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Model

E-mu Emulator

Series of digital sampling synthesizers

The E-mu Emulator is a series of digital sampling keyboards and workstations E-mu Systems introduced in 1981. Among the first affordable samplers, the Emulator line let musicians record and play back real sounds across a keyboard and was influential in 1980s pop and film music.

Technical line drawing of E-mu Emulator
Technical line drawing of E-mu Emulator

Sources

Category

  • Technical line drawing of Synthesizers

    Synthesizers

    Hardware synthesizers, synth model families, and related electronic instruments.

  • Samplers

    Hardware samplers and production workstations centered on sample playback or sequencing.

Made by

  • E-mu Systems

    E-mu Systems is an American maker of electronic musical instruments founded in 1971 in Santa Cruz, California. The company pioneered affordable samplers with the Emulator series and later became widely known for its sample-based sound modules, including the Proteus family and the Vintage Keys. E-mu was acquired by Creative Technology in 1993 and ceased hardware production in the early 2000s.

Models in series

  • Technical line drawing of E-mu Emulator II

    E-mu Emulator II

    Sampler · United States

    The E-mu Emulator II, released in 1984, is a sampling keyboard that improved on the original with longer 8-bit samples, analog filters, and a sequencer. Its warm, characterful sound features on many 1980s records.

  • E-mu Emulator III

    United States

    The E-mu Emulator III, released in 1987, is a sampling workstation offering 16-bit sampling, analog filters, and an integrated sequencer, delivering high-quality sampling for professional studios.

  • E-mu Emulator IIIXP

    United States

    The E-mu Emulator IIIXP is a rackmount version of the Emulator III, packaging E-mu's 16-bit sampling and sound engine into a studio-friendly rack module.

  • E-mu Emulator I

    United States

    The E-mu Emulator I, released in 1981, was E-mu's first sampler: a keyboard that recorded and played back digital samples, bringing sampling to musicians at a far lower price than the Fairlight. Its lo-fi 8-bit sound is part of its appeal.

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