Morpheus

Z Plane Synthesizer

Overview Morpheus is a 32 voice multi-timbral sample based synthesizer module that contains the first implementation of a really new and powerful digital filter (the Z-plane filter). This exciting filter was designed by Dave Rossum, and it is a version of the H chip developed for the EIIIx/Emax II - which was implemented as a 4-pole analog style digital filter. The Z-plane really does push to the limits of engineering, with special internal software which stops the Z-plane breaking into self oscillation.

The Morpheus was launched in 1993, after Dave Rossum had spent some time on his own in a "skunk works" project on the new H filter chip that runs the new filters.

The God of Dreams E-mu Systems named the Morpheus after the Greek God of Dreams, who has two brothers, Icelus and Phantasus. Dreams were sent out to man when they passed through one of two gates: a gate of horn from which true dreams came; and a gate of ivory, from which false dreams passed through. Morpheus had the ability to assume the form of any and every human being, and his father sent him out into the night to appear as a loved one in mortal dreams.

Internal Expansion The Morpheus has 8 MB of 16-bit 39kHz samples from the Emulator III sound library stored in ROM. The base model with 8 MB of ROM was initially intended to be upgraded to 16 MB, there is a spare 72 pin DIMM socket on the motherboard. However E-mu Systems never produced an expansion ROM, as the Morpheus did not sell well enough to justify the investment - the wave expansion idea led onto the next generation of Proteus modules instead (Proteus 2000). One lone hacker has managed to get the Vintage Keys samples cross wired into the Morpheus, but the Morpheus OS needed some bug fixing to play 2 sound sets.

Filters The Morpheus has 32 Z-plane 14-pole digital filters which can be morphed from one type of filter to another. E-mu Systems have coded up 197 different filters (from flange and fomant to models of real instruments), and stored them in ROM. The usual low pass tone control filter is also present.

Configuration The Morpheus module implements a classic analog synthesizer - digitally. There are two "oscillators" called Primary and Secondary Instruments. They each can replay any of the 242 16-bit sampled waveforms. The waveforms are replayed first via a simple low pass tone control, then via the Z-plane filter, and finally via a digitally controlled amplifier (DCA) and stereo pan.

The DCA is modified by a dedicated AHDSR envelope generator. There are also two independent LFO's, an auxiliary envelope generator (DADHSR), and 2 multi-segment Function Generators which can be patched into the Instruments, Filters or DCA. There is also portamento, and cross fade between the two Instruments. Up to 8 sounds can be layered on each key.

Verdict The Morpheus gained rave reviews due to its breakthrough Z-plane filter creating new sounds, and its improved programming options and the inclusion of FX. Not a module for the feint hearted, but for the serious programmer. Unfortunately the Morpheus was not a commercial success, and the expansion ROM never appeared. E-mu Systems concentrated on new niche modules and bright colours - this marketing worked much better !

Demo Sequence Press and hold the Hyperpreset and Midimap buttons together to play the four song demo.

LCD The Morpheus uses the standard green 16x2 LCD display, augmented by a MIDI activity LED, and LED's for Master, Preset, Midimap, Hyperpreset, Copy and Home.

Front Panel Controls The Morpheus has slightly more controls than a standard Proteues module, however it remains easy to use. The controls are:Power Switch, Master Menu Select Button, Edit Menu Select Button ,Home/Enter Button ,Cursor Controls ,Data Entry Control and Volume Control.

MIDI Morpheus provides powerful tools for controlling the Z-Plane filters, via an enhanced version of the MIDI Patch Modulation System for unmatched real-time control and expressivity. The new HyperPreset mode lets you split, layer and cross-switch between 16 presets at once- for creating sounds so thick you can swim in them.

Waveforms The 242 sampled waveforms are the heart of this module. This is E-mu Systems ROM sound set 7. The samples includes; Pianos, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Orchestral Instruments, Standard and Synthesizer Waveforms. Vintage samples incl. Moog & B3, percussion - acoustic and electronic drums.

Web Resources There are a couple of useful items of PC software for the Morpheus, and a dedicated web site and mailing list.

• Kai'ckul SysEx librarian (defunct website)
• MorpEdit PC Editor (defunct website)
• Morpheus Pole (defunct website)

Computer Software As well as the above freeware, there are a number of other computer MIDI editors that support the Morpheus (MidiQuest, SoundDiver, UniSyn).

Inside The Morpheus packs some five new ASIC chips to deliver the Z-plane filter, as well as a faster Motorola 68020 processor and the standard six 18-bit Analog Devices DAC's (1860's), and a rather fast (25 MIPS) Analog Devices DSP for the effects (ADSP2115).

Diagnostics Power on the Morpheus with both cursor keys held down to access diagnostic mode. There are 16 options, the most useful being 16 which will initiliaze your Morpheus. This complete resets the RAM to the factory defaults, so only use it when the Morheus locks up. Initialize wipes out your custom patches!