Ensoniq EPS/ASR to Emu E4/EOS Translation

You can translate a single Ensoniq Instrument and create a Bank. The Bank will include four Presets; one for each Patch Select setting, named with a numeral after the Instrument name. (Example: MR BRASS becomes MR BRASS 1, MR BRASS 2, MR BRASS 3, MR BRASS 4).

You can also convert an entire Ensoniq directory full of sounds (38 maximum, Ensoniq’s directory limit) into a single EOS Bank. Each Instrument will create 4 Presets, as above. In very rare cases, where the total amount of wavesamples in an Ensoniq directory exceeds 999 samples, Translator will stop translating at that point in the directory.

Each wavesample (copied or original) translates into a voice; Zones are not used UNLESS there are wavesamples within an Ensoniq Layer that have identical voice parameters, in which case Translator includes that wavesample into Zone in the first Voice constructed for that Layer.

A fairly complex algorithm handles the envelopes, where Ensoniq’s are full 5 stage and EOS envelopes are only 4-5 stage; oe of the stages, especially one of the mid-levels, is compromised. EOS envelope times are also dependent on the levels they modify, this is addressed in the translation. There are two Ensoniq filters in series where the EOS only has one - these are handled as well as possible. Effects are not translated yet -that is forthcoming.

Ensoniq samplers have the ability of looping using fractional loop points; that is, using data points between the displayed sample points available to editing. This is accomplished my taking advantage of the internal sample interpolation the Ensoniq accomplishes. Emu’s do not have this feature, so certain loops (perhaps about 15-20%) will either sound out of tune or perhaps have a faint click. We are researching a solution for this; this will be available in a future update.

The Emu can support a Stereo Sample structure - click here for more information.

Ensoniq samplers have the capability for alternative looping modes; Translator compensates for these modes. Also, the EOS defines loop mode (only on and off; that is, forward) in the sample itself and not in the Voice or Multisample structures. The Ensoniq, as other samplers, can access the same sample from different locations and specify different loop modes from there. Translator deals with this by checking if the same sample is treated differently - if it is, it will turn looping on in the sample, and where another location specifies No Loop, Translator will modify the envelope where the sound will go to 0 when the sample hits the Loop End.