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Description

The E-Mu Emulator I is a trailblazing digital sampler synthesizer that has left a lasting mark on the world of electronic music. Released in 1981, this iconic instrument was one of the first to bring digital sampling to a broader audience. Its 8-bit sampling capability allowed musicians to capture and manipulate real-world sounds in innovative ways, paving the way for countless musical possibilities. With a straightforward interface and a unique approach to sound design, the Emulator I became a favorite among musicians and producers seeking to push the boundaries of creativity.

The Emulator I features a 4-octave keyboard and is renowned for its distinctive sonic character, often described as warm and gritty, which is a staple in many classic tracks. Its onboard floppy disk drive allowed users to store and recall samples with ease, making it a powerful tool in the studio and on stage. Despite being a vintage piece of technology, the Emulator I's charm and functionality continue to captivate artists who appreciate the roots of digital sampling.

Key Features:

  • 4-octave keyboard for versatile playability
  • 8-bit sampling with a rich, vintage sound quality
  • Built-in 5.25" floppy disk drive for sample storage and retrieval
  • Straightforward interface for easy sample manipulation
  • Polyphonic capabilities with up to 8 voices
  • Classic design that remains influential in electronic music production

Product specs

Brand E-MU Systems
Model Emulator 49-Key 8-Voice Sampler Workstation
Finish Blue / Black
Year 1981 - 1983
Made In United States
Categories Samplers, Workstation Keyboards
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
Number of Keys 49 Keys
Polyphony 8 Voices

FAQs

What is the polyphony of the E-Mu Emulator I?

The E-Mu Emulator I features an 8-voice polyphony, allowing you to play up to eight notes simultaneously.

Is the E-Mu Emulator I a digital or analog synthesizer?

The E-Mu Emulator I is a digital synthesizer, known for its sampling capabilities and digital sound processing.

How many keys does the E-Mu Emulator I have?

The E-Mu Emulator I is equipped with a 49-key full-size keyboard, offering a synth action feel.

What year was the E-Mu Emulator I released?

The E-Mu Emulator I was released between 1981 and 1983, marking it as an early digital sampler in the music industry.

What are the primary categories of the E-Mu Emulator I?

The E-Mu Emulator I falls under the categories of samplers and workstation keyboards, highlighting its capabilities in sampling and sound manipulation.

MuStudio

MuStudio

E-mu - Emulator I

Video thumbnail for E-mu - Emulator I by MuStudio

E-mu - Emulator I

MuStudio

MuStudio

Video thumbnail for E-mu Emulator I audio demo [c. 1981] by VCO8

E-mu Emulator I audio demo [c. 1981]

VCO8

VCO8

Video thumbnail for Original Emu Emulator I Sampler Synth Demo - with 90 Disks! from Maui Recorders Neff / Becker by eclecticsoundspdx

Original Emu Emulator I Sampler Synth Demo - with 90 Disks! from Maui Recorders Neff / Becker

eclecticsoundspdx

eclecticsoundspdx

Reviews

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Martin L. Gore uses E-Mu Emulator I

Martin L. Gore

Singer, Guitarist

Depeche Mode

...
Verified via Photo

The word "Emulator" can be seen on the back of one of Martin Gore's keyboards in this picture.

See how Robin Guthrie uses E-Mu Emulator I

Robin Guthrie

Guitarist

Cocteau Twins

...
Verified

Robin Guthrie's use of the E-Mu Emulator I is confirmed in an article from One Two Testing (November 1984), titled "Coctale." Guthrie discusses the keyboard, noting, "The Emulator we were using was MIDI'd," which suggests that the original Emulator used was the midiless Emulator I, later upgraded to include MIDI functionality.

See how Kraftwerk uses E-Mu Emulator I

Kraftwerk

Composer, Music Producer

Kraftwerk

...
Verified via Kraftwerkfaq

On the 1983 single Tour de France, a pre-production E-Mu Emulator sampler provided the Pentatonic Harp Glissando and Slap Bass sounds.

See how Vangelis uses E-Mu Emulator I

Vangelis

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Aphrodite's Child

...
Verified via Photo

In this image, found on Vangelis' website, taken at Nemo Studios, one can see some the equipment used by Vangelis, including an E-Mu Emulator I.

See how Ryuichi Sakamoto uses E-Mu Emulator I

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Keyboardist, Composer

Yellow Magic Orchestra

...
Verified via Photo

Ryuichi Sakamoto used the E-Mu Emulator I during Yellow Magic Orchestra's winter 1981 tour, as shown in a user-uploaded photo on Geocities.

See how Michael Jackson uses E-Mu Emulator I

Michael Jackson

Singer, Composer

The Jackson 5

...
Verified via Keyboardmag

The lush pad on “P.Y.T.” (after Michael sings “I’ll take you there . . .”). It sounds multitracked, but really, it’s not. It’s a singletrack sample of Michael Jackson’s voice, done on an E-mu Emulator I — serial number 1, in fact! We then used this mode the Emulator had where you could sample the sound twice, then detune one of the voices while in “unison” mode. It was recorded with lots of top end added, and Bruce Swedien’s special reverb known as “spit.” Quincy Jones would say, “Sven, put some spit on it!”

See how Tony Banks uses E-Mu Emulator I

Tony Banks

Singer, Keyboardist

Genesis

...
Verified via YouTube

"The [Yamaha] DX-7 as well. The DX-7 was more Invisible Touch where you get the much more percussive sort of sounds. Of course, the sampling instruments that started to come in. I started to use the [E-mu] Emulator III. I think that was Mama as well, as I think about it. We just sort of sampled everything around the place to see what sort of effects it had. I do think the instruments did affect the writing quite a bit. I do think when you go back and hear the sounds, I do love the sort of fat synths."

Source: http://www.worldofgenesis.com/TonyBanks-Interview2009-part2.htm

See how Stewart Copeland uses E-Mu Emulator I

Stewart Copeland

Singer, Guitarist

The Police

...
Verified via Photo

Stewart Copeland can be seen next to an Emulator I in this photo from Home Studio Recording magazine issue, published December 1983

See how Alan Wilder uses E-Mu Emulator I

Alan Wilder

Drummer, Keyboardist

Depeche Mode

...
Verified via Photo

Alan Wilder can be seen playing an E-Mu Emulator I sampler, as evidenced by an image showing him using the instrument. This sampler, introduced in 1981, was utilized by Depeche Mode starting with their album Construction Time Again and was also favored by band member Martin Gore.

See how Danny Elfman uses E-Mu Emulator I

Danny Elfman

Singer, Guitarist

Oingo Boingo

...
Verified via Mixonline

"I will say that I'm constantly changing my rig, but the most common, long-lasting staples from the beginning that I have been using are the E-mu samplers, which I've been using since their very first E-I, the Macintosh, which I've used since the Jurassic version, and Mark of the Unicorn Performer, which I've used since its earliest incarnation. My extensive personal sample library of percussion is all laid out for the Emulators, but recently I began converting some of that library to use on the Gigastudio as well."

See how Stephen Morris uses E-Mu Emulator I

Stephen Morris

Drummer, Keyboardist

Joy Division

...
Verified via YouTube

Stephen is playing an Emulator throughout this video.

See how Gillian Gilbert uses E-Mu Emulator I

Gillian Gilbert

Guitarist, Keyboardist

New Order

...
Verified via the Guardian

Per this Feb 11, 2013 interview for The Guardian:

We'd bought ourselves an Emulator 1, an early sampler, and used it to add snatches of choir-like voices from Kraftwerk's album Radioactivity, as well as recordings of thunder.

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 Emulator I, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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