I want an SP 1200 but damn!!

wait, i thought the reissued version' chips COULD NOT emulate the sound of the original one. If they actually can, it means that it'd be possible to reverse-engineer em and build new sp1200's with the same sound of the originals. And that makes me wonder why anybody has done that yet. Seriously, it's 1987 circuitry, once you recreate the 'magic' of the filters and the chips (again, if it's really possible to do), building the rest of the machine (or something similar) would be a piece of cake even for just a skilled amateur....

It was apparently only the very last of the reissues that didn't have the SSM filter chips.

If you wanted to build your own clone, you could find the chips available for sale.

Phra*DOC wrote:wait, i thought the reissued version' chips COULD NOT emulate the sound of the original one. If they actually can, it means that it'd be possible to reverse-engineer em and build new sp1200's with the same sound of the originals. And that makes me wonder why anybody has done that yet. Seriously, it's 1987 circuitry, once you recreate the 'magic' of the filters and the chips (again, if it's really possible to do), building the rest of the machine (or something similar) would be a piece of cake even for just a skilled amateur....

More to it than that. Parts go obsolete and can't be exactly duplicated, without paying out the nose for NOS (new old stock) components. Also, software/firmware/boot loaders/etc.etc. make duplicating the programming quite a challenge. I think one of the main components that the SP1200 clone builder would face is sourcing the original Curtis filter ic's and again, programming. A ground up software/firmware build is a shit ton of work.

If you REALLY wanted to build your own SP1200?? I would estimate it costing you $5000 and about 300 hundred of man hours,

I'll just cop a **** EmaX and midi it up.

jonestown massacre wrote:More to it than that. Parts go obsolete and can't be exactly duplicated, without paying out the nose for NOS (new old stock) components. Also, software/firmware/boot loaders/etc.etc. make duplicating the programming quite a challenge. I think one of the main components that the SP1200 clone builder would face is sourcing the original Curtis filter ic's and again, programming. A ground up software/firmware build is a **** ton of work.

Firmware might be able to be read out of ROM chips in a real SP1200.

Orginal filter chips were made by SSM, the SSM2044, not made by Curtis.

If you wanted to build your own clone, you could find them for sale.

I think you might only need 2 of them.

^^ point being, without an sp1200, you can't really (easily) build a clone. Good luck finding someone willing to let you rip the EEPROM chips out of their sp1200, just so you could build your own.

I think it is stupid to suggest that anyone would think about trying to build a clone without an original SP1200 to copy the firmware from.

It only takes one person to give it a go, and get the firmware copied.

Obviously will not be you, that is fine, doesn't mean that it can't be done, and does not mean that it would be a ground up software/firmware build.

Could be someone that already has an SP1200, and copies it from their own SP, therefore would not need to find anyone else to copy it from.

Phra*DOC wrote:wait, i thought the reissued version' chips COULD NOT emulate the sound of the original one. If they actually can, it means that it'd be possible to reverse-engineer em and build new sp1200's with the same sound of the originals. And that makes me wonder why anybody has done that yet.

Just saw this, might interest clone-seekers..

http://www.gotharman.dk/

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/rap-hip- ... clone.html

I noticed that a couple of days ago.

It just seems to be the same DAC and audio output circuitry as the SP1200, attached to their own sequencer/sampler.

Is that correct?

If so, not really an SP1200 clone in any way at all, without the same input ADC circuitry, without the same sample manipulation options, and without the SP sequencer.

SimonInAustralia wrote:It just seems to be the same DAC and audio output circuitry as the SP1200, attached to their own sequencer/sampler.

Is that correct?

I believe so, but there is potential to add the SP1200 input stage as well. I've never been interested in any clones, but there will always be some people who buy such products.

I'd imagine it would be easier to modify an SP12, or use that as a basis for an updated SP1200 'clone' as the circuitry is virtually identical.

^^^if you read the whole thread, dude only found enough parts to do up 20 units. And they go for more than half the price of a minty 1200.....AND THEY DON'T SOUND LIKE AN SP, lmfao.



In principal, it's a great idea. But if you had an sp1200 at your disposal (to clone), why waste your time...

jonestown massacre wrote:In principal, it's a great idea. But if you had an sp1200 at your disposal (to clone), why waste your time...

Some people just like to do that sort of thing.

Wouldn't know how possible it is unitl you start looking at what components are required, and if you can read the firmware out of any ROMs to make copies.

Making a functional clone, without cloning the cosmetic elements, shouldn't cost that much.

^^you aren't taking into consideration the costs of the tools you would need to get started on a cloning project. Again, most casual/serious sp1200 users are not going to have an electronics workbench with variable dc power supplies, meters, scopes, EEPROM reader/burner etc..

Not trying to be arguementative, but I've tried similar projects, and now an a balding grey haired 30 year old, lmfao. I love working on electronics (it's my career, lol), but if I had a working sp1200, I'm not wastin the time or money. If it died, maybe (but that's a **** HUGE maybe, lol)


Edit:Good call on the SSM's. I was pretty sure they were Curtis filters, only played with an SP1200 once. Wasn't willing to drop $500 on an out of print coffee table book though (would have if it wouldn't have lead to divorce, lmfao)

No, I am taking that into account, that is why I said 'some people' like to do that sort of thing, the sort of person with the gear ready to go, already having PCBs made up for other projects, etc.

It would take one of those people to get it rolling, then making the PCBs available for others.

As to vintage, add nearly 50% to yours and you'll feel my pain.

jonestown massacre: my grandmother always told me

"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all".

I am not an electrical engneer, neither I know some. The reason I'm on a forum talking about a machine instead of going out and buying it is because I wanted to share some ideas on an hypotetical leve, just for the fun of it and maybe learning something new.

My point still is: building a perfect clone of an sp1200 looks like doable, maybe not by a single man but by a skilled team, it sure is. Sp1200's cost thousands of dollars and the ones still working are slowly falling apart. There would be for sure some market for it, some profit you can make with it. You could easily make people pay a thousand a piece (a clone), if you offered a working, solid machine, maybe improved (no overheating, lcd, maybe same layout but a little smaller)..

and why don't anybody do that? You can recreate """""""old flava"""""" with modern technology. Like guys who do that with llomos stuff or polaroid cassettes.
They make SHIT tons of money outta those nostalgics.. why not with sp12? Maybe those filter are just plain unemulable...

Most likely the bespoke costs of producing a limited run is expensive and plus deconstructing it and producing an a sp clone would cost money into research and development.

Plus then this is the modern era how many cats outside the dedicated beat makers would buy such an expensive clone instead of hunting an original. I guarantee you that the hardcore would easily buy an original first over a clone especially if they're in love with the machine that much.