The Emu Audity 2000 represents a sophisticated evolution of Emu's synthesizer heritage, drawing inspiration from the company's legendary late-1970s Audity prototype — a microprocessor-controlled analogue monster that would have retailed for $70,000 but never entered production. This modern interpretation transforms that original concept into a late-1990s digital powerhouse while maintaining the modular philosophy that made its predecessor so remarkable.

Described by Emu as a "Digital Rhythmic Modular Synthesizer," the Audity 2000 stands apart from typical sample-and-synthesis modules through its comprehensive modulation capabilities and unprecedented arpeggiator implementation. The "rhythmic" designation refers to its multiple arpeggiators and the ability to sync LFOs and envelope generators to incoming MIDI clock, while "modular" describes its extensive virtual patch cord system that interconnects various modulation sources and destinations.

Design Philosophy and Architecture

Unlike many contemporary modules that jumped on the analog-modeling bandwagon, the Audity 2000 employs proven Sample & Synthesis (S&S) sound generation, delivering the benefits of high polyphony and multitimbrality. The module's 16MB of basic sampled waveform ROM is aggressively synth-oriented, containing 287 raw waveforms including traditional synth waves (sine, sawtooth, square), sampled synth basses, hits, percussion, drum kits, and experimental noises. An optional internal expansion slot allows for an additional 16MB of waveforms.

The sound architecture centers around Presets, each constructed from four elements called Instruments. Each Instrument functions as virtually a complete synthesizer in its own right, featuring its own waveform assignment, traditional analog-style signal path, and comprehensive parameter set. This design allows for complex splitting and layering within individual Presets, with the ability to link up to three Presets together for even more elaborate sound combinations.

Revolutionary Arpeggiator System

Perhaps the Audity 2000's most distinctive feature is its unprecedented arpeggiator implementation—16 independent arpeggiators, one for each part, all with full user editability and MIDI sync capability. Each Preset can utilize its own dedicated arpeggiator or share the Master arpeggiator across multiple Presets. Standard arpeggiations (up, down, up/down, forward/backward assign, random) are complemented by user-programmable Patterns up to 16 steps long. These Patterns allow definition of note value offsets (±48 semitones), velocity values, note lengths, and up to 32 repetitions per step.

The arpeggiator system includes sophisticated features such as Extension Count and Extension Interval for regular transposition of arpeggios, delay and duration controls, pattern recycling, latch functionality, and definable key ranges. Three banks provide 100 Pattern locations each, with Bank 0 reserved for user creations and the remaining banks containing 200 factory patterns covering styles from drum & bass to hip-hop and rave.

Advanced Modulation Matrix

The Audity 2000's virtual "patch cord" modulation system provides 64 modulation sources and 64 destinations, with 24 patch cords available per Instrument. This system allows unprecedented flexibility in routing modulation signals, supporting complex scenarios where control sources can themselves be modulated. Four front-panel control knobs provide hands-on modulation access, with a Shift function expanding to eight modulation sources. These knobs respond to and transmit MIDI continuous controllers, integrating seamlessly with external keyboard controllers.

Z-Plane Filtering Technology

Derived from the acclaimed Morpheus module, the Audity 2000 incorporates Z-Plane modeling filters offering 50 different filter types. These include standard configurations (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, notch, parametric) plus exotic vowel formant options, all capable of dynamic real-time changes. This filtering system represents one of the most flexible and powerful filter implementations available in hardware synthesizers.

Physical Interface and Connectivity

The Audity 2000 breaks from previous Emu module aesthetics with its distinctive blue front panel featuring a stylish cutout around the 2-line × 24-character display. The interface comprises nine buttons (including Edit, Clock, Master, and Arpeggiator functions), five small knobs (four for real-time control plus volume), and one large primary control knob.

Connectivity is comprehensive, featuring three pairs of audio outputs (main plus two auxiliary pairs that can function as effects sends/returns or additional mixer inputs), stereo digital output with selectable S/PDIF or AES/EBU formats, and standard MIDI implementation. The internal auto-sensing power supply handles 90V-240V, 50Hz-60Hz operation.

Sound Quality and Factory Content

The Audity 2000 delivers high-quality sound reproduction with 44.1kHz sample playback and 18-bit outputs. Seven banks provide 896 total Presets (640 factory, 256 user), covering leads, complex harmonically rich sounds, tempo-based effects, keyboard emulations, hits, organs, cutting sounds, basses, atmospheric pads, vocals, bells, and effects. The factory selection emphasizes abstract and experimental sounds alongside musically useful content, providing excellent starting points for custom programming.

Dual effects processors complement the synthesis engine: FXA offers 44 reverb and delay effects with decay and HF damping controls, while FXB provides 32 chorus, flange, ensemble, delay, and distortion effects with feedback, LFO rate, and delay parameters. Effects can be applied per-Preset or globally via Master settings.

