Over 75 studio quality samples in Wave format. Before the world of gigabyte-sized drum libraries and ultra-realistic VSTs, there was a time when "realism" meant squeezing 1,000 samples into four megabytes of memory. In the early 1990s, E-mu Systems was the king of this specialized hill, and the E-mu Pro-Cussion (Model 9020) was their dedicated percussion masterpiece. Released in 1991 as a specialized sibling to the famous Proteus/1, the Pro-Cussion wasn't just another drum machine—it was a 1U rackmount "percussion synthesizer" that changed how producers thought about rhythmic layering. The Technical Backbone At its core, the Pro-Cussion is a 32-voice, 16-channel multi-timbral sound module. While its 4MB ROM sounds microscopic by 2026 standards, E-mu’s engineers used 16-bit samples from the legendary Emulator III library, ensuring every bit of data was used for punch and clarity. Key Specifications: Polyphony: 32 Voices. ROM: 4MB (featuring over 1,000 samples). Outputs: 6 individual polyphonic outputs (3 stereo pairs) for external processing. Architecture: Based on the "G-chip" technology found in the Proteus line. The Secret Sauce: Stacks and Zones What truly separated the Pro-Cussion from competitors like the Alesis D4 was its complex internal architecture. It didn't just play a sample; it allowed you to build a "Stack."A single Pro-Cussion Kit consists of up to 24 Zones. Within each zone, you can "stack" up to 8 different instruments (though 4-layer stacks are the most common). These layers can be modulated by velocity, position, or E-mu’s unique Trigger Tempo feature—a function that tracks the speed of your playing and shifts the sound as you get faster, mimicking the way a real drummer might change their technique during a roll. The Mod Matrix: Even without resonant filters, the Pro-Cussion offered a surprisingly deep modulation matrix. You could route velocity to pitch, attack, or even start-point offset, creating "human" variations that prevented the dreaded "machine gun" effect of static samples. Sound Character and Notable Users The Pro-Cussion has a specific "crunch." It is dry, punchy, and unapologetically digital. It lacks internal effects (no reverb or delay), which made it a favorite for studio engineers who preferred to use their own high-end outboard gear. Its ability to produce aggressive, industrial tones made it a staple for bands like Front 242 and KMFDM. However, it was equally capable of delicate mallet sounds, vibes, and world percussion, making it a "Swiss Army knife" for film scorers in the early 90s. Pros, Cons, and 2026 Relevance Feature The Good The Bad Sound Quality Iconic, punchy 16-bit character. No resonant filters or internal FX. Connectivity6 outputs allow for great mixing flexibility. Tiny 16x2 character display is a pain to menu-dive. Layering Deep "Stack" architecture for sound design. Steep learning curve for custom programming. Price Still relatively affordable on the vintage market. Internal backup battery often needs replacing by now. Final Verdict Is the E-mu Pro-Cussion still relevant today? If you are looking for "real" drums, your DAW's stock library probably has it beat. However, if you are looking for sound design potential, the Pro-Cussion remains a hidden gem. The way it stacks and cross-fades digital waveforms creates textures that modern "clean" samples often miss. It is a machine for the "tinkerer"—someone who wants to dive into menus to create a snare drum made of a cowbell, a trash can lid, and a 12-bit sine wave.
Get it here: https://horrorweapon.gumroad.com/l/EMUProcussion
