The E-mu Drumulator is a classic 12-bit drum machine from 1983, known for its distinctive, lo-fi, and punchy sound that was used by artists such as Depeche Mode, Howard Jones, and Patrick Cowley. For UK-based music producers and enthusiasts seeking these vintage drum sounds, several sources offer sample packs. These range from direct downloads of the factory sounds to processed and enhanced versions designed for modern music production software.
Sources of E-mu Drumulator Samples
Based on the available information, E-mu Drumulator samples can be accessed through a variety of online platforms. These include community audio archives, commercial sample marketplaces, and audio sharing websites.
Internet Archive (Community Audio)
The Internet Archive hosts a collection of E-mu Drumulator factory sounds, uploaded as part of its Community Audio collection. This resource provides a direct download option for the original factory drum sounds.
- Content: The archive contains the factory sounds of the E-mu Drumulator. The available files include a range of drum hits such as Claps, Clave, Cowbell, Cymbal, High Tom, Kick, Low Tom, Rimshot, and Snare.
- File Formats: The samples are available in multiple formats to suit different production needs. These include:
- FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec)
- VBR MP3
- WAV (Waveform Audio File Format)
- Access: The samples are available for download from the archive's website. The item was added to the collection on 21 June 2021.
- Details: The item identifier is
drumulator_factory. The uploader used Scanner HTML5 Uploader version 1.6.4.
Commercial Sample Packs
For producers seeking processed or enhanced versions of the Drumulator sounds, commercial sample packs are available. These packs often include additional processing, such as saturation and tuning, to make the sounds more usable in contemporary music genres.
Drumulator From Mars
Samples from Mars offers a commercial sample pack titled "Drumulator From Mars". This pack is based on the original E-mu Drumulator from 1983.
- Price: The standard price is $29.00, but it is currently offered at a discounted price of $14.50.
- Sound Characteristics: The pack emphasizes the "crunchy and lo-fi, 12bit 80's drums" character of the original machine. The sounds are described as "cold, dead and compressed," originating from super dry, acoustic drums that were processed through old-school converters.
- Specific Sounds Included: The pack includes the following sounds:
- Bass drum: Weightless but punchy.
- Snare: A recognizable classic from 80s and early hip-hop records.
- Rim: Dry and realistic.
- Clap: Described as a personal favourite of the creator.
- Additional sounds: An 808-style clave, Linn-style cowbells, and hats.
- Production Process: The sounds were sampled through an MPC60 to achieve a "dirty, 12bit X 12bit action." The creators pitched every hit 19 times in the MPC, which contributed to the pack's unique character, providing "amazing punch, crunch and all types of cool tunings." The toms and snare were heavily saturated with a modified Yamaha PM series mixer to achieve a vintage crunch.
- Final Content: The end result is a collection of 500 classic Drumulator and MPC Drumulator hits. The pack includes pre-made kits for easy use and is formatted for various software and hardware.
- Claimed Use: The pack is recommended for producers looking for something "recognizable but slightly more esoteric and more lo-fi than its 80s brethren."
Soundboard.com
Soundboard.com is listed as a source for E-mu Drumulator samples. The site features a page titled "E-mu Drumulator Sounds" by Jason Booth.
- Content: The page offers "Classic Drum machine samples from the E-mu Drumulator." It notes that these sounds are used by musicians such as Howard Jones, Depeche Mode, and Hardfloor.
- Description: The samples are described as "Rare hard to find authentic drum sounds for music producers, djs or your own song creations."
- Technical Specifications: The samples are noted to be "Sampled at 44.1 KHZ Stereo for use in your music production software of choice."
- Details: The collection includes "All 63 sounds!" and is available for $9.99 as "Full Board."
Characteristics of E-mu Drumulator Sounds
The E-mu Drumulator is characterized by its 12-bit architecture, which gives it a specific sonic signature. The sounds are often described as:
- Lo-fi and Crunchy: Due to the 12-bit resolution and converters of the era.
- Compressed and Dry: The original sounds are very dry, having originated from acoustic drums that were processed and hardened.
- Punchy: Despite being described as "weightless," the bass drum is noted for its punch.
- Recognizable: The snare is identified as a classic sound from the 80s and early hip-hop records.
These characteristics make the E-mu Drumulator a sought-after sound for producers aiming to recreate the feel of 80s music or to add a unique, vintage texture to their tracks. The sound has been featured on countless productions, from Depeche Mode to Patrick Cowley.
Usage in Music Production
The samples from the E-mu Drumulator are intended for use in music production software. They are typically provided in standard audio formats like WAV, FLAC, and MP3, which are compatible with most Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) and samplers.
The samples can be used in various ways:
- As Standalone Hits: Producers can use individual drum hits (kick, snare, hi-hat, etc.) to program drum patterns.
- As Pre-made Kits: Some sample packs, like the Drumulator From Mars, provide pre-made kits for immediate use.
- For Further Processing: The raw samples can be further processed, filtered, or layered to create new sounds.
The availability of these samples in different formats and from various sources allows UK-based producers to access these classic sounds for their own song creations, whether for professional work or personal projects.
Conclusion
The E-mu Drumulator remains a significant piece of music history, and its sounds are accessible to UK producers through several channels. Free or community-sourced versions are available via the Internet Archive, offering the original factory sounds in multiple formats. For those seeking enhanced and processed versions, commercial packs like "Drumulator From Mars" provide a curated collection of hits with added character and usability. These resources ensure that the distinctive 80s drum sounds of the E-mu Drumulator continue to be used in modern music production.