Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    Hi, Jim, long time no, uh, note.  Re EMAX II and autoloop.  Yes.  Two
    methods.  I have to think that the EMAX II would have a larger
    available library than the EPS because it can use the entire EIII
    library, can use the entire EMAX (I) library, which itself grew out of
    the enormous Emulator II library.
    
    Re stereo sampling.. there is an entire topic on this somewhere.  IMO
    most instruments don't require stereo samples; for instruments the
    stereo recreates the room ambience.  That's what I use external FX
    units for.  There are allegedly EIII stereo samples in the Proteus 2, 
    and I haven't really figured out which ones they are - it doesn't jump 
    out.  Remember you can statically or dynamically pan MONO samples 
    anywhere in the left-right stereo stage, ending up with a 'stereo'
    instrument.  If you intend to use the instrument for stereo sound effects, 
    then stereo sampling is a necessity.  It also halves your polyphony (by
    using up DACs) and halves available memory.
    
    Re ease-of-use.. the EMAX II uses the same UI that the original uses,
    and there's basically a button for every major menu, and the menu
    choices are right on the front of the instrument.  There's nothing I
    can think of (within its architecture) that I can't quickly figure out.
    A nit ; you haven't mentioned sequencing.  Unless they pumped it up,
    the EMAX' onboard sequencer is really braindead, unlike the EPS'...
    karl

    The base noter may want to check out the titles associated with 
    keywords EMAX_II and EPS16. Many questions will already be answered;
    new ones would be welcomed.
    
    Edd

    I dunno about which library would be larger - one thing I do know is
    that I don't see many 3rd-party samples being marketed for the Emax.
    Or at least nothing comparable to what's offered for the EPS (open
    some issues of Keyboard magazine and have a look).
    
    I'm not familiar with either interface, but IMO Ensoniq products are
    known more for their user-friendly interfaces and EXCELLENT
    documentation perhaps than anything else. In fact, the original EPS for
    example, did not fair very well in Keyboard magazines bench test (which
    was mostly sound quality).
    
    I think you're likely to MEET many more people with EPS than EMAX's 
    which means that the EPS might have a big advantage in that you can
    trade with your friends.  There are loads of people in here with EPS's.
    
    I amassed an enormous collection of sounds for my synth mostly by
    sharing with friends.  Didn't actually buy many sounds.
    
    	db

    Re: .3, libraries
    
    The EPS has the edge in third-party samples due to the cost of the
    hardware, I think.  There's more of them out there in semi-pro
    applications than there are Emaxes, so supply is meeting demand.  The
    EPS also can read Mirage samples (with improved fidelity playback) so
    you can tap all *those* if you like as well.
    
    I guess I'll really thump the Ensoniq drum and point out the wizzy 24
    bit digital effects built into the EPS including the ability to take
    any sample, treat it with effects and *resample it* to free up the
    effects to process other samples.
    
    I'm not sure if the Emax ever added this feature, but in 1988 when the
    first EPS came out, it was the *only* sampler that could load new
    samples while you were playing...important feature for live performance
    applications!
    
    							Brian
    
    P.S. I think the Emax is still a great machine, though...

    Thanks everyone.
    
    Does the EMAX-II produce a correct autoloop with minimal fuss ??
    
    RE: .2 
    
    	I have read both the EMAX_II and EPS notes. I am specifically
    looking for a "shootout" if you will. The previous topic notes did not
    IMO compare the two directly. Being an *uneducated* individual on this
    technology made it difficult at best to generate conclusions based on
    the information given. *I agree that there probably was some of what I
    was looking for in previous notes*. IMO, the previous notes were like
    FBI files, information without conclusions. 
    
    I categorically deny any/all alegations of generating a duplicate
    topic....
    
    *grins*
    
    Jim

    What prices have you found for these, Jim? I've been watching the price
    of memory ($42/meg for 70ns RAM at the last clone show) and hoping that
    there would be 16meg samplers for $1500 Real Soon Now. Sampler prices
    should be falling and/or sample memory should be skyrocketing.

    Go see 16.308 for an EPS price (probably the lowball end of the price
    range).
    

    
    >Does the EMAX-II produce a correct autoloop with minimal fuss ??
    
    Looping is a very religious topic ;-)
    
    I owned a EPS/16-PLUS for about six months....I sold it when I
    decided to 'computerize' my midi studio.  I have two sample cell
    cards with Macintosh/ci, Sound Tools, Alchemy..etc..
    
    The EPS served it purpose...but the 4meg memory barrier restricted
    me very much.  Leaves little room for relatively large samples files.
    
    Back to looping......depends on what you are looping.  Certain
    sounds are easier to loop...eg..human voices, wind instruments..etc..
    when compared to drum sounds with complex beat patterns.
    Overall, the EPS is easier to loop with than the EMAX....but the EMAX
    is more flexible and can support bigger memory.  The EPS has more
    third party software...etc...
    
    Kris...

  You have to weight what's most important, if you know you'll *need*
  stereo sampling then, case closed you *need* the EMAX, etc.

  I really don't know much about the EMAX line, but case in point, it does
  seem that the Ensoniq samplers are much more of a "buzz word", and many
  3rd party hardware/software is available for it.  There is a HUGH mirage
  library available, although not at the same fidelity as 16 bit original
  samples.

  I owned and loved the Mirage, and now have the EPS-16+ module, which BTW,
  I am selling, but for financial reasons more than anything else.

-TR