Emu Emulator X2 Software Sampler (Windows)

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Includes 2-in, 2-out MIDI interface. Audio interface not included.

Emulator X2 Software Sampler for PC is the culmination of over 30 years of sampler development that offers the pristine sound quality, powerful synthesis and filters of E-MU's legendary hardware samplers and introduces a host of new groundbreaking tools that includes SynthSwipe automated hardware sampling, TwistaLoop non-destructive audio manipulator, Morph Filter Designer to create custom filters, Multi-Function Generator for advanced LFO/envelope/arpeggiator programming, advanced Transform Multiply convolution DSP tool, real-time control of multiple loop points, REX2 and MP3 import, and much, much more. Emulator X2 still offers the unmatched sound quality of E-MU's pristine 24-bit/ 192kHz sound engine and patented pitch interpolation, and can be run either standalone (64 MIDI channels) or as a VST instrument (16 MIDI channels per instantiation). Emulator X2 runs on Windows XP and includes over 3GB of sounds and a 2in/2out USB MIDI interface.

Features
Automated sampling, pitch detection and preset creation with integrated waveform editor

Powerful synthesis architecture with over 50 Z-Plane filters and 100 tempo-based parameters per preset

Standalone (64 MIDI channels) or VSTi operation (16 MIDI channels per instantiation)

Sound Engine supports RAM and streaming playback

Integrated effects processors

2in / 2 out USB MIDI interface

Comprehensive sound format support, including EOS, EIII, GigaSampler, MP3, REX2, .AIFF, SoundFont 2.1, .WAV and more

Ships with over 3GB read more of sounds, including the complete Proteus 2000 soundset, a stunning 1.5GB Grand Piano, 24-bit drums and grooves and more -- additional soundsets available

SynthSwipe
SynthSwipe is a sampling tool that will automatically sample and create playable presets from any hardware or software MIDI instrument. Simply set the initial sampling parameters (i.e. key range, how many notes, how many velocities per note, velocity range) and SynthSwipe does the rest with the utmost precision. SynthSwipe is an invaluable tool for sound designers and anyone who wants to bring their old synth and sound module soundsets into the computer.

TwistaLoop
TwistaLoop is a tool that automatically analyzes any audio by dissecting it into its rhythmic components, allows the editing of this audio with multiple loop points and regions, and offers total control over tempo with real-time audio time expansion/compression -- all with E-MU's patented pitch interpolation for unmatched audio fi delity.

Morph Filter Designer
The Morph Filter Designer provides users with fi lter creation tools that E-MU's sound designers have been using for years to create the legendary morphing Z-Plane fi lters. The Morph Filter Designer now allows the construction of all-new exotic fi lter types that can be morphed from one type to another in real-time.

Multi-Function Generator
The Multi-Function Generator offers advanced LFO/envelope/arpeggiator programming, providing three function generators per voice that are directly tied into Emulator X2's powerful synthesis architecture (over 100 parameters). These Function Generators have several key sync and direction modes that enable complex levels of control, and can be programmed to modulate pitch, fi lters, volume, retrigger samples or LFO's, change tempo or trigger other events.

Transform Multiply
Transform Multiply is a convolution DSP tool that creates new sounds by combining the timbral and time elements of two signals in a way that reinforces frequencies common to both sources and discards frequencies not present in both. This powerful tool is applicable to everything from adding a custom reverb (by adding a reverb impulse to another sound) to full blown voice articulation of musical instruments (combining speech with an instrument).
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Retail Box Contents
Emulator X2 Software/Operation Manual CD-ROM

Quick Start Guide for Emulator X2

Four Sound CD-ROMs

E-MU Xmidi 2x2 USB/MIDI Interface

Minimum System Requirements
Native USB port (for E-MU Xmidi 2x2 USB/MIDI Interface), or an installed E-MU Digital Audio System, E-MU USB Audio Interface or E-MU Xboard USB/MIDI Controller

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 or faster recommended for streaming

200MB of free hard disk space for minimum installation (3.5GB needed for full sound library installation)

Windows XP

CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive required for software installation

XVGA Video (1024 X 768)

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 831-438-1921

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (11 ratings)
Submitted December 28, 2008 by a customer from gci.net

Emu Emulator X2 Sampler Customer Review

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
OK bottom line, this software only runs on XP so if you have Vista you'll have to wail until X3 comes out and that's any day now. It's my main instrument, I've consolidated my entire library of sounds thanks to the converter that it's bundled with and Chicken Systems.

Sound
The sound of this instrument is astounding, as good and better than Emu's best Ultra line of hard samplers with better outputs depending on the interface you choose.

Features
It is a sampler, you can actually do a wide range of professional recording tasks, from taking the sample all the way through the sound design process, it's a champ. It's one of the only so called software samplers that actually samples. It has an entire sampling suite on board with full DSP and standard effect processing .

Ease of Use
One of my favourite features is nice large(I have a 24" monitor)pc screen to work with. No more eye strain staring at a tiny display, you can work for hours with no pain involved.....yay!

Quality
What can you say, Emu invented the first commercially available sampler for under $20,000. With a fast pc,you have a Fairlight CMI without the astronomical price tag that goes with it.

Value
My E4XT cost over $6000, that's not a typo in 1999. You get a whole system sans the pc that are getting faster and cheaper every day for, what, $300 or $600. Add a good fast read more pc from any number of discount dealers and you're talking maybe $800 to $1200, grand total could be under 2 grand. The Fairlight CMI III started at $50,000, so you can see.

Manufacturer Support
Grade A, the few time I've needed to discuss something with a tech it's easy and painless.

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4 of 6 people (67%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
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