E-mu Systems
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronic musical instruments, Audio equipment |
| Founded | 1971 in Santa Cruz, California, United States |
| Founder | Dave Rossum, Steve Gabriel, Jim Ketcham |
| Fate | Acquired by Creative Technology in 1993; merged with Ensoniq in 1998 |
| Successor | Ensoniq (merged entity) |
| Headquarters | Scotts Valley, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Scott Wedge (President) |
| Products | Software synthesizers, MIDI keyboards, audio and MIDI interfaces, samplers, drum machines, digital sampling workstations, sound modules, digital audio systems (sound cards) |
| Owner | Creative Technology |
| Parent | Creative Technology (since 1993) |
| Website | www |
E-mu Systems specialized in manufacturing software synthesizers, MIDI keyboards, and audio and MIDI interfaces. Established in 1971, the company was a trailblazer in developing samplers, sample-based drum machines, and cost-effective digital sampling workstations.
In 1993, Singapore-based Creative Technology acquired E-mu, making it a fully owned subsidiary. Subsequently, in 1998, it merged with another Creative acquisition, Ensoniq. The firm's main office was located in Scotts Valley, California, close to Silicon Valley.
History
E-mu was created in Santa Cruz, California by UCSC student Dave Rossum along with his Caltech colleagues Steve Gabriel and Jim Ketcham, with the goal of constructing modular synthesizers. Scott Wedge later joined the team as president. By 1973, E-mu had patented a digitally scanned polyphonic keyboard which was licensed to Oberheim Electronics and Sequential Circuits for use in their leading synthesizers. In collaboration with Solid State Micro Technology (SSM), E-mu also developed synthesizer integrated circuits widely adopted across the industry.
The revenue generated from these licensing deals enabled E-mu to design the costly Audity synthesizer in 1980; however, only one unit was ever produced. At the same year’s AES Convention, recognizing the potential of digital samplers, E-mu introduced the Emulator sampler in 1981 priced at $7,900—substantially less expensive than competitors such as the $30,000 Fairlight CMI. This pricing strategy helped E-mu capture a larger share of the digital sampler market.
Following this success, E-mu released the Drumulator—the first programmable drum machine with built-in samples available for under $1,000. The company maintained momentum with products like the Emulator II and III samplers, SP-12 drum sampler, and Emax series. In 1990, they launched the Proteus rackmount sound module featuring extensive ROM-based samples at competitive prices; this line expanded into versions targeting orchestral and world music genres. The 1987 SP-1200 drum sampler became an iconic tool among hip hop producers.
After being acquired by Creative Technology in 1993, E-mu contributed to PC sound card synthesis technology through devices such as the Creative Wave Blaster II and Sound Blaster AWE32 which incorporated EMU8000 processors. By 1996, E-mu entered the digital multitrack recording arena with the Darwin 8-track hard disk recorder while continuing to develop genre-specific sound modules aimed at electronic dance (Orbit), hip hop (Planet Phatt), and Latin music (Carnaval).
In 2001, E-mu unveiled the XL7 and MP7 Command Stations—compact music workstations offering 128-voice polyphony and sophisticated synthesis capabilities—alongside matching keyboard synthesizers. Subsequent development efforts shifted entirely towards software solutions: Emulator X (2004) delivered hardware sampler functionality to PCs via PCI cards handling input/output while processing occurred in software; Proteus X followed in 2005 as a software-based sample player.
Throughout its existence, E-mu capitalized on visionary leadership to sustain a competitive edge by pioneering affordable sampling technologies and crafting sound modules tailored to specific musical genres within global electronic music production markets.
Non-Creative sound cards
From 2003 through 2007, E-mu produced a range of high-quality "Digital Audio Systems" (computer sound cards) targeting professional users, semi-professionals, and enthusiasts. Marketed under the E-MU brand with a "Creative Professional" designation, this lineup included models identified by their input/output configurations: 0404, 1212m, 1616, 1616m, 1820, and 1820m. Models labeled with an "m" featured upgraded analog input/output capabilities; among them, the 1616 was a CardBus version while others used PCI interfaces. Initially, the 1820m served as the flagship model before being replaced by newer versions of the 1616 and 1616m including a later PCI variant.
These sound cards were compatible with Windows 2000 and later versions (both 32- and 64-bit), though only beta drivers existed for Windows 7; support for Mac systems was limited during Apple’s transition to Intel processors. Although equipped with the EMU10K2 DSP chip also utilized in Creative's Sound Blaster Audigy2 cards, E-mu independently engineered these products to distinguish them from Creative’s Sound Blaster line. Notably absent were Creative’s proprietary wavetable MIDI synthesis and EAX audio effects; instead, these cards emphasized uncompromised audio quality. Despite initial driver challenges, continuous updates enhanced stability and performance, earning generally positive critical reception.
Timeline of Key Products
| 1979 - Audity | |
| 1982 - Emulator | |
| 1984 - Emulator II | |
| 1985 - SP-12 | |
| 1987 - SP-1200 | |
| 1987 - Emulator III | |
| 1988 - Emax SE | |
| 1990 - Proteus 1 (Pop/Rock) | |
| 1993 - Emulator IIIXP | |
| 1994 - ProteusFX | |
| 1997 - Planet Phatt (Hip-Hop) 1996 - Orbit (Techno/Electronica) | |
| 1996 - Launch-Pad controller designed for Orbit | |
| 1998 - E-mu Proteus 2000 | |
| 1999 - E4XT Ultra | |
| 2000 - Xtreme Lead-1 (Techno/Electronica) 2000 - Mo'Phatt (Hip-Hop) 2002 - Turbo Phatt (Hip-Hop) | |
| 2001 - E-mu PK-6 (Pop/Rock) |
- Significant product launches include the Modular System in 1973, Audity in 1980, the Emulator lineup spanning 1981 to 1994, SP series samplers from 1985 to 1987, Proteus sound modules throughout the 1990s, and digital audio platforms introduced in the early 2000s.
- Subsequent developments featured software samplers such as the Emulator X series and wireless performance keyboards released in 2010.
- The progression of products demonstrates a deliberate strategy to grow presence in both professional audio hardware and software markets while keeping pace with evolving trends in digital music creation.
See also
- Dave Rossum
- Digital Sound Factory (company)
- Oberheim Electronics
- Polyphony (instrument)
- Sampler
- Sequential Circuits
External links
- E-mu Systems
- Digital Sound Factory
- Scott Wedge Interview at NAMM Oral History Library (2007)
- David Rossum Interview at NAMM Oral History Library (2007)
- Emulator II 40th Anniversary - SOS Podcast
- Synthesizer manufacturing companies of the United States
- E-mu synthesizers
- Sound cards
- Manufacturing companies established in 1971
- Creative Technology acquisitions
- American companies established in 1971
- 1971 establishments in California
- Defunct computer companies of the United States
- Defunct computer hardware companies
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment