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Eµ Modular Overview
 Modular During late 1972 Dave and
Scott worked on building a set of analog synthesizer circuits and a monophonic keyboard for a new totally modular synthesizer. In early 1973 they launched the new Modular synthesizer as a completed product and as a set of kits.
Over the next year the number of high quality, professional modules expanded. The panels were built of heavy duty aluminum, with cemet pots and full sized 1/4" jack connectors. Prospective owners could specify which module and
cabinets they wanted, as well as choosing from either a monophonic or polyphonic keyboard. Customers could also buy sub-modules, which were the core elements of each module, to build up into finished modules.
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MODULAR MP3 Demos !!
Courtesy of Ed Rudnick at E-mu Systems
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Documentation Dave and Scott produced their first official catalog in early 1974 with a detailed listing of every module and
sub-module available. They also produced a short form catalog in the same year, and a price list. During the next 2 years they issued regular minor updates to the manual every 6 months or so,
and price lists were also updated - although the prices didn't really change much. The Technical Catalog was re-issued in 1978 with the revised SSM based modules, and then a final version was
issued in September 1980 complete with details of the Audity System.
Users The Eµ Modular was initially aimed at experimenters and hobbyists, but universities and high profile studios around the US
became the key customer base. Several well known 1970's US based musicians bought examples, and Patrick Gleeson in San Francisco created one of the largest configurations and recorded a
number of albums based on the Eµ Modular. More recent users include Vince Clarke.
Low Profile Dave and Scott kept their company at a low profile for the first few years. "We are basically opposed to conventional
advertising, and prefer to rely on word of mouth". They did build up a dealer network in the US, as well as selling directly from the factory. Dealers were expected to have a demonstration modular
in a studio environment. They exhibited at AES for the first time in 1975.
Models The Eµ Modular synthesizers were built to order, so each one of the approximately 100 - 150 made are all different. They
were manufactured from 1973 - 1981.
Design "The goal of our circuit design is to get the ultimate in
performance, compatibility with competitive professional pricing. Of particular significance are the criteria of wide dynamic range, low distortion and noise, flexibility and reliability. The modular system
was conceived as an optimum general purpose studio unit, also usable in sophisticated live performance".
From the Eµ Systems Technical Catalog 1974
Values
Today Eµ Modulars range in value depending on the configuration and condition, but a typical price is $/£8 -10,000.
Why Eµ ? Dave named the company after the initial letters of Electronic Music, and then choose Greek for the Mu. "Our business
is and will continue to be a modest venture; quality electronic music systems are not a volume product and cannot alone support a large corporation. We prefer to think of ourselves as craftsmen
rather than manufacturer, as each system we build gets a good deal of special attention".
Dave and Scott dropped the Greek alphabet around 1980, after
becoming an incorporated company called E-mu Systems Inc. Greek was not allowed in a USA company name!
Other Developments Whilst continuing to manufacture the modular range, Eµ Systems also worked on a number of other
interesting developments. They developed a 16 voice polyphonic digital scanning keyboard in 1976 using a Z80 microprocessor (after building a monophonic one in 1973 using TTL logic). This
became the basis for the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 (and provided excellent license revenues!) and various Oberheim's.
They also worked on an abortive Guitar synthesiser for Dave
McLaughlin, and they collaborated with Solid State Music to create the famous range of SSM analog synthesiser chips (used in several famous synthesizers and some Emulator's).
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Site Options
Product Spec
* Analog Modular Synthesizer
* Eµ Short Form 
* Eµ Technical Catalog 
* Eµ Price List 1974
* Eµ Modular Brochure
* Modular Calibration
* 2310 - Early TG (1973)