Vintage Synth Explorer

E-mu • Proteus

Proteus 1 (1989)

The Proteus 1 is an economical one-space rack mount module consisting of your basic rock and pop sounds. It has 4 MB of sounds from the EIII library such as samples of pianos, organs, strings, horns, guitars, basses, drums, Latin percussion, and more all at your fingertips. The Proteus offers professional features such as full 16-part MIDI multitimbrality, 32-voice polyphony, 16-bit ROM samples, six individual polyphonic outputs and extensive editing and modulation capabilities. There is also E-mu's RMidiPatchS that allows direct real-time control of over 40 parameters for keyboard, midi controllers, internal LFOs and envelopes. It has been used by Astral Projection, Pet Shop Boys, Genesis, and Information Society.

Proteus 2 Orchestral (1990)

The Proteus 2 is basically identical to the Proteus 1 except that it has 4 MB of orchestral sounds. A simple 4 MB ROM card of these orchestral sounds is available for the Proteus 1 too. Both the Proteus 1/XR and 2/XR models are enhanced modules with increased sounds and patches featuring up to 8 MB of sounds and well over 300 patches! The standard Proteus 1 and 2 could be upgraded to XR versions as well. It has been used by Vangelis.

Proteus 3 World Instruments (1991)

The Proteus 3 is identical to the previous Proteus models except that it features an ethnic World set of sounds. It's full of 16-bit samples (4 MB expandable to 8 MB) of shofars, flutes, celtic harps, tablas, tamburas, banjos, didjeridoos, bagpipes, etc. As with previous models, the Proteus 3 could be upgraded to an XR version.

Proteus FX (1994)

A Proteus FX module is also available. It features sounds from both the rock pop and orchestral modules. It also adds two digital effects processors with reverb, delay, chorus and more. Surprisingly, the FX surpasses other Proteus models in many ways but it is also the least expensive model! It features 8 MB of sounds standard, and up to 512 patches. But what it doesn't have, is six polyphonic outputs. Just your basic stereo L/R(mono) output.

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

david arivett

Posted 75 days ago

I have a Proteus 2 as well and the power supply is out...it comes on briefly and flashes through the Lcd then goes out. I want to locate a power supply or repair it but don't know how - any suggestions would be most helpful.

I could buy another Proteus 2 but how long will the power supply last on that unit?

Thanks - David Arivett

Randy

Posted 88 days ago

I just purchased a Proteus 2 on eBay for $20 - it had a blown cap in the power supply. After replacing the bad cap I went through the sounds, very impressive for an older piece of gear! I have several synths including a Proteus 2000, Roland JV-2080 & Yamaha Motif and this unit can hold it's own against any of them for orchestral sounds! Some very realistic strings, horns and woodwinds. There are also a few other types of pads and effects type sounds that are pretty cool too. I'm not crazy about the drums, but being a drummer I'll always lean toward the 'real' thing for drums. All in all a very nice synth, and the price was right!

MartinL

Posted 233 days ago

I play this sampler for orchestra sounds designs
But my proteus is old sampler .
Now my proteus 1 is out ! But this is a good sampler EMU ! SINCE 1989...
Sorry for my bad english ! bye !

Luca

Posted 277 days ago

The Proteus FX is a very good sound module for some acoustic sounds. In my opinion, piano sound is quite weak in the middle notes. Nice orchestral, analog synth and hammond sounds. Drums sounds are not so realistic. About effect's unit, it's quite noisy and not so useful as other modules where each sound has got its effect' settings.

Oneki Kai

Posted 288 days ago

Since the MP3 has not been updated:

http://synthmania.com/E-mu%20Pro teus-1/Audio/Demo%20Sequence.mp3

That 9;s what a Proteus 1 sounds like.

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