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ESI-32
User Manual
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E-Mu ESI-32 User Manual

WARNING: READ THIS FIRST
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Use in countries other than the U.S.A. may require the use of a different line cord or attachment plug, or both. To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, refer servicing to qualified service personnel. To reduce risk of fire or electric shock do not expose this product to rain or mois­ture.
GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS
DANGER
Improper connection of equipment grounding conductor can result in the risk of electric shock. Check with a qualified electrician or service personnel if you are in doubt as to whether the product is properly grounded. Do not modify the plug provided with this product. If it will not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified technician.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of un-insulated dangerous voltage within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
CAUTION
If the 6200, ESI-32 is rack mounted, a standard 19 inch open frame rack must be used.
USER-MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
1. The ESI-32 should be kept clean and dust free. Periodically wipe the unit with a clean, lint free cloth. Do not use solvents or cleaners.
2. There are no user lubrication or adjustment requirements.
3. Refer all other servicing to qualified service personnel.
INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSONS
WARNING; When using electric products, basic precautions should always be followed, including the following:
1. Read all instructions before using the ESI-32.
2. To reduce the risk of injury, close supervision is necessary when the ESI-32 is used near children.
3. Do not use the ESI-32 near water — for example near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, in a wet basement, on a wet bar, or near or in a swimming pool.
4. The ESI-32 should be situated so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation.
5. The ESI-32 should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, fireplaces, stoves, or ovens.
Contents i
6. The ESI-32 should only be connected to a power supply of the type described in the operating instructions and as marked on the product.
7. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure of the ESI-32 through openings.
8. This ESI-32 may be equipped with a polarized line plug (one blade wider that the other). This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert this plug into the outlet, do not defeat the safety purpose of the plug. Contact an electrician to replace your obsolete outlet.
9. The power supply cord of the ESI-32 should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time.
10. This product, in combination with an amplifier and headphones and speakers, may be capable of producing sound levels that could cause permanent hearing loss. Do not operate for a long period of time at a high volume level or at a level that is uncomfortable. If you experi­ence any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, consult an audiologist.
11. The product should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:
A. The power supply cord has been damaged; or
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the product; or
C. The product has been exposed to rain; or
D. The product has been dropped or the enclosure damaged; or
E. The ESI-32 does not operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance.
12. All servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT REMOVE COVER.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
ii ESI-32 Operation Manual
RADIO and TELEVISION INTERFERENCE
The equipment described in this manual generates and uses radio­frequency energy. If it is not installed and used properly — that is, in strict accordance with our instructions - it may cause interference with radio and television reception.
This equipment has been tested and complies with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of the FCC rules. These rules are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. How­ever, there is no guarantee that the interference will not occur in a particular installation, especially if a “rabbit ear” TV antenna is used.
If the ESI-32 does cause interference to radio or television reception, you can try to correct the interference by using one or more of the following measures:
• Turn the television or radio antenna until the interference stops.
• Move the ESI-32 to one side or the other of the television or radio.
• Move the ESI-32 farther away from the television or radio.
• Plug the ESI-32 into an outlet on a different circuit than the television or radio.
• Consider installing a rooftop antenna with a coaxial lead-in between the antenna and television set.
Contents iii
iv ESI-32 Operation Manual
Contents
1 General Instructions
Introduction ......................................................................................... 3
The ESI-32............................................................................................ 4
Connection Instructions ....................................................................... 6
Connection Diagram ............................................................................. 7
Connecting to an Unformatted Hard Disk ............................................ 9
Sampling Basics .................................................................................. 10
Definitions .......................................................................................... 11
Additional Definitions......................................................................... 15
2 Controls
Master Volume .................................................................................... 21
Data Entry Control ............................................................................. 21
Inc/Dec Buttons .................................................................................. 21
Ten Key Pad ........................................................................................ 21
Escape ................................................................................................ 21
Enter ................................................................................................... 21
Cursor/Page ........................................................................................ 22
Preset Selection ................................................................................... 22
Save Bank ........................................................................................... 23
Load Bank ........................................................................................... 23
Drive Select......................................................................................... 24
Audition ............................................................................................. 24
Trigger Mode ...................................................................................... 24
Multimode .......................................................................................... 25
Transpose............................................................................................ 25
3 Guided Tours
Tour 1: Basics...................................................................................... 29
Tour 2: The Current Sample & Current Zone ..................................... 33
Tour 3: Dynamic Processing................................................................ 35
Tour 4: Realtime Controls ................................................................... 42
Tour 5: Sampling ................................................................................ 45
Tour 6: Digital Processing ................................................................... 47
A Practice Sampling Session ......................................................... 48
Tour 7: Managing the Bank ................................................................. 54
Tour 8: On Your Own ......................................................................... 54
Contents v
The Modules
4 Master/Global
1. Master Tune .................................................................................... 57
2. Rename Bank .................................................................................. 57
3. Erase Bank ......................................................................................58
4. Dynamic Allocation ........................................................................ 58
5. Save as EIII Bank ............................................................................ 59
6. Memory Available ........................................................................... 60
7. Disk Utilities ................................................................................... 60
0. SCSI Setup ......................................................................... 61
1. Mount Drives ..................................................................... 62
2. Rename Disk Bank ............................................................. 62
3. Erase Disk Bank ................................................................. 63
4. Lock Bank & Drive ............................................................ 63
5. Disk Status ......................................................................... 64
6. Format Disk ....................................................................... 65
7. Backup ............................................................................... 67
8. Floppy Save in Version 1.04 ............................................... 69
8. Special ............................................................................................ 70
1. Recalibrate ......................................................................... 71
2. Contrast ............................................................................. 71
3. Headroom .......................................................................... 72
