Emu SP1200 King of Drums for Hip Hop

[rokuez]

Emu SP1200 King of Drums for Hip Hop ? Do these things including the sp-12 have such high values to this day because there is less supply, or is it just because demand is so great?

[GL Respect Due]

It's a two part answer.

Part 1: Supply

Part 2: Bandwagon affect.

The SP is one of those machines that people flock to when "so-and-so" comes out in a magazine article saying they're using one. Being that i've used an SP a good part of (6) years now, I remember when cats (Underground producers even) would say my sound was to raw and I was stuck in the past. Then Madlib blew up. All the sudden, SPs became scarce. The same cats that were telling me 3 years prior that the SP is too dated - were calling me going, "Yo, you got the connection on one!?". Then Madlib claimed to stop using it, and started publically endorsing the SP303. To no suprise, a flood of SPs hit eBay and private ads. There was a few month period where you couldn't get more then $7-800 for a SP - regardless of condition. Then for example, Mannie Fresh comes out and says, "The SP is the joint, it's a must have peice for me". Then all the southern cats that were saying "Boom-bap is dead - sh-t is whack, blah, blah, blah", ran out and bought SPs. That brings us to the present. Right now SPs are again being saught and raking in pretty substantial money.

[NesNeedsGear]

if pete rock and CL smooth can use the SP1200...and make 13+ yr old albums put these new "hip hop" albums TO SHAME sonically....then there's not much more to say.

in actuality...people seek out anything that is "hot", or "making a comeback", for the simple fact that they think they can match the formula another artist/producer/engineer combo developed.

i CHALLENGE anyone nowadays to attempt to rock a SP1200 like Pete Rock has been doing for damn near 20 years and come within 10 miles of the sound.

[rokuez]

i've heard hyperprism's sonic decimator plugin was the closest thing to emulate the sp1200 grit but i haven't done a side by side comparison.

it's interesting how the demand increases when producers recomend products in magazines

[GL Respect Due]

Rokuez:

The emulations fall considerably short in replicating the genuine article.

Nes:

Myself, and several of my associates rock the SP. While I don't care to compare myself (or my partners) to PR or anyone else - if you dig that raw boom-bap sound, you should dig these links.

http://www.myspace.com/sixuhclock
http://www.myspace.com/gensudean
http://www.myspace.com/lewisparker
http://www.myspace.com/mpc60s950
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=15389003
http://www.myspace.com/sunraw

Peace.

[sequoia]

It is getting harder to find one in good shape, and they do sound great! They are expensive for what they do, that being said, if they cost even more, I'd still have one. I was so in love with them at one point, I had five, and that was before Madlib made his splash.

Classic piece, don't sleep!

[Dopamine]

Is it true they have the exact same sound engine as the Emax? If so, you can get Emax's for under $100.

Can anyone confirm or deny this?

[sequoia]

Yes, they do have the same engine, however, there are some differences in the sound. I assume this has to due with the fact that the emax has adjustable ssm2047 filters (not the static ssm2044 used in the SP). The SP1200 uses a set frequency of 26,040 Hz (the sp12 is 27,000hz), the Emax is variable. The Emax also uses 8 Analog Devices DAC's, the filter "smooths" the steps in the sample. The Emax has a bit of a smoother sound, even though it's pretty raw still. I own both and can definitely tell you that they aren't quite the same. You may find an Emax keyboard for $100, but emax racks have been climbing a little and a nice one usually get $250-$350 on the bay. Still not bad compared to an SP1200. The feel of the sequencer in the SP1200 is definitely part of it's charm. The Emax has a useless sequencer. If I could only have one, it'd still be the SP.

[666]

people tend to get wrapped up in the sound of gear like this, mpc60's etc, but it's not the sound so much that made people do good records with them, it's the fact that the workflow matches the producer. If you like a piece of gear, you'll work well with it, regardless of it's limitations.

[illynoise]

I had a sp 12, and that thing was very raw. I ended up selling it a few years ago for 500.00, I still have a bunch of 5.25 floppies that say chill will, doug's jam, play this only at night. The guy at rogue music told me that it used to belong to doug e fresh, I wonder if these are the original sample disks?

BaseJase

[Dor]

would be interesting to know. Didn't you load the samples to see what they were?

[illynoise]

I never thought about doing it. I still got a bunch of those discs.

Anybody have a sp12?

[Eemo1]

i do.

