E-mu SP-1200

SP-1200
E-mu SP-1200 sampler
ManufacturerE-mu Systems[1]
Rossum Electro-Music (2021 reissue)[2][3][4]
Dates1987–1990, 1993-1998,[1][5][6][7] 2021–present[2][3][4]
PriceUS $2,995 (1987)[6]
US $3,999 (2021 reissue)[4][8]
Technical specifications
Polyphonypolyphonic 8 voices[6]
TimbralityFully multi-timbral[6]
Synthesis type26.04 kHz 12-bit samples,[6] drop-sample pitch-shifting[9][10][11]
FilterSSM2044,[5] SSI2144 (2021 reissue)[2][4]
Storage memory10 seconds sample time, 100 user patterns, 100 user songs,[6] 20 seconds sample time (2021 reissue)[2][4][8]
EffectsIndependent level and tuning for all sounds[6]
Input/output
Keyboard8 hard plastic touch-sensitive buttons[5][6]
External controlMIDI, SMPTE[5][6]
original E-mu SP-1200 (1987)

The E-mu SP-1200 is a sampling drum machine designed by Dave Rossum and released in August 1987 by E-mu Systems. Like its predecessor, the SP-12, it was designed as a drum machine featuring user sampling. The distinctive character of its sound, often described as "warm," "dirty," and "gritty," and attributed to SP-1200's low 26.04 kHz sampling rate, 12-bit sampling resolution, drop-sample pitch-shifting, and analog SSM2044 filter chips (ICs), has sustained demand for the SP-1200 more than thirty-five years after its debut, despite the availability of digital audio workstations and samplers/sequencers with superior technical specifications.

The SP-1200 is associated with the golden age of hip hop. It enabled musicians to construct the bulk of a song within one piece of portable gear, a first for the industry, reducing production costs and increasing creative control for hip-hop artists. According to the Village Voice, "The machine rose to such prominence that its strengths and weaknesses sculpted an entire era of music: the crunchy digitized drums, choppy segmented samples, and murky filtered basslines that characterize the vintage New York sound are all mechanisms of the machine."

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Swash was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d Mullen, Matt (4 November 2021). "Reissue of the classic SP-1200 sampler announced by Dave Rossum". MusicRadar. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Stokes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b c d e Vincent, Robin (4 Nov 2021). "Rossum SP-1200: Authentic reissue of the iconic SP-1200 Sampling Drum Machine". GearNews. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Keeble was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Cite error: The named reference Hyland was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Nine Samplers That Defined Dance Music". Attack Magazine. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference SP1200 product page was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Grandl, Peter (3 July 2015). "Interview: Dave Rossum E-MU, Part Two - English Version". Amazona.de. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  10. ^ Grandl, Peter (15 July 2015). "Interview: Dave Rossum E-mu, Part Four - English Version". Amazona.de. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Assimil8or Operation Manual" (PDF). Rossum Electro-Music. Rossum Electro-Music. 2018. p. 46. Retrieved 31 July 2024.