Morpheus
Z-Plane synthesizer module
The E-mu Morpheus was an innovative machine at the time of its release in 1993. The big news was the introduction of its "z-plane" filters, that had the capability of "changing smoothly their function" over time. This translates in superb synth sweeps, sci-fi swoops, alien soundscapes, human voice emulations, and lots more. The Morpheus contains 8MB of 16-bit samples as the starting points for its sounds. There are 197 (!) filters to choose from, and many of these are truly phenomenal. There are three banks of 128
sounds, and an optional data card. The hyperpresets allow
you to stack or split up to 32 sounds in a patch - very
powerful. A bit hidden in the MidiMap there are also 28
effects, including reverb, delay, chorus, phaser and flanger.
Other features include three sets of stereo outputs, user
definable alternate tuning, and extensive MIDI implementation. |
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The star on this machine are undoubtedly the 197 filters. It is possible to get thousands of "sonic colors" from them, and if you have experience with other classic E-mu modules, it is easy to navigate the editing menus, even with a small two-line display. Some of the filters allow you to program vowel-like sounds, and morph vocal formants in real time. There are many variations of comb filters, and even a few that add overdrive/distortion to the sound. This is still a very interesting instrument and if you have the time/inclination for tweaking, you will have a lot of fun editing this synthesizer. Morpheus was the Greek god of dreams, and this module will certainly make you do that with the sounds it's capable of. |
Here below are the Morpheus' on board demo songs:
Patch name with audio demo | My comments |
000 Mph-Z-Synth | Superb motion synth pad, exquisitely auto-panned. First great impression of the Morpheus filters. |
001 Real-PnoVibe | Classy, romantic grand piano. The modulation wheel morphs into vibraphone-like. |
003 Pad-Strings | Nice string ensemble |
006 Ld-Grunge | Dirty solo synth. |
007 Atm-RaveGruv | Excellent, punchy techno drum set, with auto-groove on selected keys. |
008 Voc-Why | Fantastic vox emulation preset! I remember being impressed with this preset at the time the Morpheus came out. Can't beat those E-mu filters ;-) |
010 Mph-KlavKlip | Realistic, useful Clavinet |
012 Mph-AirStrg | Beautiful, breathy string-synth ensemble |
015 Mph-RhyOfLfe | Stupendous, sweet vector-style preset |
038 Cmp-Cookin' | Nice split. Fat, analog sounding lead |
043 Pad-SynthMph | Different. Nice. |
046 Pad-Leslike | Cool Hammond organ patch with Leslie speed controllable via mod wheel. |
051 Bass-FatSawz | Huge synth bass! Perfect for many genres. |
054 Bass-Grindge | Superb bass for electronica! |
060 Gtr-SntaCrz | Realistic, fantastic acoustic guitar |
065 Gtr-Guitarzn | Very good strat with effects |
069 Gtr-Pick It | classic Martin acoustic guitar |
070 Ld-Sync Lead | Mega-modern techno synth lead |
077 Ld-HoohZayr | Different. |
080 Atm-Astralix | Very charming, warm, soft synth pad |
081 Atm-Nova Arp | Shimmering sci-fi synth, very good. |
082 Atm-Mosaic | Another excellent moving synth. |
083 Atm-LunarArp | Take on the classic Pink Floyd sound from "The Dark Side Of The Moon". |
086 Atm-KotoBrth | Very good. |
088 Atm-Movie | Spacious, ominous |
091 Voc-AglHeart | Beauty. Serious beauty. |
095 Voc-OzBoiz | Superb! Techno-Alpine yodelers |
100 Drum-House | Classic house sounds. |
101 Drum-Skritch | Nice combo drums+scratch |
110 Sfx-SonikSyn | Pleasant mayhem! |
111 Sfx-NoiseBnd | North Pole base. |
113 Sfx-S-H | Excellent sample & hold patch. |
114 Sfx-Hemloc | Incredible, out worldly patch, perfect for movie scoring |
