Agreed. It's Creative, not the E-mu guys. Ichi now works for UAD on the DSP cards.
Let's hope Creative decides to cast it off and some bright somebody buys all those proprietary rights and starts it up again. That happened to Harley Davison motorcycles.
Anyway, here is the link.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/638901-REG/E_MU_24_56192_Emulator_X3.html
The Creative/ E-mu shop still shows it for $499.00 disconted from $699.00. That is also the price Sweetwater sells it for. I read somewhere from an E-mu guy that if you buy from non-authorized sellers, if you use up your installations on your original disk, E-mu will not replace the disk. This doesn't make sense to me, as I can't see how a CD can keep track, unless it has some little counter in the registry entries ... but we know how to sweep those!
I bought mine on Amazon before I found this price. It came shrink wrapped and new.
Seriously, at this price it is a no-brainer.
Here's a review from Computer Music for the curious.
http://computermusicreviews.blogspot.com/2009/05/e-mu-emulator-x3-350-pc.html
DF
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication with its contents may contain confidential and/or legally privileged information. It is solely for the use of the intended recipient(s). Unauthorized interception, review, use or disclosure is prohibited and may violate applicable laws including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and destroy all copies of the communication.
--- On Sat, 12/4/10, James Ulibarri <jamesulibarri@...> wrote:
> From: James Ulibarri <jamesulibarri@...>
> Subject: Re: [xl7] Midi Junction Box?
> To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 3:46 PM
> Again, another failure from today's
> Emu. If it does all that then
> they should be asking $999 for it. They had no
> problem asking $8500
> for the Emulator in 1984! If you got X3
> for that cheap then you got
> the deal of the century. A year ago I was seeing it
> for $599. All I
> have is X2 and the necessary dongle midi interface that
> came with it.
> Actually, Emu still in business is de-valuing my SP1200,
> EII's, and
> Emax. Once they really and trully go out
> then street prices will go
> up even more. Have you seen the price of an SP1200 on
> Ebay these
> days? They say Dave Rossum is still chief
> engineer at Emu Creative.
> Seriously? Besides the wireless midi thing, what have
> then done since
> the Command Station that has been worth anything?
> They said on their
> Facebook page that they were gonna do an anniversary
> product
> commemorating a legacy product from back in the
> day. It never
> happened. Creative probably doesn't want to throw any
> money in that
> end of the company. Weak sauce.
>
> On Sat, Dec 4, 2010 at 4:25 PM, D F Tweedie <bienpegaito@...>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Whew! Glad I could finally make my point, James.
> >
> > FWIW I just picked up Emulator X3 ... again about
> migrating to 64 bit ... for $184.00 on Amazon. It includes
> the about 30GB of banks including the entire Xtreme Lead
> and Studio Grand, as well as parts of most of the other
> ROMs. If it's end of line, even though E-mu denies it is,
> the price will probably drop some more.
> >
> > The main reason I prefer it to anyother softsampler is
> the way it works with the 3 part navigation tree on the
> left and the good sized window to the right where you work.
> Unlike Kontakt where you are always scrolling or hitting
> buttons to get different views, in Emulator X you simply
> click on the bank, preset with exploding 3 sub parts of
> voices. link or processing, sample in the sample pool
> and .. voila ... immediately your looking at your targeted
> work area.
> >
> > Want to make a layered sample preset? Takes literally
> less than a minute with select the first preset's link
> window, click to add link, go in the drop down box and
> select another preset (or 3 or 4) and then keyboard split/
> fade and velocity fade to taste. All done. Click one button
> to save it as a new preset. C'mon, you can't beat it!
> >
> > DF
> >
> > CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication with its
> contents may contain confidential and/or legally privileged
> information. It is solely for the use of the intended
> recipient(s). Unauthorized interception, review, use or
> disclosure is prohibited and may violate applicable laws
> including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. If you
> are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender
> and destroy all copies of the communication.
> >
> > --- On Sat, 12/4/10, James Ulibarri <jamesulibarri@...>
> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> From: James Ulibarri <jamesulibarri@...>
> >> Subject: Re: [xl7] Midi Junction Box?
