E-mu SP-12

E-mu SP-12 also known as the “sampling drum computer” was designed in 1985 and widely released in 1986 by E-mu Systems. Although the SP-12 was quickly superseded by the more powerful SP-1200, the SP-12 is often regarded as the first commercially successful drum machine and sampler combo.

History

The E-mu SP-12 was the spiritual successor to E-mu's Drumulator and was originally going to be produced under the name Drumulator II, however shortly before the sampler went into production its name was changed to SP-12. The name SP-12 stands for 'Sampling Percussion - 12-bits'.[1]

Earlier samplers usually relied on piano-style keyboard attachments or a computer interface to trigger and manipulate samples,[citation needed] but the SP-12 provided sample-triggering through a series of drum pads on its top surface. This, and the very short duration sample time, meant this was to be a drum sampler first and foremost. However, DJs soon found they could easily replicate their vinyl record mixing and collage techniques with this drum sampler.[citation needed] This gave DJs, musicians and producers an almost endless sonic palette in which to work. Once E-mu realized the potential of the SP-12, they made a “Turbo” upgrade available which quadrupled the sample memory to 5 seconds. The SP-12 was soon superseded by the SP-1200, which, amongst other improvements, offered 10 seconds of sample time. [2]

Features

The E-Mu SP-12 was a 12 bit sampler with a sampling rate of 27.5 kHz (27500 samples per 1 second of audio sound, as explained in its user manual, page 59). It came preloaded with 24 drum samples in ROM that consisted of a rim shot, four toms, electronic snare, snare, bass, four electronic toms, hi hats, crash, ride, claps, and cowbell along with eight user sample positions.[3] Internal EPROM chips that holds stock sound files can be replaced with EPROM programmer. Audio files in chips are RAW UNSIGNED MONO 8-BIT PCM 27500 kHz.

The original SP-12 had a maximum sampling time of 1.2 seconds while with the Turbo upgrade it has a maximum sampling time of 5 seconds. The SP-12 has a 5000-note memory allowing it to store 100 songs and 100 patterns; with the turbo upgrade, this is increased to 400 songs and 400 patterns.[4]

Trivia

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Notable Users

See also

References

  1. ^ Mark Katz (2010). Capturing Sound: How Technology Has Changed Music (revised ed.). University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-26105-1.
  2. ^ Mellor, David (Oct 1987). "E-Mu SP1200". Sound on Sound (Oct 1987): 22–28.
  3. ^ Craig Anderton (1985). SP-12 Sampling Percussion System Owners Manual (PDF) (Version 2.3 ed.). E-mu Systems, Inc. Archived from the original on 2006-10-08.((cite book)): CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ "SP-12 Overview". Emulator Archive. Archived from the original on 2008-01-12.
  5. ^ Trask, Simon (Dec 1991). "Strange Changes". Music Technology. United Kingdom: Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. pp. 30–36. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  6. ^ Robbie (Jun 2008). "DJ Vicious Lee (Def IV) -- The Unkut Interview".
  7. ^ Sorcinelli, Gino (2017-09-20). "Paul C. McKasty: the Legend, the Tragedy, the Story of an Era". Medium. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  8. ^ "Exclusive: Prince Paul Breaks Down Gravediggaz "6 Feet Deep" Track-By-Track « HipHopSite.Com". 2017-09-02. Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  9. ^ Fintoni, Laurent (15 September 2016). "15 samplers that shaped modern music – and the musicians who use them". FACT. VF Publishing. Retrieved 16 July 2019.

External links

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