4. Main Output Format .......................................................... 73
5. Software Version ................................................................ 73
6. View Channels ................................................................... 74
7. Trigger Buttons ................................................................... 74
8. RAM Test............................................................................ 75
9. MIDI .............................................................................................. 76
1. MIDI Mix ........................................................................... 77
2. MIDI Globals ..................................................................... 78
Basic Channel ...................................................................... 78
MIDI Mode .......................................................................... 78
Continuous Controller Assignment....................................... 79
3. MIDI Load Bank ................................................................. 81
4. MIDI Volume Pedal ............................................................ 81
5. MIDI Volume/Pan ............................................................... 82
6. Multimode Enable .............................................................. 82
0. Import Options............................................................................... 83
0. Akai Import........................................................................ 83
1. Emax II Import .................................................................. 89
vi ESI-32 Operation Manual
5 Sample Management
0. Select Sample .................................................................................. 95
1. Load Sample ................................................................................... 95
2. Rename Sample .............................................................................. 96
3. Erase Sample .................................................................................. 97
4. Copy Sample .................................................................................. 98
5. Setup .............................................................................................. 99
6. Place Sample ................................................................................. 101
7. Arm Sampling ............................................................................... 102
8. Force Sampling ............................................................................. 102
9. MIDI Sample Dump...................................................................... 103
6 Preset Management
1. Load Preset ................................................................................... 107
2. Rename Preset .............................................................................. 108
3. Erase Preset................................................................................... 109
4. Copy Preset .................................................................................. 109
5. Create Preset ................................................................................. 110
6. Preset Size ..................................................................................... 111
7. Merge Presets ................................................................................ 111
7 Digital Processing
Background ...................................................................................... 115
0. Select Sample ................................................................................ 121
1. Setup ............................................................................................ 121
2. Loop ............................................................................................ 122
3. Truncation .................................................................................... 125
4. Copy Region ................................................................................. 125
5. Cut Region.................................................................................... 127
6. Paste Region ................................................................................. 128
7. Digital Tools I ............................................................................... 131
0. Sample Calculator .............................................................. 131
1. Taper ..................................................................................132
2. Gain Change ...................................................................... 133
3. Reverse Section .................................................................. 135
4. Stereo <-> Mono ................................................................ 135
5. Left <-> Right ..................................................................... 136
6. DC Filter ............................................................................ 136
7. Sample Integrity ................................................................. 137
8. Digital Tools II .............................................................................. 138
0. Sample Rate Convert .......................................................... 139
1. Digital Tuning .................................................................... 140
2. Compressor ........................................................................ 141
3. Parametric Equalizer .......................................................... 145
4. Time Compression ............................................................. 146
Contents vii
5. Pitch Change ...................................................................... 147
6. Transform Multiplication.................................................... 148
7. Doppler/Pan ....................................................................... 149
9. Undo ............................................................................................ 155
8 Preset Definition
0. Realtime Controls ......................................................................... 159
1. Load Zone..................................................................................... 164
2. Edit Assignment............................................................................ 167
3. Erase Zone .................................................................................... 170
4. Copy Zone .................................................................................... 171
5. Crossfade/Switch .......................................................................... 174
6. Velocity Switch/Preset Link ........................................................... 177
8. Pitch Bend Range .......................................................................... 177
9. Portamento/Attack ........................................................................ 178
9 Dynamic Processing
Background ...................................................................................... 181
0. Select Zone ................................................................................... 183
1. Setup ............................................................................................ 184
2. VCA .............................................................................................. 185
3. VCF .............................................................................................. 187
4. LFO .............................................................................................. 189
5. Auxiliary Envelope ....................................................................... 191
6. Velocity To .................................................................................... 192
7. Keyboard Mode ............................................................................ 195
8. Realtime Control Enable ............................................................... 196
9. Output Channels .......................................................................... 197
viii ESI-32 Operation Manual
10 Appendix
Using SCSI........................................................................................ 201
Disk Drive Compatibility Chart ........................................................ 205
Digital Interface ................................................................................ 206
Keyboard Character Chart ................................................................ 207
ESI-32 Menu Map ............................................................................. 208
MIDI Key Numbers .......................................................................... 209
MIDI Implementation Chart ............................................................. 210
Specifications .................................................................................... 211
Error Codes ...................................................................................... 212
Troubleshooting ................................................................................ 214
Warranty ........................................................................................... 218
Index ................................................................................................ 219
1 General Instructions
Introduction ............................. 3
The ESI-32 ............................... 4
Connection Instructions .......... 8
Connection Diagram ................ 7
Connecting to a Hard Disk ...... 9
Sampling Basics ..................... 10
Definitions ............................. 11
Additional Definitions ........... 15
Intro/Basic Setup 1
2 ESI-32 Operation Manual
Introduction
Welcome to the ESI-32 Digital Sampling System. Congratulations are definitely in order! The many functions of the ESI-32 are detailed in this manual by their module. Screen displays and step-by-step instructions are described for all aspects of use and operation. Sidebars are used to highlight important points or to give useful operational tips which might not be readily apparent.