> >> To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
> >> Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 2:58 PM
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Ok, I see your point on the Emulator X being a
> real sampler now.
> >> That makes sense. You're using it as a real
> sampler then.
> >>
> >> You don't really need anyone's help here.
> Respect on the RME!
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sat, Dec 4, 2010 at 3:47 PM, D F Tweedie <bienpegaito@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> OK, James, for giggles I'll layout my basic
> setup. Thanks for the Emusonacid ... I'll check it out. But
> I still think you're underestimating Emulator X viz. Sound
> Forge, WaveLab or whatever. Record the sample; Emulator X
> chops it, pitch detects it and places it on the correct
> pitch key and, if you ask nicely, also spreads it up, down
> or up and down to the next sample on the keyboard ... about
> 95% accurately. Maybe need to move the loop end position a
> tad sometimes. I don't get any of that out of my wav
> editors.
> >>>
> >>> I've got Mackie 624 monitors ... my admitted
> weak link ... in an acoustically treated studio, RME
> Multiface II interface with optical in from a Mackie ONYX
> 800 piping my hardware synths. As far as what Kontakt sounds
> like, yes, unaffected it has a warmer tone than Emulator X
> ... but by the time I route through my UAD2 cards in the
> Cubase mixer, either or any softsynth can sound very, very
> different. Throw in some native effects and adjust to
> taste.
> >>>
> >>> I think you are focusing, and I agree it is a
> legitimate point of focus, on the sound produced by the
> hardware or software. I am focused on the variety of sounds
> that can be brought to the project with ease and precision,
> and then the sound produced in the mix. And that's why I am
> not concerned exactly how the sampler 'natively' sounds as
> much as I am in its ease of use and power for creating the
> voice/ instrument I want.
> >>>
> >>> DF
> >>>
> >>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication
> with its contents may contain confidential and/or legally
> privileged information. It is solely for the use of the
> intended recipient(s). Unauthorized interception, review,
> use or disclosure is prohibited and may violate applicable
> laws including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. If
> you are not the intended recipient, please contact the
> sender and destroy all copies of the communication.
> >>>
> >>> --- On Sat, 12/4/10, James Ulibarri <jamesulibarri@...>
> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> From: James Ulibarri <jamesulibarri@...>
> >>>> Subject: Re: [xl7] Midi Junction Box?
> >>>> To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
> >>>> Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 2:29 PM
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> If you found a tool that works for you
> then honestly I'm stoked for you. Don't listen to me or
> anyone else. Do what you gotta do. It's definitely
> powerful and is packed with a ton of bells and whistles. To
> my knowledge there really isn't any power users on this list
> that I am aware of. For whatever reason there seems to be
> a bigger following in the UK and they seem to hang out on
> the Emusonacid forum.
> >>>>
> >>>> Regarding Kontakt not being a sampler.
> What would one be missing by using Sound Forge or Adobe
> Audition to simply record an incoming wave an import it into
> Kontakt? That's not much of a feature there for arguments
> sake in defense of Emulator X.
> >>>> And if you have been with Kontakt ever
> since it's first release... can't you hear the difference
> verses Emulator X? What monitors do you have?
> >>>>
> >>>> As they say if you're gonna run software
> get the most fastest computer you can afford with the most
> ram and the biggest hardrive. So you're doing the right
> thing. :) My bad if I harshed your party.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> On Sat, Dec 4, 2010 at 3:12 PM, D F
> Tweedie <bienpegaito@...>
> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> James ... I think most people would be
> offended when someone makes a categorical statement that
> they are, in the other person's opinion, doing something to
> the neglect of something else on the basis of an assumption
> on the part of the categorizing individual..
> >>>>>
> >>>>> But me, not, too. ... and your apology
> is appreciated.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> However, I wonder if you really read
> my last post regarding manipulation of digital audio in a
> studio context?
> >>>>>
> >>>>> You are overlooking one giant issue:
> Kontakt is not a sampler, Emulator X is. Kontakt can
> manipulate imported samples and play them back ... it cannot
> sample. Having used Kontakt since the original version up to
> Kontakt III, I have a good opinion of it and understand why
> so many 3rd party rompler suppliers use the Kontakt II
> player.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> However, as far as importing samples,
> setting up one shot banks, chopping a vocal for midi, etc.,
> I find the Emulator X to have ... in my view and experience
> ... a much superior interface and workflow to Kontakt with
> all that scrolling around to get anywhere. But, obviously,
> others may see it differently.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> As far as E-mu going out of business
> or having soon to be obsolete products, what does that have
> to do with the price of your Emulator II +? As I'm sure we'd
> agree, if something works for you, doesn't matter what
> happens to the company ... as long as your not in need of an
> 8x8 midi junction box and there are no 64 bit drivers. ;)
> >>>>>
> >>>>> DF
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This
> communication with its contents may contain confidential
> and/or legally privileged information. It is solely for the
> use of the intended recipient(s). Unauthorized interception,
> review, use or disclosure is prohibited and may violate
> applicable laws including the Electronic Communications
> Privacy Act. If you are not the intended recipient, please
> contact the sender and destroy all copies of the
> communication.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> --- On Sat, 12/4/10, James Ulibarri
> <jamesulibarri@...>
> wrote:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> From: James Ulibarri <jamesulibarri@...>
> >>>>>> Subject: Re: [xl7] Midi Junction
> Box?
> >>>>>> To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
> >>>>>> Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010,
> 1:56 PM
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> I am not being arrogant. All I
> am saying is that keep in mind sound, not specs. Your
> Emulator X software with the 64 bit OS crushes the Emulator
> EII+ on paper, but in sonics I think there is a ton to be
> desired. You're using basically a server computer that a
> medium sized call center would use... to make music on?
> Remember you're a musician, not an IT technician. (you may
> be in real life.. I don't know). All that triggered from
> the Command Station? Bottom line, it's overkill.
> Besides, Kontakt sounds better than Emulator X. Ask
> anyone. The filters crack and sound way to digital and
> thin on the Creative software. The code is too thick and
> there is way too much going on there. I'll use it from
> time to time if I need an icey cold patch of samples for an
> ambient track. In fact I prefer the sound of Kontakt 2
> verses the latest version. There is slight hardware sound
> to Kontakt II over Kontakt 4. If you're gonna make music
> for a living and tour the world, and spend the big money, I
> know that guys like Kaskade, Dead Mouse, Luisine, are using
> Fruity Loops Studio, and Ableton. I think most people
> agree that they won't mess with Creative's Emulator X.
> Besides Emu won't even be around in a couple years. They
> released their numbers publicly and they didn't even make
> $200K for the quarter for 4 quarters in a row. Notice
> their products just falling offline more and more. It's a
> dying division for Creative.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Sorry, if I offended you. Have
> you thought about getting Emu Ultra sampler?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> On Sat, Dec 4, 2010 at 2:29 PM, D
> F Tweedie <bienpegaito@...>
> wrote:
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Hunh? Whence this arrogance?
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> I just asked for a
> recommendation and when asked why I was upgrading my OS,
> tried to answer? I'm not trying to waste my time with a
> software vs. hardware flame out.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> You should know digital audio
> is pure. That's why people spend so much time time trying to
> tweak it to recreate that pleasing analog harmonic
> distortion.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> I can make the output of your
> Emulator II + or the Emulator X sound like anything I want.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> If your point is that for live
> performance piped right to an amp of mixing console your
> Emulator II + will sound better than the Emulator X piped
> straight out of a computer, I'd agree with you.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> But if you're trying to say
> that the Emulator II + is superior to the Emulator X for
> sampling, sample editing and preset building, ... once
> proper AD/DA conversion is in place ... I don't think you
> know what your are talking about.
