I want an SP 1200 but damn!!

jibber wrote:The musical value is you'll have the best drum machine that was ever produced.

The thing is not only legendary for its sound, but also for the swing and especially for the workflow (super simple, straight forward, almost no hidden functions, etc).

The thing isn't exactly rare either, but most people who have one don't want to ever sell it again. So if somebody decides to sell it, they want their "emotional" values worth... if those are stupid prices or not... well, the market decides that (at the moment there is one on ebay for 2200 and people are bidding).

My friend paid more than 2000 francs years ago. I paid 2400 for mine (same seller is at 3300 now, you all know him). Some people still find one for 1500, but you gotta be patient and always looking.

If you offered me 2k cash AND an EMAX in exchange for my SP1200, i would still decline. It's not the same machine... maybe it sounds very similar, but it's not an SP1200 with all the little things that make it exactly that (and i would never butcher mine for the above rack mount mod (even if it looks like top quality)).

It's a legend.... it's THE LEGEND, period.

i understand where you are coming from but in my subjective opinion the price is driven exactly because of its legendary status and again, does not relate to musical value. not saying it does not sound absolutely dope.
it´s just the price is disproportionately high.

as for the groove - i heard how appreciated and notable it is but in the era of groove quantizing it can´t really a buying argument.

on the other hand everything is irrelevant if the piece inspires you every time you stand infront of it. so if it puts one if a certain creative mindset and workflow - it is pretty much priceless in terms of monetary value.

Deck Lazer wrote:i understand where you are coming from but in my subjective opinion the price is driven exactly because of its legendary status and again, does not relate to musical value. not saying it does not sound absolutely dope.
it´s just the price is disproportionately high.

as for the groove - i heard how appreciated and notable it is but in the era of groove quantizing it can´t really a buying argument.

on the other hand everything is irrelevant if the piece inspires you every time you stand infront of it. so if it puts one if a certain creative mindset and workflow - it is pretty much priceless in terms of monetary value.

I agree with you to some extent. The price is probably more driven by the status... Or because of how it sounds, i don't know for sure. For me it was how it sounds. i never wanted one until i heard it in person, and then i was sold in a matter of seconds upon hearing the thing.

And the groove is DEFINITELY a buying argument, a very valid one. Have you heard an SP1200? Have you programmed a simple beat on an SP1200 and experienced how you are amazed how it swings? It's not a myth. The machine has timing errors that make it sound "human". They even state in the manual or service manual (not sure anymore which it was), that when you record something from the SP, you should let it run a bit after pressing play, because it can be "off" in timing while it's running the segment the first few times... call it bad engineering, but it's what gives it this natural sounding swing/groove.

Even my brother who doesn't do anything with music besides listening to it... when he first heard the SP1200 running a drum loop i programmed, his words were: "I'm not an expert, but that sounds a lot more natural and dynamic than what you do on your other machines.".

If you have the possibility to try one hands on, you should... and maybe you will see what so many people absolutely LOVE about it.

From an economical point, the prices are absolutely stupid, i agree.

Deck Lazer wrote:
as for the groove - i heard how appreciated and notable it is but in the era of groove quantizing it can´t really a buying argument.

This type of statement is always saddening because it shows that people don't understand that groove templates, groove quantize etc doesn't equate to workflow.

What makes the SP12/1200 a viable tool is it's entirety, which still hasn't been fully replicated by anything else.

Those of us who purchased SP's new don't really see the price as an issue as long as they are functional and clean.

you know what is saddening? when people dont have reading comprehension for two paragraphs. ironic since you are harping on the lack of understanding.

read my last sentence again.

on the other hand everything is irrelevant if the piece inspires you every time you stand infront of it. so if it puts one if a certain creative mindset and workflow - it is pretty much priceless in terms of monetary value.

Deck Lazer wrote:you know what is saddening? when people dont have reading comprehension for two paragraphs. ironic since you are harping on the lack of understanding.

read my last sentence again.

on the other hand everything is irrelevant if the piece inspires you every time you stand infront of it. so if it puts one if a certain creative mindset and workflow - it is pretty much priceless in terms of monetary value.

Doesn't change that sad statement you made as if the current groove quantize functions make buying a SP a waste.
Clearly a statement from someone who knows nothing about using a SP, plain and simple.

If you had even the smallest perspective of the SP your first statement would have never been made.

When people complain about the price of an SP1200 in 2014...

How much did they cost brand spanking new?

Then making an allowance for inflation over the years, how much is the difference in price now (obviously used, but in very good condition).

If you cant afford something, that sucks, but that is life in a capitalist society. Save up for it or buy something cheaper with your money. Get an SP12 or an Emax, if money is really an issue.


