very nice example of a classic Emulator II




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MBP 17", PC 100(Nubus Protools) Motu 896, X-Station, Logic9, Reason6, Korg legacy, ACE, Alchemy, Emax II, E-Synth, Evolver MEK, Waldorf Pulse and Blofeld, AS Telemark, AS Leipzig-S

so buy it..... i've got a spare mac classic in the garden shed you can have to go with it .....

Bit late as it has already sold.

Nice looking bit of kit. I'd like an EII, but I don't need one and I don't have the space!

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

£1275!!!!!!!!!

Almost picked one up off gumtree for £375 a few moons ago.

BTW Chevy, the Emax is getting love love love.

Thanks again!

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I'm All Ears.

but it is an EII plus which is rather rare and has the memory upgrade..

Wish I'd had the cash, but I do know who did buy it and guess who's picking it up for them and giving it a healthcheck?




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MBP 17", PC 100(Nubus Protools) Motu 896, X-Station, Logic9, Reason6, Korg legacy, ACE, Alchemy, Emax II, E-Synth, Evolver MEK, Waldorf Pulse and Blofeld, AS Telemark, AS Leipzig-S

Quote Chevytraveller:

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but it is an EII plus which is rather rare and has the memory upgrade..

Wish I'd had the cash, but I do know who did buy it and guess who's picking it up for them and giving it a healthcheck?

---

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I'm All Ears.

I've never understood what makes an old sampler "classic", or "vintage". It's the same technology as we're using today in modern computers/samplers, except just not as good.

I kinda understand the price tag on certain analogue synths, as that's almost "forgotten" technology, and very different from todays offerings.

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www.thediplomatz.com

Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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I've never understood what makes an old sampler "classic", or "vintage". It's the same technology as we're using today in modern computers/samplers, except just not as good.

I kinda understand the price tag on certain analogue synths, as that's almost "forgotten" technology, and very different from todays offerings.

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Not entirely true.. the digital part of the technology was 8 bit, but had all manner of electronics around that to help improve the sound but also displays other attributes such as aliasing. The EII had a very distinctive and quite musical "wheeze" on transposed samples.
Plus the signal then runs through an analogue path and through some very nice SSM analogue filter circuits.

All this helps give it a distinctive character and sound that just isn't there on the current crop of softsamplers..
There is undoubtably a level of retro porn value here as well as these machines were up in the £10,000+ category and lusted over by synth geeks of an impressionable age in the 80's... and yes I guess I was one of those




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MBP 17", PC 100(Nubus Protools) Motu 896, X-Station, Logic9, Reason6, Korg legacy, ACE, Alchemy, Emax II, E-Synth, Evolver MEK, Waldorf Pulse and Blofeld, AS Telemark, AS Leipzig-S

Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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I've never understood what makes an old sampler "classic", or "vintage". It's the same technology as we're using today in modern computers/samplers, except just not as good.

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A. Though the functionality is similar, the technology isn't the same at all.

B. Workflow is compeltely different.

Following that logic: why do we still record pianos nowadays when there are such good emulations?

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I'm All Ears.

Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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I've never understood what makes an old sampler "classic", or "vintage". It's the same technology as we're using today in modern computers/samplers, except just not as good.

I kinda understand the price tag on certain analogue synths, as that's almost "forgotten" technology, and very different from todays offerings.

---

There are a variety of reasons; workflow, AD converter, interpolation and other sonic aspects that give old samplers character.

I have grown up listening to Hip-Hop and House and hearing the aliasing on the samples they took added something to the music. You can try to get the same with a bit-crusher, but in the end they never sound the same. My Cheetah SX16 has a particular crunch to it, that my S950 doesn't, but both have their character and it can be used differently depending on the type of music you are making. Not all music is about clean high quality reproduction.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

3 crunchy sampler responses in a row.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Quote Chevytraveller:

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There is undoubtably a level of retro porn value here as well as these machines were up in the £10,000+ category and lusted over by synth geeks of an impressionable age in the 80's... and yes I guess I was one of those

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Me too. Still am.

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I'm All Ears.

Me too, I was a teen in the 80's and saw the EMU as the impossible dream - and if I had the opportunity now, I'd probably have a go on one, for the sake of pointless nostalgia, if nothing else, but I wouldn't lay down 1,200 notes for the privilege.

My point about the technology being the same behind modern samplers and "classic" (i.e. primative) samplers, such as the EMU is a sound one, especially when you compare how computers work to the technology behind, say, an analogue synth.

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www.thediplomatz.com

I've said it before I'll say it again



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Original artwork and unique devices inspired by vintage technology http://www.thisisobsolete.com

Quote jellyjim:

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I've said it before I'll say it again

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Nah.. Thats not crunch..

THIS is crunch!



