E-mu Systems Modular Synthesizer Inside

Click on a section above to go to a specific area about the E-MU Modular.

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This E-mu Modular System was used on the following songs

from the Open Your Head Release by Silicon Breakdown

Awake And Dreaming.mp3 (14.7MB)

Open Your Head.mp3 (14.1MB)

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In order to see the amazing condition of this beautiful synthesizer I have opened up the modular and taken photos of each module. On this page each module is shown from the interior first and then from the front.

All pics have not been modified except for cropping and sizing. They were taken using daylight spectrum light bulbs. All pics in 300 ppi so will load slow on slower connections. All pictures taken at Mad Science Lab studio in April of 2017.

For information about each module go here,

This page is for the the beautiful blue circuit boards. The front panel of each module is also shown for reference.

One very interesting thing to note is the serial number of each module. While E-mu did not put serial numbers on whole modular systems like this, each individual module has a serial number on the submodule (small square board with dense electronics, sometimes encased like the VCO's), and a number etched on the main, larger circuit board. As well, there is a date on the circuit board, I assume for when it was designed or made.

Only around 100 large E-Mu Modular Systems were made by E-mu, but many boards and submodules were sold to home builders.

For example, Module 1 - Eµ MODULE 2400 - NOISE SOURCE below is marked 140 on the main board and 153 on the sub module. Since E-mu also sold boards and submodules for home builders, the numbers will not line up. You could buy a sub module and make you own panel or interface.

The date on NOISE SOURCE board is March 19 1976. The date range on the boards in this system are 1974 -1978, this is not when they were built just when the board was made, or designed. The latest date on a board board is on Module 19 - Eµ MODULE 2140 - RESONANT FILTER. The filter submodule is dated Feb. 3 1978 with number 165. Module 7 , also a resonant filter, is number 164 and appears to be same date (it's not as clear a photo)

This system was delivered new in 1980 to Mr. Cooper by Scott Wedge, one of the founders of E-mu. It has been safely stored by Mr. Cooper at his house until it was returned back to Santa Cruz County to Mad Science Lab in April of 2017 for documentation.

22 Total Modules

1st Row 8 modules, starting with the Noise Source, going from right to left

Module 1 - Eµ MODULE 2400 - NOISE SOURCE

 

Module 2 - Eµ MODULE 2210 - SAWTOOTH/PULSE VCO

 

Module 3 - Eµ MODULE 2120 - UNIVERSAL ACTIVE FILTER

Module 4 - Eµ MODULE 2100 - VOLTAGE CONTROLLED LOWPASS FILTER

Module 5 - Eµ MODULE 2350 - DUAL DELAYED TRANSIENT GENERATOR

Module 6 - Eµ MODULE 2000 - VOLTAGE CONTROLLED AMPLIFIER

Module 7 - Eµ MODULE 2140 - RESONANT FILTER

 

Module 8 - Eµ MODULE 2145 - FILTER CONTROLLER

 

2nd Row 8 Modules --------------------------

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Module 9 - Eµ MODULE 2906 - MULTIPLE

 

Module 10 - Eµ MODULE 2430 - RING MODULATOR

 

Module 11 - Eµ MODULE 2451 - POTPOURRI

Module 12 - Eµ MODULE 2210 - SAWTOOTH/PULSE VCO

Module 13 - Eµ MODULE 2100 - VOLTAGE CONTROLLED LOWPASS FILTER

Module 14 - Eµ MODULE 2000 - VOLTAGE CONTROLLED AMPLIFIER

Module 15 - Eµ MODULE 2455 - MIXER

 

Module 16 - Eµ MODULE 2460 - DUAL REVERB

 

3rd Row 8 Modules ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Module 17 - Eµ MODULE 2905 - POWER SUPPLY

Module 18 - Eµ MODULE 2200 - VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR

Module 19 - Eµ MODULE 2140 - RESONANT FILTER

Module 20 - Eµ MODULE 2100 - VOLTAGE CONTROLLED LOWPASS FILTER

Module 21 - Eµ MODULE 2350 - DUAL DELAYED TRANSIENT GENERATOR

The view of the circuit board is partially blocked by the reverb tanks

Module 22 - Eµ MODULE 2000 - VOLTAGE CONTROLLED AMPLIFIER

end of the line, with enough bus cable to add another module

Closer views of overall interior of the synth. Note the top rack with the blank panel has all the holes to mount additional modules. Actual E-mu modules are very rare

Interior view showing the routing of the bus to each module

Eµ MODULE 2905 - POWER SUPPLY

The Eµ 2905 Power Supply Modules are complete power systems for Eµ modular synthesizers. The 2905's front panel contains the power switch and pilot lamp, plus multiple outputs for two keyboards. When a keyboard is not connected, the associated system busses can be used for routing any signal by applying via these power supply panel jacks.

The interface panel (on cabinet rear) holds the power cord connector, fuse, and connectors for the two keyboards. In addition, four general purpose 24 pin connectors are provided. These can be used for custom functions, multi-voiced keyboard connections, or inter-cabinet firm-wiring.

The power supplies are current limited, overvoltage and reverse voltage protected, and factory calibrated. One 2905 module is required per cabinet.

Connectors on the back

Bottom connectors are for Keyboard 1(Left) and Keyboard 2 (right), Upper connectors are power for other cabinets

Power connection and fuse at bottom

 

Back to E-mu Modular 2017 Main Page

Silicon Breakdown has been a source of free information and pictures for analog synthesizers since 1999

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