The Emu Systems ESI2000 represented the latest evolution in Emu's line of affordable samplers, following the ESI32 and ESI4000 back in 2000. Released as Emu's most budget-friendly sampler, the ESI2000 maintained the powerful specifications of its predecessors while introducing a new color scheme and an impressive bundled sound library. This sampler offered professional-level features and expandability that positioned it as a serious contender in the competitive budget sampler market dozens of years ago.
Design and Build
The ESI2000 breaks from the traditional all-black aesthetic of previous Emu samplers, featuring a distinctive grey and burgundy color scheme. This visual redesign improves the clarity of the control layout while maintaining the familiar physical configuration of its predecessors. The unit is housed in a compact 2U rack-mountable casing that measures less than 24cm in depth, making it an efficient use of studio space.
The front panel features a centrally positioned backlit LCD display with four lines of 20 characters, accompanied by a data-entry wheel, cursor keys, numerical keypad, sample and preset control keys, and a standard floppy disk drive. Like the ESI4000, the ESI2000 offers the option to replace the floppy drive with a Zip drive for improved storage capacity, though unlike its predecessor, there is no option for an internal hard drive.
Connectivity
The rear panel of the ESI2000 provides a comprehensive set of connection options. These include MIDI In, Out, and Thru ports, six unbalanced quarter-inch jack sockets (two for main left/right outputs, two for submix outputs, and two for stereo inputs), and a standard 50-pin SCSI connector. There's also a removable panel that houses the optional Turbo Board, which expands the unit's capabilities with additional outputs and digital connectivity.
Memory and Expandability
While the ESI2000 ships with only 4Mb of RAM as standard, it can be expanded to an impressive 128Mb. This expandability represents a significant advancement for samplers in this price range, allowing users to work with larger sound libraries and more complex instruments. The standard 4Mb configuration provides up to 23.7 seconds of stereo sampling at 44.1kHz, but this can be dramatically increased with memory upgrades.
Operating System and Interface
The ESI2000 retains the familiar operating system of its predecessors, making it immediately accessible to users of previous Emu samplers. The interface is organized into three main operational modes: Master/Global, Sample, and Preset. The Sample mode is divided into Sample Management and Digital Processing modules, while the Preset mode contains Preset Management, Preset Definition, and Dynamic Processing modules.
Navigation through these menus is accomplished using the data wheel or by entering page numbers directly on the numeric keypad, with each page referred to as a "submodule." The system allows for quick access to frequently used functions through numerical shortcuts, and the Enter button's LED flashes to indicate when changes can be confirmed.
One notable user interface feature is the Trigger Mode, which converts the ten alpha-numeric buttons on the front panel into a basic MIDI keyboard. Each button can be assigned specific notes and velocities, allowing users to trigger up to ten notes from the currently selected preset without requiring an external keyboard—a particularly useful feature for live performances.
Sampling Capabilities
Recording samples on the ESI2000 is straightforward, with a stereo bar-graph meter indicating input levels. The unit offers both mono and stereo sampling options, with adjustable input gain and threshold parameters. The threshold function allows for automatic recording when the input signal exceeds a predetermined level. Additional recording features include Auto Truncate (which automatically trims silence from the beginning and end of samples), Auto Normalize, and Auto Placement (which automatically selects the transpositional range for samples).
The ESI2000 supports sampling rates of 22kHz and 44.1kHz, with the optional Turbo Board adding support for 32kHz and 48kHz sampling through the S/PDIF digital inputs.
Sample Editing and Processing
The ESI2000 offers an impressive array of sample editing and processing features. Basic functions include truncating, looping, cut-and-paste editing, and sample reversal. More advanced processing is available through the Digital Tools submodules, which include sample-rate conversion, digital compression, parametric EQ, doppler/pan effects, time compression/expansion, and sample transform/multiply functionality for creating hybrid sounds.
One innovative feature is the ability to use the pitch-bend wheel of a connected MIDI keyboard as a "scrub wheel," allowing users to move through a sample at variable speeds—similar to manipulating a reel of tape. This partially compensates for the unit's lack of a graphic waveform display, which is one of its few limitations compared to higher-end samplers.
Filter and Modulation
The ESI2000 includes a comprehensive filter section with 64 independent filters that can be assigned to individual zones. The unit offers 19 different filter types, including vocal-morphing, parametric, low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass varieties. Each filter provides extensive parameter control, and the intuitive interface makes it easy to apply filters without requiring in-depth technical knowledge.
Additional modulation options include VCA and Auxiliary Envelope controls, which, despite lacking graphic representations, offer effective and easily controllable sound shaping capabilities.
Multitimbral Operation
The ESI2000 defaults to Single performance mode on startup but can be instantly switched to Multi Mode with a single button press. This configures the unit for 16-channel MIDI reception and displays a Proteus-style interface showing MIDI channel, part volume, pan, and preset assignments for each channel. The multitimbral capabilities are enhanced by the extensive filter and modulation options, allowing for detailed control over each part in a complex arrangement.
Sound Quality
The ESI2000 maintains Emu's reputation for excellent sound quality, featuring high-quality A-D/D-A converters that deliver rich low frequencies and clearly defined upper-mid frequencies. The sampler's 64-voice polyphony ensures that complex arrangements can be played without note stealing, even in dense multitimbral setups.
