E-MU Proteus 2500

All already written.
I can add it is good for basic approach of tactile programming.

Great by all standards.
This is real piece of shit. You can work with it like in good old times. Not for imbeciles definitely.

Compared to some of the best boxes it lacks high-end resolution, but in the mix it still sits better than the best softsamplers lal GIGA.
The trick is in many years of experience behing this product.
It is vintage already, but sound via good DI or digital out is stunning.

Yes it is great.

BAAD !

Go and grab one, they are cheap.
I would never part form mine.
It's part of history of rock 'n' roll.

Latest version.
Last EMU hardware sample synth.
It's hardware, so it's intuitive and easy, still like it more than any VST instrument.

Polyphony is great, control is great and effects are OK.
MIDI works flawlessly
Can be partially controlled via USB.
I don't like its analogue out due to converters that are somehow thin. Via SPDIF this thing is monster.

This machine need additional cards added.
World Expedition, Orchestral and Prot Drums are great add-ons than make great synth even better.
Don't expect sound like from Korg or Yamaha. EMU is closer to Kurzweil, little bit grittier and rawer.
In todays ideal GIGA Studios world, this kind of 'vintage' is welcome. It sits in mix way better than many new synths.
If compared to VSTis it might look somehow outdated, but still I can't imagine not to replace it with VSTi.

Yes

Great product from great company.
I compared it with software synths and like this much more.
I use it via SPDIF through good converters and tube DI. such chain is costlier than module itself, but final result is extremely good. If used properly (not via its own analogue outs) it is still one of the best sample synths ever produced

v 2.0.
Yes it takes some time to master it.
It has USB-MIDI implemented control now. But it's not VSTi, so if you are lazy forget it.

128 voices.
Effects.
Extremely expandable (but hard or impossible to find ROMs)
MIDI is fine here.
I never used sequencer.
For hardware synth it's real pussycat.

This box still represent what is the real sound for rock, pop and some other genres. It was never just another, fashion box.
I have it as EMU VSTi, too.
But I dunno why, some flavor of 2500 put it higher in sonic department. Sometimes I prefer analog outs (with their specific artifacts), sometimes hi-fi digital out.
It's punchy and warm, nothing like rolands, korgs, even yamahas.
world ROM is must have.
In time of VSTi musicaian are running out of ideas very fast. Return to roots. 2500 is real way.

German tank

I had contact them only once, they nicely responded and explained how to resolve the issue.

Hot to rate old style samplesynth in time of VSTis.
In terms of rel capabilities to play with box ITS GREAT and USURPASED.
To come to target easily and fast you would neet VSTi.
Still, I would take it again, it's so much funnier.
And it has two sounds 1 from analogue outs (the sound we know and we'll miss soon in these ideal digital times) and sound from digital out (that rivals any VSTi easy).
I love 2500.
Now when you can get it for cheap it's must have.

The Proteus 2500 is the ultimate Proteus; the king of the series and the Command stations, with more knobs, functions etc, than anything else. Sadly it is the last achievement of the line.

Latest OS download, which you have to do a somewhat tedious install with. Mine came with a big fat manual, bought new when it came out so the previous reviewer must not have received it on a resale. All Emu manuals in this series are excellent.

There are enough knobs on this thing to program anything, but a patch editor is always useful. Few are available for the 2500; however you can use a 2000 version for the core sounds. Unfortunately the USB implementation is extremely limited, not fully realized or useable for much.

128 polyphony, decent effects, good filters. Very good expansion capabilities via three expansion slots, which I have fully populated. There are a good number of boards made for it; unfortunately they are no longer available from EMU (apart from a coming limited rerun) and are being sold for exorbitant prices on Ebay these days.
Full midi capabilities.
On board sequencer is excellent; works well as a subsequencer.

As good a Rompler as you'll find.

There are enough alternate sound modules available to provide almost anything you could need.

You can also burn your own ROMS with some Emu samplers, but that is a bit ludicrous if you have a sampler.

Very solid build

Emu aftersupport in sales department is good. However mechanical repairs are handled by an outside firm which has a pretty bad response level.

If you had a bunch of Emu boards you'd want to buy it again. At at time it was worth it; but resale is now obviously lower. EMU has thrown all its eggs into their XSampler cards and programs, which are excellent, so that there is no possible future expansion.
I own near 100 other synths and related equipment; this fills a decent Rompler niche with a useable sequencer.

