View source for E-mu Emulator

{{Short description|Series of digital sampling synthesizers}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2014}}

{{Infobox synthesizer 
| synth_name         = E-mu Emulator series
| synth_manufacturer = [[E-mu Systems]]
| image              = E-mu Emulator II on the floor.jpg
| image_caption      = E-mu Emulator II (1984)
| dates              = 
| price              = $7,995 (Emulator II in 1984)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wyeth |first=Stefan |date=2021-10-16 |title=E-mu Emulator II: How I upgraded a 1984 sampler for modern production |url=https://www.gearnews.com/emu-emulator-ii-how-i-upgraded-a-1984-sampler-for-modern-production/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=gearnews.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> {{Inflation|US|7995|1984|fmt=eq}}
| polyphony          = 8 voices (Emulator II)
| timbrality         = [[Monotimbral]] Emulator, 8-part Multitimbral (Emulator II)
| oscillator         = 8-bit 27&nbsp;kHz sample (Emulator II)
| lfo                = [[Sine wave]]
| synthesis_type     = [[Sample-based synthesis]]
| filter             = 24&nbsp;dB/octave resonant analog low pass (Emulator II)
| attenuator         = 
| aftertouch         = Yes (Emulator II)
| velocity           = Yes (Emulator II) 
| memory             = 512&nbsp;kB to 1&nbsp;MB (Emulator II)
| fx                 = 
| keyboard           = 61 keys
| left_control       = [[Pitch bend]], [[modulation|mod wheel]]
| ext_control        = [[MIDI]] (Emulator II)
}}

The '''Emulator''' is a series of digital [[Sampling (music)|sampling]] synthesizers using [[floppy disk|floppy-disk]] storage that was manufactured by [[E-mu Systems]] from 1981 until 2002. Although it was not the first commercial sampler, the Emulator was innovative in its integration of computer technology and was among the first samplers to find widespread usage among musicians. While costly, its price was considerably lower than those of its early competitors, and its smaller size increased its portability and, resultantly, practicality for live performance. The line was discontinued in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |title=30 Years Of Emu |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/music-business/30-years-emu |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=www.soundonsound.com}}</ref>

==Impetus==
E-mu Systems was founded in 1971 as a manufacturer of [[IC chip|microprocessor chips]], digital scanning keyboards and components for electronic instruments. Licensing revenue for this technology afforded E-mu the ability to invest in [[research and development]], and it began to develop boutique synthesizers for niche markets, including a series of modular synthesizers and the high-end [[E-mu Audity|Audity]] system, of which only one prototype was produced. In 1979, founders Scott Wedge and [[Dave Rossum]] saw the [[Fairlight CMI]] and the [[Linn LM-1]] at a convention, inspiring them to design and produce a less expensive digital sampling keyboard.

E-mu originally considered selling the design for the Emulator to [[Sequential Circuits]], which was using E-mu's keyboard design in its [[Prophet-5]] synthesizer. However, Sequential Circuits ceased paying E-mu [[royalties]] for its keyboard design, which prompted E-mu to release the Emulator commercially.

==Products==
===Emulator===
[[Image:E-mu Emulator I.jpg|thumb|350px|E-mu Emulator (1981)]]
Finally released in 1981, the Emulator was a floppy disk-based keyboard workstation that musicians could use to sample sounds, record them to storage media, and play them back as musical notes on the keyboard. With the 5{{fraction|1|4}}" floppy disk drive, the owner could build a library of samples and share them with others or purchase prerecorded libraries on disk.

