How to use the E-mu SP1200 Tutorial

Here, I take you thru all the features you need to know about on the SP1200.. and how to use them!
** For best results watch FULL SCREEN in 1080p HD **
Visit the Sample Pack store to find 'ready-made' Sample Packs for your SP1200!
tonelab.merchi.co/products/?c...
PS. feel free to send a 'tip' via the virtual tip-jar, known as the 'Super Thanks' button under the clip above 🙏🏻
If you need to know MORE about the SP1200?!
Then try the Rossum SP1200 comprehensive tutorial.. same functionality as the Emu:
• SP1200 Tutorial for bo...
Additional SP1200 Quick-Tips can be found in the Playlist below:
• SP1200 Quick-Tips
In this demo we get some insight into the notorious E-mu SP1200 Sampling Percussion Drum Machine from 1987. The iconic 8 Voice, 12Bit, 26.04kHz, 10 second sample memory with a 3.5" Floppy Disk Drive.
If you've forgotten how yours works or you just got one.. then put this in front of yours and follow my steps.
Short Cut Index : -
0:00 Intro, spiel, plug etc
0:30 Power-up, loading the OS
0:35 Overview: specs, ethos
5:00 Sampling Section
8:10 Deleting a Sample
9:19 Loop/Truncate: Edit Sample Start / End / Loop point
15:47 Reverse your sample
16:30 The Multi pitch & Multi Level features
17:40 Sequencing: Segments & Songs
19:35 Voicing and Channel Assign
20:55 Quantize, Swing, Decay Envelope ,Dynamic Voicing (Polyphony) & Outputs
Other tips:
* Try doubling your Tempo, which effectively doubles the resolution of your Auto-Correct (Quantize)
* There are many modifications available for SP1200, there's a SD-Card Reader that can replace your Floppy Disk drive available from hxc2001.com - Check it out!
Feel free to Like, subscribe, drop a line or check out more Tonelab pages 🤙🏻
instagram @tonelab
facebook @tonelab.tv
Sub-Channel @tonelabQT
#emu #sp1200 #tutorial

[@tonelab]

'Download & Play' kits for SP1200/MPC now from TONELAB! tonelab.merchi.co/products

[@djhypnotize]

I watched and didn't see anything abt. What time?

[@silentscope7440]

Crazy how Juvenile 400 degrees album was made using this. Mannie Fresh has true talent.

[@TommieGun71]

What's crazy about that?

[@holdenrains]

owned an sp-12 for years and couldn't figure out how to work out how to use it really. I gave it to my friend Devlin for very cheap, like 200$, I hope he found some joy with it, even though he sweated me for like 8 months to pay the last 80$. Ha! All this to say RIP Dev, I never would have sold that to you in the KZbin era. Great video.

[@tonelab]

aww no, I'm sure he got some decent toe taps / head nods out of it. I have fond memories of using one back in the mid 90s.. RIP D. 🙏 ..hmm, I wonder what happened to that unit then!

[@holdenrains]

@@tonelab Allegedly he still had it in his studio according to his music partner, but the vultures got to it before I could ask, and I did. Sigh, SP12 turbo, was extremely hard too find working 51/4" floppy drive and disks for it.

[@holdenrains]

My dream was too somehow clock all my gear to that machine, sync chain.

[@tonelab]

holdenrains Yeah, they're super solid clocks, worthy of needing a Korg KMS-30 in my opinion. Those things are tighter than a fishes butt ! .. good if you wanted to sync an 808 with the 12 / 1200. I'm actually going to do a clip on the Korg KMS-30 next week 👍

[@holdenrains]

@@tonelab now if you only made music theory videos.

[@enoughalready1000]

Thorough. 10/10.

[@B1GBaBY]

15:47 I finally know how reverse a sample now

[@brndnwilliams42069]

Great video! Thanks for this :)

[@michaeltracksuitaudio]

Top notch review bro! That loop fader was trying to test you.

[@tonelab]

Yeah, I shoulda checked it first prior to rolling.. 🎥🤦🏻‍♂️

[@swpenguin]

Great video, thank you!

