E-mu Emulator

The E-mu Emulator series brought sampling technology to musicians at a fraction of the Fairlight's cost, democratizing the ability to play any recorded sound from a keyboard. Depeche Mode used the Emulator extensively on Construction Time Again and Some Great Reward, sampling industrial sounds — metal strikes, found objects, vocal fragments — and arranging them into rhythmic, musical structures. Talking Heads' expanded live lineup also incorporated the Emulator for its ability to reproduce Remain in Light's studio textures on stage. The Emulator II's improved fidelity made it ubiquitous in 1980s pop production.