EMW S-8000 is a new compact, hardware-based sample Synthesizer that can play back both single and multi-samples.

Over the past few months, the Brazilian company EMW has released several small synthesizers—two FM synths (DX7000 and DX5000) and one VA synth, the VPOLY-6X. Now they are adding another one to the series.

With the S-8000, EMW has announced a new compact sample-based Synthesizer.

EMW S-8000

Hardware sample players are currently back in focus. Many have appeared in recent years—especially flagship products like the Elektron Tonverk or Torso S4—that offer a great deal of functionality.

The Brazilian developers at EMW are taking a different approach with the S-8000 and focusing solely on sample playback. Unfortunately, it’s not a sampler but just a sample synth that can play back samples. 

For the design, they adopted the same simple design as on the previous hardware units. It is a small, compact box with just two controls: a volume knob and an endless encoder for the operator menu. There is also a good-sized display.

The S-8000 offers a sample playback engine that supports both single samples and multi-samples that are stored on a microSD card. This allows you to build complete instruments from WAV files.

It gives you full tweakability over the samples with parameters such as tuning, gain, root key, start points, and loop points. To add flexibility, it includes different playback modes that infuse different timbres into your samples.

They range from clean, transparent to rawer textures inspired by classic digital samplers. It’s very traditional, and it doesn’t offer more advanced ways to transform samples, like granular synthesis or spectral processing.

Sound Design Like On A Synth

You can also design your own sounds using your own samples. For this purpose, the EMW S-8000 offers features familiar from traditional synthesizers.

It includes a resonant filter with a dedicated ADSR envelope with classic cutoff and resonance controls. Then, you have another ADSR envelope for the VCA, and a multi-wave LFO. 

Velocity, mod wheel, and aftertouch add extra modulators and ways to play your sounds expressively. 

To refine your sounds, the S-8000 also houses a multi-FX section with various algorithms: chorus, phaser, delay, and reverb. bloom, and stereo spread. Each effect includes adjustable parameters.

On the back, you have a DC input, 5-pin MIDI IN/THRU connectivity, and stereo output via two 6.3mm mono sockets. The engine has full MIDI support, and you can control a wide range of internal parameters via MIDI CC.

It ships with access to an extensive and continuously expanding sample library, organized by instrument and source equipment. They say they will add new sounds regularly and make them available to their customers.

A little sound demo is available on their Instagram page.

First Impression

At first glance, it’s a small, likable synth. Sure, the S-8000 loses in any comparison with powerful samplers like the Blackbox 2 or similar devices. It targets a different audience—people who want to play their multisample sounds live using a keyboard.

Here, you get an instrument that does exactly that, and I’m sure plenty of people are looking for something like this. 

EMW S-8000 availability and price are TBA.

More information will follow here: EMW Brasil 

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