I put lates OS 2.0, much improved over original 1.2 I had on it. I can use GUI via USB.
Compared to PC software sometimes it might look as not very simple, but indeed, after spending couple of weeks with Proteus 2500 I started to appreciate this big box.
I converted from PC sequencers and VSTi's to hardware recently. I do not thing that any approach is better, it differ, but for me is much nicer to work with harware, I have more emotions and stimulus in work.
It has sequencer, but after PC based sequencer it seems quite funny.

128 voices is very generous even for today's standards. Effects are on par with best in VST, so no problem with that.
My Proteus is expanded with 3 strings ROM cards, so I have very wide selection of sounds for arrangements.

I think that only good way is to use SPDIF digital out direct to computer or digital console. Indeed sound is PERFECT in such way, due to average quality of converters.
I think that reviewers who did not give high rating for sound and expression just used analogue outs. This synth has really huge sound, I like it very much and I think it will be one of sought after synths in 5-10 years.
Sounds are warm and big, EMU did a good job wuth selection of raw wavs. Indeed Proteus is must for studio, especially on today's low price.

After 3 years no problem.

They replied after 5 days with detailed explanation on problem with USB drivers.
Alos, I undestood that EMU will not continue with it for long time. They put all to PC based music. Pitty.

This is modern legend. I think the sound of Proteus is heard so often that it can be in same league with Fender Stratocaster or Vox AC30.
I have many synths, better and more costlier, but will never get rid of this one. I like it.

using os 2.00
I've been using fruity loops for several years and this was my second step into hardware modules (after my EA-1). I read the whole manual (at least once) and got some basic idea of it, but really found it easier to play around and work it out as I went along. The manual is ok-ish but a shame it only comes as a pdf, you expect a real book when spending hundreds. Had it up and working with fruityloops after a couple of hours, no problems.
I was a little worried at first about how flexible the sound modelling would be and wondered if I would have been better off just getting a sampler, but after a good few hours of editing and layering samples I had produced a good few decent sounds of my own which were vastly different from the factory presets. I will be doing my best to make a fruityloops dashboard to make the editing of sounds even easier.
The sequencer appears easy enough though I doubt I will be using it much for a while other than to transfer midi files to from fruity, should i ever pluck up the courage to go live.
The main thing that goes against its ease of use is the amount of features to wade through when turning the dials etc, but compared to many older modules and alternatives, I guess it's a breeze as you don't need a software editor to manipulate the patches beyond recognition.

128 poly is nice.
Built in effects sound good but not sure about the delay, maybe after another few weeks I'll have mastered it and be happy.
nice with the extra 3 slots for expansion I'm sure these will be used when my budget allows.
Seems to be fully midi to me, knobs and dials all assignable and controllable. I can see that the two midi outs feature is nice if you are using the sequencer in the module but can't understand why they didn't stick a midi thru in there.
I'm not a fan of having this maximum of 32 bars per pattern then arranging the patterns to make songs thing. I used to work like that a few years ago, but it seems like a pain in the backside, this was the main reason I bought fruityloops rather than rebirth back in the 90's (what a lucky move given the free upgrades with fruity!).
I like the mixing down tracks function though and will no doubt have to master it someday.
Loads of features to play with still

The presets are pretty cool and mostly realistic.
I had to wonder how the trumpets sounded so good whilst the Sax was so dissapointing (but that's about the only crappy preset). Pianos and strings sound excellent, nice dubby bass sounds. Drum sounds are generally good but leave me wanting to buy a compressor for the kicks ASAP. it is possible to produce some really interesting pads and sweeps.
The demo songs are the pits (yawn) and don't demostrate the modules capabilities well at all. Though the factory presets don't seem to be aimed at dance styles,with a little editing of presets it would suit any style at all.
The reverbs sound great.
sensitivity seems fine.

only had it a couple of weeks so far, so can't really say yet, no problems so far.

Emus support staff give a speedy response to email questions. All seems good to me.

I beleive i would get another one if it were lost.
I've been writing tunes on the pc since 98, I have a phatboy, Korg EA-1, kawai xs-1, and technics kn720,soundcraft diamond 8-2.
I love the amount of control knobs and most of the sounds. I hate PDF manuals, I want something I can hold in my hands without having to keep minimizing my sequencer, or having to print off hundreds of pages.
I wish it had analogue modelling and 1000 bar pattern lengths, and a lot of downloadable patches.
The patches I have edited and combined have been inspiring to my song writing process, despite my initial fears.
Overall I am very happy with it so far and will be buying the proteus x package (on it's merits) to install in my pc as soon as my next pay cheque arrives, and the one after that will probably get a good compressor.
Definitely seems to be worth the money I paid, if I could have afforded it new I would have probably have bought a triton rack instead.

I just got mine used off of e bay it has version 1.31
The pre sets are great. The patch editing is easy. The manual is fat and very well laid out. You can very quickly get the jist of how to operate the Proteus 2500.