The original Emulator was a very basic eight-bit sampler with only a simple filter, and it could do only a single loop.{{fact|date=April 2024}} The initial model did not include a [[Variable-gain amplifier|VCA]] [[ADSR envelope|envelope]] generator. It was produced in three forms: a two-voice model (only one of which was ever sold), a four-voice model and an eight-voice model. The keyboard was designed to be played in split mode with one sample on each side, so playing the same sound on the full keyboard required loading the same sound from disk into each side.{{fact|date=April 2024}}

[[Stevie Wonder]], who gave the sampler a glowing review at the 1981 [[NAMM Show|NAMM International Music & Sound Expo]], received the first unit (serial number 0001). The first unit had originally been promised to [[Daryl Dragon]] of [[Captain & Tennille]], as he was a longtime E-mu modular-system owner, but Wonder's greater fame moved him to the top of the list.<ref name="synthmuseume">{{Cite web |title=Synthmuseum.com – E-mu : Emulator |url=http://synthmuseum.com/emu/emuemul01.html |access-date=2020-01-05 |website=synthmuseum.com}}</ref> In 1982, the Emulator was updated to include a VCA envelope generator and a simple sequencer, and its price was lowered. Approximately 500 units were sold before the unit was discontinued in early 1984.{{fact|date=April 2024}} Other users of the original E-mu Emulator were [[New Order (band)|New Order]], [[Tangerine Dream]] and Tony Banks of [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], and it was among the instruments used in the production of [[Michael Jackson]]'s ''[[Thriller (Michael Jackson album)|Thriller]]'' album.{{fact|date=April 2024}} Composer and writer [[David Frank (musician)|David Frank]] of [[The System (band)|the System]] used the original Emulator on his productions from ''[[Sweat (The System album)|Sweat]]'' to ''[[Don't Disturb This Groove (album)|Don't Disturb this Groove]]''.{{fact|date=April 2024}} [[The Residents]], who had received the fifth Emulator produced, used the instrument extensively on their album ''[[The Tunes of Two Cities]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.residents.com/historical/?page=moletrilogy|title=Mole Trilogy – Historical – The Residents|website=www.residents.com|access-date=2020-01-05}}</ref> [[Vangelis]] had an Emulator at [[Nemo Studios]] in London and used it on the [[Blade Runner (soundtrack)|''Blade Runner'' soundtrack]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vangelis scoring Blade Runner {{!}} (Page 3 of 4) |url=http://www.nemostudios.co.uk/nemo/sections/br/br03.htm |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=www.nemostudios.co.uk}}</ref>

===Emulator II===
[[Image:E-mu Emulator II - front.jpg|thumb|350px|E-mu Emulator II (1984)]]
{{multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| align             = right
| width             = 350
| image1            = E-mu Emulator II+ (rectified, colours improved).jpg
| caption1          = E-mu Emulator II+
}}

Released commercially in 1984, the Emulator II (or EII) was E-mu's second sampler. Like the original Emulator, it was an eight-bit sampler, but it delivered superior fidelity by employing [[companding]] digital-to-analog converters and a 27.7&nbsp;kHz sample rate. It also allowed more flexibility in editing and shaping sounds, as resonant analog filters (provided by longtime E-Mu collaborators SSM) were added.<ref>{{Cite web |title=E-mu Emulator II {{!}} Vintage Synth Explorer |url=https://www.vintagesynth.com/emu/emulator2.php |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=www.vintagesynth.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=E-mu Emulator II |url=https://synthpedia.net/e-mu/emulator-ii/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=synthpedia.net |language=en}}</ref> The EII also featured greatly improved real-time control. Its price was similar to that of the original Emulator, at [[United States Dollar|US$]]7,995 for a regular model and $9,995 for a "plus" model featuring extra sample memory. Several upgrades, including a second floppy drive, a 20&nbsp;[[megabyte|MB]] hard drive, and a 512K memory upgrade were also available.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emulator Archive |url=https://www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/Emulator-II.html |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=www.synthark.org}}</ref> Despite the EII's price, it was considered a value in comparison to the [[Fairlight CMI]] Series II, the most basic model of which was priced at $30,000 upon its initial release.

