How do you like Emulator X2?

[eduardo_b]

I noticed in a thread on samplers that only Emulator X2 is capable of actually sampling among the so-called samplers. I'd be interested in the opinions of those who use this sampler as to what they think of it -- good and bad. Is the USB "dongle" reliable or are there install issues.

/edit

Is it worth the $300?

[zvon]

I love the Emulator X2. I have it since April 2007 and had no problem at all installing it. It's quite stable too, I think that it never crashed (or maybe once, don't remember exactly). And I prefer by far a USB MIDI interface "dongle" to a standard dongle. An extra MIDI interface can always be useful.

I find it easy to use once I got used to its GUI. Its automatic looping is the first one that I find actually useful. The results are not always to my taste but often enough.

It's very easy to design programs where specific samples are triggered randomly, keyzones, round robin or by specific controllers. Working with regions is a breeze too.

I have not used the sampling and some of the advanced features (like Twistaloop) yet but it's supposed to be working well based on what I've read.

[eduardo_b]

And I prefer by far a USB MIDI interface "dongle" to a standard dongle. An extra MIDI interface can always be useful.

How does the "extra" MIDI interface actually function? How might I use it?

[zvon]

How does the "extra" MIDI interface actually function? How might I use it?

Once installed, it adds extra MIDI ins and outs (it's a 2 ins, 2 outs interface) available to your host(s). Actual use will depend of your setup. For instance, I have 4 hardware instruments that have input devices: 3 keyboards and a drum machine with pads. Only one of these has a built-in USB MIDI interface. So if I want to use all of them at the same time to input notes, I need 4 MIDI ins.

Some hosts will allow the recording of multiple MIDI inputs simultaneously on separate tracks, which means that you can jam with friends and record a MIDI track for each player.

Another use is that if you have a "guest" hardware keyboard, you can hook it up to the already installed extra MIDI ins. This option may be preferable even if that guest keyboard has a built-in USB interface, as you will not need to install yet another USB driver on your computer only for a temporary period of time. Or you may run out of available USB ports.

Extra MIDI outs are also useful if you have several hardware sound modules because it reduces the need for daisy chaining them or allows for shorter chains. Also daisy chaining is a one way communication and sometimes for a specific module or a specific use (sysex anyone?), it's preferable to have a module connected to a pair of IN and OUT.

Basically, even if you do not need an extra MIDI interface now, you may need one someday.

[zircon]

I would vastly prefer a standard USB key dongle. I don't have any use for a USB MIDI interface and don't have space for one.

[eduardo_b]

I would vastly prefer a standard USB key dongle. I don't have any use for a USB MIDI interface and don't have space for one.

This isn't the size of, say, a Steinberg key?

[whyterabbyt]

I would vastly prefer a standard USB key dongle. I don't have any use for a USB MIDI interface and don't have space for one.

This isn't the size of, say, a Steinberg key?

Its huge. Size of a small goat-herd. Honest

http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp ... duct=15188

http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp ... duct=15187

[eduardo_b]

I would vastly prefer a standard USB key dongle. I don't have any use for a USB MIDI interface and don't have space for one.

This isn't the size of, say, a Steinberg key?

Its huge. Size of a small goat-herd. Honest

http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp ... duct=15188

http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp ... duct=15187

I see this. Might have to move furniture to accomodate it.

I don't suppose you know which one comes with the software?

[zvon]

I see this. Might have to move furniture to accomodate it.

I don't suppose you know which one comes with the software?

The Xmidi 2X2 (second link).
Moving furniture might not be enough, I had to tear down a wall

[eduardo_b]

I see this. Might have to move furniture to accomodate it.

I don't suppose you know which one comes with the software?

The Xmidi 2X2 (second link).
Moving furniture might not be enough, I ahd to tear down a wall

I see this interface uses USB 1.1, so I'm guessing MIDI doesn't require much in the way of data flow.

I think it'll fit on a small table without moving any walls.

[zvon]

I see this interface uses USB 1.1, so I'm guessing MIDI doesn't require much in the way of data flow.

MIDI data flow is something like 31 KB/sec which is almost nothing.

I think it'll fit on a small table without moving any walls.

Great!

[djsubject]

i opted for the smaller 1820m

not as usefull as the 1x or 2x midi usb device but it can actually fit on top of my PC



sorry to say the 1820m is no longer made only the bigger 1616

Subz

[yuk]

I have EX2. I got EX1 with 1212m at about $150 last year and updated to 2.0.
It was the best shopping in last year:) I don't know USB MIDI. There is no
such distribution in Japan. Creative Japan said just "use EX2 with e-mu's hardware".

it's totally ok.
Sound quality very good.
Filter is still the best kind between vstis.
CPU usage is no longer huge in my C2Q6600.
Structure of sampling synthesizer is reasonable and flexible, even stable.

EX2's only fault is its user interface. still not sophisticated.
For People who want to choose and edit sound quickly (like choosing sandwiches at fastfood shop), EX2 is painful. It is not possible to manage vast sample libraries in EX2 like any others. You'll be stressful. When I had used Cakewalk dimenssion, its library was neat sorted. I could easily choose what i want at my feeling. EX2 doesn't provide such a experience.. Each components are reasonable though, they are not integrated into total level. E-mu just brougt E4's feature and function to software.

But those fault might not be very important if you make your own sound. As long as running one's own small library, EX2's management is no problem. It's really fun to edit each preset and sample inside. I recommend you to run ex2 at standalone, and to record anything you like (auto sampling feature is quite useful). Sampling process should be far smoother than hardware. E-mu doesn't give us fastfood though, they give us a decent kitchen:)

I don't know what other soft samplers are. i know few people use ex2.
but maybe some people like it much. i founnd Jazzanova(German musician) use
EX2 at standalone. (they controll ex2 by ATARI with C-lab )

sorry for my english. i am not good english speaker.

[eduardo_b]

I have EX2. I got EX1 with 1212m at about $150 last year and updated to 2.0.
It was the best shopping in last year:) I don't know USB MIDI. There is no
such distribution in Japan. Creative Japan said just "use EX2 with e-mu's hardware".

it's totally ok.
Sound quality very good.
Filter is still the best kind between vstis.
CPU usage is no longer huge in my C2Q6600.
Structure of sampling synthesizer is reasonable and flexible, even stable...

sorry for my english. i am not good english speaker.

yuk, thanks so much for your comments. I had no problem reading your post. I'm thinking of going ahead and buying EX2. I use a small library of samples I've "created," so managing library will not be an issue -- at least for now. I do have Kontakt, but I'd like some of the features in EX2 as well. Thanks again for your post.

[yuk]

i hope emu could help your music. but, i'm not sure kontakt users are worth buying or not, because kontakt may cover most of features in emu x2...

btw, we may not be able to hope further developments of emu x2. e-mu have anounced version 2.5 last year. but they haven't yet released it since then. though they recently anounced 2.5 in Q2 2008, they seem to have reduced their business.