TheE-mu SP-12 is asamplingdrum machine.[1] Designed in 1984, SP-12 was announced byE-mu Systems in 1985.[2] Expanding on the features of E-mu’s affordable and commercially successfulDrumulator, a programmable digital drum machine, SP-12 introduced usersampling, enabling musicians to sample their own drums and other sounds. In August 1987, E-mu replaced SP-12 withSP-1200.[2]
E-mu made a “Turbo” upgrade available which increased the total memory for user samples to 5 seconds.SP-1200, featuring an integrated disk drive for storage and more RAM allowing for more total user sampling time in place of the preset ROM drum sounds, replaced SP-12 in E-mu’s product line in August 1987.[2][6]
In contrast to other early sampling instruments integrating piano-style keyboards, such as E-mu’sEmulator series of digital sampling synthesizers,Ensoniq Mirage, orFairlight CMI,[1] SP-12 instead used plastic buttons to play drum sounds on its top panel. Dynamics can be performed using a piezo sensor on the circuit board listening for the button’s impact, a technology invented by E-mu co-founder Scott Wedge.[2][7]
SP-12 uses a 12-bit linear data format and the same 26.04kHz sample rate E-mu previously used inDrumulator and subsequently reused inSP-1200.[2][8][9][10][11][12] The sample rate was chosen early on in Drumulator’s development as a compromise between bandwidth and sampling time.[2][8][13] A reconstruction filter was deliberately omitted, resulting in a brighter sound due to imaging (sounds above the sample rate).[10][13]
SP-12 includes 24 12-bit[2] preset ROM sounds consisting of two bass drum, two snare, two electronic snare, rimshot, cowbell, four toms, four electronic tom, three hi-hat, two clap, two ride cymbal, and crash cymbal sounds. Although the panel legend is marked with 8 positions for user samples, up to 32 user samples can be used.[14]
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.[15]
SP-12 can synchronize to and generate MIDI, SMPTE, and analog click signals; it can also send and receive MIDI note triggers.[2][10]
The SP-12 is almost identical in design to the E-mu Emulator II and many of the knobs and buttons are interchangeable.
Some of the original SP-12s have "Emulator SP12" written on them.
Original SP-12's were known to have "Paul is theWalrus" and "Paul is dead" written on the motherboard.
Later SP-12's Had "Loonie Tunes World Tour" written on the motherboards.
TheBeastie Boys reference the SP-12 in their song "Putting Shame In Your Game" from their 1998 albumHello Nasty with the line, "Well I'm the Benihana chef on the SP12."Rappin 4 Tay inPlayers Club (1994) says "I got a ho namedreel-to-reel, she got a buddy named SP-12, now you know the deal."Young MC raps in the songAlbum Filler (1991) "It's just me, a mic, and an SP-12."World Class Wreckin' Cru raps inCabbage Patch (1987) "From the three kick drums out the SP-12."
^Trask, Simon (Dec 1991)."Strange Changes".Music Technology. United Kingdom: Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. pp. 30–36. Retrieved2023-12-19.
