Proteus 2000

Expandable Sound Module

Overview The Proteus 2000 was launched in early 1999 as a complete update of the orginal 1989 Proteus concept. In ten years technology had moved on, and E-mu Systems were able to pack four times the voices and memory into the same 1U rack size. The Proteus was re-invented (again) - and not before time as Roland's JV and XV range had been setting the pace for sample & synthesis modules over the last few years. The 2000 was true to the original concept with pop, rock (and now) dance sounds - rather than being an out and out programmers or dance machine dream (go choose the Audity or Extreme Lead).

Expansion The Proteus 2000 has the 32 MB Composer ROM already fitted, this leaves 3 ROM slots free for expansion. Each slot can take a 16 or 32MB ROM, either a factory sound set or a Flash ROM (16 or 32MB) with sounds created in an Emulator Ultra. E-mu Systems have launched eight sound ROMs (at $249 - $295 each):

Filters The Proteus 2000 has Z-plane 14-pole digital filters which can be morphed from one type of filter to another. E-mu Systems have coded up 50 different filters (from the Morpheus which introduced Z-plane filters), and stored them in ROM.

Configuration There are four "oscillators" called Instruments, Layers 1 - 4. They each can replay any of the 16-bit sampled waveforms, which are connected to the Z-plane filter, and then a digitally controlled amplifier(DCA) and stereo pan.

There are 2 envelope generators (one for the filter, and one for the DCA), plus a third assignable envelope generator. There are also two independent LFO's per layer, each with 17 different waveforms and they can sync to MIDI clock. Then there is a full modular patch cord facility to enable control of any of the 64 destinations, with any of the 64 sources.

Effects The Proteus 2000 has the usual dual 24-bit effects set up, with 76 types of basic effects. This is getting a bit long in the tooth now. It is very useful, but not a substitute for a dedicated unit.

Verdict The Proteus 2000 gained very favourable reviews thanks to its good basic sounds, great expanability and long feature list.

Diagnostics Diagnostics Mode The Proteus 2000 has a full range of internal diagnostics, but beware they can cause speaker damage and the initilization routine is one way. To enter diagnostics mode, power on with both cursor keys held down. There are 19 modes, which test out all the various components inside the Proteus 2000. To re-initialilize and ERASE all user data, select Diagnostic 18 and press enter. Kapow !