If you are totally unfamiliar with samplers and synthesizers in general, you may need more information than this manual provides. We suggest that you read some of the many books and magazines on the subject of music synthesis. This will help you to get the most out of this extremely powerful instrument.
We encourage you to take a moment now to read the E-mu Systems warranty and to fill out and send in your warranty registration card. By doing so, you are assured of receiving news of all updates and manual revisions.
Intro/Basic Setup 3
I
VOLUME
TRANSPOSE DIGITAL PROCESSINGSAMPLE MANAGEMENT
O
MULTIMODE
PRESET MANAGEMENT DYNAMIC PROCESINGPRESET DEFINITION
MASTER/GLOBAL
PRESET
SAMPLE
MIDI Channel: 01 Volume: | 115 Pan : +01 000 Synth Flute
DRIVE SELECT LOAD SAVE AUDITION TRIGGER MODE
INC/YES
DEC/NO
ENTER
ESCAPE
TRIGGERS
ABC
JKL
TUV
QZ
0
DEF
MNO
WXY
123
GHI
456
PRS
789
MIDI
The ESI-32
The ESI-32 is the latest in the long line of high quality and affordable E-mu sampling products. The ESI-32 features 22.05 kHz and 44.1 kHz sampling rates and 16-bit resolution for CD quality sound. Sampling can be performed in either mono or true stereo. A unique feature of the ESI-32 is that full 16 channel polyphony is maintained when stereo samples are utilized. The user-upgradable memory can be expanded to a maximum of 32 Mbytes using standard SIMM modules (Details and installation are available at your E-mu dealer).
The ESI-32 has full access to the huge library of sounds available from E-mu and other sources. It is fully compatible with the legendary EIII and EIIIX libraries, and can import Emax II and Akai S1000/S1100 banks. In many cases, the ESI-32 can import and convert programs faster than the source unit!
The advanced features of the ESI-32 make sampling easy. Samples can be automatically truncated, normalized and placed on the keyboard as the sample is taken. The ESI-32 contains advanced tools such as Auto Correlation, Loop Compression and Crossfade Looping which allow even the most difficult sounds to be easily looped.
Samples can be digitally spliced and mixed with other samples, and dynamically controlled from the keyboard using velocity and positional crossfading and switching functions. Advanced digital processing features such as Sample Rate Conversion, Compressor, Digital Paramet­ric Equalizer and Digital Tuning allow you to shape raw samples more quickly and with greater precision than computer based systems.
Additional digital processing functions include: Time Compression and Expansion, which shorten or lengthen the time of samples without changing the pitch; and Doppler/Pan, which allows you to move samples forward and backwards in space as well as from side to side.
The ESI-32 contains 32 “analog-sounding” 24 dB/octave lowpass filters with resonance. Modulation sources include three AHDSR envelope generators and a multi-wave LFO per channel, as well as full MIDI modulation control over virtually every parameter.
The ESI-32's unique Trigger Mode allows up to ten different samples to be triggered from the front panel without connecting a keyboard, making it an ideal tool for “house” or “hip-hop” music.
4 ESI-32 Operation Manual
The ESI-32 is 16 part multi-timbral allowing complex sequencing and sound effects creation.
Four polyphonic audio outputs with integral submix returns allow you to separately process certain sounds and return them to the main outputs without using up precious mixer channels.
The ESI-32 can access up to 999 samples per bank arranged in up to 256 presets. The integral 3.5" floppy disk drive provides a convenient means of storing and loading banks. A built-in SCSI interface provides access to high density media such as hard disks, magneto-optical disks or CD ROM.
A digital interface (S/PDIF) is an available option which facilitates the transfer of stereo digital audio between digital recorders, mixers, etc.
In developing the ESI-32, we have retained the logical and easy-to-use interface of the industry-proven EIIIX and enhanced it with our state-of­the-art G-chip and H-chip hardware. The G-chip allows smooth sample transposition over a ten octave range while the H-chips retain the warm character of analog filters.
The ESI-32 is an extremely powerful and reliable, sixth generation instrument. We at E-mu Systems sincerely hope it will help you realize and further your musical dreams.
Intro/Basic Setup 5
Tip:
Inserting a standard mono plug
✱
halfway into either of the sub output jacks allows you to sum into the main outputs without a special cable. This is a handy feature for those times when you run out of mixer channels.
Tip:
The submix outputs use a “plug
✱
sensing” scheme which re-routes the signal to the main outputs if a plug is not inserted.