128 voice polyphony. Built in effects are good. 24 bit sound.
Proteus can be expanded with three additional simms bringing its presets to a staggering 4,000 plus. Full midi capabilities.
The sequencer is easy to use and powerful. 16 tracks.

The instruments are extremely reralistic, and the sounds are expansive even before you add effects. I like alot of trance, and experimental electronica, gothic and in listening to the Proteus 2500
I can hear presets from 100 of artists peices. My mouth literally
dropped open many times. There's a grand piano on the oem simm. (Proteus), that is outstanding. To be able to tweak these presets leaves limitless possibilities.

I need to upgrade the version software. A minor glitch when first starting the proteus, it should be fixed with the 2.0 update. I ordered the software CD from Emu as soon as it gets here I'll do that.

Great customer service. Prompt, courteous, and friendly staff.
Best service I have gotten from any company.

There's nothing you can not do with this product. The Proteus 2500
sits in the number two position. In this order: Access Virus KB,
Proteus 2500, RME Multiface, Korg Triton, Korg MS2000B, Roland AX7,
and soon I will add the Nord Clavia G2X, which I believe will vie for the number two position!

I am using software version 1.17, tried to update to 2.00, but it wouldn't work. When I called EMU they told me to look at my computer it's not the Proteus. The presets sound great with much depth. The patches are easy to edit, but you can also make your own patches, which is why it's a synth. The manual is all ove the place, only roland makes worse ones.

128 poly, all the effects work well. You can add three more roms, I got the Ultimate B3. The mdi is not bad, but woul have liked two midi in's and two midi outs so you could take advatage of all 32 midi channels. The on board sequenser works great. The bif thing about this synth is the the ability to make your own patch. With over 60 different sound waves, four layers, over 50 + second and twelth order filters, 8 LFO's and 12 envelopes, you can make most any sound. Never mind the 24bit SOUND! even the effects are 24 bit.

Most sounds are very good as is. But with a little tweaking using the synth engine you can make them so real. I the proteus with a roland piano/midi contoller, and with a roland gr 33 guitar sytn. I have made so many guitar patches for my guitars. I find that it resonds well the velocity, but not to aftertouch.

I can't comment only had it 6 months. But I can't upgrade to version 2 of the software. its seems solid although the case metal is kind of flimsy. Keep it in a rack.

These guys are not that helpfull. I mean they try but blame everything on my computer and midi connection.

I depend greatly on this machine for both my guitar sound and keyboards. I have two of them already. They are great but you HAVE to READ the manual to be able to program it. I think the guys who gave it lesss then 9 are either on crack, or just can't read!!! I mean this module can create any sound you can think of. Just try it. I have a roland jv 1080, Yamaha dx 7, jupitor 8, casio cz 5000, profit 5000, korg triton, and roland gr 33 guitar syth. The EMU is the best band for the buck. You can make any sound, but you have to be able to read.

Simplest sequencer out there bar none!

So full of features that most users will never even scratch the surface. Deep.

I will give it a 10 for sound because you can simply add / change ROMS for a wide expanse of EMU's and Esnoniq's best stuff. How could it not be a 10? You cannot judge this machine based on the POP / Composer ROM. That would be unfair, although that ROM is very cool too.

I have not run into any issues whatsoever.

The website kinda sucks. The phone line assistance kinda sucks.. and the fact that you need to hook up to a computer to upgrade also kinda sucks.

This thing kills the MC505 and the RM1x. And I also dig it more than the RS7000 , but only wish it had sampling capabilities. But hey, that's what samplers are for, right? This unit rules as a master sequencer, and will run your whole midi rig without a glitch. Even looks awesome. That's always a plus.

Extremely easy to use. Never even opened the manual and im not a rocket scientist. I think somebody below was just having a very bad day (maybe twice with different names). I love the user friendliness of EMU and the P2500 is no exception!

Wow! Too many to list. It has everything you could want except the key board. :)

The sounds are awesome really. The POP rom is killer with tons of variety and you can tweak it endlessly with EASE.

I had it crash on me a few times but i was overloading with midi commands. Hey what doesnt crash once in a while?

oh boy, this is where emu really sucks bad. they have no idea what customer support is. the people on the phone are basically ignorant and could care less. too bad. but who needs em anyway? i get all my help from yahoo groups....plenty of generous helpful people on the emu groups. forget the company. they will only piss you off. and very good at that too.

Simply the best sound module sequencer i have ever owned and i have tried them all from roland, korg, yamaha. this one is top notch period. PURE POWER in the right hands.