[@JW-pl8se]

fascinating to watch and I am learning a lot from all of your videos cheers

[@tonelab]

ah cool! ..thanks very much for the feedback 🤓🙏🏻

[@MrScrooge1980]

The most comprehensive Sp1200 video on KZbin 💪🏾 great work

[@tonelab]

Thank you, Sir 🙏🏻 ..there's also a few 'extra SP Quick-Tips' over on my side-channel - if you'd like to check them out visit: kzbin.info/door/Op7Gw3YmuiR_aAdiFHTpsQ

[@kenkaniff_]

Appreciate the explanation. Takes time

[@tonelab]

🙏🏼thanks for watching and the feedback, much appreciated

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you! Huge help.

[@tonelab]

Oh great, cheers for watching 🤓 🙏🏼

[@musicxtn]

Brilliant explanation!! Thanks for the detail and your humble nature in presenting it! Well done! Keep up the great work!

[@tonelab]

It’s feedback like this that keeps me going ☺️ many many thanks and cheers for the kind words 🙏🏼

[@tonelab]

@Phillip Mock well, you need at least the OS disk to boot it up... but you don't need disks if you don't plan on Saving your samples. And there's a lot of people now that just make something in the SP.. then record what they want back into ProTools, or Logic, Ableton etc.. so it's like you're building your own loops or kits. And then it's also possible to get the floppy disk drive taken out and replaced with a floppy disk emulator .. and that can take USB-thumb drives as storage.. and each USB can store hundreds of 'virtual floppy disk' images. So, there's lots of cool ways of improving on the SP.. but I kinda like floppy disks.. flicking thru floppy disks is kinda similar to flicking thru records 🤓

[@tonelab]

@Phillip Mock You can load drums off Disk.. but then, those drums were 'sampled in' at some point.. a bit like the Chicken before the egg.. you need to sample something into the SP1200 before you can save it, and once you've saved it.. you can load it up later on... but, the 1200 has no default sounds when you turn it on.. having said that.. there is on the SP12. 👍🏻

[@desreb740]

Thnx, needed that to familiarize oneself for the Isla S2400 workflow and function

[@tonelab]

Oh cool.. I wouldn't mind doing a viewtorial on that one day #islas2400 🍻

[@CC-yj9fx]

this is the best fkn E-mu SP1200 tutorial ever.

[@kostantinosmag2986]

This is great one thanks for thank you dor rhe video :)

[@tonelab]

Thanks very much 🙏🏼

[@VestanPance2007]

Hi mate , I just want to say thanks for this, it's a superb guide. I've just got an SP1200 and I'm using your tutorial to guide me through using it. Very helpful and straightforward. Cheers.

[@tonelab]

I've been in that spot so many times.. so I intend to do a stack more clips on different beasts. But, alot of the time 'manuals' just leave more questions than answers... peeping over a shoulder is definitely how I prefer it.. the 'view from above' seeing what buttons are pressed while 'spoken about' works for me.. so I wanted to share that with everyone. Thanks for the feedback. Enjoy those sweet sweet tones! 🤙🏻

[@mackavelly]

question. where'd you get it, how much was it and how'd you get that amount of money???

[@VestanPance2007]

@@mackavelly I got it through a popular auction site and I paid a couple of quid for it 🤣

[@smoothmisticmike7040]

Excellent!

[@tonelab]

If you liked that, you should try the subchannel playlist for more tips and tricks on the SP1200 👌🏼 kzbin.info/aero/PLQHHMk36O_qM6_c8RX65odAIFX32_z5FN

[@cpasquet]

Awesome thanks 😊

[@tonelab]

You're welcome!

[@DziugasTrollfacas]

I wasn't planning on getting an SP12, but I did. I really like this thing, thanks for the helpful video

[@tonelab]

Cheers. Yeah, they're rigid.. they're basic, but they do have a charm about them. Best of all.. I like how, once you know it's limits, you immediately start chin-stroking 🤔 and are like.. 'Okay, now I wonder what this record will sound like through it..' or 'this snare' or 'that kick'.. and a lot of the time what comes out the other side is better than the original in some weird way

[@DziugasTrollfacas]

@@tonelab yeah, that's what I like about it. Even though there is a lot of menu digging, once I watched your video and started playing around with the sampling I got surprised at how direct the sampling is, it really is a pleasure to use. Running some chords out of my synths and messing around with them with multipitch is great fun, but I haven't gotten my head around the sequencer as of yet.