The Emulator II offers a unique sound because of its [[DPCM]] mu-255 companding, divider-based variable sample-rate principle and analog output stages featuring SSM2045 24&nbsp;dB/oct analog four-pole low-pass resonant filters.{{fact|date=April 2024}}

Several [[Original equipment manufacturer|OEM]] and third-party sample libraries were developed for the Emulator II, including orchestral sounds. Many of the EII's original library sounds were sampled from the more expensive Fairlight and Synclavier workstations (for example, the Fairlight's "Sarrar/Arr1" choir sample is called "DigiVcs" in the E-mu library).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDxOhnL7pjs  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/DDxOhnL7pjs |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Emu Emulator II Sound Library Demo |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=2009-03-08 |access-date=2016-07-27}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Samples include the [[Shakuhachi]] flute used by [[Peter Gabriel]] on "Sledgehammer"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.synthmania.com/Famous%20Sounds.htm |title=Famous Sounds |website=Synthmania.com |access-date=2016-07-27}}</ref> and by Enigma on their album ''[[MCMXC a.D.]]'', and the Marcato Strings heard on [[Pet Shop Boys|the Pet Shop Boys]]' "[[West End Girls]]". According to the Pet Shop Boys' [[Neil Tennant]], every instrumental sound on the track was produced with an Emulator II.<ref name="vintagesynthe2">{{Cite web|title=E-mu Emulator II &#124; Vintage Synth Explorer|url=https://www.vintagesynth.com/emu/emulator2.php|access-date=2023-02-14|website=www.vintagesynth.com}}</ref>

Musicians who used The Emulator II in the 1980s includes early adopter [[Stevie Wonder]],  [[Front 242]], [[Depeche Mode]], [[808 State]], [[New Order (band)|New Order]], [[ABC (band)|ABC]], [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[David Bowie]], [[Herbie Hancock]], [[Vangelis]], [[Tangerine Dream]], [[Jean-Michel Jarre]], [[Yes (band)|Yes]], [[Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark|OMD]], [[Stevie Nicks]] and [[Mr. Mister]].<ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>

It was also used on the ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]'' film score by [[Brad Fiedel]], many of [[Michael Kamen]]'s film scores (such as ''[[Lethal Weapon]]'' and ''[[Highlander (film)|Highlander]]'') and nearly all of [[John Carpenter]]'s films in the 1980s.<ref name="vintagesynthe"/> The Emulator II is featured in the film ''[[Ferris Bueller's Day Off]]'' when the titular character plays samples of coughing and sneezing in order to feign illness over a phone.{{fact|date=April 2024}} [[David Foster]] mentioned his Emulator II in the 1985 documentary about the creation of ''[[Tears Are Not Enough]]'', a song in which a note of a French horn was included in the single.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}

===Emulator III===
[[Image:E-mu Emulator III.jpg|thumb|350px|E-mu Emulator III (1987–1991)]]
{{multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| align             = right
| width             = 220
| image3            = E-mu Emulator IIIXP.jpg
| caption3          = E-mu Emulator IIIXP (1993)
}}

The Emulator III was introduced after the discontinuation of the Emulator II in 1987, and was manufactured until 1991. A rack-mountable version was introduced in 1988.{{fact|date=April 2024}}

It featured four or eight megabytes of memory, depending on the model, and it could store samples in 16-bit, 44&nbsp;kHz stereo, which was equivalent to that of the most advanced, professional equipment available.{{fact|date=April 2024}} The Emulator III's sound quality was also improved greatly over that of its predecessors, with quieter outputs and more reliable filter chips produced by CEM.{{fact|date=April 2024}} However, the Emulator III was considerably less popular than its predecessors, largely because of its price; at a time when manufacturers such as Akai, Ensoniq and Casio offered samplers at less than $2,000, the Emulator III's use of high-quality components resulted in a price as high as $12,695 for the 4&nbsp;MB model and $15,195 for the 8&nbsp;MB model.{{fact|date=April 2024}} E-mu had previously been able to sell its samplers in the $10,000 range because the only alternatives were the $30,000–$200,000 [[Fairlight CMI]] and the $75,000–$500,000 NED [[Synclavier]] system. However, as technology had advanced and become increasingly accessible, E-mu faced great difficulty remaining competitive.{{fact|date=April 2024}}

