Virtuoso

128 Voice Virtual Orchestra

Overview The Virtuoso 2000 was launched in spring 2000 as the Orchestral Module in the new Proteus "2000" range. With an unbelievable 128 voices and 64MB of samples, this takes the Proteus 2 apart ! From solo and section strings to brasss, woodwinds and percussion - its all in here! All new samples from the same symphony under ideal recording conditions. The samples took 2 years to create and develop, they were recorded from the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

Expansion The Virtuoso 2000 has 2 ROM slots free for expansion. Each slot can take a 32MB ROM, either a factory sound set or a Flash ROM with sounds created in an Ultra. E-mu Systems have launched eight sound ROMs (at $249 - $395 each).

Filters The Virtuoso 2000 has 50 Z-plane 14-pole digital filters some of which are extracted from the 197 filter types that were created for the Morpheus. Some are rather newer (e.g. TB303!) There are a wide range of filters from traditional analog, to formants and flange/phaser. If you use some of the more complex filters your voice polphony will reduce by a half.

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 Virtuoso 2000 has a dual 24-bit effects set up, with 76 types of basic effects. Very useful, but not a substitute for a dedicated unit.

Diagnostics Mode The Proteus 2000 has a full range of internal diagnostics, but beware they can cause speaker damage and the initialization 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-initialize and ERASE all user data, select Diagnostic 18 and press enter. Kapow!