Elektromesstechnik
Corporate brand
UnclaimedEMT Studiotechnik, founded as Elektromesstechnik, was a German professional-audio manufacturer known for broadcast turntables, magnetic cartridges, and pioneering plate and digital reverberation systems.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
EMT Studiotechnik was the commercial identity associated with Elektromesstechnik, the German professional-audio manufacturer founded by Wilhelm Franz in Berlin in 1938. The company became one of the most influential European suppliers to radio broadcasters, recording studios, laboratories, and the phonographic industry. Its products were valued less as consumer hi-fi equipment than as dependable, serviceable studio instruments engineered for demanding institutional use. The distinctive arrowhead logo came to symbolize the passage of an electrical signal and became closely associated with German broadcast engineering. The company initially developed measurement and broadcast-related equipment, but its most enduring reputation came from record reproducers and reverberation technology. In cooperation with the Rundfunktechnisches Institut, EMT developed the large EMT 927 studio turntable, introduced in 1951. Its oversized platter, robust idler-wheel drive, rapid start, and compatibility with large transcription discs made it suitable for radio and mastering environments. The more compact EMT 930 followed as a highly respected professional deck. Both models were adapted for stereo after the arrival of commercial stereo recording, and the company later introduced its own tonearms and moving-coil cartridge systems, including the 929 tonearm and TSD 15 cartridge. EMT's first major reverberation breakthrough was the EMT 140, introduced in 1957. Rather than relying on a spring or an acoustic echo chamber, it used a large suspended steel plate excited by a transducer and monitored by pickup sensors. A movable damping system allowed the reverberation time to be adjusted. The design became a standard studio effect and remained in production for roughly a quarter-century. EMT subsequently expanded its reverberation line with additional models, culminating in the EMT 250, introduced in 1976 and widely regarded as the first commercially available digital reverberator. Its distinctive vertical enclosure and lever-based interface made it both technically innovative and visually recognizable. During the 1960s and 1970s, EMT broadened its commercial relationships. It distributed Studer equipment in several markets, maintained ties with Thorens, and developed a substantial production operation in Lahr and later Kippenheim. The business also issued the EMT-Kurier and EMT-Courier technical bulletin, helping establish a distinctive engineering culture around its equipment. The company responded to changing broadcast requirements by moving from idler-wheel turntables toward direct drive. The EMT 950, launched in 1976, offered very fast starting, reverse cueing, multiple speeds, and an exceptionally robust construction. More compact models, including the EMT 948 and EMT 938, attempted to bring comparable broadcast functionality to stations with lower budgets or less available space. The arrival of compact disc technology placed increasing pressure on manufacturers of professional vinyl equipment. EMT entered the digital playback market with CD players such as the EMT 980, EMT 981, and EMT 982, but the market shift was too powerful to reverse the decline of its traditional turntable business. The final EMT 950 units were produced toward the end of the 1980s. On 1 January 1989, the company was acquired by Belgian technology group Barco and became Barco-EMT. Production of professional audio equipment was subsequently wound down. Although the original manufacturing operation is defunct, EMT equipment remains influential among engineers, collectors, restoration specialists, and studios seeking historically important analog and early digital processing tools.
History
Elektromesstechnik was established by Wilhelm Franz in Berlin in 1938 as Elektromesstechnik Wilhelm Franz K.G. His brother Walter joined the business in 1940. Wartime bombing forced the company to leave Berlin in 1943, first for Schuttertal and then, after the war, for Lahr in the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany. The arrowhead logo was selected to represent the movement of an electrical signal through an electronic circuit. After the war, EMT worked with the Rundfunktechnisches Institut on equipment for broadcasting and sound reproduction. This cooperation produced the EMT 927, a large professional transcription turntable introduced in 1951. Its oversized platter could accommodate 16-inch transcription discs, while its heavy idler-wheel drive, rapid start, speed monitoring, and interchangeable tonearm arrangements suited radio and laboratory work. The smaller EMT 930 retained the same design philosophy in a more compact format. The arrival of stereo led to revised cartridges, wiring, and preamplifier arrangements, including the 139st. EMT later developed its own tonearms, such as the 929 and the longer 997, and its TSD cartridge family. EMT became especially important in reverberation. In 1957 it introduced the EMT 140, which generated reverberation by exciting a thin suspended steel plate