E-mu Proteus 2500

Price Paid: US $750

Ease of Use: 7
The Proteus 2500 is the ultimate Proteus; the king of the series and the Command stations, with more knobs, functions etc, than anything else. Sadly it is the last achievement of the line.

Latest OS download, which you have to do a somewhat tedious install with. Mine came with a big fat manual, bought new when it came out so the previous reviewer must not have received it on a resale. All Emu manuals in this series are excellent.

There are enough knobs on this thing to program anything, but a patch editor is always useful. Few are available for the 2500; however you can use a 2000 version for the core sounds. Unfortunately the USB implementation is extremely limited, not fully realized or useable for much.

Features: 10
128 polyphony, decent effects, good filters. Very good expansion capabilities via three expansion slots, which I have fully populated. There are a good number of boards made for it; unfortunately they are no longer available from EMU (apart from a coming limited rerun) and are being sold for exorbitant prices on Ebay these days.
Full midi capabilities.
On board sequencer is excellent; works well as a subsequencer.

As good a Rompler as you'll find.

Expressiveness/Sounds: 9
There are enough alternate sound modules available to provide almost anything you could need.

You can also burn your own ROMS with some Emu samplers, but that is a bit ludicrous if you have a sampler.

Reliability: 10
Very solid build

Customer Support: 5
Emu aftersupport in sales department is good. However mechanical repairs are handled by an outside firm which has a pretty bad response level.

Overall Rating: 8
If you had a bunch of Emu boards you'd want to buy it again. At at time it was worth it; but resale is now obviously lower. EMU has thrown all its eggs into their XSampler cards and programs, which are excellent, so that there is no possible future expansion.
I own near 100 other synths and related equipment; this fills a decent Rompler niche with a useable sequencer.

Submitted by cybermooks at 01/03/2005 14:33

Price Paid: US $900

Ease of Use: 9
I put lates OS 2.0, much improved over original 1.2 I had on it. I can use GUI via USB.
Compared to PC software sometimes it might look as not very simple, but indeed, after spending couple of weeks with Proteus 2500 I started to appreciate this big box.
I converted from PC sequencers and VSTi's to hardware recently. I do not thing that any approach is better, it differ, but for me is much nicer to work with harware, I have more emotions and stimulus in work.
It has sequencer, but after PC based sequencer it seems quite funny.

Features: 10
128 voices is very generous even for today's standards. Effects are on par with best in VST, so no problem with that.
My Proteus is expanded with 3 strings ROM cards, so I have very wide selection of sounds for arrangements.

Expressiveness/Sounds: 10
I think that only good way is to use SPDIF digital out direct to computer or digital console. Indeed sound is PERFECT in such way, due to average quality of converters.
I think that reviewers who did not give high rating for sound and expression just used analogue outs. This synth has really huge sound, I like it very much and I think it will be one of sought after synths in 5-10 years.
Sounds are warm and big, EMU did a good job wuth selection of raw wavs. Indeed Proteus is must for studio, especially on today's low price.

Reliability: N/A
After 3 years no problem.

Customer Support: 8
They replied after 5 days with detailed explanation on problem with USB drivers.
Alos, I undestood that EMU will not continue with it for long time. They put all to PC based music. Pitty.

Overall Rating: 10
This is modern legend. I think the sound of Proteus is heard so often that it can be in same league with Fender Stratocaster or Vox AC30.
I have many synths, better and more costlier, but will never get rid of this one. I like it.

Submitted by Jen Hoyfer at 01/03/2005 05:19

Price Paid: 350 (Łuk) used

Ease of Use: 8
using os 2.00
I've been using fruity loops for several years and this was my second step into hardware modules (after my EA-1). I read the whole manual (at least once) and got some basic idea of it, but really found it easier to play around and work it out as I went along. The manual is ok-ish but a shame it only comes as a pdf, you expect a real book when spending hundreds. Had it up and working with fruityloops after a couple of hours, no problems.
I was a little worried at first about how flexible the sound modelling would be and wondered if I would have been better off just getting a sampler, but after a good few hours of editing and layering samples I had produced a good few decent sounds of my own which were vastly different from the factory presets. I will be doing my best to make a fruityloops dashboard to make the editing of sounds even easier.
The sequencer appears easy enough though I doubt I will be using it much for a while other than to transfer midi files to from fruity, should i ever pluck up the courage to go live.
The main thing that goes against its ease of use is the amount of features to wade through when turning the dials etc, but compared to many older modules and alternatives, I guess it's a breeze as you don't need a software editor to manipulate the patches beyond recognition.