Although the Emulator III did not prove a great success, it may be heard in the music of [[Tony Banks (musician)|Tony Banks]] of [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], [[Lynda Thomas]], [[808 State]] and [[Depeche Mode]]; the latter used it on their 1990 album ''[[Violator (album)|Violator]]''.{{fact|date=April 2024}}

===Emulator IV and EOS===
{{multiple image |direction=vertical |align=right |width=220
 |image1=|caption1=E-mu E4X Turbo (1996)
 |image2=E-mu e6400 Ultra on desk.jpg|caption2=E-mu e6400 Ultra (1999)
 |image3=E4XTUltra.jpg|alt3=Front bezel of an E-MU E4XT Ultra|caption3=E-mu E4XT Ultra (1999)}}
The Emulator IV (EIV or E4) series of samplers was introduced in 1994. The new, proprietary operating system used in the EIV was known as the Emulator Operating System or EOS. The flash memory in these models was expandable. 

The Emulator IV was the first to be released, a rack sampler that featured 128 voices and memory expansion up to 128&nbsp;MB.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/apr95/emuemulator4.html|title=Emu Systems Emulator IV|work=Sound On Sound|date=April 1995|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607005839/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/apr95/emuemulator4.html|archive-date=7 June 2015}}</ref> Options included a multi-effects processor, additional output sockets, and 32 MIDI channels.

The e64 was launched in 1995 and, in order to meet a lower price point, was limited to only 64 voices and a maximum 64&nbsp;MB of memory.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/emu-systems-e64 |title=Emu Systems E64 |magazine=[[Sound on Sound]] |access-date=2024-02-24 |author=Paul Wiffen |date=July 1995}}</ref> It was joined in 1996 by the E4K, essentially an E64 with a 76-key weighted keyboard; however, it could be expanded to 128 voices and 128&nbsp;MB of memory and included the effects processor and other previous options as standard.<ref name="Wiffen 1997">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/emu-e4x |title=Emu E4X |magazine=[[Sound on Sound]] |access-date=2024-02-24 |author=Paul Wiffen |date=May 1997}}</ref>

A second series of rackmount EIV was launched in 1997 with the E4X Turbo as the new 128-voice flagship model.<ref name="Wiffen 1997" /> The E4X (without Turbo) and e6400 offered only 64 voices and fewer options in order to meet lower price points, although unlike the e64, it was fully upgradable. E-mu also released the E-Synth in both rack and keyboard form, with both models including a 16&nbsp;MB sound ROM and an optional 16&nbsp;MB "Dance" factory-installed sound ROM that would be accessible immediately upon startup of the unit. The E-Synth Keyboard was the final Emulator keyboard model to be produced.{{fact|date=April 2024}}

In 1999, the final EIV samplers were marketed with the Ultra designation. The Ultras featured a fast processor and upgraded analog output stages, as well as the ability to install the RFX dedicated high-quality effects processor and ultimately run the very final version of EOS. The entry-level model was the E5000 Ultra, which was limited to four output jacks, could not accept the voice upgrade, and was unable to write sound ROMs.{{fact|date=April 2024}} The E6400 Ultra (now with a capital "E") was a basic model but with full upgradability, the E-Synth Ultra (rack only) refined the previous E-Synth models (since referred to as "Classic"s) with one or two new 16&nbsp;MB sound ROMs, and the E4XT Ultra was the top model with the full 128 voices, digital audio inputs and outputs, 32 MIDI channels, and an ASCII keyboard input for remote control. The final Ultra sampler, called the E4 Platinum, was loaded with the RFX effects card and every option.{{fact|date=April 2024}}

