E-MU announces Emulator X2 & Proteus X2

E-MU Systems has announced new versions of Emulator X and Proteus X - the Emulator X2 Software Sampler and Proteus X2 Desktop Sound Module.

The X2 products introduce a host of new tools including SynthSwipe automated hardware sampling (Emulator X2 only), 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 (Emulator X2 only), real-time control of multiple loop points, REX2 and MP3 import, and much, much more. (Some features are Emulator X2 only).

Both products are scheduled to be released in May 2006 and can be run either standalone (64 MIDI channels) or as a VST instrument (16 MIDI channels per instantiation) on Windows. Both include a 2in/2out USB MIDI interface and over 3GB of sounds at an estimated street price of $299.99 for Emulator X2 and $199.99 for Proteus X2.

They will also each be available as an add-on for any E-MU Digital Audio System or Xboard USB/MIDI controller for $249.99 (Emulator X2) / $149.99 (Proteus X2), or as an upgrade for existing owners - Emulator X upgrade price is $79.99 / Proteus X upgrade price is $49.99.

New features explained:

SynthSwipe (Emulator X2 only) is a sampling tool that will automatically sample and create presets from any hardware or software MIDI instrument and create a playable preset. 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 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 fidelity.

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

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, filters, volume, retrigger samples or LFO's, change tempo or trigger other events.

Transform Multiply (Emulator X2 only) 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).