Features: 8
128 poly is nice.
Built in effects sound good but not sure about the delay, maybe after another few weeks I'll have mastered it and be happy.
nice with the extra 3 slots for expansion I'm sure these will be used when my budget allows.
Seems to be fully midi to me, knobs and dials all assignable and controllable. I can see that the two midi outs feature is nice if you are using the sequencer in the module but can't understand why they didn't stick a midi thru in there.
I'm not a fan of having this maximum of 32 bars per pattern then arranging the patterns to make songs thing. I used to work like that a few years ago, but it seems like a pain in the backside, this was the main reason I bought fruityloops rather than rebirth back in the 90's (what a lucky move given the free upgrades with fruity!).
I like the mixing down tracks function though and will no doubt have to master it someday.
Loads of features to play with still

Expressiveness/Sounds: 9
The presets are pretty cool and mostly realistic.
I had to wonder how the trumpets sounded so good whilst the Sax was so dissapointing (but that's about the only crappy preset). Pianos and strings sound excellent, nice dubby bass sounds. Drum sounds are generally good but leave me wanting to buy a compressor for the kicks ASAP. it is possible to produce some really interesting pads and sweeps.
The demo songs are the pits (yawn) and don't demostrate the modules capabilities well at all. Though the factory presets don't seem to be aimed at dance styles,with a little editing of presets it would suit any style at all.
The reverbs sound great.
sensitivity seems fine.

Reliability: N/A
only had it a couple of weeks so far, so can't really say yet, no problems so far.

Customer Support: 10
Emus support staff give a speedy response to email questions. All seems good to me.

Overall Rating: 9
I beleive i would get another one if it were lost.
I've been writing tunes on the pc since 98, I have a phatboy, Korg EA-1, kawai xs-1, and technics kn720,soundcraft diamond 8-2.
I love the amount of control knobs and most of the sounds. I hate PDF manuals, I want something I can hold in my hands without having to keep minimizing my sequencer, or having to print off hundreds of pages.
I wish it had analogue modelling and 1000 bar pattern lengths, and a lot of downloadable patches.
The patches I have edited and combined have been inspiring to my song writing process, despite my initial fears.
Overall I am very happy with it so far and will be buying the proteus x package (on it's merits) to install in my pc as soon as my next pay cheque arrives, and the one after that will probably get a good compressor.
Definitely seems to be worth the money I paid, if I could have afforded it new I would have probably have bought a triton rack instead.

Submitted by Jon W at 01/02/2005 18:45

Price Paid: US $600.00 used

Ease of Use: 9
I just got mine used off of e bay it has version 1.31
The pre sets are great. The patch editing is easy. The manual is fat and very well laid out. You can very quickly get the jist of how to operate the Proteus 2500.

Features: 9
128 voice polyphony. Built in effects are good. 24 bit sound.
Proteus can be expanded with three additional simms bringing its presets to a staggering 4,000 plus. Full midi capabilities.
The sequencer is easy to use and powerful. 16 tracks.

Expressiveness/Sounds: 10
The instruments are extremely reralistic, and the sounds are expansive even before you add effects. I like alot of trance, and experimental electronica, gothic and in listening to the Proteus 2500
I can hear presets from 100 of artists peices. My mouth literally
dropped open many times. There's a grand piano on the oem simm. (Proteus), that is outstanding. To be able to tweak these presets leaves limitless possibilities.

Reliability: 8
I need to upgrade the version software. A minor glitch when first starting the proteus, it should be fixed with the 2.0 update. I ordered the software CD from Emu as soon as it gets here I'll do that.

Customer Support: 10
Great customer service. Prompt, courteous, and friendly staff.
Best service I have gotten from any company.

Overall Rating: 10
There's nothing you can not do with this product. The Proteus 2500
sits in the number two position. In this order: Access Virus KB,
Proteus 2500, RME Multiface, Korg Triton, Korg MS2000B, Roland AX7,
and soon I will add the Nord Clavia G2X, which I believe will vie for the number two position!

Submitted by Soundscapes at 05/14/2004 07:13

Price Paid: 500 (canadian)

Ease of Use: 8
I am using software version 1.17, tried to update to 2.00, but it wouldn't work. When I called EMU they told me to look at my computer it's not the Proteus. The presets sound great with much depth. The patches are easy to edit, but you can also make your own patches, which is why it's a synth. The manual is all ove the place, only roland makes worse ones.

Features: 10
128 poly, all the effects work well. You can add three more roms, I got the Ultimate B3. The mdi is not bad, but woul have liked two midi in's and two midi outs so you could take advatage of all 32 midi channels. The on board sequenser works great. The bif thing about this synth is the the ability to make your own patch. With over 60 different sound waves, four layers, over 50 + second and twelth order filters, 8 LFO's and 12 envelopes, you can make most any sound. Never mind the 24bit SOUND! even the effects are 24 bit.

Expressiveness/Sounds: 8
Most sounds are very good as is. But with a little tweaking using the synth engine you can make them so real. I the proteus with a roland piano/midi contoller, and with a roland gr 33 guitar sytn. I have made so many guitar patches for my guitars. I find that it resonds well the velocity, but not to aftertouch.