[7161]

you know the SP drums is also available on a disk for emax-1 doncha? :)

[Fiver]

Originally Posted by sequoia

Yes, they do have the same engine, however, there are some differences in the sound. I assume this has to due with the fact that the emax has adjustable ssm2047 filters (not the static ssm2044 used in the SP). The SP1200 uses a set frequency of 26,040 Hz (the sp12 is 27,000hz), the Emax is variable. The Emax also uses 8 Analog Devices DAC's, the filter "smooths" the steps in the sample. The Emax has a bit of a smoother sound, even though it's pretty raw still. I own both and can definitely tell you that they aren't quite the same. You may find an Emax keyboard for $100, but emax racks have been climbing a little and a nice one usually get $250-$350 on the bay. Still not bad compared to an SP1200. The feel of the sequencer in the SP1200 is definitely part of it's charm. The Emax has a useless sequencer. If I could only have one, it'd still be the SP.

Hey, interesting reply. I've just got hold of the emax I rack, and im looking to use it on my drums to recreate the sp1200 sound. i was wondering if you know what the settings are for the channels on the sp that give it that distinctive sound? if i can get a vague idea im hoping to recreate something similar on the emax. any tips on achieving this goal?

[Killah_Trakz]

Originally Posted by NesNeedsGear

if pete rock and CL smooth can use the SP1200...and make 13+ yr old albums put these new "hip hop" albums TO SHAME sonically....then there's not much more to say.

in actuality...people seek out anything that is "hot", or "making a comeback", for the simple fact that they think they can match the formula another artist/producer/engineer combo developed.

i CHALLENGE anyone nowadays to attempt to rock a SP1200 like Pete Rock has been doing for damn near 20 years and come within 10 miles of the sound.

Then it was straight analog music, now its too much to buy to even get that sound. And to my mans about the magazine situation I would say yes! Impulse buying. Haha im a result especially with the asr10 but i'm putting it too work.

[drBill]

Originally Posted by sequoia

It is getting harder to find one in good shape, and they do sound great!

I've got one in excellent condition for sale right now in the classifieds section (pics included) :

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gears...sequencer.html

At a very fair price with a ton of discs to go with it.

bp

[Dor]

I guess what one considers fair is relative.

D

[drBill]

Originally Posted by Dor

I guess what one considers fair is relative.

D

Fair considering market value? When I checked ebay, the last ones sold were for 1800,1825 and 1900. With a load of discs and in clean condition, I'd say the deal is sweet, but if you're interested and have a different idea, shoot me a PM.

Cheers,

bp

[computa]

Originally Posted by NesNeedsGear

if pete rock and CL smooth can use the SP1200...and make 13+ yr old albums put these new "hip hop" albums TO SHAME sonically....then there's not much more to say.

in actuality...people seek out anything that is "hot", or "making a comeback", for the simple fact that they think they can match the formula another artist/producer/engineer combo developed.

i CHALLENGE anyone nowadays to attempt to rock a SP1200 like Pete Rock has been doing for damn near 20 years and come within 10 miles of the sound.

Back then Pete Rock's sp1200 was recorded thru real analog console to analog 2" tape mixed thru a real analog console w/ analog outboard to 1/2" tape. Thats where that sound comes from. He's been using an mpc for quite a bit of time. I got a classic 1200 sittin in the closet for years. It's not what it's been built up to be. Very limited. Use ur filters to match the 1200's 12 bit sound. Check pete on the upcoming grand theft auto (bronx music).

[Fiver]

Originally Posted by rokuez

Emu SP1200 King of Drums for Hip Hop ? Do these things including the sp-12 have such high values to this day because there is less supply, or is it just because demand is so great?

the economic law of supply and demand states that a high demand and low supply equate result in a high price.

in the case of the SP1200:

demand is high because:
1. Its such an iconic piece of kit in golden era hiphop (wont get into technicalities)
2. A lot of old skool hiphop nuts are trying to recreate this sound and the internet has made it easier to find out how.

supply is low because:
1. most people dont want to sell them.
2. emu made a limited amount
3. emu discontinued their production.

high demand & low supply means high price.
http://www.mikeonads.com/wp-content/..._demand_11.JPG

have fun- get into economics instead, then sell me your sp's on the cheap.

Im a hiphop nut who studies degree level economics btw haha. I was bored.

[OisinLunny]

FYI....

EMU SP1200 - ULTRA RARE FINAL EDITION on eBay, also, Drum Machines, Pro Audio Equipment, Musical Instruments (end time 03-Aug-08 22:45:44 BST)

[Edge]

I had a sp1200 the sound was big the kick drums would bust the speakers!!