Technical Specifications

Sound Generation

• Architecture: Sample & Synthesis (S&S)
• Polyphony: 32 voices
• Multitimbrality: 16 parts
• Waveform ROM: 16MB (287 raw waveforms)
• Expansion: Internal slot for additional 16MB waveform card
• Sample Rate: 44.1kHz playback
• Output Resolution: 18-bit

Voice Architecture

• Preset Structure: 4 Instruments per Preset
• Preset Capacity: 896 total (640 factory, 256 user)
• Preset Banks: 7 banks total
• Preset Linking: Up to 3 Presets can be linked
• Drum Kits: Multiple electronic and acoustic kits included

Instrument Parameters (Per Instrument)

• Waveform Assignment: 287 available waveforms
• Key/Velocity Ranges: Full splitting and layering with crossfading
• Real-time Crossfade: Patch cord controllable
• Transpose: ±36 semitones
• Fine Tuning: ±36 semitones coarse, 1/64 semitone fine steps
• Volume Range: -96dB to +10dB
• Pan Position: Full stereo positioning
• Solo Mode: Monophonic operation with multiple triggering options

Envelopes

• Volume Envelope: 6-stage with individual rate/level per stage
• Filter Envelope: 6-stage with positive/negative levels
• Auxiliary Envelope: Additional 6-stage envelope, freely patchable
• Tempo Sync: All envelopes can sync to MIDI clock
• Factory Envelopes: Waveform-specific envelopes included

Filtering

• Type: Z-Plane modeling filters (Morpheus-derived)
• Filter Types: 50 different types available
• Configurations: Low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, notch, parametric, vowel formants
• Dynamic Control: Real-time filter type morphing capability

LFOs

• Quantity: 2 LFOs per Instrument (32 total)
• Sync Options: MIDI clock or master tempo sync
• Waveforms: Triangle, sawtooth, sine, square, various pulses
• Variation Parameter: Random chorus-like effect

Modulation System

• Architecture: Virtual patch cord matrix
• Sources: 64 modulation sources
• Destinations: 64 modulation destinations
• Patch Cords: 24 per Instrument (96 total per Preset)
• Real-time Controls: 4 assignable front-panel knobs (8 with shift)
• MIDI Integration: Full controller and pitch bend support

Arpeggiator System

• Quantity: 16 independent arpeggiators (1 per part)
• Master Mode: Shared master arpeggiator option
• Standard Patterns: Up, down, up/down, forward/backward assign, random
• User Patterns: 3 banks × 100 patterns (300 total)
• Pattern Length: Up to 16 steps
• Pattern Parameters: Note offset (±48 semitones), velocity, length, repeat (up to 32×)
• Tempo Range: 1-300 BPM
• Note Values: Double whole note to 32nd note (including triplets/dotted)
• Pattern Speed: ×0.25 to ×4 tempo multiplication
• Extensions: 15 extension counts, 16 semitone intervals
• Additional Features: Delay, duration, recycle, latch, key range limiting

Effects Processing

• Processors: 2 independent effects engines
• FXA Effects: 44 reverb and delay effects
  • Control: Decay, HF damping, FXB-to-FXA routing
• FXB Effects: 32 chorus, flange, ensemble, delay, distortion effects
  • Control: Feedback, LFO rate, delay
• Chorus Per Instrument: Simple chorus with amount and width controls
• Routing: Master or per-Preset effects assignment

Physical Interface

• Display: 2 lines × 24 characters
• Controls: 9 buttons, 5 small knobs, 1 large knob
• Real-time Controls: 4 assignable parameter knobs
• Button Functions: Edit, Clock, Master, Arpeggiator, Shift, Save/Copy, Enter, 2× Arrow keys
• Color: Blue front panel (departure from traditional Emu gray)

Audio Connectivity

• Main Outputs: 1 stereo pair (1/4" TRS)
• Auxiliary Outputs: 2 additional stereo pairs
• Auxiliary Inputs: 4 inputs (when aux outputs used as mixer inputs)
• Effects Routing: Aux outputs can serve as effects send/return loops
• Digital Output: Stereo S/PDIF or AES/EBU selectable
• Output Configuration: Hard panning available for individual Instruments

MIDI Implementation

• MIDI Channels: 16-channel multitimbral operation
• Controllers: Full continuous controller support
• Clock Sync: LFO, envelope, and arpeggiator sync to external MIDI clock
• Arpeggiator MIDI: Arpeggiated notes can be transmitted over MIDI

Alternate Tunings

• Built-in Tunings: Gamelan, 19-tone equal temperament
• User Tuning: 1 user-definable tuning table
• Pitch Bend Range: Up to 12 semitones per Instrument

Power and Environmental

• Power Supply: Internal auto-sensing
• Voltage Range: 90V-240V
• Frequency Range: 50Hz-60Hz
• Power Consumption: Not specified in source material

Dimensions and Build

• Form Factor: 19" rackmount module (short in depth)
• Build Quality: Professional Emu standard construction