Synopsis

Emu Sampler Comparisons

Synopsis	Media	Physical	Interface	Architecture	Components	Resource

Sampler Family Picture

Released	MSRP	Synopsis	Ebay Description
1981	$7995US(MK1) $9995US (MK2)	While very basic by todays standards, it was the first sampler at an attainable price point for many musicians. MK2 added the sequencer and VCA. JL Cooper made a "Generator Modulator" (Gen Mod) retro fit, including 24dB filter and dual ADSR envelopes.	The Emu Emulator is a 61 key, 8 bit sampler, featuring vibrato and a single track real-time sequencer. Sample memory (2x64kB) can contain up to 6 upper and 6 lower waveforms, recorded at 30kHz. Sample editing includes loop, reverse, and truncate. Samples can be stored via a 5.25" disk drive
1984	$7995-9995US	Significant improvements in both sampling and voice/performance control	The Emu EmulatorII is a 61 key, 8 voice, velocity sensitive, 8 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp ADSR envelopes, real-time 8 track sequencer, SMPTE, RS-422, and MIDI. Samples are recorded at 27.5kHz (512kB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, and truncate. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 5.25″ DSDD drive.
1984	$7995-9995US	Adds 1MB sample RAM expansion.	The Emu EmulatorII+ is a 61 key, 8 voice, velocity sensitive, 8 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp ADSR envelopes, real-time 8 track sequencer, SMPTE, RS-422, and MIDI. Samples are recorded at 27.5kHz (512kB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, and truncate. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 5.25″ DSDD drive.
1984	$7995-9995US	Adds 10MB HD.	The Emu EmulatorII HD is a 61 key, 8 voice, velocity sensitive, 8 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp ADSR envelopes, real-time 8 track sequencer, SMPTE, RS-422, MIDI, and a 10MB hard drive. Samples are recorded at 27.5kHz (512kB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, and truncate. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 5.25″ DSDD drive.
1986	$2995US	(a.k.a. Baldwin IKE) 12 bit (8 bit companded) sampling synth between an Emulator II and III.	The Emu Emax is a 61 key, 8 voice, multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 12 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, and MIDI. Samples are recorded at 10-42kHz (512kB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, and truncate. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD drive.
1986	$2695US	Rack version of the Emax.	The Emu Emax is a 3U rack, 8 voice, multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 12 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, and MIDI. Samples are recorded at 10-42kHz (512kB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, and truncate. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD drive.
1986	$3995US	Adds an internal 20MB hard drive to the Emax.	The Emu Emax HD is a 61 key, 8 voice, multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 12 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, and MIDI. Samples are recorded at 10-42kHz (512kB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, and truncate. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD drive or 20MB internal hard drive.
1986	?	Rack version of the Emax HD.	The Emu Emax HD is a 3U rack, 8 voice, multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 12 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, and MIDI. Samples are recorded at 10-42kHz (512kB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, and truncate. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD drive or 20MB internal hard drive.
1986	?	HD SE upgrade adds a 20MB internal hard drive and digital processing (multiply, sample rate/pitch conversion, stack 4 presets, additive synthesis, various updates). Additive synthesis features 24 harmonics (shape can be drawn) in 24 a wave sequence (max) with dedicated time slice pitch and amplitude EGs. Additive synthesis with "time slices" is reminiscent of the Synclavier II.	The Emu Emax HD SE is a 61 key, 8 voice, multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 12 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, and MIDI. Samples are recorded at 10-42kHz (512kB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, truncate, multiply, and sample rate/pitch conversion. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD drive or 20MB internal hard drive. Additive synthesis features 24 harmonics (shape can be drawn) in 24 a wave sequence (max) with dedicated time slice pitch and amplitude EGs.
1986	?	Rack version of the Emax HD SE.	The Emu Emax HD SE is a 3U rack, 8 voice, multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 12 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, and MIDI. Samples are recorded at 10-42kHz (512kB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, truncate, multiply, and sample rate/pitch conversion. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD drive or 20MB internal hard drive. Additive synthesis features 24 harmonics (shape can be drawn) in 24 a wave sequence (max) with dedicated time slice pitch and amplitude EGs.
1986	?	SE upgrade adds digital processing (multiply, sample rate/pitch conversion, stack 4 presets, additive synthesis, various updates). Additive synthesis features 24 harmonics (shape can be drawn) in 24 a wave sequence (max) with dedicated time slice pitch and amplitude EGs. Additive synthesis with "time slices" is reminiscent of the Synclavier II.	The Emu Emax SE is a 61 key, 8 voice, multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 12 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, and MIDI. Samples are recorded at 10-42kHz (512kB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, truncate, multiply, and sample rate/pitch conversion. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD drive. Additive synthesis features 24 harmonics (shape can be drawn) in 24 a wave sequence (max) with dedicated time slice pitch and amplitude EGs.
1986	?	Rack version of the Emax SE.	The Emu Emax SE is a 3U rack, 8 voice, multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 12 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, and MIDI. Samples are recorded at 10-42kHz (512kB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, truncate, multiply, and sample rate/pitch conversion. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD drive. Additive synthesis features 24 harmonics (shape can be drawn) in 24 a wave sequence (max) with dedicated time slice pitch and amplitude EGs.
1986	?	Plus upgrade adds SCSI (DB25), supporting a 20MB (max) external HD, to the Emax SE.	The Emu Emax Plus is a 61 key, 8 voice, multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 12 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, MIDI, and SCSI. Samples are recorded at 10-42kHz (512kB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, and truncate. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD drive.
1986	?	Rack version of the Emax SE Plus.	The Emu Emax Plus is a 3U rack, 8 voice, multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 12 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, MIDI, and SCSI. Samples are recorded at 10-42kHz (512kB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, and truncate. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD drive.