The EIV series was discontinued in 2002.{{fact|date=April 2024}}

==Notable players==
The following musicians have played an E-mu Emulator series sampler in their recordings:<ref name="synthmuseume" /><ref name="vintagesynthe2" /><ref name="vintagesynthe">{{Cite web|url=http://www.vintagesynth.com/emu/emulator.php|title=E-mu Emulator {{!}} Vintage Synth Explorer|website=www.vintagesynth.com|access-date=2020-01-05}}</ref><ref name="vintagesynthe3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.vintagesynth.com/emu/emulator3.php|title=E-mu Emulator III {{!}} Vintage Synth Explorer|website=www.vintagesynth.com|access-date=2020-01-05}}</ref>
* [[ABC (band)|ABC]]<ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>
* [[David Bowie]]<ref name="vintagesynthe"/>
* [[Daft Punk]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vintagesynth.com/emu/esi32.php|title=E-mu ESI-32 {{!}} Vintage Synth Explorer|website=www.vintagesynth.com|access-date=2020-01-05}}</ref>
* [[Depeche Mode]] used Emulator I, II and III in studio recordings and in live performances<ref name="vintagesynthe"/><ref name="vintagesynthe2"/><ref name="vintagesynthe3"/>
* [[Enya]]<ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>
* [[Front 242]]<ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>
* [[Tony Banks (musician)|Tony Banks]] of [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] used Emulator I, II and III models<ref name="vintagesynthe"/><ref name="vintagesynthe2"/><ref name="vintagesynthe3"/>
* [[Philip Glass]]<ref name="vintagesynthe"/>
* [[Herbie Hancock]]<ref name="vintagesynthe"/>
* [[Jean-Michel Jarre]]<ref name="vintagesynthe"/><ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>
* [[Kitaro]]<ref name="vintagesynthe"/>
* [[Paul McCartney]]<ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>
* [[Mr. Mister]]<ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>
* [[New Order (band)|New Order]]<ref name="vintagesynthe"/><ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>
* [[Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark]]<ref name="vintagesynthe"/>
* [[Pet Shop Boys]] used an Emulator II<ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>
* [[Tangerine Dream]]<ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>
* [[Simple Minds]] used an Emulator II<ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>
* [[Vangelis]]<ref name="vintagesynthe"/><ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>
* [[Brian Wilson]]<ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>
* [[Stevie Wonder]] purchased the first production Emulator I<ref name="vintagesynthe"/><ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>
* [[Yes (band)|Yes]]<ref name="vintagesynthe"/><ref name="vintagesynthe2"/>
* [[Margita Stefanović]]{{fact|date=April 2024}}
* [[Yellow Magic Orchestra]]{{fact|date=April 2024}}

==See also==
* [[E-mu Emax]]
* [[Sampler (musical instrument)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite magazine|title=E-mu E4K|page=48|magazine=[[Future Music]]|issue=43|date=May 1996|publisher=Future Publishing|issn=0967-0378|oclc=1032779031}}
* {{cite magazine|title=Emulator IV|page=35|magazine=[[Future Music]]|issue=32|date=June 1995|publisher=Future Publishing|issn=0967-0378|oclc=1032779031}}
* {{cite magazine|title=Retro review: Emulator 1|page=57|magazine=[[Future Music]]|issue=32|date=June 1995|publisher=Future Publishing|issn=0967-0378|oclc=1032779031}}

==External links==
* [https://www.soundonsound.com/people/emulator-ii-40th-anniversary-sos-podcast Emulator II 40th Anniversary - SOS Podcast]

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh4pFD5d65U 1980s Interview with Philip Oakey from the Human League about the use of computers and the Emulator in pop music]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160109141728/http://www.retrosound.de/The_Emulator_II.htm E-mu Emulator II demo & pictures]}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k8FFxHPjb4 E-mu E4XT Ultra Demo Part 5]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150410122332/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/may97/emue4x.html Emu E4X – Sound On Sound review] (archive.org)

[[Category:Samplers (musical instrument)]]
[[Category:E-mu synthesizers]]