E-mu E4K Keyboard

January 18, 1996 -- E-mu Systems(R), Inc. today announced the introduction of the Emulator(R) 4 Keyboard (E4K), its newest entry into the professional keyboard market at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show. Designed for both studio and stage musicians, the E4K features a flexible and extensive programming synthesis engine, advanced sound design, an ergonomic control panel layout, huge memory capability, an onboard FX processor, SoundSprint(TM) (fast access to presets) and real-time controllers, housed in a 76 note semi-weighted, 6 octave keyboard.

"The Emulator 4 Keyboard brings many new exciting features and concepts to the sampling market. We are confident that with the introduction of the E4K, our technology and commitment to sampling will be enjoyed by many more users," said David Bristow, E-mu Systems Director of MI Marketing. Digital Modular Synthesis (DMS) is the best description of the evolving Emulator Technology and the E4K encourages users to get the best use from this advanced sound engine. Patching control sources to synthesis parameters is at the heart of preset modeling and there is clear evidence of E-mu's early dedication to modular analog, in the clear and flexible features of the E4K's digital patchbay. Four faders and a "Thumby button" allow real-time control of timbre, which is integrated into each preset.

Sounds and SoundSprint

The E4K will be equipped with a 270MB internal hard drive loaded with more than 150 MB of new sounds along with some renowned E-mu(R) classics. SoundSprint is an exciting new feature that allows the user to browse through and play these sounds just as if they were sitting in a "virtual ROM bank," except that this bank is nearly 150 MB wide. Each sound is sculpted with its own samples, many of them generated from the programmer's toolbox bank - a utility set of waves and templates that harnesses the Emulator re-sampling feature. Favorite sounds can be marked with "BookMarks" from anywhere on the internal drive or from over SCSI for instant recall with the touch of the preset keys. SoundSprint itself is a routine that allows the user to quickly pull presets into the memory one at a time while browsing through the internal drive and SCSI chain.

Sequencer and Data Filer

The sequencer in the E4K is capable of reading and playing back Standard MIDI Files (format 0 and 1) direct from a DOS floppy disk, as well as from the internal hard drive. This feature provides an onboard MIDI file utility for storing both studio set up data files, as well as song playback. Music sequences can be stored and loaded as E4K banks or treated as separate objects. The E4K will include numerous sequences for demonstration purposes.

The E4K has 8 outputs which provide flexible control for the studio FX situation. The standard model ships with a high quality 18bit dual stereo FX processor to create reverb and ambient effects directly on the sounds generated in the instrument without any signal degradation. The E4K is furnished with enough effects routines for re-sampling sounds or spicing up standard presets. By using the patchbay and real-time faders, a preset can control the parameters of the FX engine, making the implementation highly expressive and supportive of the performing musician.

The E4K Platform

The Emulator series of digital samplers (EST-32, e64 and EIV) are widely used by professionals in a variety of audio production environments. The excellent audio quality of the Emulator Family of samplers is attributed to 18bit DAC's and internal 24bit precision that maintains a constant yet selectable sampling rate. For professional musicians, the E4K is a powerful stand-alone digital sampling keyboard for both studio and live use. More than just an EIV with a keyboard, the E4K is a sophisticated musical instrument with an on-board sequencer and digital effects, mass storage peripherals, on-board sample editing ideal for performance musicians, audio engineers, sound designers and post-production professionals. The Emulator series of professional digital samplers offers sound quality, functionality and price/performance unparalleled by any other dedicated digital samplers.

E4K Feature Set

The E4K boasts the following standard feature set:

128/64 voice polyphony
Emulator Sampling and Synthesis Technology
Playback (SMF 0,1) Sequencer and Datafiler
Dual Stereo 18bit FX processor for multiple reverb and ambient effects
SoundSprint quick access routine for preset select and play from internal disk over to SCSI
4 x Faders and Thumby Button (real-time control)
270MB Internal Hard Drive pre-loaded with over 150 MB of new sounds
8 x Analog outputs, balanced mains (subs act as aux returns)
2 x Analog sampling inputs
4MB Sound RAM
Expandable to 128MB (2 x 72pin SIMM sockets)
2 x 72pin SoundRom/Flash sockets
S/PDIF digital I/O
1 x SCSI port

Options and Versions

The E4K will ship standard with 4MB of RAM and will be available in 128 voice and 64 voice configurations to meet specific user needs. The 128 voice and 64 voice units otherwise share the same functionality. A plug in option board will easily convert a 64 voice model to a full 128 voice model. The basic architecture of the E4K is open and expandable, making it possible for both software and hardware upgrades and expansions in the future. One EIV-type expansion slot has been included.