Connecting to a Mixer
Main Outputs: The ESI-32 has provisions for a variety of output con­nection schemes. The most common hookup will probably be using the main stereo outputs. Output level is -10 dBm (approximately 1-2 volts RMS). Output impedance is 1K ohm.
Submix Outputs/Mix In: In addition to the main stereo outputs, the ESI-32 has an additional pair of submix outputs which can be used when individual processing on specific instruments is desired. Any combination of channels can be programmed to appear at the submix output pair. Any keyboard zone (key range) can also be assigned to the submix pair using the Output Channel function in the Dynamic Process­ing module. MIDI channels can be assigned to the submix pair using the Multimode Mix function in the Master/Global module.
Sub Output
Return (To Main Output)
Tip Ring
To Effect From Effect
SEND/RETURN CABLES
The Submix Outputs are stereo jacks with -10 dBm outputs on the tip of the jack. Output impedance is 1K ohm. The ring of each submix jack is a return input to the main outputs. By using a special cable shown above, specific presets or MIDI channels can be externally processed and then returned to the main mix.
Stereo Headphone Output: The headphone output is located on the left side of the front panel and is capable of driving all types of stereo headphones. The output level is controlled by the master volume control.
Sample Inputs
The two sample input jacks accept any low to high level input (micro­phone to line level). Input impedance is 10K. The gain of the sample input preamplifier is controlled from the setup screen in the Sample Management module. When in the Sample Management module the sample inputs can be monitored from the main outputs or the head­phone jack.
6 ESI-32 Operation Manual
Connection Diagram
To Digital Mixer, DAT, etc.
Digital Effect Device
Digital Input Device
DAT Recorder, etc.
Digital I/O
60 mS
IN OUT
Computer
SCSI Device
SCSI
SCSI
MIDI In
Sampler
MIDI Out
MIDI Controller
(MIDI Keyboard, Sequencer, etc.)
Other
Mic or Line Inputs
MIDI In
MIDI In
Additional
MIDI
Devices
Submix Out/Mix In
Mains
Power Amp
Power
Cord
Mixer
Intro/Basic Setup 7
MIDI Connection
ESI-32 provides a MIDI IN, a MIDI OUT and a MIDI THRU port.
• The MIDI IN port connects to the MIDI OUT port of an external
MIDI controller which could be a keyboard, a sequencer, MIDI drum kit or whatever. Note that the ESI-32 can only respond to information that your controller transmits. If your MIDI keyboard does not have velocity and pressure sensitivity, the ESI-32 will not respond to velocity and pressure.
• MIDI OUT can be connected to another MIDI instrument or
computer. The MIDI OUT jack is used to transmit MIDI sample dump information (transfers sample data).
• MIDI THRU simply re-transmits any information received at the
MIDI IN port. Use cords that have been designed specifically for MIDI. While regular 5 pin DIN cords may work, they are not shielded correctly for MIDI use and may cause ground loops between equipment.
110V / 220V Operation
The ESI-32 may be used in either 110 volt or 220 volt environments at either 50 Hz or 60 Hz. No change of voltage settings is required. The
ESI-32 automatically switches itself for 110 or 220 volt operation.
Digital I/O
The optional digital interface allows the ESI-32 to transfer digital audio back and forth with other digital devices equipped with S/PDIF digital I/O. Keeping the signal in the digital domain is desirable to keep the signal to noise level as high as possible.
The digital input allows you to sample directly from a DAT recorder or other digital device. The digital output reflects the data at the stereo outputs of the ESI-32. See the Sample Management module and Main Output Format (located under Special in the Master/Global menu) for more information.
SCSI
The SCSI connector is a high-speed parallel interface which is used to interface the ESI-32 with internal or external mass storage devices such as hard disks or magneto-optical discs. The SCSI port can also be used to link the ESI-32 with an external computer for extremely fast file transfers. The ESI-32 also supports SMDI (SCSI Musical Data Inter­change protocol) which allows transfer of samples over SCSI.
• If you plan on expanding the memory beyond 2 MB, a mass storage
device is almost a necessity. When dealing with large banks of up to 32 MB, a floppy disk drive simply doesn't cut it even for back-up. A hard disk is an absolute must! Furthermore, the extremely useful “Undo” function will not work without a hard drive attached.
For more information on SCSI installation, see, “Using SCSI” in the Appendix of this manual. Also refer to the manual that accompanies your external SCSI device.
8 ESI-32 Operation Manual
! Caution:
the SCSI cable while power is applied to either the ESI-32 or the SCSI device. Doing so may cause serious damage.
NEVER connect or disconnect
This initial setup section contains step-by-step instructions on how to connect the ESI-32 to a SCSI device.
Connecting the ESI-32 to an External, Unformatted Hard Disk
1. Position the SCSI device and the ESI-32 in a stable location. Hard disk drives are particularly susceptible to shock and vibration. Make sure that you position your hard disk where it won't be bumped or moved while in use.
2. Important: Make sure that all power to the ESI-32 and the SCSI device is turned OFF.
3. Connect the SCSI device to your ESI-32 using a quality SCSI cable. Make sure that the connectors are firmly mated and that the wire “keepers” are locked in place. There are two type of SCSI cables in common use: the 50-pin Centronics type and the 25-pin DB connec­tor type. The ESI-32 uses the Centronics type connector. If your external SCSI device uses the DB connector you can use an adaptor cable to eliminate the mismatch.
