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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
"This is an Emulator II. And it's an instrument that we use a lot in the studio and live. It's very versatile and very easy to use," Alan, at the beginning in this video.
"The only new things were the Emulator II and the Linn 9000, though I didn't have time to get into the Linn properly before I started recording. Part of the catch with these things is that you do need time to get to know them. If the equipment arrives after you've started recording, you have to take it out of the studio to get to grips with it, which I didn't feel like doing in this instance."
List of equipment used by Klaus Schulze, from the February 1993 issue of Sound on Sound:
4x Akai S1000PB (32MB) 2x Akai S1000KB (32MB) Akai S900 Akai S612 Akai S7000 Moog Modular CIII 2x Moog MiniMoog Studio Electronics MIDIMini Mellotron Yamaha CS80 Yamaha CP70 Yamaha TX81Z Yamaha SY99 Korg M1 Korg M1 EX Korg T1 Korg T3 Korg DVP1 Roland U110 Roland U220 Roland D50 Roland S50 sampler & monitor Roland Planet S & editor Roland Super Jupiter & editor 2 Roland TR505 Roland Octopad Roland JD800 Roland Super JX10 4x Hohner HS2/E sampler 5x Hohner HS1/E sampler Hohner HS1KB sampler Waldorf Microwave GDS computer synth Misc. Crumar keyboards Fairlight CMI Series II SCI Prophet 2000 SCI Prophet 2002 Emu Proteus/2 Emu Proteus/3 World Emu Emulator II Kurzweil K1000 Kawai K4 EMS Synthi A PPG Wave 2.2 Linn 9000 4x Oberheim DPX1 Yamaha RY30 drum machine Sonor timpanies and octo toms Paiste gongs and cymbals Martin 12-string guitar
At 35:05, "I traded this for my Emu Emulator II, which is a giant sampler".
in the minute 3:32 we can see some one playing an Emulator II
The E-mu Emulator is clearly visible for the first 16 seconds of this video, where Stephen is playing it at the back of the room. Additionally, this article about the making of some of New Order's biggest hit singles lists the Emulator II among the synths used by the band in the studio.
At 0:06 and throughout the video you can see Gillian playing an Emulator II.
In the video at 2 minutes and 33 seconds, the E-Mu Emulator II is present in Ronnie James Dio's home studio.
In this video, Andy Fletcher is playing an E-Mu Emulator II, seen clearly at 0:17.
In 80s footage of a live Front 242 performance appearing in the Belpop TV program about the band you can clearly see Patrick performing on an Emulator II.
The credo on Todd Rundgrens current tour, according to an entourage member, is: ''You cant get on the bus unless you sing.''
There are, however, exceptions.
''Well, weve got two stage guys who dont have to sing,'' Rundgren said from his Cleveland hotel room. ''And the bus driver, I haven`t auditioned him yet. But if he can sing. . . .''
Singing is such a big deal because Rundgren and his group of 11 vocalists are out supporting his latest album, ''A Cappella.'' It`s pretty much what the title indicates: an all-vocal record, with Rundgren doing all the singing and using an Emulator, a computerized keyboard instrument, to synthesize his voice into the sounds of various instruments.
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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