(Plays violin sample on SP1200)

sp1200

best sampler/sequencer ever made... bar none

Deck Lazer wrote:Doesn't change that sad statement you made as if the current groove quantize functions make buying a SP a waste.
Clearly a statement from someone who knows nothing about using a SP, plain and simple.

yeah i never said that. i just questioned that aspect being a valid argument to justify the price. the thread is about the excessive prices of the item and i gave my opinion. you could have given a counter argument like jibber did but instead choose to jump on your saddened high horse.

never once did i knock the sp1200.

so now i am questioning either your honesty or intelligence.
dont give a **** either way just dont talk to me (or at me with those childish jabs) if you cannot have a decent conversation.

forknspoon wrote:sp1200

best sampler/sequencer ever made... bar none

i bet that elektron guys will agree with you.
i am also willing to bet money they saw the octatrack as a spiritual successor.

the first colour scheme was gray with black buttons.
and the sequencing workflow seems not unsimilar.

there is that almost same slider too...

jibber wrote:If you have the possibility to try one hands on, you should... and maybe you will see what so many people absolutely LOVE about it.

From an economical point, the prices are absolutely stupid, i agree.

that i surely will. just dont seem to see one around.
closest was an sp12, seller seemed a tad sketchy.

if as, you say it´s love at first sight - might go for it even for silly money.
happened before. gear is an irrational thing completely. hence the prices probably.
which is sort of the argument i was trying to make.

Deck Lazer wrote:
yeah i never said that. i just questioned that aspect being a valid argument to justify the price. the thread is about the excessive prices of the item and i gave my opinion. you could have given a counter argument like jibber did but instead choose to jump on your saddened high horse.

never once did i knock the sp1200.

so now i am questioning either your honesty or intelligence.
dont give a **** either way just dont talk to me (or at me with those childish jabs) if you cannot have a decent conversation.

Still out on a limb and you don't even realize it, which again is pretty sad.
Never used one yet you clearly understand it's value?

Clint wrote:How much did they cost brand spanking new?

In the normal world we were paying $2100 -2400 for them new.
Some places were trying to get more depending on how hard they were to get in that region.

We are just so accustomed to things depreciating over time or technology making things easier to do but we forget about the other side.

Some product retain or increase in value, the SP being one.

The problem with SPs is when people try to get top dollar while telling all the things that are broken or damaged.

What caused the last surge in prices was when a new set of users got their hands on them and fell in love, it drove the demand up.
Right now more people want them and they are people willing to pay the cost of admission.

Come on guys, it's just a different mindset here, let's not get into an argument over small things.

Deck Lazer voiced his opinion and it's a valid one. My opinion is similar about the TR808 and todays asking prices for those things. However, i understand for somebody who absoluely wants nothing else than a real 808 to work with (or have as a museum piece), this statement might be offensive.

I think me and the adversary felt like "you don't know what you're talking about, you have never seen the "light".", and went into defending the legendary swing of the SP.

The Adversary, i don't think Deck Lazer was trying to deny that the SP1200 might indeed have a unique swing/sound (which it does), but i know it felt like an insult to the holy grail (debatable) of drum machines.

I think what everybody here can agree on is:

- Nothing will ever 100% accurately recreate the sound (and workflow that comes with it!) of a specific drum machine like an SP1200, TR808, LINNDRUM, etc.

- SP1200 is overpriced lately (but some people seem willing to buy some of those "overpriced" items).

And now:

they're defiantly over priced, undeniably! hence why one day I went and bought an emu emax 1 because I like the SP sound

but then I sold the emax cause I just wasn't into gritty hiphop any longer.

Or they are not... not a lot anyway.

A friend of mine just admitted he paid over 2k for his a few years ago already.

Maybe the beat up ones are a little overpriced when they want more than 2k, but if you get a good one that's been serviced they are not overpriced IMO. You have to factor in the price if an SP is maintained and serviced... Forat charges about 600 dollars for this (recap, tune, clean, etc), i had mine serviced in switzerland and paid 530 swiss francs (about 600 dollars).

And for what you get, they are not overpriced either. There is simply no substitute for the sound and workflow, NONE.

I have been in a rut personally since quite a few months. Was not motivated to make beats at all.... i've gone through some personal and emotional shit in the last year and it's still hard to let it all go... it's safe to say i deal with a slight depression since a few months. I tried a few times, but i couldn't make music anymore since weeks.

Yesterday i got the SP1200 back from servicing after almost 10 weeks. I still wasn't in the mood for making music, but i forced myself to power the thing on and start sampling records.... and guess what... that damn stupid simple drum machine kept me up all night until 5am (normal work day today) and i almost couldn't turn it off and get some sleep.

Trust me, this machine is special, VERY special, and worth every cent. For me personally it is anyway.

jibber wrote: that damn stupid simple drum machine kept me up all night until 5am (normal work day today) and i almost couldn't turn it off and get some sleep.

This is true love