4. Set the SCSI ID of your external SCSI device to any number other than 5. (5 is the default ID of the ESI-32). Consult the operation manual of your SCSI device for this procedure.
5. Turn on the external SCSI device.
6. Apply power to the ESI-32. The ESI-32 should power up normally.
Tip:
Use the “Mount Drives” utility
✱
(Master/Global, Disk Utilities, 1) whenever an external SCSI device does not appear in the list of available devices.
7. Make sure your hard disk really is unformatted. Formatting a hard disk erases all the data on it. Press the Load button. If the display reads, “No Valid Drives” the drive isn't formatted. Continue on to step eight.
8. Format the hard disk. Press the Master/Global button, then 7, 6 on the numeric keypad. The display should read, “FORMAT DISK”. Use the data entry control to select your hard disk, then press ENTER. The display asks, “Are You Sure?” Press the Inc/Yes button to con­firm. Formatting takes a few minutes. Time to take a break.
Intro/Basic Setup 9
Sampling
Percussive Voice
1 second
Each vertical line
represents a sample.
Each sample takes
a "snapshot" of the
instantaneous signal level.
Basics
DIGITAL SAMPLING The signal is repeatedly measured at a high rate and the measurements are stored in digital memory. Upon playback, the measurements are converted back into voltages to reconstruct the original waveform.
Throughout this manual we will use the terms and concepts described and defined below. Read through this section carefully, even if you don’t retain it all. You can refer back periodically as you read through the manual until you understand the basics and definitions.
The ESI-32 is conceptually like a tape recorder. However, the recording process is very different since the ESI-32 digitally records into its com­puter memory. Sounds for the ESI-32 can be loaded via removable­media hard disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM using the SCSI interface; or through the S/PDIF Digital interface; or even through the MIDI interface using MIDI Sample Dump.
Computers can accept information only in the form of numbers, so the ESI-32 accepts audio signals coded into binary numbers. Samplers work by examining (sampling) the incoming signal level at a very high rate (44,100 times a second for compact discs), and sequentially recording these different levels in memory. Once stored, these samples may be played back (in the proper sequence, of course) to reconstruct the original signal. For instance, if a two-second sound was being sampled at
44.1 kHz, it would require (2 X 44,100) or 88,200 samples to be recorded. As you might imagine, shorter sounds require fewer samples.
A sound can be manipulated once it has been recorded. Playing back the samples in reverse order from which they were stored plays the sound backwards. Playing back the samples at a faster rate than the rate at which they were stored raises the pitch. Playing back at a slower rate lowers the pitch, much like a tape recorder’s variable speed control.
10 ESI-32 Operation Manual
How the ESI-32 Organizes Sounds
Sure, you’re anxious to start coaxing wonderful sounds from the instru­ment—but the following is a necessary part of learning how to play the ESI-32. It is important to understand how the ESI-32 organizes sounds in order to make best use of the instrument in the shortest possible time. Many terms will be introduced now that show up later in the manual.
You can think of the ESI-32 as resembling a collection of sound-organiz­ing modules, all contained within an the ESI-32 bank. Pathways indicate how information flows within the ESI-32. Let’s take a closer look at what makes up this information, and how it is transferred from one section of the instrument to another. We’ll start with individual samples, then work our way through the system.
Definitions
The Sample
Loading in any sound in mono or stereo creates a sample, the raw material with which the ESI-32 works. The total available sampling time can be divided up any way you like—one long sample, lots of short samples, a few medium samples, or any combination thereof.
The term sample commonly means two different things:
1. A digital recording of a complete sound, or
2. Each snapshot of the sound that makes up the complete sample. Confusing? You bet! In this manual, we’ll assume sample means the complete recorded sound unless indicated otherwise.
You can modify a raw sample in several ways:
• Transposition: A sample can be transposed up or down in pitch to cover a particular range of the keyboard. By doing this, it is not necessary to record a sample for every key.
• Digital Processing: In the ESI-32, Digital Processing might consist of Looping a sample (allowing even short samples to play indefinitely), Truncating (cutting off unneeded parts of a sample, thus saving memory), or any of a number of digital processes that actually change the raw sample data.
• Dynamic Processing: Just as synthesizers include signal processors (filter, voltage-controlled amplifier, envelope generators, LFO, and so on) to modify the sounds produced by the synth’s oscillators, the ESI-32 includes similar modules for modifying the sound of samples or combinations of samples.
The Preset
As mentioned above, a sample can be assigned to a single note on the keyboard, or transposed polyphonically to cover a wider keyboard range. A preset is one entire keyboard setup. The process of assigning, and optionally transposing, samples to specific ranges of the keyboard is called making a preset. Making a preset is a three-step process:
Intro/Basic Setup 11
1. Create the preset and give it a number and name. The bank can hold up to 256 Presets (000-255).
2. Place samples to different keyboard ranges. For example, with five samples you could assign each sample to cover one octave of a five octave keyboard. A sample can be assigned more than once within a given preset, and assigned to more than one preset.
