| SP-1200 | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | E-mu Systems[1] Rossum Electro-Music (2021 reissue)[2][3][4] |
| Dates | 1987–1990, 1993-1998,[1][5][6][7] 2021–present[2][3][4] |
| Price | US $2,995 (1987)[6] US $3,999 (2021 reissue)[4][8] |
| Technical specifications | |
| Polyphony | polyphonic 8 voices[6] |
| Timbrality | Fully multi-timbral[6] |
| Synthesis type | 26.04 kHz 12-bit samples,[6] drop-sample pitch-shifting[9][10][11] |
| Filter | SSM2044,[5] SSI2144 (2021 reissue)[2][4] |
| Storage memory | 10 seconds sample time, 100 user patterns, 100 user songs,[6] 20 seconds sample time (2021 reissue)[2][4][8] |
| Effects | Independent level and tuning for all sounds[6] |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | 8 hard plastic touch-sensitive buttons[5][6] |
| External control | MIDI, SMPTE[5][6] |
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."
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Swashwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ 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.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Stokeswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference
Keeblewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d e f g h i Cite error: The named reference
Hylandwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Nine Samplers That Defined Dance Music". Attack Magazine. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
SP1200 product pagewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Grandl, Peter (3 July 2015). "Interview: Dave Rossum E-MU, Part Two - English Version". Amazona.de. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Grandl, Peter (15 July 2015). "Interview: Dave Rossum E-mu, Part Four - English Version". Amazona.de. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Assimil8or Operation Manual" (PDF). Rossum Electro-Music. Rossum Electro-Music. 2018. p. 46. Retrieved 31 July 2024.