So excited. Got an SP1200 on its way. But a question ...

Ok, so I found and SP1200. Price was £1500 from a seller in the UK. Yes, it may be a little expensive, but what price do you put on vintage hardware that was the corner stone of hip hop music.

I just found out it's one of the 1998 editions. It's one of the earlier release models (it has a number). Is there any difference with the 1998 release? By that I mean is there any different hardware components used inside that give it a different to sound to the original?

Peace

A few used OP-amps instead of the SSM Filter Chip. Otherwise, completely identical - some may have larger fader caps.

Run diagnostics first thing when it arrives and check everything is as should be (you'll need the manual).

Main problem with SPs are hissy outputs due to the poly caps they used back in the day. If you have hissy outputs, most likely a dried out cap couple.

Finally, if you are coming from the world of 16-Bit 44.1 sampling, then you may be shocked at how low the resolution is and the aliasing. But that's a good thing and to be expected.

£1500 is very expensive but it depends on its service history. I wouldn't sell mine but if I did, I'd have to take into account all the work I've put into it. So £1500 would seem about right, in my case.

Enjoy man. There's no better workflow than on an Emu SP system IMHO.

Shostakovich wrote:A few used OP-amps instead of the SSM Filter Chip. Otherwise, completely identical - some may have larger fader caps.

Run diagnostics first thing when it arrives and check everything is as should be (you'll need the manual).

Main problem with SPs are hissy outputs due to the poly caps they used back in the day. If you have hissy outputs, most likely a dried out cap couple.

Finally, if you are coming from the world of 16-Bit 44.1 sampling, then you may be shocked at how low the resolution is and the aliasing. But that's a good thing and to be expected.

£1500 is very expensive but it depends on its service history. I wouldn't sell mine but if I did, I'd have to take into account all the work I've put into it. So £1500 would seem about right, in my case.

Enjoy man. There's no better workflow than on an Emu SP system IMHO.

Thanks for the reply mate.

The 12 bit sampling is what really attracted me to the SP1200. I love the way you can manipulate the sounds with ease using the faders and really like the limitations it has over my MP 1000 and 2500. Less is more. I've got a lot of learning to do, but luckily it comes with the manual. It was out of the SP or the 60 and I felt that I wouldnt get another shot at an SP1200 so soon and had to snap it up at the overly expensive price.

I'm not big shot producer. It's just a hobby to me (although my girlfriend calls it a stupid expensive hobby). I like the classic gear.

Thanks again

Shostakovich pretty much covered it, but a major difference between the original issue of the SP1200 and the reissue is that the power supply was overhauled. The original issue SPs get super hot which can shorten the life of the power supply.

The one I used many years ago got so hot you could almost cook a steak on it.

getting an SP1200 now? did you ever even learn how to use your MPC?? your parents spoil you a lil too much, man...

MPCHunter wrote:Shostakovich pretty much covered it, but a major difference between the original issue of the SP1200 and the reissue is that the power supply was overhauled. The original issue SPs get super hot which can shorten the life of the power supply.

The one I used many years ago got so hot you could almost cook a steak on it.

Indeed! My first SP (Grey) got very hot. I thought OP was comparing 7030 with 7031 - black reissue and final re-issue (black as well).

Love your site Hunter, btw.

JamesJeffery wrote: (although my girlfriend calls it a stupid expensive hobby).

she wouldn't be saying that if your hobby was spending that kind of cash on her...

crossings wrote:getting an SP1200 now? did you ever even learn how to use your MPC?? your parents spoil you a lil too much, man...

No need for that now bud. Of course I learnt how to use the MPC's. We all have to start at the bottom some time and everyone asks questions. As for my parents spoiling me ... I'm 26, my parents are broke/poor. I work hard day and night to be able to own and collect the vintage gear.

Peace

mr_debauch wrote:

JamesJeffery wrote: (although my girlfriend calls it a stupid expensive hobby).

she wouldn't be saying that if your hobby was spending that kind of cash on her...

So true. I stopped when she lost the expensive engagement ring I bought her.

JamesJeffery wrote:

mr_debauch wrote:

JamesJeffery wrote: (although my girlfriend calls it a stupid expensive hobby).

she wouldn't be saying that if your hobby was spending that kind of cash on her...

So true. I stopped when she lost the expensive engagement ring I bought her.

my girl will lose her identity faster than that platinum ring I gave her

JamesJeffery wrote:

crossings wrote:getting an SP1200 now? did you ever even learn how to use your MPC?? your parents spoil you a lil too much, man...

No need for that now bud. Of course I learnt how to use the MPC's. We all have to start at the bottom some time and everyone asks questions. As for my parents spoiling me ... I'm 26, my parents are broke/poor. I work hard day and night to be able to own and collect the vintage gear.

Peace

well then, you should also "work hard" doing what you supposedly love and read those manuals once in a while... i'm not trying to be a dick here, but you're always buying expensive gear and then put no effort into learning the basics of how to use them... it gets old quick when it almost seems like half the reason you're buying the gear is just to post pics of it. and ps, none of your gear is "vintage" just fyi.

crossings wrote:

JamesJeffery wrote:

crossings wrote:getting an SP1200 now? did you ever even learn how to use your MPC?? your parents spoil you a lil too much, man...

No need for that now bud. Of course I learnt how to use the MPC's. We all have to start at the bottom some time and everyone asks questions. As for my parents spoiling me ... I'm 26, my parents are broke/poor. I work hard day and night to be able to own and collect the vintage gear.

Peace

well then, you should also "work hard" doing what you supposedly love and read those manuals once in a while... i'm not trying to be a dick here, but you're always buying expensive gear and then put no effort into learning the basics of how to use them... it gets old quick when it almost seems like half the reason you're buying the gear is just to post pics of it. and ps, none of your gear is "vintage" just fyi.

No worries bud. Understandable. And my vintage comment meant having the lust to want to collect vintage gear and being able to do so.

Spend money while youve got it and can enjoy it!!!!!Happy sampling bro........

dryad-66 wrote:Spend money while youve got it and can enjoy it!!!!!Happy sampling bro........

at £150 per each second of sampling time, he'd BETTER enjoy it...

crossings wrote:

dryad-66 wrote:Spend money while youve got it and can enjoy it!!!!!Happy sampling bro........

at £150 per each second of sampling time, he'd BETTER enjoy it...

supply and demand

good luck with the SP.

good info at the sp1200 forums, just post in the new jack section until you have your chops up

http://sp1200.myfastforum.org