Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated .

Average Price: $339

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The E-Mu E4X Turbo is a powerhouse in the world of digital sampling, bridging the gap between complex sound design and intuitive performance. Perfect for both studio use and live gigs, this synthesizer offers a robust platform for creative expression. Equipped with the legendary E-Mu RISC chip, it provides exceptional processing power, ensuring smooth and responsive playback of your samples. The E4X Turbo is renowned for its ability to handle complex, layered sounds with ease, making it a staple for professional musicians and producers.

This synthesizer features an expansive library, allowing you to craft intricate soundscapes with a vast array of presets and samples. Whether you're creating lush orchestral arrangements or gritty electronic beats, the E4X Turbo delivers unparalleled sound quality. The user-friendly interface, combined with deep editing capabilities, empowers you to tweak and fine-tune your sounds to perfection.

Designed with connectivity in mind, the E4X Turbo includes multiple MIDI and audio outputs, providing seamless integration into any setup. Its robust build ensures reliability during intense live performances, while the advanced sampling options offer creative possibilities limited only by your imagination.

Key Features:

  • Powered by the E-Mu RISC chip for enhanced processing power
  • Extensive library of presets and samples
  • User-friendly interface with comprehensive editing tools
  • Multiple MIDI and audio outputs for versatile connectivity
  • Advanced sampling capabilities for complex sound design
  • Ideal for both studio recordings and live performances

Product specs

Brand E-MU Systems
Model E4X Turbo Rackmount 128-Voice Sampler Workstation
Finish Black
Year 1996
Made In United States
Categories Rackmount Synths, Samplers
Analog / Digital Digital
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Polyphony 128 Voices

FAQs

What type of synthesis does the E-Mu E4X Turbo utilize?

The E-Mu E4X Turbo is a digital sampler workstation, focusing on sample-based synthesis with 128-voice polyphony, allowing for complex sound design and layering.

How does the E-Mu E4X Turbo connect with other MIDI devices?

The E-Mu E4X Turbo features MIDI Input, Output, and Through ports, enabling seamless integration with other MIDI-compatible instruments and controllers.

Is the E-Mu E4X Turbo suitable for live performances?

Yes, the E-Mu E4X Turbo's rackmount design and robust polyphony make it well-suited for live performances, providing versatile sound options and reliable performance.

What makes the E-Mu E4X Turbo unique compared to other samplers?

The E-Mu E4X Turbo stands out with its 128-voice polyphony, extensive MIDI connectivity, and powerful sample manipulation capabilities, making it a versatile tool for both studio and live use.

Can the E-Mu E4X Turbo be used in modern music production setups?

While the E-Mu E4X Turbo is from 1996, its MIDI compatibility and sample-based synthesis can still integrate into modern setups, especially for those seeking classic digital sampler sounds.

Thought-Forms

Thought-Forms

E-MU E4X Turbo...Ambient Drum & Bass

Video thumbnail for E-MU E4X Turbo...Ambient Drum & Bass by Thought-Forms

E-MU E4X Turbo...Ambient Drum & Bass

Thought-Forms

Thought-Forms

Video thumbnail for Atmospheric DnB on an old E-MU sampler by Thought-Forms

Atmospheric DnB on an old E-MU sampler

Thought-Forms

Thought-Forms

Video thumbnail for EMU E4X HARDWARE SAMPLER SESSION | DRUM COMPRESSOR | TECH TALK | TUTORIAL by TheBizzyBScience

EMU E4X HARDWARE SAMPLER SESSION | DRUM COMPRESSOR | TECH TALK | TUTORIAL

TheBizzyBScience

TheBizzyBScience

Video thumbnail for Atmospheric Drum & Bass on the E-MU E4X Turbo (1996) by Thought-Forms

Atmospheric Drum & Bass on the E-MU E4X Turbo (1996)

Thought-Forms

Thought-Forms

Video thumbnail for Downtempo on an old E-MU Sampler by Thought-Forms

Downtempo on an old E-MU Sampler

Thought-Forms

Thought-Forms

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about E-Mu E4X Turbo.

Setup and maintenance

  • Flash ROM failure can trigger "csum failed" error; replacing ROM from sources like Madlabz Discord resolves it.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Old computers are often kept in setups for SCSI management, crucial for maintaining vintage samplers like the E-Mu E4X Turbo.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The E-Mu E4X Turbo may require a boot disk to resolve startup errors, highlighting the importance of legacy media like floppy drives.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The Artmix Aztecmonster SCSI to CF adapter is a recommended upgrade for the E-Mu E4X Turbo, sourced from Artmix's eBay page.

    Source
  • An IDE to CF adapter is a successful modification for enhancing storage in similar E-Mu models, like the E6400 Ultra, according to owner experiences.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners enjoy the process of upgrading vintage gear, finding it more satisfying than using newer, less robust equipment.

