Emagic ES1
by David Korn
November 29, 2000
Summing it Up
It may have a simplified architecture, but Emagic's ES1 (US $99) is loaded with interesting modulation options. Plus, it can sync its LFOs to sequence tempo and process external signals fed through Logic Audio's mixer -- all with very low latency. At just US $99, it's a no-brainer for Logic Users -- too bad it won't yet work with anything else.
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Despite the unconventional graphic interface, Emagic ES1 is user friendly.
(click for a close-up)
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The ES1 is the first synthesizer from Emagic. For now, it will work only from within Logic Audio or MicroLogic (version 4), but a TDM version (for Pro Tools systems) has been announced. The user interface, called "Editor" view, is colorful but still functional. All the controls are housed in a single window -- polyphony and pitch bend range values are only available in another "Controls" view.
The synthesis engine includes a single oscillator, with triangle, sawtooth, and variable pulse-width waveforms, augmented by white noise and -- in true Roland SH-101 style -- by a sub-oscillator with multiple options. You can also feed any Logic Audio track through the ES1's filters.
The resonating filter offers a choice of four modes: 24dB/octave "classic," 24dB/octave "fat", 18dB/octave, and 12dB/octave. These cover most nuances of filtering, but unfortunately they are all lowpass. The Drive control can take the filter from warm to overdriven and yielded pleasing results. The LFO can sync to the sequence tempo, and there's an option (in Logic Audio Gold/Platinum) to replace the LFO with an external signal (again, an audio track running inside Logic) going through an envelope follower. There's also a single ADSR envelope, augmented by a one-segment (Attack or Decay) "Mod Envelope," which can be used for auto-bend effects, and other twisted delights.
You can assign the LFO or Mod Envelope to pitch, pulse-width, main/sub oscillator mix, filter cutoff, resonance, or volume, and the Mod Envelope may be routed to filter frequency modulation or LFO level. Both modulation sources offer dual settings, one for the amount of fixed modulation, and one for the amount of modulation induced by the mod-wheel (for the LFO) or velocity (for the Mod Envelope).
The ES1 offers up to 16-voice polyphony, and you can run up to eight ES1s at the same time. I've found that the program performs very well in terms of latency, thanks to its integration with Logic Audio. The ES1 may not cure your Minimoog jones, but it's more than adequate for your everyday leads, bleeps, and blurps.
Next Page: Emagic ES1; System Requirements; Sonic Preview....
David Korn ("that French journalist") is a musician, sound designer, and journalist, who specializes on the creative tools offered by computing technology. He's also a vintage synthesizer specialist. His articles have been published in various magazines around the world, such as Keyboards (France), Audiomedia (UK), and Keyboard (Japan). He is based in Paris.
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