[@tonelab]

@@DziugasTrollfacas The sequencer is really basic, it broadcasts on 1 channel, and you'll have to avoid the pads that have sounds on them.. unless you want to trigger an SP sound + external MIDI note at the same time. But check out kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWioiYlvl6x3fas that's where i go into the sequencer 👍

[@DziugasTrollfacas]

@@tonelab I did get the live pad input recording pretty much instantly, what I should have said is that I couldn't get my head around the step by step sequencing (without recording), because it seems to require either skill, or a lot of guesswork. I do like making complex drum loops on my daw, but that is easy as all hell, as you can see everything represented visually. I tried to get complex Madvillainy style drum loops out of the SP, but listening to that album again it seems that the drum tracks consist mostly of drum loops, and that definitely is an easier route to take. Although I do have to say, for 80s gear the SPs have damn good sequencers, I still have nightmares from trying to record some chords on a Casio CZ5000.

[@tonelab]

@@DziugasTrollfacas Ahh yeah, make sure you have the quantize set to 16th, at least, before you go into 'step record'. Then, if I remember correctly try use the 'arrow' keys to advance back or forward a quarter note (aka 16th), and as long as 'record' is on it should enter in the pads you hit..

[@tonelab]

Want more SP1200 Tricks and Tips?! ..check out the TONELAB Quick-Tips subchannel SP1200 PlayList: kzbin.info/aero/PLQHHMk36O_qM6_c8RX65odAIFX32_z5FN

[@djhypnotize]

How do I turn on the click metronome? I can't hear it. Thx😊

[@decaystar]

small tip concerning delete sound, if you hit "Sample" and choose "Assign voice", then it will also delete/overwrite the sound, if something is already recorded on pad.

[@tonelab]

Well, it's possible.. but, when you enter the Sample module.. the SP will automatically select the next available Pad. You would have to manually go select '#2 Assign Voice' to change that.. and then it does place an 'asterisk' * on the far right of the LCD to indicate, whether or not, there's a Sample 'living' on the Pad you've selected.. and then asks if you'd like to Erase it. So you're not in much danger of 'overwriting' accidentally. 👍🏻

[@sawadeecut]

Thx!

[@tonelab]

You’re welcome 🙏🏼😊

[@wanderleisumo]

thanks, i thought i knew everything about the sp but one can learn everyday, any chance youll do an ensoniq EPS one day?

[@tonelab]

There's a bit more about the SP in this clip, regarding the Rossum - which shares about 98% of the same O.S. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHvPnYCfi9Z_abc And, 'yes', well... sorta.. I've already started the ASR tutorial, which again, shares quite a lot of functionality with the EPS. Try this here 👍🏼 kzbin.info/www/bejne/noubh4ONhL5qqsU

[@saren6538]

Great video was thinking of getting one, does anyone know is there difference in the filter in the original issue of the sp1200 opposed to the Second issue different Colour sp1200 that didn’t use the original ssm filter chips?

[@tonelab]

Thanks very much.. well, I read some folklore somewhere that the original filter has 7030 in the serial number... while the different spec has 7031 👍🏼

[@saren6538]

@@tonelab and sound wise ?

[@tonelab]

@@saren6538 I couldn't tell you, sorry.. I've never had that 'later' edition in front of me 🙏🏻

[@saren6538]

This is great thanks for this, have had a mint sp1200 in storage for years never really learned it but am now Can I ask … when I sample a loop into A1 and then copy it to one of the other pads so I can sample from it - when I try truncate the copy I cant edit it it says copied when I goto truncate the copied sample Any ideas ? Thanks

[@tonelab]

Thanks very much 🙏🏻..well, the good news is, I have a clip covering that, and a bunch more, over on the sub-channel - there's a short video there on how to do just that (it's right on the first page, with 'Copies' in the Thumbnail) + a bunch of other 'Quick Tips' specifically for the SP1200 too.. head over to kzbin.info 👍🏼

[@saren6538]

