Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $800
Standard/Professional
$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
Experience the authentic vintage sound of the E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard, a cherished gem among synthesizer enthusiasts. This classic digital sampler and synthesizer, renowned for its expansive capabilities, blends the warmth of analogue with the precision of digital sound processing. Perfect for those seeking the nostalgic tones of the late '80s and early '90s, the Emax II Turbo offers a robust platform for creativity, combining sampling, synthesis, and sequencing.
Boasting a 16-bit resolution and a sampling rate of up to 44.1 kHz, the Emax II provides pristine audio quality. Its comprehensive feature set includes an onboard sequencer and eight polyphonic voices, allowing for complex arrangements and rich soundscapes. The 61-note velocity-sensitive keyboard ensures expressive performances, making it a versatile tool for live and studio environments alike.
The Emax II Turbo's user-friendly interface simplifies the creation and manipulation of sounds, while its compatibility with a wide range of MIDI devices ensures seamless integration into any setup. With various onboard effects and a library of iconic sounds, it remains a beloved choice for musicians looking to capture the essence of classic electronic music.
Key Features:
- 16-bit resolution with up to 44.1 kHz sampling rate
- 61-note velocity-sensitive keyboard
- Eight-voice polyphony
- Built-in sequencer
- Onboard effects and sound editing capabilities
- MIDI compatibility for extended connectivity
- Extensive library of classic sounds
Product specs
| Brand | E-MU Systems |
| Model | Emax II 61-Key 16-Voice Sampler Workstation |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1989 |
| Categories | Samplers, Workstation Keyboards |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Number of Keys | 61 Keys |
| Polyphony | 16 Voices |
FAQs
-
Is the E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard suitable for live performances?
-
Yes, the E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard is suitable for live performances due to its 61 full-size keys and 16-voice polyphony, allowing for versatile sound design and expressive playing.
-
What type of synthesis does the E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard use?
-
The E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard uses digital sampling synthesis, allowing users to create and manipulate sounds through its built-in sampler workstation.
-
How does the E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard connect to other MIDI devices?
-
The E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard features MIDI Input, Output, and Through connections, enabling seamless integration with other MIDI-compatible instruments and equipment.
-
Can the E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard be used in a modern studio setup?
-
Yes, the E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard can be integrated into a modern studio setup through its MIDI connectivity, making it a versatile tool for both vintage and contemporary music production.
-
What is the keyboard action type of the E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard?
-
The E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard features a synth action, providing a responsive and lightweight feel ideal for fast playing and expressive performance.
Videos
Valmont
E-Mu Emax II: Metal sound design
E-Mu Emax II: Metal sound design
Valmont
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard.
Features and functionality
-
The Emax II allows for two sounds per key, each with unique settings, enabling mixing, cross-fading, and modulation with velocity or MIDI CC.
Source
Use cases and applications
-
Ideal for low-fi sampling effects, as it can sample at reduced rates such as 11kHz, enhancing gritty sound textures.
Source
User experience
-
Owners note the time-intensive process of creating patches on the Emax II, contrasting with more instant computer-based samplers, but commend the superior playback quality.
Source
Comparisons
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 14 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
Orbital lists the E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard in their gear inventory, as documented by Hyperreal.
E-MU Emax Turbo II is included in the list of samplers used to record the Recoil album "subHuman."
"One keyboard version for working at home or in the studio, and one rackmounted version for live work. A long time ago, after futile holidays in various repair shops, the rack unit went back to Texas. When it came back the hard drive was just as broken as before. It still is. The Emax is great for orchestral sounds and mutations, but the Emax II file format isn't even recognised by later Emu equipment, so our Emaxes are at a dead end. When both units have gone to that great pawn shop in the sky, we'll lose access to our whole library of Emax II sounds - unless we buy more dodgy old kit. Having access via another sampler to the raw samples isn't the same as having the loops, crossfades, filters and all the rest, - even if we can get the Emaxes to talk to the Macs and persuade our translation software to translate all the raw samples (which is a long and tedious job in itself, with so many samples to load into the sampler first, one floppy at a time). This means we'll train the Nord Lead to variously replace that one Emax sound which we use for so many live songs, e.g. the motif arpeggios on 'Giving Ground', 'Temple Of Love' and 'More'. And it means we'll try to "use up" loads of groovy mutant sounds before our Emaxes give up the ghost altogether. Which sounds like a job for the Leeds Underground. "
I started with an EMAX II—one of those old samplers from the late '80s.
Roddy Bottum used two E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboards from 1992 until he transitioned to using one Emax II along with a Kurzweil K2000, as seen in a Getty Images photo.
In a feature by Future Music on MusicRadar, Lifelike discusses his creative process in his Paris studio, where he utilizes the E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard, notably in the production of his track "So Electric."
In the live performance video "My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult - Cuz It's Hot" from 2004, Buzz McCoy can be seen using an E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard in the background.
Hayes: "The classic machine for my money is the Linn II. I also really like the Jupiter 8 and I love the Emax because it's got the advantage of digital samples with analogue processing. You can stick a digital sound through an ADSR and filters, and that's brilliant.
Album Usage
The E-Mu Emax II Turbo Keyboard 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 Emax II Turbo Keyboard, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
-s.webp?v=1783236527)
Community setups
Show yours
More E-Mu Synthesizers
-m.webp?v=1783177047)
.jpg?v=1782915672)
$3,283.92 - $3,499.99
in Synthesizers Rank
$469.00 - $699.99
in Synthesizers Rank
$19,535.25
in Synthesizers Rank
$999.00 - $1,084.00
in Synthesizers Rank
Accessories & Related Items
-s.webp?v=1783090773)
Similar
Gear Guides
Most Popular Synthesizers
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
adamdavidsonGear IQ 266
-
