E-Mu MORPHEUS Operation Manual page 12

INTRODUCTION
MORPHEUS Z-PLANE SYNTHESIZER
Morpheus is a completely new type of music synthesizer which repre-
sents a major landmark in the evolution of electronic sound synthesis.
Many electronic instruments involve the technology of sampling,
where sounds are digitally recorded and played back at different
pitches. Sampling has the advantage of highly accurate and realistic
sound. One disadvantage of sampling is that once the sounds are
recorded, it is difficult to change them in any significant way.
Morpheus introduces the Z-Plane filter, which has the ability to
smoothly change its function over time. This ultra-powerful device can
accurately simulate the resonance of musical instruments, the human
voice or create entirely new timbres. The Z-Plane filter is composed of
up to eight complex filters for unprecedented control over subtle
aspects of the sound.
Morpheus contains eight megabytes (internally expandable to 16
megabytes) of the highest quality 16 bit samples as the basis for its
sounds. These sounds can be combined or spliced, modulated and then
shaped through one of 197 Z-Plane filters. Sampled sounds can now be
re-shaped and expressively controlled.
The 16 bit sound samples are arranged into 256 preset locations, 128 of
which are user-programmable. 128 user-programmable Hyperpresets
allow ultra-flexible keyboard mapping of presets. The optional memory
card lets you create an expandable library of your favorite presets and
hyperpresets.
Morpheus features two studio-quality effects processors with 28 differ-
ent effects to choose from. Hyperpresets allow you to have up to 32
different sounds on the keyboard at one time in any desired arrange-
ment. Sounds can be placed side by side or layered with velocity con-
trol. The ability to respond multi-timbrally to all 16 MIDI channels
makes Morpheus ideally suited for multitrack sequencing and compos-
ing using a MIDI sequencer.
Other features include 3 stereo outputs for individually processing
sounds (also configurable as 6 polyphonic submixes with fully pro-
grammable panning), integral sends and returns to allow the addition
of external effects units without the need for a separate mixer, user
definable alternate tuning, and of course, an extensive MIDI
implementation.
Chapter 1: Basic Setup 3