@@tonelab oh nice one 👍 thanks gonna watch it now .. Thanks 🙏

[@kittykatt8848]

If your not using it I’ll buy it off ya

[@peterpiper0815]

One of the best SP tutorials. Thanks. One thing I havn't seen yet on any video is a detailed explaination of the loop function. I know that the sampleend also represent the loopend and with Fader 5&6 you can set the loopstart. But I wonder how this interacts with the decay-setting of a sample. Is it possible to let sample play 'forever'? What is the standard(default) decay time and what exactly happen in the machine. To my ears the SP loop function sound very special. I might be wrong but it seem that the fade out of a loop is not continous but in steps so with every loopcycle it plays the loop at lower volume. If this is true the looplength will either affect the decaytime in a significant way or it proably affects the number of steps of the decay phase (in other words: the steepness of the 'fade out') Damn I want this machine to analyze all that stuff 😂

[@tonelab]

Thanks very much 🙏🏻 ..yeah, those are all great questions.. I might do an exposé on the LOOP function in a Tonelab Quick-Tip 🤓 FYI, there's the Tonelab sub-channel where I just hone in on 1 particular function (or feature) of a device.. there's a few more SP1200 clips there kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpqkqGeaoclosJI

[@osi9567]

Grouse vid man! Keen to see more if you’re keen

[@tonelab]

Thanks mate. You mean see more SP1200 or more ‘in general’ ?! This gem was on loan, but I have access to another 👍🏼

[@osi9567]

@@tonelab Yeah man, more SP-1200 vids would be killer! Or if you've got access to any of these: S950, MPC60, MPC3000... or any old cool gear of that era

[@tonelab]

@@osi9567 I got an S900 on the way and my 3000 has just been taken in to get serviced.. I wanna do a clip of both of them with a filter shoot out 👌🏼

[@osi9567]

Damo's Demos Hell yeah! Overdrive some grouse drum breaks into those suckers and pitch ‘em down!

[@musicxtn]

I would like to get your input and opinion on what you recommend for a turntable (tekniks?) and pre-amp for sampling old vinyl into the SP? Additionally, if you were to use the SP with a DAW like Cubase, do you think sending midi-clock from the DAW to the SP (as opposed to the SP internal clock) has an effect on the rhythm/swing? Thanks man!!

[@tonelab]

Yeah, well I can suggest some things.. but if you have a budget in mind (come have a chat on Facebook.com/groups/tonelab.. I just did a clip on this very subject of swing a few days ago 😉🙏🏻 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWand2p8Zq6Zj80

[@djhypnotize]

How do I turn on the metronome while recording? I can't hear it? Thx

[@tonelab]

Try this.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHvPnYCfi9Z_abc

[@jayjohnson9894]

I have the mpc x and sp 1200 How can I connect them Midi out of the mpc x to midi in of the sp 1200

[@tonelab]

Yep, by default the SP1200 will 'listen' to MIDI Channel #1. So, make sure your MPC Track is set to the same. Then, you'll need to 'trigger' the SP's 'Pads', via a specific set of 'notes' (that the Pads 'listen' for). You can find a list of these 'notes' in the description of this tutorial kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4anqododtJ6jpY And, for an even more detailed tutorial on the SP1200 try this video 🙏🏻 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHvPnYCfi9Z_abc

[@djhypnotize]

How do I get metronome to work? When I hit record I hear anything.

[@tonelab]

Try this clip.. it's queued up and is compatible with the Emu 🙏🏻 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHvPnYCfi9Z_abc

[@musicxtn]

Hi I keep coming back to your video for a few little brush ups as I’m fairly new to the SP world! Thanks! Just a random question: when I’m sequencing a ‘segment’ and say I don’t like the hi-hat pattern I laid down, how can I just delete the hi hat pattern only and reprogram it? Or do I have to delete the whole segment and reprogram it? Thanks !

[@tonelab]

Hey mate, you're welcome 🙏🏻 You sure can 'just delete the hi-hat', it's fairly simple too.. I use this particular function @17:54 ..you can see on the LCD how it says 'Sound or Sequence' (I use it to delete a sequence in the clip.. but you can also select any pad [Sound] and have it Erased from the currently selected Sequence) 👍🏻

[@musicxtn]

@@tonelab thanks man! Appreciate it. Would that ‘erase’ delete the sequence and the sound sample itself or just the sequence from that particular sample and not the sample in the disk itself?