and capturing its vibrations at separate pickup points. Adjustable damping provided control over the decay time. The system was adopted by major recording facilities and remained commercially significant for decades. A stereo version, the 140st, followed in 1961. EMT's later 250, introduced in 1976, was an early landmark in digital signal processing and is widely described as the first commercial digital reverberator. Its industrial design, lever controls, and heat-management structure made it an instantly recognizable studio device. The company expanded its manufacturing and distribution network during the 1960s and 1970s. The EMT-Gerätewerk at Lahr-Kuhbach employed more than 200 people by 1963. EMT distributed Studer equipment in several markets and maintained close commercial relationships with Thorens. In 1966 Wilhelm Franz acquired a majority interest in Thorens, and turntable production associated with that business was moved from Wettingen to Lahr. EMT also published the EMT-Kurier in German and EMT-Courier in English, a technical bulletin that ran for 46 issues. As direct-drive technology became more attractive for radio use, EMT introduced the 950 in 1976. The machine offered exceptionally rapid start-up, reverse rotation for cueing, multiple speeds, and a shock-absorbing mounting system. A narrower version, the 950 E, followed for facilities with less space. The 948, introduced in 1979, used the same general direct-drive concept in a more compact and relatively lower-cost design. In March 1982 EMT introduced the still smaller 938, developed in cooperation with Thorens; Thorens marketed a related version as the TD 524. EMT relocated its headquarters to a purpose-built factory in Kippenheim and changed its corporate name to EMT-FRANZ GmbH in 1978. The growth of compact disc technology undermined the market for professional vinyl reproducers. EMT responded by developing CD players, beginning with the EMT 980 in 1987 and followed by the EMT 981 and EMT 982. These products could not offset the broader transition away from LP-based production. The last EMT 950 units left the Kippenheim factory toward the end of the 1980s. On 1 January 1989, Belgian company Barco acquired EMT and the business became Barco-EMT. Professional-audio production was gradually ended. EMT's legacy continued through the use, restoration, and emulation of its turntables, cartridges, plate reverbs, and digital reverberator designs. Wilhelm Franz died in 1971, and the Audio Engineering Society later awarded him posthumous Honorary Membership in 1983 for his contribution to professional sound engineering.
- 1989
Barco acquisition and transition to Barco-EMT
[1]Barco acquires EMT, after which the original professional-audio manufacturing operation is gradually discontinued.
- 1987
EMT enters CD playback
[1]The EMT 980 begins the company's move into professional compact-disc reproduction.
- 1982
EMT 938 introduced
[1]The 938 provides a smaller and simpler professional broadcast deck and is developed alongside a Thorens derivative.
- 1979
EMT 948 introduced
[1]The company adds a more compact direct-drive broadcast turntable to its range.
- 1978
Corporate name changes to EMT-FRANZ GmbH
[1]The business adopts the EMT-FRANZ GmbH name after moving its headquarters to Kippenheim.
- 1976
EMT 250 and EMT 950 introduced
[1]EMT launches both its landmark digital reverberator and its flagship direct-drive broadcast turntable.
- 1971
EMT 929 tonearm reaches the market
[1]The 929 replaces Ortofon arms on key EMT turntables and becomes part of the company's own reproduction ecosystem.
- 1966
Wilhelm Franz acquires a majority interest in Thorens
[1]The acquisition strengthens EMT's relationship with Thorens and contributes to the relocation of turntable production to Lahr.
- 1961
EMT 140st stereo model appears
[1]EMT adapts the plate-reverb platform for stereo production.
- 1957
EMT 140 plate reverberator introduced
[1]The steel-plate reverberation system establishes EMT as a major professional effects-equipment manufacturer.
Products and positioning
High-end German professional-audio engineering for radio, recording studios, mastering, and institutional broadcast use. EMT emphasized mechanical precision, operational reliability, rapid cueing, serviceability, and long product life rather than mass-market affordability.
Professional broadcast turntable · 1951
EMT 927
The EMT 927 was a large-format transcription turntable introduced in 1951 for radio, laboratory, and professional sound work. Its 44-centimeter platter accommodated large transcription discs, while an idler-wheel drive and high-torque motor enabled rapid start-up. Multiple versions supported different tonearm and monitoring requirements, including stereo and reference configurations. The machine became an emblem of EMT's mechanically robust approach to broadcast reproduction.
Professional broadcast turntable
EMT 930
The EMT 930 was a more compact companion to the 927. It retained the heavy platter, idler-wheel drive, quick-start system, braking, and speed-control principles of the larger machine while fitting more readily into smaller studios and broadcast rooms. Mono and stereo configurations were offered, and the model became one of EMT's best-known professional turntables. Production continued into the early 1980s.
