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Average Price: $1,433
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$500
$1501+
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Description
The E-mu Emax is a classic synthesizer that brings the rich, distinctive sound of the 1980s into modern music production. This legendary piece of equipment is renowned for its 12-bit sampling technology, which provides a warm, gritty texture that digital synthesizers often struggle to replicate. Whether you're looking to create lush pads, punchy basslines, or dynamic leads, the Emax offers a versatile palette of sounds.
With its comprehensive range of features, the Emax is ideal for both studio sessions and live performances. Musicians appreciate its user-friendly interface, making sound manipulation intuitive and creative. The onboard library is filled with iconic preset sounds, and the ability to sample your own audio gives you endless possibilities to customize your music. Its robust build ensures that it stands up to the rigors of frequent use, while its vintage design adds a touch of nostalgia to any setup.
Key Features:
- 12-bit sampling technology for warm, vintage sound
- Comprehensive onboard library with iconic presets
- User-friendly interface for intuitive sound manipulation
- Ability to sample and edit your own audio
- Robust construction for durability
- Ideal for both studio use and live performances
Product specs
| Brand | E-MU Systems |
| Model | Emax 61-Key 8-Voice Sampler Workstation |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1996 |
| 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 | 8 Voices |
FAQs
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What is the polyphony of the E-mu Emax?
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The E-mu Emax features 8-voice polyphony, allowing you to play up to eight notes simultaneously, which is useful for creating complex layers and textures in your music.
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Does the E-mu Emax have MIDI capabilities?
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Yes, the E-mu Emax is equipped with MIDI input, output, and through ports, making it compatible with other MIDI-enabled devices for seamless integration into your setup.
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What type of keyboard action does the E-mu Emax have?
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The E-mu Emax features a synth action keyboard, which provides a responsive and smooth playing experience suitable for a variety of musical styles.
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Can the E-mu Emax be used as a sampler?
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Yes, the E-mu Emax is a 12-bit sampler workstation with various sample rates, allowing you to capture and manipulate audio samples for creative sound design.
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What are the sound design features of the E-mu Emax?
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The E-mu Emax includes a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, and AHDSR envelopes for both filter and amp, providing extensive sound shaping capabilities.
Videos
RetroSound
E-mu Emax Sampler - sound library (1986) Depeche Mode and more
E-mu Emax Sampler - sound library (1986) Depeche Mode and more
RetroSound
E-mu Emax I ( ( ( (More-Analog ) ) ) )
MoreAnalog
Synth Stuff Ep. 57 - E-mu Emax SE
tritonrecordings
The Sound of Depeche Mode - E-MU Emax
RetroSound
E-MU EMAX SE: THE CASE FOR VINTAGE SAMPLERS
Blush Response
Best of E-MU Emax Sampling Synthesizer ~ RetroSound Demo
RetroSound
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about E-mu Emax.
Features and functionality
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The E-mu Emax uses a companding algorithm to enhance sample time within its 512kb non-expandable RAM.
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Offers a layering feature with arpeggiator, allowing intricate pattern creation, such as holding C2 to trigger a drum pattern.
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Emax II can load Emax I sample disks, preserving presets, edits, loops, and setups, but they sound different due to distinct filters.
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Emax II advantages include more memory and likely better ADC compared to the original Emax I.
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Mods and upgrades
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Recommended to upgrade with SE firmware for unique sample mangling capabilities and enhanced synth functionality.
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Original electrolytic capacitors can be replaced with modern Japanese components for potentially improved reliability and longevity.
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Floppy drives are often swapped for USB drives to enhance storage convenience and reliability.
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Comparisons
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Analog filters on the Emax are robust but considered slightly inferior to those on the Korg DSS-1.
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Emax I offers a 12-bit sampling for a crunchy lo-fi sound, while Emax II utilizes 16-bit architecture for increased fidelity.
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The original Emax is favored by some for its filter sound, while Emax II's 16-bit architecture appeals to those seeking higher sound quality.
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Use cases and applications
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Ideal for industrial music, closely replicating late 80s Depeche Mode and Pretty Hate Machine sounds.
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Setup and maintenance
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Owners suggest models with HD or Rev 2/3 motherboards for improved storage solutions, like a Gotek or SCSI setup, to avoid slow floppy loading speeds.
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Value and pricing
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Some owners believe the unmodified original Emax can appreciate in value over time, akin to classic samplers like the MPC60.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 17 Ratings
The 11khz sampling frequency sounds great!
These days I mainly just sample in and then out to get the lowfi gritty sound that is hard to emulate. Someday I will get the HxC mod and a new display.
1271
my first sampler
i wanted to replace Mr Andrew Fletcher in Depeche Mode, as he's not essential in musical technic ;-)
Artist usage
Add artist
In the Sound on Sound article titled "UNSOUND RECORDINGS," Alan Wilder's use of the E-mu Emax is confirmed, as it is listed third under samplers in his Recoil equipment list.
Andy Fletched played an E-mu Emax HD/SE and a Yamaha DX7 IID during the "Music for the Masses" tour.
"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."
At 35:10 cEvin shows a clip of himself demonstrating how Skinny Puppy would use the E-MU Emax I for the recording of "Too Dark Park".
Jonathan Snipes has an Odyssey Mark 1 and an Emax in this performance.
In an interview with Muzikxpress on YouTube, Cosmic Baby, also known as Harald Blüchel, mentions his use of the E-mu Emax at around the 18:30 mark.
Durante todo el video puede observarse que el tecladista del medio (de camisa roja) utiliza un sintetizador E-mu Emax, que se encuentra debajo del Korg DW-8000.
This 1988 article lists an E-max sampler among David Sylvian’s gear.
The equipment responsible for Torn's unique guitar treatments live revolves around a Steinberger guitar and a collection of delays and effects - a Lexicon PCM70, PCM42, with 20 seconds of delay time, ADA and Ibanez harmonisers, a BBE Sonic Enhancer and a Microverb. At home in the 'States he has an E-mu Emax sampler, Casio CZ101, TX81Z, Alesis HR16 drum machine, a Macintosh running Performer 2.3 and Intelligent Music software and "all kinds of weird home-made things."
Dean can be seen using the Emax at 2:21 in this YouTube interview with Curve in their basement studio.
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In this photo Dwayne is standing behind 2 keyboards, the lower one is clearly an Emu Emax. I can't see if its an SE or HD version because the higher efinition model is dientical to the SE apart from the letters 'HD' instead of 'SE' next to the Emax logo.
SC: What gear do you use and how do you go about creating your sound?
"Dylan Thomas: I've got a bunch of samplers. I've got an Akai S1000 and for the old album we had a bunch of Emax's. I got the Akai to upgrade my sounds, since it's better quality."
Album Usage
The E-mu Emax has been featured on the following albums:
La Voz de los '80 (Los Demos)
Los Prisioneros (2025)
Astronomica
Crimson Glory (1999)
March Of The Pigs
Nine Inch Nails (1994)
Thinking About Myself
Cosmic Baby (1994)
Loops of Infinity
Cosmic Baby (1994)
Strange and Beautiful
Crimson Glory (1991)
Too Dark Park
Skinny Puppy (1990)
Pretty Hate Machine
Nine Inch Nails (1989)
Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode (1987)
Crimson Glory
Crimson Glory (1986)
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, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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