[@tonelab]

@@musicxtn No, it only has the potential to do one or the other..so, you have a choice.. if you key in a Sequence - it will delete the sequence.. if you 'Press a Pad' it will only delete the Pad.. it can't do both. And this is completely separate to the contents of whatever Disk you have inserted.. if you're concerned about the contents on your Disks.. 'flick the little black corner switch-cover on your Floppies' ..that is the 'write-protect' tab.. nothing can Write or Erase from your disk when you can see through the hole 👍🏻

[@musicxtn]

@@tonelab thanks a bunch! Appreciate it man!!

[@osiawideman4851]

I want to own one someday soon

[@TheQueenz_MadMan]

$3500 is the cheapest one I 👀

[@maschula45]

great tutorial ! minor issue: channel outputs 1 to 6 are filtered but you can get the unfiltered signal from the tip of an stereo trs. 7 and 8 are unfiltered. individual outputs 1 to 6 are divided in 3 pairs (1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6) with different "strength" / modes of filtering ...

[@tonelab]

Hey thanks for the feedback 🙏🏼 ..strange, I thought I mentioned the filtered outputs 🤔 but, thanks for sharing the clarity.. I don't think I ever thought of them as 'paired lots', but that makes perfect sense... cheers! 👍🏻

[@maschula45]

@@tonelab yes, you mentioned the filtered ouputs. but the labelling below the individual outs (TIP = unfiltered RING = filtered) just goes for all 6 filtered outputs. there is that famous hack where you use stereo TRS cables and where you either fully insert the connector or keep it only half way in to switch between unfiltered and filtered signal. and 1 and 2 have quite a fast envelope on the lowpass filter which is a very SP thing too ... great series of videos of yours for sure !

[@tonelab]

@@maschula45 Ahh I see what you're saying.. yes, probably got a little lazy with the output section.. as I avoid the filtered outputs when I'm using it 😉 but, thanks for taking the time to point that out, and thanks for watching.. much appreciated 🙏🏼

[@THETRAVELGOD410]

Can you import samples into the New Rossom Sp 12 without records from a laptop and Save on floppy the final project?

[@Metamophisis]

Look at Cooking Soul comparison video he has both. I might post the link

[@tonelab]

Sorry for the delay.. 'Yes' you can, you can use this method I demonstrate here 👍🏼 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYOolqWwpNtgjLc

[@robertcrystals]

Is there any way to play a song from mid sequence?

[@tonelab]

With a little 'slight of hand'.. hit STOP on the Sequence, switch it into Song Mode - hit PLAY👍🏼

[@robertcrystals]

@@tonelab Oh I mean is there a way to play from say Step 10 in a Song, or do you need to listen from the start every time?

[@legendsflashback]

What are output filters 1 to 6 for

[@tonelab]

Here's a better explanation here kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHvPnYCfi9Z_abcfeature=shared&t=438

[@mpmi7588]

There's no 1 bar count in for recording?

[@tonelab]

Unfortunately, no.. but just let the Sequence 'cycle' once, then 'jump' in 👍🏼

[@djnodj]

2:31 via clock pulses 5:17. art of samples 5:39 destroy your sound

[@Theaphextwin972]

does the sp1200 sample in stereo

[@tonelab]

Nup, just mono 👍🏼

[@Theaphextwin972]

@@tonelab ok it recording only in mono is not a problem

[@joelrodriguez3785]

What song did you use to sample?

[@tonelab]

It's a break from an old sample CD i've owned since the 90s called 'Jungle Warfare' 👌🏼

[@averyprice9422]

Back in those Rob Playford as timecode days... mixing those moving shadow tunes...