1987	$12695-15195	Another significant upgrade to sampling, voice and performance control, forming the sample base for romplers to come (e.g. Proteus series)	The Emu EmulatorIII is a 61 key, 32 voice multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 16 bit sampler with 16 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter, amp, and auxiliary AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus/delay/compressor, RS-422, MIDI, and SMPTE. Samples are recorded at 32kHz or 44.1kHz. Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, and truncate. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD disk drive, SCSI, or MIDI SDS.
1987	$12695-15195	A rare rack version.	The Emu EmulatorIII is a 4U rack, 32 voice multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 16 bit sampler with 16 individual outputs, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter, amp, and auxiliary AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus/delay/compressor, RS-422, MIDI, and SMPTE. Samples are recorded at 32kHz or 44.1kHz. Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, and truncate. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD disk drive, SCSI, or MIDI SDS.
1989	2MB:$3495US 4MB:$4695US	Upgraded (16 bit samples, 2x polyphony, HD and SCSI standard) Emax SE, with a fully digital signal path (i.e. DCV/DCA vs. VCF/VCA).	The Emu EmaxII is a 61 key, 16 voice multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 16 bit sampler with 3 stereo submix effects loops, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, MIDI, and SCSI. Samples are recorded at 20-39kHz. Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, truncate, and transform multiplication. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD disk drive or SCSI.
1989	?	Rack Emax II.	The Emu EmaxII is a 3U rack, 16 voice multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 16 bit sampler with 3 stereo submix effects loops, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, MIDI, and SCSI. Samples are recorded at 20-39kHz. Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, truncate, and transform multiplication. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD disk drive or SCSI.
1989	$6595US	Adds a hard drive to a 4MB Emax II.	The Emu EmaxII Turbo is a 61 key, 16 voice multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 16 bit sampler with 3 stereo submix effects loops, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, MIDI, and SCSI. Samples are recorded at 20-39kHz. Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, truncate, and transform multiplication. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD disk drive, internal hard drive, or SCSI.
1989	?	Rack Emax II Turbo.	The Emu EmaxII Turbo is a 3U rack, 16 voice multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 16 bit sampler with 3 stereo submix effects loops, featuring a programmable analog low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter and amp AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, chorus, RS-422, MIDI, and SCSI. Samples are recorded at 20-39kHz. Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, truncate, and transform multiplication. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD disk drive, internal hard drive, or SCSI.
1993	$3995US	(Model 6100) Slightly tweaked EIII rack with digital filters (vs. analog) and 3 stereo submix outputs, using Emu's G-chip for +-5 octave transposing.	The Emu EIII XP is a 3U rack, 32 voice multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 16 bit sampler with 3 stereo submix outputs, featuring a programmable digital low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter, amp, and auxiliary AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, doppler/pan/exciter, RS-422, MIDI, and stereo AES/EBU inputs/outputs. Samples are recorded at 32kHz, 44.1kHz, or 48kHz. Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, truncate, and transform multiplication, along with other digital effects. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD disk drive, SCSI, or MIDI SDS.
1993	$4995US	(Model 6101) Adds internal hard drive and max memory to the EIIIXP.	The Emu EIII XP Turbo is a 3U rack, 32 voice multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 16 bit sampler with 3 stereo submix outputs, featuring a programmable digital low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter, amp, and auxiliary AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, doppler/pan/exciter, RS-422, MIDI, and stereo AES/EBU inputs/outputs. Samples are recorded at 32kHz, 44.1kHz, or 48kHz (32MB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, truncate, and transform multiplication, along with other digital effects. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD disk drive, SCSI, MIDI SDS, or 100MB internal hard drive.
1993	$6495US	(Model 6103) Adds analog sample inputs to the EIIIXP.	The Emu EIII XS is a 3U rack, 32 voice multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 16 bit sampler with 3 stereo submix outputs, featuring a programmable digital low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter, amp, and auxiliary AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, doppler/pan/exciter, RS-422, MIDI, and stereo analog and AES/EBU inputs/outputs. Samples are recorded at 32kHz, 44.1kHz, or 48kHz. Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, truncate, and transform multiplication, along with other digital effects. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD disk drive, SCSI, or MIDI SDS.
1993	$6995US	(Model 6104) Adds internal hard drive and max memory to the EIIIXS.	The Emu EIII XS Turbo is a 3U rack, 32 voice multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 16 bit sampler with 3 stereo submix outputs, featuring a programmable digital low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter, amp, and auxiliary AHDSR envelopes, arpeggiator, real-time 16 track sequencer, doppler/pan/exciter, RS-422, MIDI, and stereo analog and AES/EBU inputs/outputs. Samples are recorded at 32kHz, 44.1kHz, or 48kHz (32MB memory). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, truncate, and transform multiplication, along with other digital effects. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD disk drive, SCSI, MIDI SDS, or 100MB internal hard drive.
1994	$1995US?	(Model 6200) Scaled down EIIIX (optional SCSI, no AES/EBU, RS-422, arpeggiator or sequencer), borrowing the Proteus I/O (stereo out + sub send/returns).	The Emu ESI-32 is a 2U rack, 32 voice multitimbral, velocity and pressure sensitive, 16 bit sampler with stereo effects loop, featuring a programmable digital low pass filter, LFO, dedicated filter, amp, and auxiliary AHDSR envelopes, doppler/pan, and MIDI. Samples are recorded at 22.05kHz or 44.1kHz (32kHz 44.1kHz 48kHz digital). Sample editing includes loop, mix, reverse, splice, taper, truncate, and transform multiplication, along with other digital effects. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD disk drive or MIDI SDS.