The E-MU ESI-4000 64-voice digital sampler is E-MU’s latest professional, low-cost entry into the sampler market. E-MU has a strong reputation for its sampling technology, and the E-Mu ESI-4000 delivers on all fronts: it features professional-grade capabilities, outstanding sound quality, thousands of standard sounds, and impressive options for expansion.
Built around the same popular interface introduced with the original ESI-32, the E-MU ESI-4000 reflects E-MU’s commitment to making high-end technology accessible and easy to use. Most functions are accessible with just one or two button presses, allowing for efficient navigation and fast results without the usual frustration. The E-MU ESI-4000 continues the ESI tradition with its unbeatable combination of powerful features and low cost, offering Emulator-class technology at a breakthrough price.
The E-MU ESI-4000 offers an extensive feature set, including 64-voice polyphony, up to 128 MB of sample RAM, 64 digital 6-pole filters with 19 different types, and a wide array of DSP tools such as time compression and expansion, parametric EQ, and digital tuning. The onboard sampling and editing tools make creating and shaping your own sounds fast and efficient.
These tools include manual and automatic truncation, crossfade looping, cut, copy, paste, normalisation, and automatic loop correlation to make looping simple and accurate. In addition, the E-Mu E-MU ESI-4000 features ten programmable trigger buttons that allow users to launch grooves or samples without a MIDI keyboard, making it a versatile and powerful instrument for music production and sound design. The intuitive user interface is designed to be easy to learn and a pleasure to work with, even during complex projects.
The E-MU ESI-4000 is available in three configurations: Standard, Turbo, and Turbo Zip, offering a solution for every level of use. The Turbo model includes two extra stereo suboutputs, a stereo effects submix, two 24-bit stereo effects processors, and S/PDIF digital I/O for enhanced routing and mixing flexibility. The Turbo’s effects section features over 30 high-quality algorithms, including reverb, delay, chorus, flange, and distortion, with up to four stereo submixes per processor.
These enhancements allow users to process and mix samples in more complex setups. Memory on the E-MU ESI-4000 can be upgraded from the standard 16 MB to 128 MB using industry-standard 72-pin SIMMs, offering over 25 minutes of mono sampling time at a 44.1 kHz sample rate. The Turbo Zip model includes all the Turbo features and replaces the standard 3.5-inch floppy drive with a built-in Iomega Zip drive, providing 100 MB of convenient, removable storage. For those starting with the Standard model, E-MU offers an ESI Turbo Option Kit, making it easy to upgrade to the full Turbo configuration as your needs grow.
Powerful DSP tools included in the ESI-4000:
- Stereo phase-locked time compression/expansion: Alters sample length without affecting pitch.
- Pitch change: Adjusts pitch without changing the duration.
- Sample rate conversion: Extends sampling time by converting the rate after sampling.
- Doppler/pan effect: Provides full control over the stereo image.
- Exciter: Enhances clarity and brightness of samples.
- Parametric EQ: Shapes the tonal balance of your samples.
- Transform multiply: Combines two sounds and emphasises shared frequencies while removing others.
- Cut, copy, paste: Standard tools for precise sample editing.
- Auto truncate: Automatically removes unwanted start and/or end segments after sampling.
- Crossfade looping: Smooths loops by eliminating clicks and pops.
- Audio scrub: Helps locate ideal loop points.
- Auto normalise: Optimises gain for improved signal-to-noise ratio.
- Compressor: Controls dynamics, adding punch and tightness to low-end elements.
Key Features
- 64-voice polyphony: Ideal for thick sequencing and layering.
- Standard SCSI interface: Enables access to thousands of sounds via CD-ROM.
- 16 MB RAM (standard): Expandable to 128 MB using 72-pin SIMMs.
- 64 digital 6-pole filters: Includes 19 different filter types for dynamic sample shaping.
- Over 1000 presets: Supplied on two CD-ROMs accessible via SCSI.
- 4 audio outputs: Expandable to 8, plus stereo effects output and S/PDIF digital I/O with Turbo Option Board (standard on models 6226 and 6227).
- User-friendly interface: Designed for quick navigation with minimal manual consultation.
- Optional dual stereo effects processors: Included as standard on Turbo models, adding depth and character to samples.
- Library compatibility: Supports Akai S-1100/1000, E-MU E-IIIx, ESI-32, and EMAX II sample libraries via SCSI.
- 10 programmable front panel trigger buttons: Allow for sample playback without a MIDI controller.
- Advanced DSP and editing tools: Includes stereo phase-locked time compression/expansion, parametric EQ, digital tuning, manual and auto truncate, crossfade looping, cut, copy, paste, normalisation, and automatic loop point correlation.
