard will play (polyphony)- important if you write denser arrangements or use instruments that use a lot of polyphony (piano,...)
Control computer software via hardware sliders, knobs,...
Computer control the keyboard with editor/librarian- as VST plug-in,
standalone, 100% editing, the visuals on a big
computer screen can shorten the learning curve (much more intuitive)
Operating system- is it intuitive or obtuse, ...
Maximum RAM memory- will determine possibly how much recording time is available
or how much room you will have for adding external samples/sounds
Connectors- # of audio outputs, balanced or unbalanced input,
data storage- memory card, jump drive, USB to computer connection
Please notice that almost every keyboard on our site has a sound file
you can play on your computer to hear for yourself.
What about speakers?
For home or studio use we prefer powered studio monitors
for the best audio quality without spending a lot and keep
the sound in stereo (versus a mono keyboard amp) which is much better with full orchestrations,...
All have headphone jacks if you prefer not to be heard.
For stage, keyboard amplifiers come in all sizes depending on the size of the venue
What accessories should I consider?
Stand- stabds come in many shapes and styles- X style, Z style, ...
Bench- consider a more sturdy 4 leg bench if you do not need portability,
X style if you do -- the wider the better.
Headphones- full size will be more comfortable and quieter
and may offer better quality audio
Pedals- most come with a sustain pedal, some have jacks for more control
- volume, expression, etc.
Bag or case- we recommend the manufacturer bags and cases first,
then Gator Cases and bags. Do you need wheels? Will only you be carrying it? Will it be on planes? (should have ATA rating)
Jump drive/Storage card for audio, midi ...
Computer interface if no USB connection- need multi-port midi,
how many channels of audio ...
Dust cover
Glossary
What is a Style?
combination of sounds like drums, bass and keys with rhythms and chord progressions
in a certain genre (rock, big band, jazz,…) which create backing tracks that you can play a lead part over
What are Song Sections?
these are divisions of a song that portable arranger keyboards identify as an intro, verses, choruses,
bridge, fills, outro,… with performed by musicians that reflect the mood/feeling of each of those sections that enable
faster song arranging
What is MIDI?
an
interface to connect a keyboard to the computer like USB port for printers. It
sends note and other data from the keyboard to the computer or vice versa.
Basically says play this note at this time at this volume level- it is not an
actual audio recording. It also makes it possible for one keyboard to play
another keyboard.
What is polyphony?
the number of
simultaneous notes that can be played, though if it’s a stereo sample/recording
each note can use 2 notes at once. Its important for anyone who plays a lot of
notes at the same time and holds down the sustain pedal. The earliest notes
played will cut out when the limit is exceeded. This can happen with pianos
with 32 note polyphony especially.
What is a sequencer?
a
recorder with 1 to 16 tracks usually so that multiple instruments can be played
back for fully orchestrated songs and can have elaborate editing capability.
Typically digital pianos have only 1 or 2 tracks for playing back a piano
performance and archiving another. These can be downloaded to the computer with
a midi interface
What is sampling/samples?
a short audio
recording of a note. For more realistic sound, digital pianos can be recorded
at different velocities so that when you strike a note harder, the timbre
changes for better realism
What are effects?
to modify and
enhance the sounds in the keyboard including non- piano sounds. e.g. - reverb
will put the piano in a small room or up to a large concert hall.
Don’t see the answer to your question?
Call us toll-free at 1 877 778 7845 and speak to our piano experts
3900 Fiscal Ct, Suite 200 West Palm Beach, Florida 33404 USA
Telephone: 1-877-778-7845
Toll Free or 561-842-7451
Fax:
561-840-9032Contact Us! Hours: Mon-Fri 930 am - 600 pm ET/ Sat-Sun: Closed
MUSICIANSBUY.COM
3900 Fiscal Ct, Suite 200 West Palm Beach, FL 33404 USA
Telephone: 1-877-778-7845
Toll Free or 561-842-7451
Fax: 561-840-9032
Contact Us!
Hours: Mon-Fri 930am - 630pm ET/
Sat 11am - 4pm ET
/Sun: Closed
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