    Source
  • There is a noted appeal in using vintage samplers like the E4X Turbo, with owners valuing the creative limitations imposed by older hardware designs.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Emu E4X

soundonsound.com

The E-Mu E4X Turbo offers impressive expandability and sound quality, boasting 128 voices, 128MB RAM capacity, and a 1GB hard drive preloaded with samples. Its versatility shines through its modular design, allowing users to upgrade the sampler to meet evolving needs. The inclusion of advanced filters and effects further enhances its appeal, providing users with a broad tonal palette. However, its RAM expansion process is cumbersome, and it lacks optical digital interfaces like S/PDIF or ADAT, which might deter professionals needing multi-channel digital connectivity. Overall, the E4X Turbo is a robust choice for those seeking a highly adaptable and rich-sounding sampler.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Harry Gregson-Williams uses E-Mu E4X Turbo

Harry Gregson-Williams

Composer, Music Producer

Kind Heaven Orchestra

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Harry Gregson-Williams's LA studio complex, Wavecrest Music, commenced operations in Venice Beach in August 2003, and comprises three floors of editing suites, mix rooms and a live room, as well as Harry's own studio on the top level. This houses the following gear:

Sequencing and digital audio

*Steinberg Cubase SX and Ableton Live running on dual 3.6GHz Xeon server with 4GB RAM, two RME HD*SP 9652 soundcards, 75GB mirrored SATA system drives and 400GB mirrored SATA audio/sample storage drives. MIDI is streamed over LAN to Gigastudio PCs, and an Emagic Unitor 8 and AMT8 are used for hardware synths. *Pro Tools HD Accel system running on dual 2GHz Apple G5, with one 192 Analog and seven 192 Digital interfaces.

Samplers

*14x Emu E4X. *24x Roland S760. *7x 3.0GHz Pentium 4 PCs with 80GB SATA system drives, RME HDSP 9652 soundcards and 250GB SATA sound drives with custom and commercial sound libraries, running Tascam Gigastudio 3.

Software synths and plug-ins

*Arturia ARP 2600, Minimoog V and CS80. *Antares Filter and Auto-Tune. *Applied Acoustics Lounge Lizard. *Gmedia Imposcar and Oddity. *GRM Tools. *Korg Legacy Collection. *Native Instruments Absynth 3, Battery 2, FM7, Kontakt 2, Pro 53, Reaktor 4. *Ohm Force Ohm Boyz. *Spectrasonics Stylus RMX, Atmosphere and Trilogy. *Steinberg D'Cota, X-Phraze, Virtual Guitarist, VG Electric Edition, Groove Agent and Halion.

Hardware synths

*Access Virus, Indigo 2 and Redback. *Clavia Nord Rack, Nord 3 KB and Nord Modular. *Korg Trinity Pro X, Wavestation A/D and M1R. *Novation Supernova II Pro. *Roland JP8080, JD990, JV1080 and MKS80. *Studio Electronics SE1, ATC1 and Omega 8. *Waldorf Q, Microwave II, Microwave XT and Pulse.

Recording, mixing & outboard

*Avalon 727 preamp. *Eventide DSP4000 effects. *Lexicon PCM80 and 90 reverbs. *Quested HQ108 speakers in 5.1 setup. *5x Yamaha 02R digital mixers.

See how Yoko Shimomura uses E-Mu E4X Turbo

Yoko Shimomura

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Photo

This E-Mu sampler is situated back in its own fly-case, just above the Akai S6000.

See how The Residents uses E-Mu E4X Turbo

The Residents

Guitarist, Keyboardist

...
Verified via Photo

Mentioned in a May 2002 Keyboard magazine article by Hardy Fox.

The Wormwood tour in 1998 included E-mu E4X, Alesis QS6.1, Yamaha DJX, and two DigiTech Vocalists.

See how Yasunori Mitsuda uses E-Mu E4X Turbo

Yasunori Mitsuda

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Archive

"Yet another sampler. It may make me look like I'm just full of samplers, but the reason why I value samplers so much is because they sound so much better than regular sound modules and also, you can add new sounds just by getting more samples or creating your own. I doubt that I'll ever go back to regular sound modules, unless they come up with some extraordinary ground breaking equipment."

See how Mark Isham uses E-Mu E4X Turbo

Mark Isham

Composer

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Isham's 'orchestra pit' is, however, no slouch, with several Akais (S3200, CD3000, S1000, S1000PB and three S2000s), three Emu E4Xs, three Roland S760s, plus a selection of older units. "They each have their own characteristics — the Akais have a tremendous transient response, and for percussion they're just brilliant; the Rolands have a warmth about them. I also have so many because of the various different programmers that work in the different formats. Eric Persing of Spectrasonics pretty much works for Roland, and he's just so good that I had to have some Roland gear to take advantage of his wonderful work."

See how Jody Gray uses E-Mu E4X Turbo

Jody Gray

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Jodygray

"I have three E-MU E4's, all maxed out. They've been a dream. I have a huge sample library. All legitimate, I might add. I went out and bought all of it."

Album Usage

The E-Mu E4X Turbo has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use E-Mu E4X Turbo, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Korg M1
Korg M1 Synthesizers
2
Avid Pro Tools
Avid Pro Tools DAW Software
2
Opcode Studio Vision
Opcode Studio Vision Music Software
2
Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter
Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter Synthesizers & Sound Modules
2
Clavia Nord Lead 3
1
Akai S3200XL
Akai S3200XL Audio Samplers
1
Apple Macintosh II
Apple Macintosh II Computers & Peripherals
1
Akai CD 3000
Akai CD 3000 Audio Samplers
1

More E-Mu Synthesizers

E-Mu Emulator 2

$14.99 - $5,495.00

 
Chris Lowe Joey Pesce The BBC Radiophonic Workshop
5 artists using
E-mu E-Synth

 

 
Autechre Mikko Tarmia Michael Bradford
3 artists using
Sequential Prophet-6

$3,444.00 - $3,499.99

# 1

Rank

Kevin Parker Thom Yorke Trent Reznor
168 artists using
Moog Grandmother

$999.00 - $1,084.00

# 4

Rank

Dominic Fike Deadmau5 Martin Garrix
51 artists using

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    gboy
    gboy

    Gear IQ 2213