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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Projectwoofer

Posted 35 days ago

My first synth ever! Bought this back in 1990s along with an Atari 1040STE to sequence it...I actually have the Proteus 1 plus Orchestral version with twice the memory (8MB) and a grand total of 512 presets! Very nice rompler at the time, it sure sounds a bit outdated nowdays but it's difficult for me to sell it as it also has a sentimental value for me...

Don Taylor

Posted 65 days ago

Hello-the day after Christmas my "dream" Proteus2/XR was delivered. I say dream because back in 1990, when the P1, or maybe this XR, it sounded so great and cost sooo much. Here's my issue---I reinitialized it back to OEM sounds and LOST more than 1/2 of what the previous owner had programed. OK, I know i was DUMB for not backing it up 1st !!
I have an Alesis midi Disk that could transmit sys.ex as well as play miDi Files & lots of other cool stuff way back in the last century. At least it's pd for. PLEASE, PLEASE can someone help me w/ a disk so i can fill in the the more than 1/2 of the 350+patch areas. You'd be makin' this 60+ yr young very happy. All i want to do is HAVE FUN again creating MUSIC. Thank you for taking the time to read me. Happy new Year to all. Jan. 8, 2k10. regards, Don (dont811@bellsouth.net)

Randy

Posted 85 days ago

The Proteus 1 and 2 units are excellent for their age! Most of the sounds still hold up against newer synths.

I have purchased several Proteus 1 & 2 units on eBay for under $50. A couple of them needed repair and I knew it when I got them. You can purchase the entire power supply from http://www.eprelectronics.com/ as well as replacement data control wheels. I have replaced 3 of the data control wheels in 3 different units with parts from this site - all work perfectly. The other alternative is Mouser electronics if you know which part in the power supply went bad - for me it was the main power supply capacitor which I purchased from Mouser and that unit now works fine. The nice thing about these units is that they are easy to work on!

Randy

Posted 202 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 346 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 !

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