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Average Price: $5,495
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$500
$1501+
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Description
Released commercially in 1984 to huge acclaim, the Emulator II (or EII) was E-mu's second sampler. Like the original Emulator, it was an 8-bit sampler, however it had superior fidelity to the Emulator due to the use of digital companding and a 27.7 kHz sample rate. It also allowed more flexibility in editing and shaping sounds, as resonant analog filters were added. The EII also had vastly better real time control. It was priced similarly to the original Emulator, at US$7,995 for a regular model, and $9,995 for a 'plus' model featuring extra sample memory. Several upgrades, including a second floppy drive, a 20 MB hard drive, and a 512K memory upgrade were also available. Despite its price tag it was still considered very good value compared to the Fairlight CMI Series II, which, when first released, was priced at $30,000.
Product specs
| Brand | E-MU Systems |
| Model | Emulator II 61-Key 8-Voice Sampler Workstation |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1984 - 1988 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Samplers, Workstation Keyboards |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output |
| Number of Keys | 61 Keys |
| Polyphony | 8 Voices |
FAQs
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Is the E-Mu Emulator II polyphonic, and how many voices does it support?
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The E-Mu Emulator II is polyphonic and supports up to 8 voices, allowing you to play multiple notes simultaneously for richer, more complex sounds.
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What type of sampling capabilities does the E-Mu Emulator II offer?
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The E-Mu Emulator II is an 8-bit sampler workstation that allows you to sample and manipulate sounds, providing flexibility for creative sound design.
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Does the E-Mu Emulator II have MIDI connectivity?
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Yes, the E-Mu Emulator II features both MIDI input and output, enabling it to connect with other MIDI-compatible devices for expanded performance and recording options.
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What is the keyboard action like on the E-Mu Emulator II?
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The E-Mu Emulator II features a synth action keyboard, offering a responsive and smooth playing experience suitable for various styles and techniques.
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Can the E-Mu Emulator II be used for live performances?
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Yes, the E-Mu Emulator II is designed for both studio and live performance settings, with its robust sampling capabilities and MIDI connectivity making it versatile for different musical applications.
Videos
Alex Ball
FERRIS BUELLER'S SYNTHESIZER
FERRIS BUELLER'S SYNTHESIZER
Alex Ball
EMU Emulator II - Shining Moments 80's (Pt. 1)
Jason Mysteria
E-mu Emulator II sound demos
SynthMania
More great E-mu Emulator II sounds
SynthMania
E-Mu Emulator II Classic Sounds Demo (Part 1)
Perfect Circuit
Emu Emulator II - Shining Moments 80's (Pt. 2)
Jason Mysteria
E-mu Emulator II - a few cool sounds
SynthMania
The Sound of Depeche Mode - E-MU Emulator II
RetroSound
EMU Emulator II - Shining Moments 80's (Pt. 3)
Jason Mysteria
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about E-Mu Emulator II.
Comparisons
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The Emulator 6400 Ultra offers classic EII and EIII sounds with more memory, polyphony, and support for modern hard drives.
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The Emulator III offers more memory and features but lacks the distinctive sound texture of the Emulator II.
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The MicroGranny sampler and Isla S2400 are potential hardware alternatives for the 8-bit sampling approach, though they may not fully replicate the Emulator II.
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The Mirage and AKAI samplers can sample in 8-bit but lack the distinct "thing" of the Emulator II.
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Several users prefer modern samplers like the Waldorf Quantum MK2 and Nord Wave 2 for better technology and ease of use.
Source
Software and compatibility
User experience
Features and functionality
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The Emulator II's 12-bit playback of 8-bit samples adds grain and texture, particularly noticeable in lower-pitched samples.
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The Amigo Sampler plugin automatically downsamples to 8-bit and 22kHz, offering a digital approximation of the Emulator II's sound.
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The Emulator II utilized 8-bit companding sampling with SSM analog filters, crucial for its unique sound quality.
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The Emulator II has slow load times and relies on a library of floppy disks.
Source
Use cases and applications
Value and pricing
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Collectors may find value due to its iconic status and sounds reminiscent of 80s bands like OMD and Depeche Mode.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 17 Ratings
367
Sampler
The legend of the samplers! Digital but with analog circuits, it processes the sampled sounds in a different way.
