XL-1 Xtreme
Lead 1
64 Voice BPM Synthesizer module
The XL-1, or "Xtreme Lead" is a powerful and supremely techno module, and a descendent of E-mu's earlier golden beauties, the Orbit 1, 2 and 3. This rack synthesizer features this time excellent on-board effects (which were missing in the Orbit). Clearly the objective of this module, like with the Orbit series, is the provide the user with a plethora of sounds for genres like techno, house, rave, trance, drum 'n' bass, ambient, idm and electronica in general. It succeeds to a high degree: the sounds are absolutely slamming, modern, and extremely powerful. E-mu's powerful filters shine particularly with instruments like these, catered to electronic sytles: huge synth basses, evolving analog strings, hyper-techno lines, ear-piercing acid bleeps, warm pads, hypnotic arpeggios, and of course super-compressed drum kits! There really is almost everything you need to produce any of these genres.
A particular word of praise I'd like to direct to this module, is the different way it sounds, being en E-mu: whereas previous models (such as the Proteus line, or even the Orbit/Planet Phatt/Carnaval) always sounded a bit cold and digital to me, this one, while maintaining the basic digital character of its ancestors, has a different, warmer sound as a whole: maybe the FX helps out in this regard? Anyway, this is a very useful module to have if you are interested in any electronic genre.
The three on-board demo songs:
The factory presets:
(Stream all audio demos below)
Preset name | MP3 demos | My Comments |
User Bank 0, XLEAD Bank 0 | ||
0. syn:ORiON | A very nice opening, with a lot of useful techno sounds. Basic Saw is very warm and solid, X-light's filtering is excellent, Wet is the perfect Trance lead, SquareV mono would be great for Drum 'n' Bass, and Glory shows off the wonderful arpeggiators. | |
1. bts:Trancer | ||
2. raw:Basic Saw | ||
3. bpm:Boogy Synth | ||
4. arp:X-light | ||
5. edg:BoXT mono | ||
6. wal:Raverotic | ||
7. bas:1 Shot mono | ||
8. pad:Strings Box | ||
9. led:Wet | ||
10. air:Bat Pann | ||
11. bts:Perception | ||
12. kit:Hide & Seek | ||
13. bas:SquareV mono | ||
14. nse:DISTRUCTOR | ||
15. arp:Glory | ||
16. hit:Hittite |
|
UnderClaSS is a great FX; Synthex 80's is a superb analog pad; Super Saw is a hint to Roland's JP-8000, Raved Pass is an excellent band-pass synth, and Quadralike is perhaps inspired by the ARP Quadra? |
17. bpm:UnderClaSS | ||
18. sfx:Moby's Trip | ||
19. raw:Rave Organ | ||
20. syn:70-64 | ||
21. syn:Synthex 80's | ||
22. syn:Super Saw | ||
23. syn:XtoZ | ||
24. syn:Spiders mono | ||
25. syn:Brass Juice | ||
26. syn:Raved Pass | ||
27. syn:South Euro 1 | ||
28. syn:South Euro 2 | ||
29. syn:Digitell | ||
30. syn:Quadralike | ||
31. syn:BigDandyBoy | ||
32. syn:Riverdancing | Rendalaw: great rave sound; C Z O is a cool Casio CZ-series sample (and so is CZ BIG); Kyng Doam is a very fascinating filtered synth. | |