3. Choose from a number of available options that further define the preset. Some examples are: assigning samples to partially or
fully overlap other samples, thus producing doubling effects, or assigning dynamic control to individual samples in a preset. You can modify zone parameters, and set up MIDI and dynamic processing parameters.
The Zone
A particular range of the keyboard is called a zone. This zone can include one or more samples and the zone’s boundaries need not be the same as the boundaries of the samples contained in the zone. Zones free you from having to think about where the actual samples are assigned. You just select a range of keyboard (a zone) and go!
ZONE
= (Keyboard Range)
Any
Range
Entire
Kybd
As an example, suppose you wanted to set the velocity response for the entire keyboard. You would first select the zone range by playing the lowest and highest keys when prompted by the ESI-32. Next you would set the velocity response (in the Dynamic Processing module). Done.
Now, suppose you wanted just the lower half of the keyboard to have increased velocity response. You would simply select a zone for the lower half of the keyboard, then change the velocity settings as desired.
Primary Samples
Secondary Samples
= Copied Zone
Sample 05
Sample 01
Sample 06
Sample 02 Sample 03 Sample 04
Sample 07 Sample 08
12 ESI-32 Operation Manual
Fc
Vel -> Level
Tuning
Pan
THE BANK
(Holds up to 256 Presets)
When you copy a zone, the appropriate samples will be picked up along with the Dynamic Processing parameters.
The Bank
The memory bank contains samples, zones and presets. Everything. Consider the bank as the central storehouse for all of the ESI-32’s data. Although the memory is volatile, meaning that the data disappears when you turn off power, all bank data can be saved permanently to the hard disk drive or other media to keep a record of your work.
Preset 000
All Preset Definition Parameters
All Dynamic Processing Parameters
(One entire keyboard setup)
Sample
Sound
Data
Loop Points
Sample Sample Sample
Sound
Data
Loop Points
Sound
Data
Loop Points
THE BANK All the data loaded into the ESI-32 is called the Bank. Each individual keyboard setup is called a Preset. Individual Samples can be shared among presets.
The Internal Drive
A disk drive is a memory storage device that stores banks of data. The standard ESI-32 has a built-in floppy disk drive which can be used to load and store bank data. However, other types of drives, as described later, can connect to the ESI-32 to provide sound storage.
Sound
Data
Loop Points
Preset 255
All Preset Definition Parameters
All Dynamic Processing Parameters
(One entire keyboard setup)
Sample Sample Sample
Sound
Data
Loop Points
Sound
Data
Loop Points
Sound
Loop Points
Data
Tip:
Use the “Mount Drives” utility
✱
whenever an external SCSI device does not appear in the list of available devices.
• Floppy Disk Drive (Drive 0): The floppy disk drive accommodates
3.5", double-sided, high-density (1.4 MB) floppy disks. The floppy drive on the ESI-32 is used mainly as a convenient way to load and save small sound banks. When a bank size larger than 2 MB is used, (which requires 2 disks) the floppy disk becomes impractical for backing-up sound data.
• 270 MB Syquest Drive: The ESI-32 is also available with an internal 270 MB Syquest removable hard disk in place of the floppy disk drive. Treat the internal Syquest with care, just as you would any other hard disk drive. To use: simply insert a disk into the drive with the label side up and move the lever all the way to the right. To eject the disk: press the rectangular button on the left. When the lever pops out, move it to the left and the disk will be ejected.
Intro/Basic Setup 13
Tip:
The ESI-32 can only load floppy
✱
disks which were created on the ESI-32. It can load hard disk data created on the EIII, EIIIX, Emax II or the Akai S1000/S1100.
Tip:
Use the “Mount Drives” utility
✱
whenever an external SCSI device does not appear in the list of available devices.
External Drives
The ESI-32 has a SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) connector on the rear panel. This interface is commonly used in the computer indus­try, so many devices made to work with computers—particularly mass storage devices—will also work with the ESI-32. Here are some of the types of mass storage devices that can plug into the ESI-32’s SCSI connector.
• Hard Disk Drive: A hard disk provides the advantages of much higher memory capacity and far faster access time. Transferring data to and from the ESI-32 is quite straightforward. However, you cannot remove a hard disk and replace it with another one—the disk is a permanent part of the drive. There are three main cautions involved with hard disks:
1. Hard disks are sensitive to extreme mechanical shocks. If your hard disk falls off a keyboard stand, chances are the hard disk will be damaged.
2. Make sure power is not interrupted when you write data to the hard disk.
3. Hard disks have reached a very high level of reliability. However, they can fail from time to time (as can any part of a computer), so any data should be backed up periodically and regularly on some other medium.
Tip:
Recommended CD-ROM drives
✱
include Sony CDU8003A, CDU-6211-10 and the Toshiba XM-3101BME. Currently none of the NEC drives are compatible with the ESI-32. A good rule of thumb is, “Try Before You Buy”.