120 Tek-Omatika | Cool. |
122 Tek-JavaTea | Another phenomenal out worldly synth-pad/ethnic patch, perfect for movie scoring |
126 Tek-KrazyRom | Nice, very nice :-) |
Patch name with audio demo | My comments |
000 Mph-Morpheus | Superb synth pad. |
002 Cmp-ElecPno | Classic FM piano. |
003 Pad-BallHvys | Nice morphing pad. |
010 Mph-PhatSky | Very digital and glassy. |
015 Mph-SethySax | Accurate sampled sax. |
019 Mph-SynBrass | Characteristic synth brass. |
020 Real-Amb.Pno | A little gem. Classic Brian Eno / Harold Budd style ambient piano. |
022 Real-UpRight | Nice jazz upright bass. |
024 Real-Mute Me | Typical muted trumpet. |
025 Real-StrgBrs | Nice, fluid, moving string pad. |
026 Real-PopBras | Gotta have brass... |
027 Real-Vibes | Superb vibraphone, realistic. |
028 Real-DblBari | Nice - if a bit digital. |
029 Real-Flute | Realistic. |
035 Cmp-HotJazz | Reminds of Chick Corea's tone during his "Electrik" phase. |
038 Cmp-Snowfall | Superb patch, it really conveys images of snow falling. |
042 Pad-Oasis | Classic Roland D-50 style pad. |
043 Pad-EpicMmnt | Definitely and epic moment... |
044 Pad-WrdBeard | Typical Korg M1 style pad with percussion loop and choirs in the background |
049 Pad-FunkShun | Fonky fonk |
051 Bass-Deep | I hope your speakers go low enough so that you can hear this. |
057 Bass-MyPulse | Digital good. |
058 Bass-SawBass | Hyper-percussive bass/bass drum. |
059 Bass-EmuMod | Emu modular? |
069 Gtr-FuzzTone | Okay. |
070 Ld-JuprSynth | Filtered synth (Roland Jupiter?) |
073 Ld-JazzSynth | Very jazzy synth lead. |
075 Ld-JXTouch | Inspired by Roland's JX-series. Responds to velocity well. |
077 Ld-Whofs | Fabulous ethnic patch, different and intriguing |
080 Atm-TwitPink | Great sci-fi synth |
085 Atm-AirFlnge | Classic digital filter sweeps |
087 Atm-FoolsWtr | Excellent ambient synth, useful for many genres! |
089 Atm-AirWaves | Full and jingly. |
100 Drum-NeuJacq | New Jack Swing drum set |
111 Sfx-BeanMach | Weird loops |
120 Tek-LeadMeOn | Nice overdriven lead synthesizer |
121 Tek-Woofer | Typical detuned digital synth |
123 Tek-FX | Very '90s |
124 Tek-Poundage | Woody bass |
Patch name with audio demo | My comments |
000 Hyp-HootTube | Sensational hyper preset with bass, harmonized brass and lead splits. |
003 Hyp-MoodTxtr | Gorgeous setup with fantastic string ensemble and deep bass |
004 Hyp-MostBass | Full analog bass |
011 Hyp-Mill Set | Nice |
017 Hyp-Stringed | Full, dramatic ensemble |
018 Hyp-Trance | Superb setup |
041 Hyp-InDaFunk | Highly resonant |
047 Hyp-BrthySyn | Very '80s and cool! |
049 Hyp-BigMama | Definitely BIG |
057 Hyp-IDentaFi | Another spectacular bass & synth pad split |
059 Hyp-BaddJazz | Very nice 1950s jazz combo |
073 Hyp-Time Pad | Very cool crazy pitch ambient synth |
079 Hyp-Def Ear | Aggressive and cool |
082 Hyp-Vowlngrs | Superb filtered vox pad |
086 Hyp-AsianSmr | Outstanding... just outstanding. Asian Summer... beautiful. |
088 Hyp-Vox Vex | Synth vox vectors |
092 Hyp-InADream | More like in a nightmare... |
096 Hyp-Combiner | Full and gluey synth |
110 Hyp-DrumPile | Nice hip-hop kit |
113 Hyp-Dream'in | Curiously reminds of the "What The" preset on the Roland Alpha Junos/MKS-50 |
115 Hyp-Chaos | Fantastic - well, the Morpheus excels at pads like these. |
Year of release: | 1993 |
Polyphony: | 32 |
Sound generation method: | PCM samples |
Preset memories | three banks of 128 plus data card |
MIDI: | in, out, thru |
Sound expansion capabilities: | data card |
Sequencer | no |
Arpeggiator | no |
Effects | yes |
available at www.emu.com
SITE | Type of resource | DESCRIPTION |
www.emu.com | home page | |
E-mu Morpheus review with sound demo