Proteus 2

(Orchestral)

Overview The Proteus 2 was released in 1990 at Summer NAMM in Chicago. It was the first time high quality orchestral samples could be bought in a sub $2000 module. Previously an expensive sampler was needed. The new module contained 32 voiced of multi -timbral samples, coupled to a basic synthesizer sound architecture. The sounds for the Proteus 2 came directly from the EIII library (with a bit of sample rate changing), and include a wide range of strings, brass, wind and orchestral percussion.

The Proteus 2 sound is very distinctive and it has been used on lots of records in the early 1990's. It still remains a cheap means of getting an Orchestra into your music. To save costs the case is plastic rather than metal, and the Darth Vader looks are something you love or hate.

XR The XR model has additional RAM for storing another 192 user presets. E-mu shipped these models with 128 new presets, and duplicated 64 ROM presets in RAM.

Filters & Effects There are none (to expensive to include!), even though the necessary digital filter chip had been implemented in the Emax II - it was too expensive to use in the Proteus.

Configuration The Proteus 2 module implements a basic synthesizer - digitally. There are two "oscillators" called Primary and Secondary Instruments. They each can replay any of the 16-bit sampled waveforms. The waveforms are replayed first via a simple low pass tone control, then a digitally controlled amplifier (DCA) and stereo pan. The amplifier is modified by a dedicated envelope generator.

LCD The Protueus uses a standard green 16 x 2 LCD display, augmented by a MIDI activity LED, and LED's for Master, Edit Menu, Preset, and Home.

Front Panel Controls The Proteus 2 has the standard set of early Proteus controls, which are: Power Switch, Master Menu Select Button, Edit Menu Select Button, Home/Enter Button, Cursor Controls, Data Entry Control, and a rotary Volume Control.

Verdict The Proteus 2 was very good in 1990, and the sounds are still usable today - albeit rather familiar. If you are on a tight budget and need an orchestra buy one. Don't pay more than $200/£200 if you can avoid it. Otherwise you might as well get the Protozoa ROM and a Proteus 2000.

Advantages: Nice orchestral sounds, low price.

Disadvantages : Dated sounds, thin sounding, no filter of FX.

Protozoa ROM If you want the sounds of the Proteus 1, 2 and 3 then check out this ROM for the Proteus 2000. It has all the waveforms from these modules authethically reproduced.