Alternatively, stick just about any sound you can think of through an Oto Biscuit. More 8 bit tomfoolery than a Commodore 64 enthusiast club get together..

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Paul

Quote ~Paul:

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Oto Biscuit. More 8 bit tomfoolery than a Commodore 64 enthusiast club get together..

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http://www.otomachines.com/biscuit.html Not heard of that before. It's not cheap, but looks interesting. As stated above, I don't need anything else!!!

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

...Well, all I can say is, you're all stark-raving-bonkers.

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www.thediplomatz.com

Quote Richie Royale:

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Not heard of that before. It's not cheap, but looks interesting. As stated above, I don't need anything else!!!

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As it happens, I got one a few months ago. It's a bit gnarly to put it mildly!
And yes, not cheap. But it does the lofi digital grunge thing so well, it betters the old samplers at their own game. And the analogue filter on the end is rather good too
SoS reviewed it a lil while ago..
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan11/articles/machines-biscuit.htm
In some ways, it's an 8 bit (stereo) multi effects processor. It can create some fantastic sounds that you'd never expect from something with such crude digital shenanigans inside.
It's definitely a keeper..

(The other box I posted a pict of incidentally, was a WTPA 8 bit sampler)

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Paul

(Oh bugger, does editing a post on this forum have to make such a bloody mess of things!?? )

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Paul

Yes I was tempted by the DIY sampler, but thought better of it in the end.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

here's an example of the EII magic.. so unusually warm for a sampler


Emulator II Track




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MBP 17", PC 100(Nubus Protools) Motu 896, X-Station, Logic9, Reason6, Korg legacy, ACE, Alchemy, Emax II, E-Synth, Evolver MEK, Waldorf Pulse and Blofeld, AS Telemark, AS Leipzig-S

I only use old hardware samplers (Emu ESI 4000 and an Akai S3000XL) - yes they are pigs to use compared to software but I tend to use them mainly to upload from libraries and then play around with the sounds. They definitely have different characters - the Akai is much better for drums and percussion whereas the Emu has more warmth for those synth or string patches. I used to see a picture of an Emulator 3 on the back page of the US "Keyboard" magazine each month during the eighties which had a high lust factor. Unfortunately I was unable to hatch any plan to raise the huge sum of money it cost. I have seen a few Ebay listings for them but apparently if you shake them too much the chips fall out - so have gone off it a bit

Quote Richie Royale:

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Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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I've never understood what makes an old sampler "classic", or "vintage". It's the same technology as we're using today in modern computers/samplers, except just not as good.

I kinda understand the price tag on certain analogue synths, as that's almost "forgotten" technology, and very different from todays offerings.

---

There are a variety of reasons; workflow, AD converter, interpolation and other sonic aspects that give old samplers character.

I have grown up listening to Hip-Hop and House and hearing the aliasing on the samples they took added something to the music. You can try to get the same with a bit-crusher, but in the end they never sound the same. My Cheetah SX16 has a particular crunch to it, that my S950 doesn't, but both have their character and it can be used differently depending on the type of music you are making. Not all music is about clean high quality reproduction.

---

Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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...Well, all I can say is, you're all stark-raving-bonkers.

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They probably said the same thing when someone first used distortion on a guitar.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Quote Richie Royale:

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Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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...Well, all I can say is, you're all stark-raving-bonkers.

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They probably said the same thing when someone first used distortion on a guitar.

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Possibly, but they definately would say it to someone who used a twenty-five-year-old distortion pedal that cost £1200 which could easily be recreated on a distortion pedal he probably already had.

(if you don't mind my extending your premise - ooer!)

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www.thediplomatz.com

Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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Quote Richie Royale:

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Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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...Well, all I can say is, you're all stark-raving-bonkers.

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They probably said the same thing when someone first used distortion on a guitar.

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Possibly, but they definately would say it to someone who used a twenty-five-year-old distortion pedal that cost £1200 which could easily be recreated on a distortion pedal he probably already had.

(if you don't mind my extending your premise - ooer!)

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I believe guitars change hands for way more than £1200 pounds on the basis that they produce tones that modern, cheaper guitars are quite capable of producing

Old Guitars



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MBP 17", PC 100(Nubus Protools) Motu 896, X-Station, Logic9, Reason6, Korg legacy, ACE, Alchemy, Emax II, E-Synth, Evolver MEK, Waldorf Pulse and Blofeld, AS Telemark, AS Leipzig-S

Quote Chevytraveller:

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Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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Quote Richie Royale:

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Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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...Well, all I can say is, you're all stark-raving-bonkers.

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They probably said the same thing when someone first used distortion on a guitar.

---

Possibly, but they definately would say it to someone who used a twenty-five-year-old distortion pedal that cost £1200 which could easily be recreated on a distortion pedal he probably already had.

(if you don't mind my extending your premise - ooer!)

