E-mu Emax

The E-mu Emax is a sampler used by Prince and Dr Fink in the late 1980s. The Emax keyboard and Emax I and II rack units were all used. It appears on Lovesexy, Batman, Graffiti Bridge and Diamonds & Pearls. The distinctive “upright bass” sound can be heard on “When 2 R In Love”, “Partyman” and “Insatiable.” The EMax can also be heard on “Sex” and “Insatiable” (Loon Garden – the famous “shakuhachi” sound) and “200 Balloons” (Bass).

An E-mu Emax can be seen in photos of Paisley Park in the Lovesexy era. Dr Fink filled an Emax with samples from the Fairlight CMI so they wouldn’t have to take the keyboard on tour. Prince later used this sample set in the studio.

Prince’s Emax II was auctioned in 2020 for $9,151.

The keyboard version of the Emax is currently in the collection at Paisley Park.