• Removable-media Hard Disk Drives: These are similar to normal hard disk drives except that the disk itself can be removed and replaced with another disk. Disk densities can range from 44 Mbytes to over 270 Mbytes per platter. Removable-media hard disk drives allow you to build a sound library of unlimited size and are quite handy for transferring sounds between machines. They're also perfect for backups. The ESI-32 is available with an internal 270 MB Syquest removable hard disk drive.
• CD-ROM Drive: A CD-ROM is a playback-only (data cannot be written to it) mass storage memory device whose capacity is approximately 660 Megabytes. Many high-quality and low cost CD-ROM libraries are available from several companies (E-mu Systems, Inc., Northstar, Sound Ideas, Q-Up Arts). These can be loaded into the bank as easily as you would load from a hard disk.
• Magneto-Optical Drive: Basically a read/writable CD, these high speed, high density storage devices are currently the hottest thing around for storing large amounts of sound data. Typically a magneto-optical drive can hold upwards of 300 Mb per side and the removable cartridges can be used over and over. Disk access time is comparable to a normal hard disk, and is sometimes even faster!
Advantages: High-speed, high-density, reliable, removable. Disadvantage: High cost (although prices are dropping fast).
14 ESI-32 Operation Manual
Additional Definitions
The Primary and Secondary Sample
An ESI-32 key provides for two channels. These contain the primary and secondary samples. For example, the primary sample might be a guitar note and the secondary sample a detuned version of the same guitar note. When played together, you hear chorusing. Also, a preset contains information about how the keyboard dynamics affect the primary and secondary samples. As an example, the primary sample could be that of a drum hit played softly, and the secondary of a drum hit played loudly. Thus, playing the keyboard softly would play the primary sample, and playing the keyboard more forcefully would play the secondary sample.
The Current Preset
When you load a bank, a preset will be ready to play and the display will show the preset number. This is the current preset. If you select another preset, or create a preset, that will become the current preset.
Tip:
If a module is already active and
✱
you are finished with one submodule, you do not need to re-activate the module - just key in the new submodule number.
The Current Sample
When a bank is first loaded, the current sample defaults to Sample 001. Whenever you record, load, or select a sample, it becomes the current sample. You can always hear the current sample by pressing the audition button or entering the Digital Processing module.
Modules
A module controls a particular set of functions in the ESI-32. There are six main modules: Master/Global, Preset Management, Preset Definition, Sample Management, Digital Processing and Dynamic Processing.
• Activating a Module and the Module Identifier: To work with a module, you must first activate it. Press the button associated with the desired module. The display will then show the Module Identifier and invite you to select a submodule.
• Submodule: Each module contains several numbered submodules that set controls for additional functions. There are two ways to select a submodule within the module. You can move the data entry control until the display shows the desired submodule, then press ENTER. As you work with the ESI-32, though, you will start to memorize the submodule numbers and will probably find it faster to simply key in the appropriate submodule number using the numeric keypad. When using the keypad, it is not necessary to press ENTER. Pressing either the module button or the Escape button will return you to the preset selection screen.
Intro/Basic Setup 15
Saving
The bank only retains data for as long as the ESI-32 is plugged in and turned on. Of course, we don’t expect you to leave the thing on all the time, which brings us to the subject of saving data.
Pressing the SAVE button on the Control Panel shuttles all the bank data (samples and presets) to the drive of your choice. A hard disk perma­nently stores data so that even after turning off the ESI-32, the disk will contain a record of your work.
IF YOU DO NOT SAVE A BANK, ALL BANK DATA WILL BE
LOST WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE MACHINE.
Do not wait until the end of a session to save. Save your work periodi­cally in case of power failure or some other unforeseen circumstance that might erase the bank’s memory. Floppy disks and hard disks are not infallible. All hard disk banks should be backed up periodically to another hard disk or other media. Should you improve the preset or sample later, you can always replace the original with the revised ver­sion. And if something goes wrong, the original will still be available to save you the ordeal of starting from scratch. Whenever you have done enough work that you would hate to lose it, back it up!
Since the disk contains a record of the bank data, loading the disk back into the bank transfers all the sample and preset data into the bank. This will replace the existing bank data, if any.
Default
A default setting is what we’ve judged to be a useful initial setting, and remains in effect until you change it. For example, if you create a new preset, portamento will default to 0 seconds (off). Had it defaulted to some higher value, all new presets would have portamento applied.
The Cursor
The cursor is that small flashing line on the display. It sits under the number or letter that will be altered if you enter data. Entering a new value will overwrite the number or letter above the cursor, whereupon the cursor will move on to the next number or letter (if applicable). If the ESI-32 is expecting a two or three-digit number, in most cases you must enter all the required digits even if some of these are zeroes (called leading zeroes). For example, if the ESI-32 is expecting a three-digit number and you want to enter 8, you would enter 008. If it is expecting a single-digit number, entering 8 would be sufficient.
16 ESI-32 Operation Manual
Data Entry Control & Increment/Decrement Buttons
In virtually all instances where the data entry control selects options, the Increment (Inc/Yes) and Decrement (Dec/No) switches duplicate the data entry control. Press Inc/Yes to increase a value, or Dec/No to decrease.