33. syn:Rendalaw | ||
34. syn:Dappy | ||
35. syn:Saw On High | ||
36. syn:Tink Or Toys | ||
37. syn:C Z O | ||
38. syn:OBX | ||
39. syn:SinEnsemble | ||
40. syn:CZ BIG | ||
41. syn:Wide Load | ||
42. syn:Cvox | ||
43. syn:Weezeled | ||
44. syn:Post Modern | ||
45. syn:JourneyMan | ||
46. syn:Skouls | ||
47. syn:Kyng Doam | ||
48. syn:Nordica Comp | DarkShadows shines, R&B Syncomp is fat, Smooth Saw is pure analog, Calmer is what it sounds like, and Air Age is a beautiful arpeggiated synth. | |
49. syn:Geaxoils | ||
50. syn:DarkShadows | ||
51. syn:AudKlav | ||
52. syn:Syn Chaos | ||
53. syn:R&B Syncomp | ||
54. syn:Octivate | ||
55. syn:Smooth Saw | ||
56. syn:Saint-A. | ||
57. syn:Grindin Me! | ||
58. syn:Calmer | ||
59. syn:Zionate | ||
60. syn:Synterval | ||
61. syn:ObieLand | ||
62. syn:SWELL | ||
63. syn:Air Age | ||
64. syn:SMAK | T-Dance mono is very powerful; Top Tri mono is an excellent triangular wave synth, F16 mono is nice and creamy, and FATSO mono is certainly FAT. | |
65. syn:Tink | ||
66. syn:FizzeeString | ||
67. bas:P-dg mono | ||
68. bas:Ring Bassox | ||
69. bas:Saws Normal | ||
70. bas:T-Dance mono | ||
71. bas:Bongo-B | ||
72. bas:Top Tri mono | ||
73. bas:Hard X | ||
74. bas:Hupper mono | ||
75. bas:POLY | ||
76. bas:2000 mono | ||
77. bas:F16 mono | ||
78. bas:Bounce | ||
79. bas:FATSO mono | ||
80. bas:H20 mono | SuB DuH mono is a powerful sub-bass; Ripin mono is a very cool distorted 303 bassline, Pinhead is an excellent squiggly monosynth bass; CReePeR goes loooow... | |
81. bas:SuB DuH mono | ||
82. bas:RingCycle | ||
83. bas:Ripin mono | ||
84. bas:REZvsSINE | ||
85. bas:Love Bee | ||
86. bas:Sven Analog | ||
87. bas:B-Acer mono | ||
88. bas:Henny-P mono | ||
89. bas:Pinhead | ||
90. bas:SlappyFlange | ||
91. bas:FinGruzzer | ||
92. bas:Goin'Lo mono | ||
93. bas:Go Long mono | ||
94. bas:M-Deep mono | ||
95. bas:CReePeR mono | ||
96. bas:KEVLAR mono | JUMPUP mono is a killer D 'n' B bass; Ventolator is a nice FM-bass; A.D. 3033 is the ultimate distorted TB-303 bassline (reminds of the "Aggressor" preset in certain Roland machines), Tugboat is a splendid chorused, huge synth bass. HybridPhased adds phase for an interesting timbre. | |
97. bas:Mango | ||
98. bas:JUMPUP mono | ||
99. bas:Acid Vox | ||
100. bas:ReedBass | ||
101. bas:FuzzBizz | ||
102. bas:Ventolator | ||
103. bas:Reso TB mono | ||
104. bas:A.D. 3033 | ||
105. bas:Tugboat | ||
106. bas:Interference | ||
107. bas:TaurusT mono | ||
108. bas:DistTB1 mono | ||
109. bas:Bullit mono | ||
110. bas:Mo' | ||
111. bas:HybridPhased | ||
112. bas:UKshoot mono | Organist is a perfect garage house organ; More Cheez and Platinum would be good for Happy Hardcore, Lowy Techno is a splendid Deep House synth/pad/hit. | |
113. hit:Dinkness | ||
114. hit:PolyClavWOrm | ||
115. hit:Organist | ||
116. hit:Orgy Hitts | ||
117. hit:DeepStall | ||
118. hit:More Cheez | ||
119. hit:PLATINUM | ||
120. hit:Guit Hits | ||
121. hit:EP Rolls | ||
