E-mu Samplers Allow Custom, Permanent ROM Sets to be Made

Users can store their own sounds on FLASH based ROM SIMM cards

January 29, 1998 -- E-mu Systems, Inc., announces the availability and support of FLASH ROM technology in their Emulator® 4 series of samplers. This feature allows Emulator 4 family samplers running EOS 3.0 system software to create custom ROM sound banks that are stored permanently inside the sampler for instant access. These ROM sounds can be used simultaneously with the RAM based sounds that are loaded from disk for total integration between RAM and ROM memory.

This feature adds an entirely new dimension to E-mu's line of samplers, blurring the line between RAM based samplers with their "volatile memory" that is erased when power is removed and the "non volatile" ROM based sound modules that have sounds that are permanently stored in silicon. The FLASH ROMs can be programmed again and again as needed and are available in 8MB and 16MB sizes.

"This represents a significant advancement in sampler technology" says Sean Wilhelmsen, E-mu Sampler line Product Manager - "As powerful as samplers are, the fact that the sounds are not stored permanently can be a problem in some applications, especially when you need instant access to sounds. The fact that you can now create and store sound sets permanently in your sampler, yet change them whenever you require brings together the best of both the ROM and RAM based worlds."

Flash memory has been around for several years but it is only recently that the technology has gotten to the point where the storage capacity is reasonable for use with digital audio products such as samplers. Related to th electrically erasable read only memory (ROM), FLASH memory is expected to become a major storage technology in the future as the need for permanent yet re-writable instant access storage becomes more widespread.

"Although the technology is so new and somewhat expensive, the Flash ROM feature in our EOS samplers brings new convenience and power to our samplers, especially for use in live situations on stage or performing in an orchestra pit where there is no time to load in the next bank." explains Bryan Lanser, the Product Planning Manager at E-mu Systems. "For professional musicians and sound designers that need instant access to sounds in applications where time is money, this technology is a huge breakthrough. As for the musician where time is at less of a premium, we expect the prices to come down in the coming years which will allow many more people to take advantage of this unique storage technology." he adds.

The Flash ROM SIMMs are compatible with all EOS based samplers including EIV, e-64, E4X, e-6400, E4XT, E4K, E4KT, and the new E-Synth line of synth/samplers. The Flash parts are available now, and have suggested retail prices of $895 for the 8MB, and $1495 for the 16MB parts.

For more information, visit their web site at www.emu.com.