The E-mu Drumulator was an instant classic. Built to rival the LinnDrum at a fraction of the price, it delivered gritty 12-bit drum samples and a real-time sequencer that powered countless hits of the 80s. With its dense, punchy kits and clever Apple II integration for visual editing, the Drumulator felt like a Fairlight for the masses — a true technological marvel of its time.
Housed in a rugged wedge of steel, the original shipped without MIDI and with no option to expand its factory sounds. But thanks to its accessible EPROMs, adventurous users could swap chips and unlock entirely new kits. Pumped through those classic D/A converters, these upgrades sounded massive.
Our Drumulator was first sampled in its original, unexpanded form to preserve the authentic onboard kit. Then we installed three aftermarket EPROM expansions, adding custom kicks, a vintage electro kit dripping with 80s vibe, and even a full kit borrowed from the Fairlight itself.
The result is a powerhouse of tight, punchy drum sounds with just the right touch of early-digital grit. With some tasteful processing — a bit of saturation and the Pump knob cranked — the Drumulator Plus truly comes alive, bringing that unmistakable early-80s punch into your DAW.
These sounds are more than retro clichés: they’re authentic, raw, and full of character. From thumping kicks to shimmering snares, they deliver that unmistakable digital wall of sound that defined a generation. Now, you can have all of that vintage energy at your fingertips.
Time to get funky.