122. hit:Enrezzle | ||
123. hit:Lowy Techno | ||
124. hit:Dreamer Tags | ||
125. hit:FoonZoom | ||
126. hit:Ghost Organ | ||
127. hit:Brazzy Hits |
Preset name | MP3 demos | My Comments |
User Bank 1, XLEAD Bank 1 | ||
0. raw:Classic Tri | Bank 1\000-015 | Classic Tri is a classy House sound; Prophety is very full sounding; Ringer mono is a squiggly synth; 3 0 3 mono is faithful to the original. |
1. raw:Sync4Seqence | ||
2. raw:Prophety | ||
3. raw:Ringer mono | ||
4. raw:Play Sawcomp | ||
5. raw:Drama | ||
6. raw:Big Synthy | ||
7. raw:Syn Brass | ||
8. raw:MortalSynth | ||
9. raw:Farzy Sync | ||
10. raw:SLICER | ||
11. raw:Rez Zip mono | ||
12. raw:3 O 3 mono | ||
13. raw:Acid Blomp | ||
14. raw:Booty Qooty | ||
15. raw:Ubo mono | ||
16. raw:Euro Noise | Bank 1\016-031 | Mini 2000 is an ELP style Moog; Basic Buzz is a Techno lead. |
17. raw:SweeTDreaM | ||
18. raw:Edge | ||
19. raw:Mini 2000 | ||
20. raw:Basic Dodo | ||
21. raw:Basic Buzz | ||
22. raw:Basic 2600 | ||
23. raw:Low SawSweep | ||
24. raw:Low CL2Sweep | ||
25. raw:BLAHSOM | ||
26. raw:Flaps | ||
27. raw:TeeTH | ||
28. raw:Prophet | ||
29. raw:Profit Braz | ||
30. pad:BP Strings | ||
31. pad:Slow Dance | ||
32. pad:Astrology | Bank 1\032-047 | DARK CITY is a lonesome pad; Enoze Tri is an atonal style synth |
33. pad:DARK CITY | ||
34. pad:Enoze Tri | ||
35. pad:Hi&LowLights | ||
36. pad:Danube | ||
37. pad:Vespers | ||
38. pad:Jumpy Brass | ||
39. pad:Rio Dulce | ||
40. pad:Big Aud'Pad | ||
41. pad:Gorgontastic | ||
42. pad:SlogritStrng | ||
43. pad:Daddy's Girl | ||
44. pad:Ice Dreams | ||
45. pad:SaturnRings | ||
46. pad:Smoovie | ||
47. pad:Aki's World | ||
48. pad:Low Back | Bank 1\048-063 | Low Back is a powerful analog pad |
49. pad:Warm&Lush | ||
50. pad:Lonely Space | ||
51. pad:Pure Synth | ||
52. pad:HarmonicLift | ||
53. pad:Sawpipe | ||
54. pad:www.f mono | ||
55. pad:Spelunkers | ||
56. pad:aRt DeKo | ||
57. pad:Shaku High | ||
58. pad:Symphonix | ||
59. pad:Softaflange | ||
60. pad:Lifedream | ||
61. edg:Spawn mono | ||
62. edg:HlywdINative | ||
63. edg:PUNISH mono | ||
64. edg:Prephad | Bank 1\064-079 | SCRAPE mono is a buzzy 303; so are REZANATOR and ACiDOP mono |
65. edg:SCRAPE mono | ||
66. edg:REZANATOR | ||
67. edg:ACiDOP mono | ||
68. edg:Ringer mono | ||
69. edg:FuzzGrinder | ||
70. edg:BAD A mono | ||
71. edg:B-CUDA mono | ||
72. edg:Swervy | ||
73. edg:Love All | ||
74. edg:Space Komper | ||
75. edg:SynkerSteppr | ||
76. edg:SQUEAKE mono | ||
77. edg:Syncked | ||
78. edg:2Flange mono | ||
79. edg:Listoller | ||
80. edg:Reptoa | Bank 1\080-095 | Nice |
81. edg:TotalControl | ||
82. edg:Growly Glide | ||
83. edg:Small Town | ||
84. edg:Zorkon | ||
85. edg:Skreecher | ||
86. edg:Low Edge | ||
87. edg:Love II mono | ||
88. edg:Bare Edge | ||
89. edg:Honker | ||
90. edg:Mr.Edge | ||
91. edg:19inch Nails | ||
92. vox:Zephyr | ||
93. vox:Air Voices | ||
94. vox:SIRRUS | ||
95. vox:Future Vox | ||
96. vox:Bliss | Bank 1\096-111 | Nice |
