In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking E-mu Systems Emulator II sampler, Dave Rossum, Kevin Monahan and Paul Wiffen share inside stories of the development and manufacture of the instrument, their struggles to get around the technological limitations of the time and how the instrument was widely adopted by bands, artists and pop culture.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:50 - The Origins Of The Emulator
03:59 - The E-mu Name
04:57 - Kevin's Background
08:09 - Paul's Background
11:19 - The Motivation For Creating Emulator II
16:26 - Specific Challenges
25:19 - The Challenges Of Adding Hard Drives
30:35 - How Did The Iconic Industrial Design Come About?
35:11 - Having Two Disc Drives
38:22 - How Artists Responded To The Emulator II
46:46 - Using Sampling To Create Novelty Sounds
56:08 - Kevin's Contribution To Ferris Bueller's Day Off
57:37 - The Legacy Of The Emulator II And Sampling
#EmulatorII #Drumulator #SP12
"This is all part of musical creativity, which is what I love about my job so much, is that I get to be at the forefront of inventing these tools that then the musicians can go figure out what to do with and blow my socks off" - Dave Rossum
Dave Rossum Biog
Dave Rossum is a pioneering figure in the field of electronic music and audio technology, celebrated as the co-founder of E-mu Systems. Rossum’s early interest in engineering and music led him to study at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he developed a deep understanding of both electronic circuits and music theory.
In 1971, Rossum co-founded E-mu Systems with Scott Wedge. Initially focusing on modular synthesizers, the company became a cornerstone of the burgeoning electronic music scene. Rossum’s technical brilliance was pivotal in designing groundbreaking instruments, including the E-mu Emulator, one of the first affordable digital samplers, and the E-mu SP-1200 drum machine, which played a critical role in the development of hip-hop and electronic music.
Rossum’s work extended beyond instruments to innovations in sound synthesis and sampling technologies, many of which remain influential. After E-mu was acquired in the 1990s, Rossum continued to innovate. In 2016, he launched Rossum Electro-Music, a company dedicated to creating advanced modular synthesizer tools, such as the Morpheus filter and Assimil8or sampler, which appeal to contemporary electronic musicians.
Renowned for his combination of scientific rigour and musical sensitivity, Dave Rossum is regarded as a visionary who helped shape the sound of modern music and remains an influential force in the industry.
https://www.rossum-electro.com/
Kevin Monahan Biog
Kevin Monahan was a key figure at E-mu Systems, contributing to the company’s legacy of groundbreaking innovations in electronic music technology. Monahan played a pivotal role in the development and marketing of E-mu’s iconic products during the company’s peak in the 1980s and 1990s, helping bridge the gap between technical engineering and the creative needs of musicians.
As a product specialist and public face for E-mu Systems, Monahan was instrumental in introducing instruments like the E-mu Emulator series, the SP-1200 sampler, and the Proteus sound module to musicians around the world. His deep understanding of the technology, combined with his ability to communicate its potential to artists and producers, made him a vital part of E-mu’s success in both the professional and consumer music markets.
Beyond his technical expertise, Monahan’s passion for music and sound design made him a respected voice in the industry, helping to shape the culture and tools of electronic music during a transformative era. His contributions to E-mu’s success are remembered as an important chapter in the evolution of music technology.
Paul Wiffen Biog
Paul Wiffen is a renowned keyboard player, sound designer, and music technologist. With a career spanning decades, Wiffen has worked as both a musician and a consultant for leading synthesizer manufacturers, blending his technical expertise with a keen musical sensibility. At the height of the Emulator II's success, he was London's most prominent programmer of the instrument.
As a keyboardist, Wiffen has collaborated with prominent artists like Paul McCartney and Peter Gabriel, as well as recording the bass line on the Band Aid single. As a sound designer he's been involved in several film scores, from Blade Runner with Vangelis to Jungle Fever with Stevie Wonder. His sound design work for manufacturers is equally notable —he played a significant role in programming and demonstrating groundbreaking synthesizers such as the Elka Synthex, OSCar and the Korg Z1, helping to shape the sound palettes of the 1980s and 1990s.
Known for his engaging live demonstrations at trade shows and clinics, Wiffen has also been an advocate for electronic music technology, helping musicians unlock the potential of new instruments and old.
Rob Puricelli Biog
Rob Puricelli is a Music Technologist and Instructional Designer who has a healthy obsession with classic synthesizers and their history. In conjunction with former Fairlight Studio Manager, Peter Wielk, he fixes and restores Fairlight CMI’s so that they can enjoy prolonged and productive lives with new owners. He also writes reviews and articles for Sound On Sound, his website Failed Muso, and other music-related publications, as well as hosting a weekly livestream on YouTube for the Pro Synth Network and guesting on numerous music technology podcasts and shows. He also works alongside a number of manufacturers, demonstrating their products and lecturing at various educational and vocational establishments about music technology.
www.failedmuso.com
Twitter: @failedmuso
Instagram: @failedmuso
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/failedmuso/
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