Reliability: 8
I can't comment only had it 6 months. But I can't upgrade to version 2 of the software. its seems solid although the case metal is kind of flimsy. Keep it in a rack.

Customer Support: 4
These guys are not that helpfull. I mean they try but blame everything on my computer and midi connection.

Overall Rating: 10
I depend greatly on this machine for both my guitar sound and keyboards. I have two of them already. They are great but you HAVE to READ the manual to be able to program it. I think the guys who gave it lesss then 9 are either on crack, or just can't read!!! I mean this module can create any sound you can think of. Just try it. I have a roland jv 1080, Yamaha dx 7, jupitor 8, casio cz 5000, profit 5000, korg triton, and roland gr 33 guitar syth. The EMU is the best band for the buck. You can make any sound, but you have to be able to read.

Submitted by john l Holmes at 02/21/2004 21:06

Price Paid: US $520.00 used

Ease of Use: 10
Simplest sequencer out there bar none!

Features: 10
So full of features that most users will never even scratch the surface. Deep.

Expressiveness/Sounds: 10
I will give it a 10 for sound because you can simply add / change ROMS for a wide expanse of EMU's and Esnoniq's best stuff. How could it not be a 10? You cannot judge this machine based on the POP / Composer ROM. That would be unfair, although that ROM is very cool too.

Reliability: 10
I have not run into any issues whatsoever.

Customer Support: 6
The website kinda sucks. The phone line assistance kinda sucks.. and the fact that you need to hook up to a computer to upgrade also kinda sucks.

Overall Rating: 10
This thing kills the MC505 and the RM1x. And I also dig it more than the RS7000 , but only wish it had sampling capabilities. But hey, that's what samplers are for, right? This unit rules as a master sequencer, and will run your whole midi rig without a glitch. Even looks awesome. That's always a plus.

Submitted by Rod at 02/08/2004 18:37

Price Paid: US $550 used

Ease of Use: 10
Extremely easy to use. Never even opened the manual and im not a rocket scientist. I think somebody below was just having a very bad day (maybe twice with different names). I love the user friendliness of EMU and the P2500 is no exception!

Features: 10
Wow! Too many to list. It has everything you could want except the key board. :)

Expressiveness/Sounds: 10
The sounds are awesome really. The POP rom is killer with tons of variety and you can tweak it endlessly with EASE.

Reliability: 9
I had it crash on me a few times but i was overloading with midi commands. Hey what doesnt crash once in a while?

Customer Support: 1
oh boy, this is where emu really sucks bad. they have no idea what customer support is. the people on the phone are basically ignorant and could care less. too bad. but who needs em anyway? i get all my help from yahoo groups....plenty of generous helpful people on the emu groups. forget the company. they will only piss you off. and very good at that too.

Overall Rating: 10
Simply the best sound module sequencer i have ever owned and i have tried them all from roland, korg, yamaha. this one is top notch period. PURE POWER in the right hands.

Submitted by Anonymous at 02/06/2004 00:45

Price Paid: N/A

Ease of Use: 8
just to answer Gary's rant about ease of use in "multi" mode, and the lack of a button to get into the multi mode - i've had both a Proteus 2000 and an XL-7 Command Station (brother unit of the Protues 2500) and setting them into the multichannel mode is as simple as going into the MIDI button, scrolling a few screens to the MIDI mode setting, and changing it to "multi". it is by no means rocket science or difficult in any way i can imagine.

reading the manual tells you all of the simple stuff about each function first, then gets progressively more complex as you read each section. multi mode is clearly explained and well indexed. the manual is there to provide information about the functions of the unit - reading it is not a bad idea.

still, most functions on the Command Stations and the Proteus 2500 are one menu deep and having 16 real-time knobs makes tweaking very easy indeed.

Features: 8
128 notes max, less with layering but can take dense passages without choking. no keyboard. responds quickly to MIDI. onboard sequencer is basic but it has a nice pattern mode for drum programming and is extremely deep once you READ THE MANUAL to learn all of the functions. latest operating system greatly enhances the sequencer. effects are decent but routing is a 4-send 2-destination system than requires a bit of thinking to grasp, but then is quite simple to actually use. one can patch sounds out of the effects loop by using the auxiliary audio outs, which also do effects send/return by using TRS breakout cables. nice for folks with limited outboard mixers.

Expressiveness/Sounds: 7
sounds range from boring and flat (quite a few, sadly) to really expressive. oodles - 640 presets and 512 user patches.

Reliability: 7
solid metal. very large for a rack item - 4+ spaces.

Customer Support: N/A
never had to deal with them.

