The Emulator is a series of machines that create music using recorded sounds, stored on floppy disks. It was made by E-mu Systems from 1981 to 2002. Even though it wasn’t the first commercial sampler, it used computer technology in new ways and became widely used by musicians. It was more expensive than some early samplers, but it cost much less than its competitors. Its smaller size made it easier to carry, which helped musicians use it during live performances. The line stopped being made in 2002.

Impetus

E-mu Systems was created in 1971 to make microprocessor chips, digital scanning keyboards, and parts for electronic instruments. Money earned from licensing their technology allowed E-mu to invest in research and development. This led to the creation of specialized synthesizers for specific markets, including a line of modular synthesizers and the high-end Audity system, of which only one model was made. In 1979, founders Scott Wedge and Dave Rossum saw the Fairlight CMI and the Linn LM-1 at a convention. This inspired them to design and produce a more affordable digital sampling keyboard.

At first, E-mu considered selling the design for the Emulator to Sequential Circuits, which used E-mu's keyboard design in its Prophet-5 synthesizer. However, Sequential Circuits stopped paying E-mu for the use of the keyboard design. This led E-mu to release the Emulator for sale to the public.

Products

In 1981, the Emulator was released as a keyboard device that used floppy disks to store and play musical sounds. Musicians could record sounds, save them on floppy disks, and play them back using the keyboard. The device had a 5 1/4-inch floppy disk drive, allowing users to create and share sample libraries or buy pre-recorded ones.

The original Emulator was a basic eight-bit sampler with a simple filter and could only loop sounds once. It did not include a VCA envelope generator. Three versions were made: a two-voice model (only one sold), a four-voice model, and an eight-voice model. The keyboard was designed to play different sounds on each side, meaning the same sound had to be loaded onto both sides to play across the entire keyboard.

Stevie Wonder received the first Emulator (serial number 0001) after giving it a positive review at the 1981 NAMM Expo. It was originally promised to Daryl Dragon of Captain & Tennille but was given to Wonder due to his fame. In 1982, the Emulator was updated with a VCA envelope generator and a sequencer, and its price was reduced. About 500 units were sold before it was discontinued in 1984. Other users included New Order, Tangerine Dream, Tony Banks of Genesis, and it was used on Michael Jackson’s Thriller album. David Frank used it on his productions, and The Residents used it on The Tunes of Two Cities. Vangelis used it on the Blade Runner soundtrack.

In 1984, the Emulator II was released as E-mu’s second sampler. Like the original, it was an eight-bit device but had better sound quality using companding digital-to-analog converters and a 27.7 kHz sample rate. It included analog filters and improved real-time control. The regular model cost $7,995, and the "plus" model with extra memory cost $9,995. Upgrades like a second floppy drive, a 20 MB hard drive, and memory expansions were available. Compared to the Fairlight CMI Series II (priced at $30,000), the Emulator II was considered a better value.

The Emulator II’s unique sound came from its DPCM mu-255 companding, divider-based sample-rate system, and SSM2045 analog filters. Sample libraries included orchestral sounds and samples from the Fairlight and Synclavier, such as the Shakuhachi flute used by Peter Gabriel and Enigma, and the Marcato Strings from the Pet Shop Boys’ West End Girls. Neil Tennant said all instruments on that track were made with the Emulator II.

Musicians who used the Emulator II in the 1980s included Stevie Wonder, Front 242, Depeche Mode, 808 State, New Order, Genesis, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Herbie Hancock, Vangelis, Tangerine Dream, Jean-Michel Jarre, Yes, OMD, Stevie Nicks, and Mr. Mister. It was used in the Terminator film score by Brad Fiedel, Michael Kamen’s scores (like Lethal Weapon and Highlander), and John Carpenter’s films. It appeared in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and was mentioned by David Foster in a 1985 documentary.

The Emulator III was released in 1987 and produced until 1991. It had 4 or 8 MB of memory and could store 16-bit, 44 kHz stereo samples, matching professional equipment. Its sound quality improved with quieter outputs and better filters. However, it was less popular due to its high price ($12,695–$15,195) compared to cheaper samplers from Akai, Ensoniq, and Casio. It was used by Tony Banks of Genesis, Lynda Thomas, 808 State, and Depeche Mode, who used it on their 1990 album Violator.

The Emulator IV series was introduced in 1994 with a new operating system called EOS and expandable flash memory. The first model was a rack sampler with 128 voices and up to 128 MB of memory. Options included effects processors and MIDI channels. In 1995, the e64 was released with 64 voices and 64 MB of memory. In 1996, the E4K added a 76-key keyboard but could expand to 128 voices. In 1997, the E4X Turbo became the flagship model, while the E4X and e6400 offered fewer features. The E-Synth, with 16 MB of sound ROM, was the final keyboard model.

In 1999, the EIV was updated with the "Ultra" designation, featuring faster processors, upgraded analog outputs, and the RFX effects processor. The E5000 Ultra was the entry-level model, while the E6400 Ultra was fully upgradable. The E-Synth Ultra refined earlier models and was the last Emulator keyboard produced.

Notable players

The following musicians have used an E-mu Emulator series sampler in their recordings:

• ABC
• David Bowie
• Daft Punk
• Depeche Mode used the Emulator I, II, and III models for studio recordings and live performances
• Enya
• Front 242
• Tony Banks from the band Genesis used the Emulator I, II, and III models
• Philip Glass
• Herbie Hancock
• Jean-Michel Jarre
• Kitaro
• Paul McCartney
• Mr. Mister
• Brent Mydland with Grateful Dead
• New Order
• Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
• Pet Shop Boys used the Emulator II model
• The Residents used the Emulator II model
• Tangerine Dream
• Simple Minds used the Emulator II model
• Vangelis
• Brian Wilson
• Stevie Wonder bought the first Emulator I model produced
• Yes
• Margita Stefanović
• Yellow Magic Orchestra
• Michael Boddicker
• Bill Bottrell
• Brad Buxer