Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $5,495

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1501+

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Standard

High-end

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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

Is the E-Mu Emulator II polyphonic, and how many voices does it support?

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.

What type of sampling capabilities does the E-Mu Emulator II offer?

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.

Does the E-Mu Emulator II have MIDI connectivity?

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.

What is the keyboard action like on the E-Mu Emulator II?

The E-Mu Emulator II features a synth action keyboard, offering a responsive and smooth playing experience suitable for various styles and techniques.

Can the E-Mu Emulator II be used for live performances?

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.

Alex Ball

Alex Ball

FERRIS BUELLER'S SYNTHESIZER

Video thumbnail for FERRIS BUELLER'S SYNTHESIZER by Alex Ball

FERRIS BUELLER'S SYNTHESIZER

Alex Ball

Alex Ball

Video thumbnail for EMU Emulator II - Shining Moments 80's (Pt. 1) by Jason Mysteria

EMU Emulator II - Shining Moments 80's (Pt. 1)

Jason Mysteria

Jason Mysteria

Video thumbnail for E-mu Emulator II sound demos by SynthMania

E-mu Emulator II sound demos

SynthMania

SynthMania

Video thumbnail for More great E-mu Emulator II sounds by SynthMania

More great E-mu Emulator II sounds

SynthMania

SynthMania

Video thumbnail for E-Mu Emulator II Classic Sounds Demo (Part 1) by Perfect Circuit

E-Mu Emulator II Classic Sounds Demo (Part 1)

Perfect Circuit

Perfect Circuit

Video thumbnail for Emu Emulator II - Shining Moments 80's (Pt. 2) by Jason Mysteria

Emu Emulator II - Shining Moments 80's (Pt. 2)

Jason Mysteria

Jason Mysteria

Video thumbnail for E-mu Emulator II - a few cool sounds by SynthMania

E-mu Emulator II - a few cool sounds

SynthMania

SynthMania

Video thumbnail for The Sound of Depeche Mode - E-MU Emulator II by RetroSound

The Sound of Depeche Mode - E-MU Emulator II

RetroSound

RetroSound

Video thumbnail for EMU Emulator II - Shining Moments 80's (Pt. 3) by Jason Mysteria

EMU Emulator II - Shining Moments 80's (Pt. 3)

Jason Mysteria

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

  • The Emulator 6400 Ultra offers classic EII and EIII sounds with more memory, polyphony, and support for modern hard drives.

    Source
  • The Emulator III offers more memory and features but lacks the distinctive sound texture of the Emulator II.

    Source
  • 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.

    Source
  • The Mirage and AKAI samplers can sample in 8-bit but lack the distinct "thing" of the Emulator II.

    Source
  • 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

  • Despite its iconic status, modern software like Arturia Emulator V struggles to replicate the Emulator II's unique sound characteristics accurately.

    Source
  • The Arturia Emulator II VST lacks some original disc sounds but attempts to replicate the original's iconic tones.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners note that the Emulator II's sound is favored by dark industrial bands for its gritty texture.

    Source
  • The Emulator II weighs 55lbs/25kg, making it cumbersome to transport and setup.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Emulator II's 12-bit playback of 8-bit samples adds grain and texture, particularly noticeable in lower-pitched samples.

    Source
  • The Amigo Sampler plugin automatically downsamples to 8-bit and 22kHz, offering a digital approximation of the Emulator II's sound.

    Source
  • The Emulator II utilized 8-bit companding sampling with SSM analog filters, crucial for its unique sound quality.

    Source
  • The Emulator II has slow load times and relies on a library of floppy disks.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • For Depeche Mode-inspired projects, layer DM notes in a transparent sampler or use an 8-bit AKAI or Mirage for more affordable options.

    Source
  • Ideal for those seeking exact 80s sound profiles, though not practical for modern music production due to technological limitations.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Collectors may find value due to its iconic status and sounds reminiscent of 80s bands like OMD and Depeche Mode.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners report frequent backlight burnout on the screen, necessitating a flashlight for visibility.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Emu Systems Emulator II

soundonsound.com

The E-Mu Emulator II is hailed as a revolutionary leap in sampling technology, bringing features like velocity-sensitive keyboards and real-time sample control that set the standard for modern samplers. Its integration of filters, envelopes, and MIDI marked a significant evolution from previous models, allowing for more expressive musical performances. The inclusion of onboard hard drives and CD-ROM libraries further cemented its legacy. However, while its sequencer was limited and syncing to tape was cumbersome, the Emulator II's groundbreaking innovations far outweighed these shortcomings, making it a pivotal piece of music technology history.

positive

Emulator II (EMM Nov 84)

muzines.co.uk

The E-Mu Emulator II impresses with its superior sound quality, sample manipulation prowess, and performance features. The addition of dynamic keyboard control and comprehensive sound shaping tools make it a standout in the sampling keyboard market. However, the disk-based loading time is a notable inconvenience for live performers, and the keyboard quality is underwhelming considering the high price tag. Despite these drawbacks, its flexibility and sound fidelity make it a revolutionary tool for both studio and stage, appealing to performers and experimenters alike.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 17 Ratings

5 star
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cfeijao

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 original

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Chris Lowe uses E-Mu Emulator II

Chris Lowe

Keyboardist, Composer

Pet Shop Boys

...
Verified via Photo

Chris Lowe is very clearly playing an Emulator II+ in this picture.

