Emulator 6400 ‘Ultra’

Items 030 :

Emulator 6400 ‘Ultra’ digital sampler

Serial number : 039967118 (6842)
Condition : Excellent, fully working, no internal drive (works via scuzi with external drive)
Includes : Operation manual, power supply
Extra info : Software version 4.0e, 64 channel card, 128mg internal sound memory

: General information :
The Emulator 4 Ultra arrived in three configurations, the E4XT Ultra, E-Synth Ultra, and E6400 Ultra. All three models are professional, three space, rack-mounted sampling/synthesizers. E4 Ultra shipped with version 4.0 of the Emulator Operating System (EOS), which introduced some very exciting new features to the Emulator line, including ‘Beat-Munging’ and ‘EOS Link’. Beat-Munging is a new real-time DSP tool that analyzes drum loops and phrases to automatically determine the BPM and perfectly loops the sample. EOS Link is a Mac or PC software application that allows you to control the Emulator from your computer desktop.

: General information :

: Technical spec :
The E4 Ultra utilizes a 32-bit RISC processor, giving ultra-fast MIDI response time, SCSI, DSP operations and sampling.

: Alan's comments :
“What can one say about the Emulator range? Used so much on DM recordings and on stage between 1983 and 1994, they were probably the most versatile of samplers from the 1980s. From the very first Emulator 1, I have used them all and been captivated by sampling technology ever since. I remember when we first inserted the huge floppy disc into the Emu 1 and listened to the ‘Motorbike Idling’ sound (which later became the mainstay rhythm behind the song ‘Stripped’), I was hooked. All over ‘Construction Time Again’ you can hear the Emulator with it’s grainy 8bit samples (later improved on other models of course). Think of the intro to ‘Everything Counts’ for example, and then most of the other sounds within the song as well, such as the main riff. Of course, I couldn’t list all the songs the Emulators have been used on suffice it to say that, compared to the vastly complicated Synclavier (which did sound amazing), the Emulator was almost always the sampler of choice. We continued to use them extensively on ‘Some Great Reward’, ‘Black Celebration’, ‘Music For the Masses’,‘Violator’ and ‘SOFAD’. As each model appeared, we acquired one (or several) right up to the E111 and the Emax for live use. They could prove troublesome on stage, the Emax being by far the only fairly reliable model for that purpose, and they haven’t really stood the test of time, with power supplies and mother boards having blown along the way. My machines are all cosmetically in excellent condition but some need parts and repair (apart from this E6400 Ultra which is fully working). What they do have is HISTORY. The Emulator 11 is the sampler on which the very first Recoil recording ‘1+2’ was entirely composed. I even used it’s internal sequencer for that EP. The Emax was featured in the D.A Pennebaker film ‘101‘ for the sequence where I describe how it works. The one for sale is the actual machine used on the ‘Devotional’ tour. It still has the live sounds internally programmed and a laminated set list attached to it. The ‘Ultra’ was used on Recoil’s ‘Liquid’ and ‘subHuman’ albums.”

: Alan's comments :

“What can one say about the Emulator range? Used so much on DM recordings and on stage between 1983 and 1994, they were probably the most versatile of samplers from the 1980s. From the very first Emulator 1, I have used them all and been captivated by sampling technology ever since. I remember when we first inserted the huge floppy disc into the Emu 1 and listened to the ‘Motorbike Idling’ sound (which later became the mainstay rhythm behind the song ‘Stripped’), I was hooked. All over ‘Construction Time Again’ you can hear the Emulator with it’s grainy 8bit samples (later improved on other models of course). Think of the intro to ‘Everything Counts’ for example, and then most of the other sounds within the song as well, such as the main riff. Of course, I couldn’t list all the songs the Emulators have been used on suffice it to say that, compared to the vastly complicated Synclavier (which did sound amazing), the Emulator was almost always the sampler of choice. We continued to use them extensively on ‘Some Great Reward’, ‘Black Celebration’, ‘Music For the Masses’,‘Violator’ and ‘SOFAD’. As each model appeared, we acquired one (or several) right up to the E111 and the Emax for live use. They could prove troublesome on stage, the Emax being by far the only fairly reliable model for that purpose, and they haven’t really stood the test of time, with power supplies and mother boards having blown along the way. My machines are all cosmetically in excellent condition but some need parts and repair (apart from this E6400 Ultra which is fully working). What they do have is HISTORY. The Emulator 11 is the sampler on which the very first Recoil recording ‘1+2’ was entirely composed. I even used it’s internal sequencer for that EP. The Emax was featured in the D.A Pennebaker film ‘101‘ for the sequence where I describe how it works. The one for sale is the actual machine used on the ‘Devotional’ tour. It still has the live sounds internally programmed and a laminated set list attached to it. The ‘Ultra’ was used on Recoil’s ‘Liquid’ and ‘subHuman’ albums.”