> >>>>>>> I'm glad the Emulator II +
> works well for you. But for studio production work the
> Emulator X works much better for me.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> DF
> >>>>>>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This
> communication with its contents may contain confidential
> and/or legally privileged information. It is solely for the
> use of the intended recipient(s). Unauthorized interception,
> review, use or disclosure is prohibited and may violate
> applicable laws including the Electronic Communications
> Privacy Act. If you are not the intended recipient, please
> contact the sender and destroy all copies of the
> communication.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> --- On Sat, 12/4/10, James
> Ulibarri <jamesulibarri@...>
> wrote:
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> From: James Ulibarri
> <jamesulibarri@...>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [xl7] Midi
> Junction Box?
> >>>>>>>> To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
> >>>>>>>> Date: Saturday, December
> 4, 2010, 12:48 PM
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> You're all caught up in
> specs. It's just numbers on paper. What about the
> sound?
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> There is nothing
> "Emulator" about the Emulator X software. It sounds like
> ass. It's thin and plastic sounding, and the absolute the
> most coldest sounding soft sampler out there. So having
> one of these Dell's with one of these crazy processors and
> gobs of ram doesn't even matter if the application sucks and
> sounds poor and unauthentic.
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> I'll put my 8-bit Emulator
> II+ against any Creative piece of software (Emulator X) in a
> sound test any day. What you'll get is a full analog path
> of the Emulator II verses some software that specs out like
> crazy, but really is one nasty sounding software program.
> I have the software so I know. The old E-MU hardware days
> are gone.
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDxOhnL7pjs
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVpWdxW1K0M&feature=related
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> On Sat, Dec 4, 2010 at
> 1:16 PM, Bruno <brunorc@...>
> wrote:
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> 2010/12/4 Matt <somatt@...>
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> > well, it seems
> that the industry wants us to go all software in the
> future... but if you have the money for a octacore with
> 192gb of ram, then why not buy the full timepiece av?
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> True :-)
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> > On Sat, Dec 4,
> 2010 at 11:41 AM, D F Tweedie <bienpegaito@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> >>>>>>>>> >> Yes ... 64
> bit OS on PC means virtually unlimited access to RAM. Dell
> is selling Windows 7 Octacore Servers with 192 GB of RAM
> installed. Layered samples, anyone?
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> Actually, I keep one
> 1GB/0.9GHz PC with XP - only to do MIDI things. I
> >>>>>>>>> can always use any
> other machine with whatever MIDI interface as a
> >>>>>>>>> slave. But I don't use
> VSTis, only hardware.
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> >> Under XP
> there is a maximum of 4 GB of RAM available to the system,
> about 1.2 of which is normally reserved by Windows
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> False. Only 182 MB
> with Reaper already launched. No eyecandy, no
> >>>>>>>>> fancy-shmancy stuff.
> XP is bloated out of the box, but can be
> >>>>>>>>> optimized to the
> bone.
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> >> Even running
> 32 bit programs under 64 bit is a huge improvement
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> False, unless they
> need to address huge memory areas - I can agree in
> >>>>>>>>> case of VSTi samplers,
> though. And usually they run as separate
> >>>>>>>>> processes anyway, so
> they have ther 4GBs.
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> Not everything a
> company says about their products is true. And the
> >>>>>>>>> example with
> samplers/sound modules just shows the case very well. Our
> >>>>>>>>> new product is better
> mostly because we want to sell it. The truth is,
> >>>>>>>>> that people tend to
> love obsoleted synths, sound modules and
> >>>>>>>>> sequencers mostly
> because they don't crash so often and don't force
> >>>>>>>>> you to throw
> pornographic amount of cash to upgrade. And 90% of this
> >>>>>>>>> whole 64bit hype
> remainds me the new, improved Whizzo butter
> >>>>>>>>> ("containing 10% more
> or less is absolutely indistinguishable from a
> >>>>>>>>> dead crab"). OK,
> enough ranting, let's go to the merit:
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> Just wait with your
> migration to Windows 7 until MOTU ships their new
> >>>>>>>>> Timepiece to the
> sellers :-)
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> Regards, Bruno
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
> xl7-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>Message
Re: [xl7] Midi Junction Box?
2010-12-05 by D F Tweedie