97. vox:ARMAGEDDON | ||
98. vox:ANGELIKA | ||
99. vox:Galaxal | ||
100. vox:Bandvoxxe | ||
101. vox:Exploration | ||
102. vox:AfterShock | ||
103. vox:SUrFaCinG | ||
104. vox:Ethereal | ||
105. vox:Suffocating | ||
106. vox:Space Voxxal | ||
107. vox:Upper Bottom | ||
108. air:GhostStories | ||
109. air:Breath Stack | ||
110. air:Tibet | ||
111. air:Futura | ||
112. air:Air Surf :-) | Bank 1\112-127 | Nice |
113. air:Eastern Mist | ||
114. air:Vampirella | ||
115. air:Sonar Ghost | ||
116. air:Druidz Song | ||
117. air:Digital Noiz | ||
118. air:Scary Noise | ||
119. air:StickyFinger | ||
120. air:LeaveMeAlone | ||
121. air:Breathless | ||
122. air:FluteState | ||
123. led:More Senses | ||
124. led:Hisynk Lead | ||
125. led:P5 Zentropa | ||
126. led:Funky-B mono | ||
127. led:Solo Environ |
Preset name | MP3 demos | My Comments |
User Bank 2, XLEAD Bank 2 | ||
0. bpm:Synthex 80's | Bank 2\000-015 | Synthex 80's is the classic Elka; |
1. bpm:Tempo LFOs | ||
2. bpm:Cult-feel | ||
3. bpm:SakuraTime | ||
4. bpm:"Carpe Diem" | ||
5. bpm:Monster | ||
6. bpm:Love 1 | ||
7. bpm:Bouncerette | ||
8. bpm:L'room mono | ||
9. bpm:Reepeter | ||
10. bpm:HOUSE | ||
11. bpm:GRITS | ||
12. bpm:TRIPPER | ||
13. bpm:Higher Power | ||
14. bpm:Solace | ||
15. bpm:Lunar Pad | ||
16. bpm:CReeP mono | Bank 2\016-031 | Nice acid stuff. |
17. bpm:Trashy | ||
18. bpm:Mercy | ||
19. bpm:Wading | ||
20. bpm:Multisteps | ||
21. bpm:Squeapels | ||
22. bpm:Grinded | ||
23. bpm:SteppedDream | ||
24. bpm:Clocking Out | ||
25. bpm:Bubbler | ||
26. bpm:End | ||
27. bpm:Wicked Low | ||
28. bpm:RadioDaze | ||
29. bpm:Panhandel | ||
30. bpm:Sparkle | ||
31. bpm:Square Rise | ||
32. arp:Hollographik | Bank 2\032-047 | Psy-Trance material. |
33. arp:Pele | ||
34. arp:C2 Dmachine | ||
35. arp:Lust up mono | ||
36. arp:Bottom Perc | ||
37. arp:You Know It | ||
38. arp:Toxic Vox | ||
39. arp:Deeper Love | ||
40. arp:Full Time | ||
41. arp:OrbisTabula1 | ||
42. arp:OrbisPitcher | ||
43. arp:Dreamer | ||
44. arp:Palomar | ||
45. arp:theGrind | ||
46. arp:Fundamentals | ||
47. arp:Tron X | ||
48. arp:XL Feel | Bank 2\048-063 | Trancey |
49. arp:B-loid | ||
50. arp:Glider | ||
51. arp:Axis One | ||
52. arp:Bouchete | ||
53. arp:Saw Standard | ||
54. arp:Tekno Cheep | ||
55. arp:Phrophetics | ||
56. arp:SineDrum | ||
57. arp:CricketGruve | ||
58. arp:Whisper | ||
59. arp:Gut-P mono | ||
60. arp:MooGie-D | ||
61. arp:No Lo | ||
62. arp:Trip Hard | ||
63. arp:Sanctuary | Bank 2\064-079 | Classic Trance sounds |
64. arp:LITTLE Guy | ||
65. arp:Kosy Love | ||
66. arp:Bust In | ||
67. arp:Uroboros | ||
68. arp:Mighty Pulse | ||
69. arp:JUNOsis | ||
70. arp:C2-Play me | ||
71. arp:C2-Play me2 | ||
72. arp:T-2000 | ||
73. arp:HardNormlMom | ||
74. arp:On The Run | ||
75. arp:Pissto Hi | ||
76. arp:Byg Stryngs | ||
77. arp:Space Coast | ||
78. arp:Futura | ||
79. wal:Ripped | ||
80. wal:Balls2The... | Bank 2\080-095 | SFX |
81. wal:W6 3sEvEn | ||
82. wal:Field | ||