Plate reverberator · 1957
EMT 140
The EMT 140 generated reverberation through a thin steel plate suspended in a rigid frame. A transducer injected audio energy into the plate, while pickup elements captured its direct and reflected vibrations for mixing with the dry signal. Adjustable damping changed the decay time. The design offered studios a controlled alternative to spring reverb and echo chambers and remained in production for approximately 25 years.
Digital reverberator · 1976
EMT 250
The EMT 250 was a pioneering commercial digital reverberator introduced in 1976. Developed with contributions from Barry Blesser and EMT technical staff, it combined digital reverberation algorithms with a highly distinctive control surface using levers and illuminated controls. Its tall black-anodized enclosure and separate heat-sink structure led to nicknames such as “R2D2” and “Spaceheater.” The unit remains a landmark in audio-processing history.
Direct-drive broadcast turntable · 1976
EMT 950
The EMT 950 was EMT's flagship direct-drive broadcast turntable. Introduced in 1976, it offered extremely fast start-up, reverse rotation for cueing, 33, 45, and 78 rpm operation, built-in shock isolation, and configurations for console or leg mounting. A narrower 950 E version addressed space-constrained installations. The machine was engineered for continuous professional use and became one of the company's defining late analog products.
Broadcast turntable · 1979
EMT 948
The EMT 948 translated much of the 950's direct-drive broadcast concept into a smaller and comparatively less expensive chassis. It included rapid start, reverse cueing, illuminated controls, service-accessible electronics, and a 929 tonearm. Its design targeted radio stations that required professional reliability but could not justify the size or cost of the flagship 950.
Compact broadcast turntable · 1982
EMT 938
Introduced in 1982, the EMT 938 was a slimmer and simpler direct-drive broadcast disc reproducer. It used some components associated with commercial hi-fi construction while retaining professional electronics and an upgradeable moving-coil preamplifier board. Thorens marketed a related version as the TD 524. The model represented EMT's effort to address smaller stations and more price-sensitive professional customers.
Tonearm · 1971
EMT 929
The EMT 929 was a 10-inch professional tonearm developed for EMT turntables and introduced during the company's transition toward internally supplied tonearm systems. It replaced Ortofon arms on important EMT decks and was later complemented by the longer 12-inch 997 for the 927.
Moving-coil cartridge
EMT TSD 15
The TSD 15 was EMT's professional moving-coil cartridge for broadcast and studio reproduction. It was supplied with EMT turntable systems and later received an improved stylus specification, replacing the original conical stylus with an elliptical super-fine-line design. The cartridge became an important part of the company's integrated record-reproduction platform.
Professional CD players · 1987
EMT 980, 981 and 982
These professional CD players represented EMT's response to the industry's shift from vinyl to optical media. The EMT 980 appeared first, followed by the 981 and 982. They extended the brand into digital playback, but the transition to compact disc coincided with the contraction of EMT's traditional turntable business and the eventual discontinuation of its original manufacturing operation.
Brand decisions
1989
Acquisition by BarcoM&ABackground
EMT's traditional analog market was contracting as compact disc technology became dominant.
Action taken
Belgian company Barco acquired EMT on 1 January 1989, creating the Barco-EMT identity.
Aftermath
Professional-audio production was gradually discontinued, and the original EMT manufacturing business ceased to operate as an independent active brand.
1987
Move into professional compact-disc playbackStrategyBackground
Compact disc adoption was rapidly changing the professional audio market and weakening demand for vinyl-based broadcast equipment.
Action taken
EMT began producing professional CD players, beginning with the EMT 980 and later expanding the line with the 981 and 982.
Aftermath
The digital expansion did not prevent the decline of the traditional EMT turntable business. Production of professional audio equipment was gradually discontinued after Barco's acquisition in 1989.
1976
Shift from idler-wheel to direct-drive broadcast turntablesGeneration changeBackground
Direct drive offered broadcasters faster starting and stopping and was increasingly preferred over the older idler-wheel architecture.
Action taken
EMT launched the 950 direct-drive turntable and later added the narrower 950 E, replacing the older mechanical approach at the top of its range.
Aftermath
The 950 became a reference professional broadcast deck, while the 948 and 938 subsequently extended the direct-drive concept to smaller installations.
1968
Diversification into the EMT 928StrategyBackground
EMT faced growing competition from Japanese turntables and sought to broaden its professional turntable range beyond its established large idler-wheel models.
Action taken
The company developed the EMT 928 using a Thorens-derived mechanical foundation, while adding EMT electronics, RIAA compensation, preamplification, and a strengthened suspension.
Aftermath
The 928 became the last EMT turntable introduced under Wilhelm Franz's management and helped bridge the company's established engineering with a more contemporary product direction.
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