Synth Museum

"Synthesizer preservation via research and education."


The Web SynthArk

Emax HD SE Rack

Emu Emax HD SE Rack

Emax HD SE Rack

Released: 1986

MSRP: ?

Synopsis:

Rack version of the Emax HD SE. Architecture Class: Sampler.

Ebay Description:

The Emu Emax HD SE is a 3U rack, 8 voice, multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 12 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, and MIDI. Samples are recorded at 10-42kHz (512kB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, truncate, multiply, and sample rate/pitch conversion. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD drive or 20MB internal hard drive. Additive synthesis features 24 harmonics (shape can be drawn) in 24 a wave sequence (max) with dedicated time slice pitch and amplitude EGs.

Physical

Form Factor Dimensions Weight Audio Input Audio Output Communication Port Control Input Control Output Switch Input Power
3U rack ? ? sample stereo 8 individual MIDI: IN OUT THRU RS422 clock programmable pedal clock 2x programmable pedal AC

Interface

Compatibility Multitimbral Memory Program Memory External Storage External Programming UI Input UI Output
Emax Emax HD Emax SE Emax HD SE Emax Plus via sequences 100 3.5" DSDD 20MB HD MIDI SysEx menu driven LCD display

Architecture

Multitimbral Polyphony Unison Architecture
16 (via sequencer) 4 (stack) 8 (4 dual voice) no Sample->VCF->VCA

Output

Effects Pan Modulator Volume Modulator Headphone
chorus pressure LFO MIDI-CC-A MIDI-CC-B MIDI-CC1 MIDI-Bend velocity pressure LFO MIDI-CC-A MIDI-CC-B MIDI-CC1 MIDI-Bend velocity yes

Control

Arpeggiator Arpeggiator External Sequencer Sequencer Memory Sequencer External Continuous Program Change
up and/or down, forward, backward, random, harmony clock MIDI pedal 16 track realtime, sync to MIDI or clock input shared sample memory clock MIDI pedal MIDI-CC1 MIDI-Bend MIDI-CC-A MIDI-CC-B MIDI pedal

Keyboard

Key Pressure Chord Memory External Control External Sustain Key Scaling Velocity Curves
channel no MIDI (monophonic mode) MIDI pedal no 14 curves

Sample

Stereo Sample Depth Sample Rate Sample RAM Sample ROM Sample Points Sample Trigger Sample Loop Sample Edit
no 12 bit 10-42kHz 512kB no sample memory limited auto sustain release truncate taper mix reverse splice

Source

Name Signal Class Waveform Octave Range Amplitude Modulator Harmonics Modulator Pitch Modulator Wave Assign Modulator
Primary digital sample memory limited additive (24 harmonics in a 24 wave sequence) - cross-fade: key pressure LFO MIDI-CC-A MIDI-CC-B MIDI-CC1 MIDI-Bend velocity sample-start: velocity pressure MIDI-CC-A MIDI-CC-B LFO MIDI-CC1 MIDI-Bend portamento Midi-Pedal velocity
Secondary digital sample memory limited additive (24 harmonics in a 24 wave sequence) - cross-fade: key pressure LFO MIDI-CC-A MIDI-CC-B MIDI-CC1 MIDI-Bend velocity sample-start: velocity pressure LFO MIDI-CC-A MIDI-CC-B MIDI-CC1 MIDI-Bend portamento Midi-Pedal velocity

Filter

Name Signal Class IC Resonant Shape Frequency Modulator Resonance Modulator Shape Modulator
VCF analog SSM2047 yes low pass pressure key LFO MIDI-CC-A MIDI-CC-B MIDI-CC1 MIDI-Bend velocity velocity no

Envelope

Name Level Rate Loop Polarity Trigger Level Modulator Rate Modulator
VCF-EG sustain attack hold decay release yes no no attack: pressure MIDI-CC-A MIDI-CC-B MIDI-CC1 MIDI-Bend pedal velocity
VCA-EG sustain attack hold decay release no no no attack: pressure MIDI-CC-A MIDI-CC-B MIDI-CC1 MIDI-Bend pedal velocity
TSPitch-EG - 12 no no no no
TSAmp-EG - 12 no no no no

LFO

Name Waveform Delay Polarity Sync Delay Modulator Level Modulator Rate Modulator
LFO triangle? yes no no no pressure MIDI-CC-A MIDI-CC-B MIDI-CC1 MIDI-Bend pedal no
Sampler Models
Emulator EmulatorII EmulatorII Plus EmulatorII HD Emax Emax Rack Emax HD Emax HD Rack
Emax HD SE Emax HD SE Rack Emax SE Emax SE Rack Emax SE Plus Emax SE Plus Rack EmulatorIII EmulatorIII Rack
EmaxII EmaxII Rack EmaxII Turbo EmaxII Turbo Rack EIII XP EIII XP Turbo EIII XS EIII XS Turbo
ESI-32