83. wal:ABYSS | ||
84. wal:DonkeyBreath | ||
85. wal:GoSpeedRacer | ||
86. wal:REZARECT | ||
87. wal:Tension | ||
88. wal:Arrival | ||
89. wal:Maryland | ||
90. wal:ByzantineNze | ||
91. wal:Thickets | ||
92. wal:Big Wall | ||
93. wal:Silkness | ||
94. wal:Marvs Modulo | ||
95. wal:Luscious | ||
96. wal:BACKDRAFT | Bank 2\096-111 | Cool |
97. wal:I made it | ||
98. wal:DailyBread | ||
99. wal:Clavonate | ||
100. wal:HoverCraft | ||
101. wal:C-Ride mono | ||
102. wal:Duckfuzz | ||
103. wal:MaMMoTH mono | ||
104. wal:Ice Ring | ||
105. wal:Love 2bee | ||
106. wal:Uncle Fester | ||
107. wal:THE MACHEEN | ||
108. wal:Strangled | ||
109. wal:DOOM 2020 | ||
110. led:JungleX mono | ||
111. led:Hypass Ditty | ||
112. led:Mono PolyFX | Bank 2\112-127 | Nice |
113. led:Muffle Sync | ||
114. led:CazioTone | ||
115. led:Groove Wow | ||
116. led:Technoval | ||
117. led:Krane mono | ||
118. led:Wormsine | ||
119. led:Dreamlead | ||
120. led:Tunnelituar | ||
121. led:Crunchette | ||
122. led:Blizzer | ||
123. led:Junosquare | ||
124. led:Multisync | ||
125. led:WiggleWorm | ||
126. led:Levita Brass | ||
127. led:DesertTrance |
Preset name | MP3 demos | My Comments |
User Bank 3, XLEAD Bank 3 | ||
0. bts:D&B Tight | Bank 3\000-015 | Drum 'n' Bass sounds |
1. bts:D&B Smooth | ||
2. bts:LoFi | ||
3. bts:Indy-T | ||
4. bts:Rocket | ||
5. bts:Elbow>>Room | ||
6. bts:L-101 | ||
7. bts:Rush | ||
8. bts:Lo-Z | ||
9. bts:Acid-dia | ||
10. bts:K-work | ||
11. bts:Logic | ||
12. bts:Roller Girl | ||
13. bts:Black House | ||
14. bts:HiHo | ||
15. bts:Ginger | ||
16. bts:Unhooked | Bank 3\016-031 | More D 'n' B |
17. bts:Dr&Bass DoFi | ||
18. bts:Dist Treo | ||
19. bts:Big Body | ||
20. bts:Xie-racy | ||
21. bts:4AM`/_Flyin' | ||
22. bts:Lily's Rage | ||
23. bts:HBtoo | ||
24. bts:Light-R | ||
25. bts:X-Mox | ||
26. bts:Dark Hero | ||
27. bts:007 | ||
28. bts:The Beast | ||
29. bts:Europia | ||
30. bts:TranzAmbient | ||
31. bts:Frantikk | ||
32. bts:Tekno Tribe | Bank 3\032-047 | American Techno style |
33. bts:Mind Game | ||
34. bts:D-Houce | ||
35. bts:Heaven | ||
36. bts:Peak-777 | ||
37. bts:Big Shaker | ||
38. bts:808 street | ||
39. bts:Jump Hard | ||
40. bts:System X | ||
41. bts:Semi-Time | ||
42. bts:Drumatic | ||
43. bts:HI-NRG | ||
44. bts:Trance Date | ||
45. bts:Club it | ||
46. bts:Groove II | ||
47. bts:Groove IT | ||
48. bts:C-Man | Bank 3\048-063 | Big Beat |
49. bts:Humana | ||
50. kit:80's Tones | ||
51. kit:K'werk It | ||
52. kit:BoomBoxx | ||
53. kit:Compressed | ||
54. kit:Dirty Kit | ||
55. kit:G Club | ||
56. kit:MANTIS | ||
57. prc:Crash Head | ||
58. prc:Kicks 1 | ||
59. prc:Snares 1 | ||
60. prc:Construction | ||
61. prc:Scratchin | ||
62. prc:Scratchin 2 | ||
63. prc:Mixed Bag | ||
64. prc:Cooleo | Bank 3\064-079 | Very electronic |
65. bel:Modular Ring | ||
66. bel:Efemm Bellsa | ||
67. bel:Mult-A-Metal | ||
68. bel:Mystery Bell | ||
69. bel:NordicCalm | ||
70. bel:Rainbellz | ||
71. bel:Agualla Bell | ||