Selecting
When the instructions say to select an option, you can use whatever method is most comfortable for you: the data entry control, the Incre­ment/Decrement buttons, the numeric keypad (if applicable) and, when naming, or selecting pitches, the keyboard keys. Some functions do not implement all these options; you can’t go wrong by trying, though. If a function doesn’t respond to the numeric keypad, for instance, then pressing the keypad will have no effect. Use the data entry control or the Inc/Dec buttons instead.
The Big Re-Cap
• A sample is a raw sound that is loaded into the bank.
• To create a new preset, make sure you have all the samples required for the preset in the bank, number and name a preset, then assign combinations of samples from the bank to specific sections of the keyboard. By specifying one or more of these samples (or portions thereof) as a zone, the zone may then be processed by the ESI-32’s dynamic signal processors.
• After arranging a bank, it can be saved to one or more drives.
• Since loading from a hard disk fills the bank with samples and presets, you can group these samples into new presets, process the samples contained in particular zones, or alter existing presets.
Intro/Basic Setup 17
18 ESI-32 Operation Manual
2 Controls
Master Volume ....................... 21
Data Entry Control ................ 21
Inc/Dec Buttons ..................... 21
Ten Key Pad ........................... 21
Escape .................................... 21
Enter ...................................... 21
Cursor/Page............................ 22
Preset Selection...................... 22
Save Bank ............................... 23
Load Bank .............................. 23
Drive Select ............................ 24
Audition ................................. 24
Trigger Mode .......................... 24
Multimode.............................. 25
Transpose ............................... 25
Controls 19
20 ESI-32 Operation Manual
Master Volume
Data Entry Control
Inc/Dec Buttons
The Master Volume Knob controls the volume of every audio output on the ESI-32 including the submix and headphone outputs. The master volume knob is a digital control. For maximum dynamic range it should be kept near the maximum position.
Using the Data Entry Control is the most common way to change parameter values on the ESI-32. Moving the control changes either the data over the flashing cursor or scrolls through options in the display.
In all ESI-32 menus where the data entry control selects options, the Increment (Inc/Yes) and Decrement (Dec/No) Buttons duplicate the function of the Data Entry Control. The increment/decrement buttons can be used when a finer degree of control is required. They can also be used for selecting Yes or No.
Ten Key Pad
Escape
Enter
The Ten Key Pad is used to enter data in precise amounts. For instance, if you wanted to jump to preset 10, enter 010 on the ten key pad and the new preset number will be instantly selected, eliminating the process of finding the number with the data entry control and then pressing Enter.
The Escape button lets you back out of a module by one menu each time the button is pressed. It can also be used anytime you do not want to execute a particular function (bail out). In the Sample Management module, pressing the Escape button terminates the sampling process.
A flashing Enter LED means that the ESI-32 wants you to do something. Data may need to be entered, or the ESI-32 may be waiting for you to press the Enter button to activate a particular operation. If the Enter LED is lit steadily, pressing Enter is optional. Doing so will exit you from the function and return you to the module identifier. You also have the option of going directly to another function within the module.
Controls 21
Cursor/Page
The Cursor is a small flashing line that appears in the display window under the data that is currently being edited. The Cursor/Page buttons are used to move the cursor around in the display. The buttons are shaped like arrows which point in the direction of movement. In many cases a particular function will have more options than will fit on a single page of the display. In this case the right and left arrow buttons become the page selects, allowing you to move through the various pages of the display.
The Cursor/Page buttons perform the following functions:
1. Moving the cursor. To move the flashing cursor line in a particular direction in order to select a different function, simply press the corresponding cursor key.
2. Selecting the display page. In many submodules, a single screen of the LCD cannot display all the available parameters. Arrows (<- ->) in the display indicate that there are additional screens which may be viewed by pressing the corresponding cursor button.
Tip:
The cursor buttons can be used to
✱
select presets only when the ESI-32 is in Omni or Poly modes.
Preset Selection
3. Selecting presets. When no modules are selected, and the cursor is placed under the preset number, presets may be incremented or decremented by pressing the left and right cursor buttons. This method is useful for live performance - arrange your presets in the desired order, and step through them as needed.
4. Adding or deleting a space when naming. A quick and easy way to add or delete a space when naming samples or presets is to use the left and right cursor keys. The up key adds a space and the down key deletes a space.
5. Selecting zero crossing points when editing samples. When editing samples in the Digital Processing module, the left and right cursor buttons can be used to select points where the waveform crosses the zero axis.
Selecting the Current Preset
With no modules active, the display will show the Current Preset name and number on line 1 of the display. The blinking cursor will appear under the preset number’s first digit. There are five ways to change the current preset:
1. Enter a three-digit number with the keypad. If you enter a num­ber for which there is no preset, the lower display line will show the illegal preset number and say “Empty Preset”. Try again.
22 ESI-32 Operation Manual
2. Move the data entry control or the increment buttons. The top display line will continue to show the current preset, but the lower line will scroll through the available presets as you move the data entry control. When the lower line shows the preset that you want as the current preset, press ENTER.
3. Increment or decrement the Current Preset (as displayed in the top line) with the left and right cursor buttons. This method is useful for live performance—arrange your presets in the desired order, and step through them as needed.
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