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I believe guitars change hands for way more than £1200 pounds on the basis that they produce tones that modern, cheaper guitars are quite capable of producing

Old Guitars

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Indeed. And we all know how important and neccessary realism is http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=MRT&Numb er=919559&Searchpage=3&Main=919559&Words=&topic=&Search=true#Post91955 9



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I'm All Ears.

Quote ken long:

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Quote Chevytraveller:

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Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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Quote Richie Royale:

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Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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...Well, all I can say is, you're all stark-raving-bonkers.

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They probably said the same thing when someone first used distortion on a guitar.

---

Possibly, but they definately would say it to someone who used a twenty-five-year-old distortion pedal that cost £1200 which could easily be recreated on a distortion pedal he probably already had.

(if you don't mind my extending your premise - ooer!)

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I believe guitars change hands for way more than £1200 pounds on the basis that they produce tones that modern, cheaper guitars are quite capable of producing

Old Guitars

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Indeed. And we all know how important and neccessary realism is <a href="/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=MRT&Number=919559&Searchpage=3&Main=9 19559&Words=&topic=&Search=true#Post919559" target="_blank">http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=MRT&N umber=919559&Searchpage=3&Main=919559&Words=&topic=&Search=true#Post91 9559</a>

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Thanks for looking at my 70's drum sound thread... You've probably spotted how I didn't ask "Who's got a forty-year-old drum kit I could buy for more money than it's worth?"

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www.thediplomatz.com

Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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Quote ken long:

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Quote Chevytraveller:

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Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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Quote Richie Royale:

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Quote The_Big_Piano_Player:

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...Well, all I can say is, you're all stark-raving-bonkers.

---

They probably said the same thing when someone first used distortion on a guitar.

---

Possibly, but they definately would say it to someone who used a twenty-five-year-old distortion pedal that cost £1200 which could easily be recreated on a distortion pedal he probably already had.

(if you don't mind my extending your premise - ooer!)

---

I believe guitars change hands for way more than £1200 pounds on the basis that they produce tones that modern, cheaper guitars are quite capable of producing

Old Guitars

---

Indeed. And we all know how important and neccessary realism is <a href="/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=MRT&Number=919559&Searchpage=3&Main=9 19559&Words=&topic=&Search=true#Post919559" target="_blank">http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=MRT&N umber=919559&Searchpage=3&Main=919559&Words=&topic=&Search=true#Post91 9559</a>

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Thanks for looking at my 70's drum sound thread... You've probably spotted how I didn't ask "Who's got a forty-year-old drum kit I could buy for more money than it's worth?"

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So are you just trolling the vintage gear forum then?

As with anything "vintage", be it an automobile, an acoustic instrument, an electric instrument, paintings, furniture - the value is in the eye of the beholder but also in the historical context.

Sure, I could buy a chair from Ikea for a fiver and it will do the same thing as an antique which costs £500.

With the case of vintage electronic instruemnts / devices / samplers etc - there is a workflow, a sound and an end result which can not be achieved with software. Its fun and unassuming and brings me a little closer to that inspired feeling I had when I first started creating music.

That's what I pay for.

Yes, some of us may seem slightly batty to the uninvolved but ultimately, its a case of personal preference. Even though I find it amusing, I wouldn't mock you in your quest for "vintage drums" and using pre-programmed, bundled "disco patterns" from said software.

The fact that there is a big divide amongst those who prefer older instruments to those who want "cutting edge" mac in the box software is a good thing. My friend picked up an MPC60 for £50. The owner said it was *only* 12-Bit and "things had moved on since then" and he didn't see the value in it (a bit like you really). A same spec MPC sells for about £700.



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I'm All Ears.

Quote ken long:

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My friend picked up an MPC60 for £50. The owner said it was *only* 12-Bit and "things had moved on since then" and he didn't see the value in it (a bit like you really).

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I'll give him £55 for it.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

The important thing to remember about the E-mu Samplers (although the EII in particular) is that the wonderful filters make them more of a synth than a sampler. The SSM filters on the EII produce lovely tones and sweeps that all contribute towards the instrument's playability.
In the same way that there are cheaper virtual versions of classic synths like the JP8 or Prophet 5 or Oscar the originals are still so desirable that they will sell for high prices
If you compare the EII price against something like a PPG or Oscar, then it starts to look like a cheap classic


P.S. I'll post some pics and sound files next week hopefully when I get my hands on it



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MBP 17", PC 100(Nubus Protools) Motu 896, X-Station, Logic9, Reason6, Korg legacy, ACE, Alchemy, Emax II, E-Synth, Evolver MEK, Waldorf Pulse and Blofeld, AS Telemark, AS Leipzig-S

I've got a mate who's got one of those, and he loves it. Mind you he's got a PPG Waveterm too, so he may be mad.

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Gear List: reverse only.