72. bel:Encapsulate | ||
73. nse:REZAWRECKT | ||
74. nse:UNDERTAKER | ||
75. nse:Coyote | ||
76. nse:Turbonic | ||
77. nse:Heavy Mental | ||
78. nse:GrainyPixel | ||
79. nse:Faucet Drip | ||
80. nse:DarkForest | Bank 3\080-095 | More SFX |
81. nse:PsychicSea | ||
82. nse:AarnoLdt | ||
83. nse:PLAZMA mono | ||
84. nse:LuciferDom | ||
85. nse:SpottedWhite | ||
86. nse:Uncowardinar | ||
87. nse:Hadrian's | ||
88. nse:Quiet Wall | ||
89. nse:Machined | ||
90. nse:Cast | ||
91. nse:MaRTIaNS | ||
92. nse:Soline 9x | ||
93. nse:PARANO mono | ||
94. nse:Masses | ||
95. nse:Saturn mono | ||
96. nse:LittleWeasel | Bank 3\096-111 | Ambient FX |
97. nse:Future Harmi | ||
98. nse:FutureSteps | ||
99. nse:Bottom Floor | ||
100. nse:That'sCreepy | ||
101. nse:Radon Shield | ||
102. nse:Diffuser | ||
103. nse:Interfear | ||
104. sfx:Odd Quasar | ||
105. sfx:S-METAL mono | ||
106. sfx:Zoned | ||
107. sfx:OverTheEdge | ||
108. sfx:Granules | ||
109. sfx:Glassers | ||
110. sfx:Alienator | ||
111. sfx:Ripped Lazer | ||
112. sfx:FoldingSpace | Bank 3\112-127 | More Ambient FX |
113. sfx:Uncertainty | ||
114. sfx:CosmicCompny | ||
115. sfx:REZA'S LaB | ||
116. sfx:TerrorZoNE | ||
117. sfx:LupeDeKool | ||
118. sfx:CyberSience | ||
119. key:P-soul | ||
120. key:DeepOrg | ||
121. key:Smarm Organ | ||
122. key:HoreGaine | ||
123. key:DxJx Organ | ||
124. key:SynhissOrgan | ||
125. key:Disca Queen | ||
126. key:Organik | ||
127. :XL-1 default |
Resources:
Available at the E-mu website: www.emu.com
Features at a glance | |
Year of release: | 200_ |
Polyphony: | 64 |
Sound generation method: | PCM |
Preset memories | 128 RAM Presets |
MIDI: | in, out, thru |
Sound expansion capabilities: | yes, E-mu ROM boards |
Sequencer | no |
Arpeggiator | yes, 16 multiple + Beats mode |
Effects | yes |
Touch sensitivity | yes |
Aftertouch | yes |
Multitimbrality | yes |
Sound Layering | yes |
Keyboard Split | yes |
Number of Oscillators | |
Portamento | yes |
Unison | |
Miscellaneous |
••• Preset Categories: |
bas: .. Bass |
syn: .. Synthesizer |
pad: . Thick sustained sound |
org: .. Organ |
led: .. Lead instrument |
hit: ... Orchestra hit |
vox: .. Human voice |
sfx: ... Sound effect |
scr: ... Record scratch |
drm:. Drum |
bts: .. Used in beats preset |
seq: .. Used in demo sequence |
lnk: .. Preset link |
raw: .. raw waveforms |
bpm: ..synched to bpm |
arp: ..arpeggio patterns |
edg: ..edgy sounds |
wal: ..wall of sound |
air: .. airy pads |
kit: .. drum kits |
nse: ... noise presets |
arp: Arpeggiated air: Wind noise instrument
bas: Basses bel: Bells
bpm: Synchro-sonic, clocks bts: BEATS presets
edg: Edgy, cutting hit: Shorter
key: Keyboard instrument, organ kit: Drum kit
led: Leads nse: Noises
pad: Sustained, pad-like prc: Percussion
raw: Playable, vanilla sfx: Sound Effects
syn: Complex, harmonically rich vox: Vocals
wal: Dense, harmonically complex
SITE | Type of resource | DESCRIPTION |
E-Mu | home site | Emu/Creative/Ensoniq |