Overall Rating: 8

Submitted by bruddahmax at 01/15/2004 13:32

Price Paid: N/A

Ease of Use: 1
Machine looks very cool !! My main problem has been using this module with my sequencer. I'm not interested in using the sequencer or song mode. i bought the machine because i needed a module. My friend has a 2000, which I really like and it seemed easy enough to use (I'm not very technical). It has a stack more features than the 2000, and my local dealer was selling them really cheap.
The 2000 has a multi button to allow the user to interface it into the studio and run as a slave module,triggered by midi from the computers' sequencer. The 2500 can obviously do this too, but it doesnt have a button to access the function, or a menu, or an option or ANYTHING THAT HAS GOT ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. NO ONE I know can make it work. I've contacted customer support again and again but they just told me to read the manual, which is the most irrelevant document I have ever read (apart from George Bush's election manifesto).
My local dealer couldnt make this function work either, and they supply equipment for Abbey Road !! I've tried chat rooms, you name it.
This has got to be the most frustrating piece of equipment I've ever owned. It's even worse than my old 1970 Skoda.
The only way to get the thing to work as a module with the sequencer was to select sounds on different midi channels and turn the other few hundred off, then when I came to write a new song I'd have to undo everything as I couldnt figure out how to save the performance data. At least if it was made of wood i could get some pleasure from seeing it burn.

Features: N/A
Yeah,we ALL know how great the spec sheet is, but so was Betamax video. Big difference between the paperwork and the real world.Not again.

Expressiveness/Sounds: 2
Some of the sounds are impressive after editing. Out of the box they tend to sound a bit flat and two dimensional. I think you probably need a lot of time and patience with this thing to get what you want from it. To mind though, the better thought out an item is, the more intuitive and "invisible" it becomes without having to hurdle the clumsiness of it. I love the twiddle aspect of the unit, which is great. Shame no one can make it do any thing good.

Reliability: 5
The increment knob grazes on the front panel, and the buttons feel like there going to pop under my fingers. The machine is also very light (as if theres nothing in it and its only that big to accomodate the knobs, in fact it weighs about the same as 1u 2000......or a lollipop stick...The back of the machine looks very cheap, unlike other makes where the case is painted. However, in the few months Ive owned it, its been A1, but I try and use my Akai S5000 instead because its easier to get what I need.

Customer Support: 1
HAHAHAHAHA..Read the manual was all I got from these timewasters. I live in a small sleepy village called London, and the UK wasnt even on the list of countries in there territories list!!
Next time I'll ask santa, because at least I believe in him.

Overall Rating: 1
Great, if you have a Phd or mental illness.

Submitted by Gary Swan at 01/10/2004 12:18

Price Paid: GBP (500) used

Ease of Use: 5
Ive owned the 2500 for about a month, and am more familar with t he Roland JV series of modules. The Proteus has a seemingly easy user interface for all the knob twiddlers, and editing presets is fairly easy, however the sequencer is like using a Yamaha QY unit from the early nineties with its' miniscule display and press, press, press press interface, which is annoying, annoying, annoying..The sounds are acceptable, but there isnt a single sound in my opinion that is strong enough to stand up as lead sound...not one, although with eq, they sound fine in a mix.Versatility isnt the name of the game when it comes to the factory sounds, however the kits are acceptable, but not as good as samples. Using the unit with a sequencer is a nightmare, as the Proteus doent have a "performance" type mode that any Roland unit has, thereby meaning that the Protues has 1/128th flexibly of a ten year old JV 1080 (dont believe me).. read the reviews for that little baby). Build quality compared to a Roland or Korg unit is poor.. The power button is cheap abd nasty and the increment knob grates on the front housing of the unit (which is paper thin). The buttons are cheap and plasticky and the headphone socket has a large nut to hold it in place like something under the bonnet of my car,tacky. There is no option for an additional user memory card although upgrade roms are available, which you will need as the discontinued 2000 model has twice the amount of sounds as standard. All the money goes into the awkward sequencer (but I'd rather use my Mac!) Dont be fooled by the spec sheet or hype. I shouldnt say any of this because it'll ruin my chances of chances of getting rid on Ebay, but fairs fair. If u want a usable, versatile, well made upgradable module, Ive got one word for you.....Roland.

Features: 2
128 voice polyphony, gimmicky on board effects, although it is very easy to edit (but not very good)

Expressiveness/Sounds: 2
A one or two trick pony.boring, where's the clarity gone??

Reliability: 4
I wouldnt gig it but its okay in a mix as long as I have another machine as a lead instrument.

Customer Support: 2
Rubbish. Nobody gave a good solid answer to my questions and the manual is ill thought and largley irrelevant unless you want to use the sequencer, (but...why not use your software???unless your'e brave enough to give it a shot live)

Overall Rating: 1
If I had another one it would be covered in small round circles where ive tried to push it away from myself with a long bargepole.

Submitted by Si at 01/06/2004 19:52