The Emulator II is a legendary chapter in music history, known for its unmistakable grit and weight. But what if the EII had been more than just a sampler? What if it had been a synthesizer in its own right? That’s the idea behind the EII Synthulator — a sample-and-synth hybrid that combines the EII’s vintage digital character with the flexibility of a true synthesizer.
The Concept
Inspired by early Sample & Synthesis (S&S) machines like the Roland D-50, Synthulator uses short sampled attack transients layered onto synthesized sustain waves. This trick fools the ear, delivering sounds that feel complete and expressive without requiring huge amounts of sample memory. The result: pseudo-instruments that blur the line between acoustic realism and synthetic texture.
Sound Sources
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Custom soundbanks: classic analog waves (saw, sine, square, pulse, triangle) sampled into and back out of the EII for 8-bit grit
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Complex sustain waves from analog/digital synths, strings, and brass
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Attack samples: piano strikes, sax blurts, flute chiffs, and more
Two independent sustain oscillators can be freely mixed or blended using X-Mod, a slow morphing crossfade that shifts timbre over time. Layer these with an attack oscillator, and you get instruments with unique personality — all stamped with the unmistakable EII character.
Controls & Playability
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Full filter and dynamics section for shaping tone
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Velocity-sensitive crossfades between sustain waves or filter opening for expressive play
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Capable of everything from PPG-style sweeps to DX/FM-inspired tones — always with the Emulator’s signature grit
Effects & Extras
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Nine convolved Lexicon reverbs for authentic 80s sheen (Plates, Halls, Rooms, and more)
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Additional effects for depth and polish
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Glitch Button: generates musically useful random patches (now even more refined)
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90+ factory patches crafted by sound designer Anatol Locker
The Sound
EII Synthulator is firmly in the vintage digital camp. It delivers a sound palette that spans acoustic and synthetic sources — all colored by the Emulator II’s legendary converters. Whether you’re chasing authentic 80s textures or creating new sonic hybrids, Synthulator gives you the tools to weave expressive, evolving sounds that could only come from an EII.
Requirements:
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Full version of Native Instruments Kontakt v4.2.3 or higher (including Kontakt 5)
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Kontakt Player not supported (instruments will load but time out after 15 minutes)
EII Synthulator – Rhythmic Robot: The Emulator II, reimagined as the synthesizer it was always meant to be.