E-mu Emulator X2
The Emulator X2 is the software-only successor to E-mu's Emulator X. It has essentially the same sampling engine, minus the hardware chassis. Sound on Sound (2006, p.179) described it as an all-in-one sampler, synthesizer, and sound module for the PC, able to import Giga, Akai, and REX2 formats. It was a serious tool for the working producer, not a toy.
The X2 ran as a standalone application or as a plug-in (VST, AU, RTAS) on Windows XP or Vista. It had 128-voice polyphony and 16/24-bit sample resolution up to 96kHz. The synthesis engine offered 20 filter types and 49 effects devices, including reverbs, delays, chorus, EQs, and distortion. It shipped with three substantial sound libraries and added a new "Beat Slice" mode for chopping loops. It could also import Akai S1000/S3000 and Roland S700 series formats.
The documentation is confused on one point. Some sources say the package included an E-mu PCIe card, while others describe the X2 as requiring a separate E-mu PCIe interface. Both versions appear to have existed - a bundled edition and a software-only edition - but the record doesn't cleanly reconcile the specifics. Pricing was around £500 - £549 in the UK.
Known specs:
- 128-voice polyphony
- 16/24-bit sample resolution; 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz sample rates
- 20 filter types; 49 effects devices
- VST, AU, RTAS plug-in formats; ReWire support
- Real-time time-stretching, beat slicing, REX file support
- Windows XP/Vista; requires E-mu PCIe audio interface
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