E-MU planet earth

Pretty sure I need one of these. Anybody have any experience with it? Know of anyplace I could find one?

no you don't

It's not about need, isn't it?

The Planet Earth is probably one of the few E-Mu Proteus modules that can still hold its own (along with the Vintage Pro). You can find them on the used market but it may be cheaper to find the World expansion ROM and stick it into a more affordable P2K series module.

Having said that: unless you mate the ROM with a Command Station sequencer (which makes it a thing of beauty), don't bother. But that's kind of expensive even with the currently deflated prices.

The only instruments worth hanging onto in the E-Mu (IMHO) are the percussion samples. They really only come into their own when you can edit them. Which is a PITA on the module. Most modern romplers have enough of the same instruments to make the module moot. Or use your computer, a sequencer and edit your own samples. You'll get a far more powerful instrument for cheaper.

Here's what I'm dealing with. I'm forming a steel drum duo with a buddy of mine, who is a percussionist. We have a sequencer already, as well as a nice keyboard. What we are trying to avoid is lugging the keys around to the gigs.

I need to find a sound module that does decent world instuments, so if we ever want to add backing steel drums for live performances, we could. Also, the additional percussion sounds would be decent as well.

So I guess it doesn't necessarily have to be the planet earth, it just needs to be able to do a wide range of percussion, and a decent electric bass.

Most sound modules I've looked at so far only have 1 steel drum sound. The keyboard we have only does 1 steel drum, but again, we are trying to avoid brining it to shows. If we bring the sequencer, sound module, reverb unit, and a PA, we should be good.

I just need to find a decent sound module.

I'm totally open for suggestions...

What kind of sequencer?

It's a Roland. I don't know the model.

http://www.theavenuesinstruments.com/catalog/item/3623958/3239675.htm

http://www.theavenuesinstruments.com/catalog/item/3652845/3381248.htm

http://www.theavenuesinstruments.com/catalog/item/3828201/3556561.htm

cheers,

Ian

Sounds like a really cool project.

I'd suggest a Roland XV-5080 with the World expansion, and I'd strongly suggest getting out of this trap of looking for a sound module with one or two "sounds" in it that you want and get one decent quality module (like the 5080 + exp) and delve into programming a bit (it's really not as hard as you might think) and come up with a couple dozen great sounding, unique, expressive variations of the onboard preset steel drum patches.

Here's what I'm dealing with. I'm forming a steel drum duo with a buddy of mine, who is a percussionist. We have a sequencer already, as well as a nice keyboard. What we are trying to avoid is lugging the keys around to the gigs.

 

I need to find a sound module that does decent world instuments, so if we ever want to add backing steel drums for live performances, we could. Also, the additional percussion sounds would be decent as well.

 

QUOTE]

 

 

Steel drums? The World has them. They are good. They are not $300.00 for one patch good.

 

Don't get me wrong, I still believe that my MP-7/World card was close to being the drum machine of the gods but still, I can only be so much of an E-Mu fanboy.

 

I suggest borrowing some studio time or a really nice mic on a quiet evening and making your own samples. Do it for every note with every dynamic that you would if you were playing a live set and pull out and edit the samples that you would expect to use in a sequence.

 

Do what everyone here tells the noobs when frustrated: try sequencing on a laptop and see what you like. If you are not comfortable with bringing a computer to a live setting (or only have a desktop) then think about a sequencer/sampler. I'd suggest an MPC 1000/500 since you can record live polyrhythms for playback later.

[quote=angstwulf;35331006

Steel drums? The World has them. They are good. They are not $300.00 for one patch good.

Don't get me wrong, I still believe that my MP-7/World card was close to being the drum machine of the gods but still, I can only be so much of an E-Mu fanboy.

I suggest borrowing some studio time or a really nice mic on a quiet evening and making your own samples. Do it for every note with every dynamic that you would if you were playing a live set and pull out and edit the samples that you would expect to use in a sequence.

Do what everyone here tells the noobs when frustrated: try sequencing on a laptop and see what you like. If you are not comfortable with bringing a computer to a live setting (or only have a desktop) then think about a sequencer/sampler. I'd suggest an MPC 1000/500 since you can record live polyrhythms for playback later.

You make a good point. We definitely do not want to bring a laptop.

The sampling idea is a good one, but we are looking to replicate the different tonalities of the lower pitched pans, like the 6 bass. I'm not saying we will use 6 bass on every backing track, more like maybe on a few songs. I have no way to sample such an instrument. Maybe I'm asking too much even for a world percussion sound module.

I mean, are the different pans even on there?

Maybe the normal synth with expansion is the way to go, but man is that stuff expensive. I saw the proteus world expansion on ebay for $250 or best offer. A proteus 2000 is less than that.

I've spent the last 20 years of my life playing guitar as my hobby, and all this sound module, sequencer, keyboard stuff is very foreign to me. I've never recorded anything, and all my guitar equipment has been bare bones simple my whole life. I don't even use solid state amps!

True, I've been hesitant to embrace the power of modern technology. However, my friend the percussionist has extensive experience with this stuff from working amusement park gigs and carnival cruise lines for a number of years. Since he's been out of the professional scene for a while, he asked me to help him figure out the right stuff that we need to make this project happen. (He really regrets selling his D4 drum unit 5 years ago for 75 bucks, or we would already have backing tracks.)

I thought since the HC guitar forum has been fairly useful to me over the past 7 years or so, I thought I'd come to this forum for some help.

I appreciate all the comments so far, and I look forward to continuing the discussion.

So back to my question - are the different pan available on the world units?

Or, am i dreaming about something that doesn't exist?

Wow. 24 hours ago, I never thought that I would ever google "steel drum six pan audio example".

Short answer: My E-Mu equipment is broken down and boxed up right now but: yes, I believe the World Card will get you in that range. It's entirely subjective, having heard some of the examples of six pan playing, as to whether it will sound authentic enough.

Oh yeah, $250 for a World ROM? A year ago that would have been a huge bargain.

Long answer: sent you a PM.

PM back at you.

I guess I didn't realize that some of this synth stuff is as expensive as it is.

I'm learning this as I go.

The World Rom booklet lists 6 steel drum samples in the instrument sample list: D3, A3, C#4, G4, C#5, E5

I found a quick sample source. Maybe you could put these on a sampler module with a sequencer like an old EMu.

http://www.phunkynutts.com/steeldrum.php

Man, help like that is awesome. Thanks bro.

You're welcome. I'm currently listening to an album Ahmad Jamal did featuring Othello Molineaux on pans. Fabulous sound in the right hands. Good luck with your project.

Othello is a pan ninja.