See how Philip Glass uses E-Mu Emulator II

Philip Glass

Composer, Music Producer

Polyrock

...
Verified via Muzines

"But now I've got an Emulator and an Emulator II, two DX9's, an Oberheim, a Prophet, a Roland JX3-P and so on, and I'd say at this point that the synth has a generic sound of its own; when I wrote parts for the synths I used to write "woodwind" and "brass" to indicate the kind of sound, but now I tend to just write "bass synth" or "wind synth" because they have sounds of their own. And even when you think you're hearing an acoustic instrument on the albums there's a synth doubling it an octave below, which gives you a bigger bottom end."

See how Peter Christopherson uses E-Mu Emulator II

Peter Christopherson

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Coil

...
Verified via Brainwashed

Sleazy frequently mentioned that the main sound source for the early records was the E-mu Emulator II, although its sounds were sometimes exported to the Fairlight via MIDI and edited on it.

See how Neil Finn uses E-Mu Emulator II

Neil Finn

Singer, Guitarist

Fleetwood Mac

...
Verified via Muzines

Apart from the Chamberlain and an Emulator 2, other keyboards featured on Woodface include a Mellotron, a Baldwin Electronic harpsichord, an old Cox organ, a Hammond, a Prophet 5, and a Piano Optigan, "a very trashy organ brought out in the '60s which reads a kind of optical disk. It sounds very low-fi but is very atmospheric. There are what you could call 'samples' on them of things like brass bands playing. It's pretty wild."

See how Nigel Godrich uses E-Mu Emulator II

Nigel Godrich

Music Producer

Radiohead

...
Verified via Photo

Ed and Phil in Nigel’s “The Hospital” studio in late 2006, during the recording of In Rainbows. The synths on the left are an Analogue Systems The Spawn and Analogue Systems RS-15 rack (featuring an RS-200 Sequencer System and an RS-370 with RS-375 expander), a Korg MS-10, a Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, a PPG Wave 2.2/2.3, and an E-MU Emulator II. The synth on the right is an ARP 2600, which might belong to Thom or Jonny based on other photos from the recording of In Rainbows.

See how Geoff Downes uses E-Mu Emulator II

Geoff Downes

Keyboardist

Yes

...
Verified via Muzines

"I got the EII a day or two before we started work on the third Asia album and it didn't have a sequencer on it at the time, and the MIDI hadn't come through on either the Fairlight or the Synclavier (which I was on the point of buying), so the Synthex's MIDI sequencer was really useful for sequencing the EII."

See how Yanni uses E-Mu Emulator II

Yanni

Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

Yanni used the E-Mu Emulator II up until 1991 when it was replaced by the Emulator III. You can see it in this video at timecode 15:20.

See how Roger O'Donnell uses E-Mu Emulator II

Roger O'Donnell

Keyboardist, Music Producer

The Cure

...
Verified via Musicfanclubs

"To me, 'Lovesong' had a real '60s feel," he explains. "So we used an [E-mu] Emulator II Vox organ sample from the [OMI] Universe Of Sounds CD. We ran it out into the studio through an amp to make it sound distorted, as if it was recorded in the '60s. And the organ sound on 'Untitled' is the harmonium sample from the same CD. At first we were going to use one of the church organ sounds, but that felt two pompous, too grand. The harmonium brings it down because it's a bit out of tune; it actually sounds as if it's being pumped with your feet. Somehow 'Untitled' creates an atmosphere of the Wild West."

See how Jorge González uses E-Mu Emulator II

Jorge González

Singer, Guitarist

Los Prisioneros

...
Verified via YouTube

Sintetizador utilizado en discos como "Pateando Piedras", "Corazones" entre otros.

See how Thomas Dolby uses E-Mu Emulator II

Thomas Dolby

Singer, Keyboardist

Bruce Woolley & The Camera Club

...
Verified via Tmdrfan

"I chose to use the largest part of the space for the control room, in order to accommodate my video equipment (a small Sony 3/4-inch editing system, Fairlight CVI, and a large screen Barco projector over the mixing board) along with a large battery of electronic percussion (E-mu SP12, Linn 9000, and assorted Simmons and PPG modules) and my new Fairlight Series III and Emulator II."

See how Michael Cretu uses E-Mu Emulator II

Michael Cretu

Singer, Composer

Enigma

...
Verified via Photo

Michael Cretu used the Emulator II extensively in the 80s and early 90s. The Shakuhachi flute sound heard in the hit Enigma single "Sadness" was unique to the Emulator II at that time and Cretu used that sound numerous times across the first three Enigma albums.

See how Howard Jones uses E-Mu Emulator II

Howard Jones

Singer, Keyboardist

The Conspirators

...
Verified via ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK

"I didn’t like the Emulator I but the Emulator II, I did like. It was great and I started sampling my voice and using string samples. That became part of the whole thing as well."

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use E-Mu Emulator II, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

Show yours
mirko_bostic

mirko_bostic

Gear IQ 94

mirko_bostic

mirko_bostic

Gear IQ 94

lunatic_77

lunatic_77

Gear IQ 60

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