Bundled Sound Library
The ESI2000 comes with an impressive 10-CD-ROM sound library, including:
- ESI32 150Mb Production Sound Set - A double-disc collection of traditional multisamples and dance construction kits
- Formula 4000 Protozoa - Sounds from Emu's Proteus 1, 2, and 3, plus Vintage Keys, Orbit, and Planet Phatt modules
- Emulator Standards - Original sounds from the first Emulator
- More Emulator Standards - Additional classic sounds with an emphasis on orchestral instruments
- Orchestral - Comprehensive orchestral instrument collection
- Sound FX - Collection of ambiences, water sounds, and domestic noises
- World Instruments - Extensive collection of ethnic instruments
- World Percussion Ensemble - Global drum and percussion sounds
- Emu Classics - Vintage keyboard sounds including DX7, Rhodes, and Mellotron samples
- Vintage - Classic organs, synths, guitars, and percussion sets
Only the Production Set and Protozoa discs are included in the box, with the remaining eight discs sent to users after they return their warranty card.
Turbo Board Option
The optional Turbo Board adds several significant enhancements to the ESI2000:
- Three additional stereo outputs (bringing the total to 10 analog outputs)
- S/PDIF digital input and output with 32, 44.1, and 48kHz sampling rates
- Support for both consumer and professional (AES-EBU) digital formats
- Two 24-bit stereo effects processors:
- Processor A for time-based effects (reverbs, multitap delays)
- Processor B for modulation effects (flanging, distortion, chorus, vibrato, symphonic ensemble)
- A dedicated FX output that carries the effects-processed signal
Conclusion
The Emu Systems ESI2000 represents an evolution rather than a revolution in sampling technology, building on the successful foundation of its predecessors while bringing the price point down to unprecedented levels. With its 64-voice polyphony, expandability to 128Mb of RAM, comprehensive filter and modulation options, and extensive bundled sound library, the ESI2000 offered in its time a very good value for its cost.
While the lack of graphic waveform editing and the reliance on an optional board for effects processing are minor drawbacks, they are easily overlooked given the unit's impressive specifications and sound quality. For users seeking a powerful, affordable sampler with professional features, the ESI2000 stands as a compelling option in the budget sampler market.
Technical Specifications
General
- Type: Digital sampler/sample playback module
- Form Factor: 2U rack-mountable
- Dimensions: Less than 24cm depth
- Display: 4 lines x 20 characters backlit LCD
Memory
- Standard RAM: 4MB
- Maximum RAM: Expandable to 128MB
- Sampling Time: 23.7 seconds stereo at 44.1kHz with standard 4MB RAM
Sampling
- Sampling Rates: 22kHz, 44.1kHz (standard) 32kHz, 48kHz (with optional Turbo Board and digital I/O)
- Resolution: 16-bit
- Channels: Mono or stereo
- Input Features: Adjustable input gain, adjustable threshold for auto-recording
- Auto Features: Auto Truncate, Auto Normalize, Auto Placement
Playback
- Polyphony: 64 voices
- Multitimbrality: 16-part
- Performance Modes: Single mode, Multi mode, Trigger mode
Sample Editing
- Basic Functions: Truncate, loop, cut-and-paste, reverse
- Digital Tools: Sample-rate conversion, digital compression, parametric EQ, doppler/pan effects, time compression/expansion, sample transform/multiply
Filters
- Number of Filters: 64 independent filters
- Filter Types: 19 different types including vocal-morphing, parametric, low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass
- Filter Assignment: Zone-specific
Modulation
- Envelopes: VCA and Auxiliary Envelope controls
- LFOs: Available in Dynamic Processing module
Connectivity
Standard
- Audio Outputs: 2 stereo pairs (Main L/R, Submix)
- Audio Inputs: 1 stereo pair (unbalanced 1/4" jacks)
- MIDI: In, Out, Thru
- SCSI: 50-pin connector
With Optional Turbo Board
- Additional Audio Outputs: 3 stereo pairs (bringing total to 10 analog outputs)
- Digital I/O: S/PDIF input and output
- Digital Format Support: Consumer and professional (AES-EBU) formats
Effects (with Turbo Board)
- Processor A: Time-based effects (reverbs, multitap delays)
- Processor B: Modulation effects (flanging, distortion, chorus, vibrato, symphonic ensemble)
- Resolution: 24-bit
Storage
- Standard: 3.5" floppy disk drive
- Optional: Zip drive (replaces floppy drive)
- External: SCSI support for hard drives, MO drives, and CD-ROM units
Included Sound Library
10 CD-ROM sound collection including:
- ESI32 150Mb Production Sound Set (2 discs)
- Formula 4000 Protozoa
- Emulator Standards
- More Emulator Standards
- Orchestral
- Sound FX
- World Instruments
- World Percussion Ensemble
- Emu Classics
- Vintage
User Interface
- Data Entry: Data wheel, cursor keys
- Numeric Entry: 10-key numeric keypad
- Navigation: Submodule system with direct page access
- Special Features: Trigger Mode (converts numeric keypad to 10-note MIDI keyboard)
Operating System
- Main Modes: Master/Global, Sample, Preset
- Sample Mode Modules: Sample Management, Digital Processing
- Preset Mode Modules: Preset Management, Preset Definition, Dynamic Processing
Notable Features
- Pitch-bend Scrub: Allows movement through samples using pitch-bend wheel
- Trigger Mode: Converts front panel buttons to playable triggers
- Filter Section: 64 independent filters with 19 different types
- Memory Expansion: Expandable to 128MB RAM
- Sound Library: Comprehensive 10-CD collection included
Limitations
- No Internal Hard Drive: Unlike the ESI4000, cannot accommodate internal hard drive
- Non-Graphic Editing: No waveform display for sample editing
- Effects: Requires optional Turbo Board for effects processing