This review has been translated automatically into English. See originalArtist usage
Add artist
The instrument can be seen in the Spies Like Us music video at 1:09.
[For Pretty Hate Machine] "We had an Emulator 2, Emax, PPG Wave, Oberheim Expander..." Chris Vrenna, prism films interview
This article from Sound On Sound's June 1996 issue lists the Emulator II as being among Robert's synths during the recording of their album Wild Mood Swings.
It is mentioned in the Power Windows tour book that Geddy used a bunch of Emulator II Synthesizers.
"So! I had to go and get a bunch of Emulator II Computerized Synthesizers, and a DX 7 (Yamaha) and a QX-1 Sequencer (also Yamaha), along with my regular PPG 2.3 and JP 8 (Roland) Oy!! And, if that wasn't enough, I have to keep these offstage, so Jack Secret can load the Emulator computer disks during the show while I play them with remote keyboards (two Yamaha KX 76 Remote Midi Controllers!) Get it ! But wait!! Who's going to load Jack Secret!"
Engineer Gareth Jones says Depeche Mode used an E-Mu Emulator II on People are Peopl "That song was a lot about sampling and the room," says Gareth Jones. "The monophonic Synclavier was a big part of the sound — we didn't have the polyphonic sampler until the fifth album [1986's Black Celebration] — and we also had an Emulator II and my own AMS. These were used all the time, and since only the Synclavier stored samples, a lot of what we did was recorded onto tape; track by track.
At the back of the album cover of the Rendez-vous album by Jean-Michel Jarre is a list of used instruments. In short:
Seiko DS 250, Synthex, Moog, Roland JX 8P, ARP 2600, Fairlight, Emulator II, Eminent, AKS, Lynn 9000, Memory Moog, Drumulator, Laser Harp, RMI, Seiko DS 320, OBX, DX 100, Matrisequencer, TR 808, Prophet, Casio CZ 5000, Baby Korg personal keyboard.
(Tracks 1 and 2 were a mixture of the LM-1 (kick, detuned handclap, and pitched up LM-1 tambourine), the LinnDrum (snare #23, and the metallic clanky percussion was provided by the E-MU Emulator2.
Jack Antonoff showcases the E-Mu Emulator II in an Instagram post, highlighting its presence in his creative setup.
in this picture you see vangelis with an E-mu Emulator
From there, it's on to nearby Lentil Studios to complete recording. It's there that he stores his Fairlight II, along with a PPG Wave 2.3, an Emulator II and a Prophet 5 - the last only for its ability to provide a guide click.
The Emulator II+ is on top of the CP80 behind Tony in this photo. This is from one of the live Wembley shows during the "Invisible Touch" tour, 1987
Album Usage
The E-Mu Emulator II has been featured on the following albums:
Pateando Piedras
Los Prisioneros (2016)
Ride The Tiger
Geoff Downes (2015)
Rendez-Vous
Jean Michel Jarre (2015)
展覧会の絵 ultimate edition
Isao Tomita (2014)
In Rainbows
Radiohead (2007)
Enlighten Me
Masterplan (2002)
Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi!
Enigma (1996)
Wild Mood Swings
The Cure (1996)
The Cross Of Changes
Enigma (1993)
Woodface
Crowded House (1991)
MCMXC a.D.
Enigma (1990)
Corazones
Los Prisioneros (1990)
Pretty Hate Machine
Nine Inch Nails (1989)
They Live - Expanded Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 20th Anniversary Edition
John Carpenter & Alan Howarth (1989)
The Celts
Enya (1987)
Hall Of The Mountain King
Savatage (1987)
Life As We Know It
REO Speedwagon (1987)
![E-Mu Emulator II as heard on Rage For Order (Remastered) [Expanded Edition] by Queensrÿche (1986)](https://images.equipboard.com/uploads/album/image/46270/rage-for-order-remastered-expanded-edition.jpg)
Rage For Order (Remastered) [Expanded Edition]
Queensrÿche (1986)
Invisible Touch (2007 Remaster)
Genesis (1986)
Power Windows
Rush (1985)
A Cappella
Todd Rundgren (1985)
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 II, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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