Price Paid: US $100
Ease of Use: 6
The presets are typical of the E-MU Proteus line of the early 90s. The sounds are sounds are very realistic on their own but surprisingly don't blend together well on a GM sequence. An editor/librarian is a neccessity to edit the patches. This module is packaged with Opcode's EZVision sequencer and Edit One both for a Mac. Manuals are adaquate.
Features: 9
32 Note polyphony. There is CHorus/Reverb or Panning built in. It has no expandability in terms of memory, but you can use the editor/libaraian to upload new sounds to it. The module resets to a default GM mode upon power-up, so any new settings must be uploaded if GM isn't used. This responds to the typical midi parameters for GM.
Expressiveness/Sounds: 7
This module stands out on obscure patches. For instance, the piano sounds OK but the tuba sounds excellent. As a GM module it's not the best available - but it is able to turn into a Proteus I upon dump of the patches from the librarian. It reacts well to playing and it has 4 pro grammable velocity curves.
Reliability: 5
The module is very dependable but is almost useless at a gig unless you lug either a Macintosh or a controller with you. If GM is needed at a gig, this is not the best sounding module. If you want Proteus sounds than this is great provided you lug a Mac with you. This thing is smaller than a 1/2 rack so its pretty portable.
Customer Support: N/A
This module doesn't appear on their web-site and I think it's been discontinued. I've never called the company.
Overall Rating: 10
Yes I would buy it again. It's worth what I paid. It complements the other GM modules in my setup nicely. I compared to GM products by Roland and Korg and bought all of them. For $100 I really can't expect more. It helps me make music. It has a built in Mac/MIDI interface. For $100 I get almost a Protues I and that's worth it.
Submitted by Michael Liu at 04/29/1996 16:13