[@barryanderson1466]

Am trying to figure out this function ,I have my Krog Trinity midi with my Sp1200 now the sounds on the 1200 is playing on my Trinity but Am trying to get my get my trinity to play alone with my 1200 when i hit record and play on my 1200 like ,I do my 3000 and 2000xl but the notes be choping and like I said the drums on the 1200 plays on my trinity🤔🤔🤔 how can I have the trinity play alone with the 1200 but using sounds out of my trinity

[@tonelab]

It's not really an external sequencer, as such.. it can 'trigger' drums, but then you might have to configure the drums on the external device to behave as 'one-shot' samples. There's a more comprehensive tutorial for the SP1200 now too, the operating system on the Rossum is 99% the same 🙏🏻 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHvPnYCfi9Z_abc

[@tonelab]

If you want to persevere with the 'drum triggering', then this episode should paint a clearer picture for you 👍🏼 kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4anqododtJ6jpY

[@barryanderson1466]

@@tonelab No,I would like to be able to play off my krog keyboard's and record on to my sp 1200 the same why we do on the akai mpc3000,2000xl and my 2000 is that possible? 🤔

[@tonelab]

No. If you want to do that you'd have to get this 🙏🏻 kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3aypoGIaKifaM0

[@dkd8747]

I have new formatted hd disk and they wont save in the SP it says format and when i format it says error. Can you help Please?

[@tonelab]

Check your Write Protect switch isn't locked 👍🏼

[@dkd8747]

@@tonelab Where is that located

[@dkd8747]

@@tonelab I switched from un protectected still getting error

[@tonelab]

Maybe the Disk is bad... it happens, they're old. Try another !

[@dkd8747]

@tonelab i hope not i just bought these disk plus i went through several plus the ones i already had which is one of the reasons why I bought new ones I'm thinking it's the drive. I might have to break down and get the new reissue SP now foreal

[@joelrodriguez3785]

See if you can try to do the akai mpc series

[@tonelab]

Yeah, I've got a 2000, 3000, 4000 and an X, so they will be coming 👍

[@joelrodriguez3785]

@@tonelab Amazing! Say, if possible... the mpc60 & mpc60II? you got all of the others except for those 2. As a matter of fact, I'll see if I can find them at a reasonable price and send you the link.

[@tonelab]

Hmmm well, it’s taken 20 years to build those up in the collection... but these days, I don’t have the cash to splash on those bad boys.. would love them though

[@joelrodriguez3785]

@@tonelab you and me both. speaking of which, how long does it take for you to create a video? I'm subscribed and my bell is ringing

[@tonelab]

About 2-3 hours.. uploading takes half the time 🤦🏻‍♂️ I’m preparing a few more bits, so hoping to do 1 a week from now on.. getting some studio bits out of storage while in a loose lock down, but also trying to learn some more on lighting and shooting which is all new to me 😏

[@kevinhewitt5462]

Wow they're still selling late '80s 1990 music equipment. Lots and lots of iconic rap songs was made from this machine. .

[@tonelab]

Hey thanks for watching! .. well, there was a limited edition run on these put out by Dave Rossum recently.. but, in terms of the 2nd hand market.. these are getting extremely expensive.. people still go crazy for their distinct sound 👍🏻

[@WARDISWARD]

00:08 COrrection the first gen is from 1987

[@tonelab]

That's what I said.

[@giuseppemessina1978]

My friend like 131

[@tonelab]

🤔 1 minute 31 seconds?!

[@giuseppemessina1978]

@@tonelab no my friend, Just like 131...and look the statics😁😁😁. One big Goodmorning from Italy

[@joelrodriguez3785]

Another way of being frugal with your samples is to use a sampler and hook it up to the machine

[@VestanPance2007]

Thats what I do - I use my MPC Live to audition my samples before resampling them into the SP, pitch them down -5.20 semitones to emulate vinyl at 45rpm

[@tonelab]

Of course! ..hook it up to an S900 / S950 if you have one 🤙🏻

[@bambamsounds]

Bro's got some heavy fingers

[@daleopwam7423]

How much? Sell me one!

[@tonelab]

They're so expensive now.. and they'll probably just keep going up as they get older. Good investment!

[@truelionofjudah4097]

there is a 1200 rossum for 3999$

[@tiouip]

Hmmm, clunky.

[@TheQueenz_MadMan]

This machine costs too much money.

[@Paddydacook]

yes that's why i'll buy the isla instruments s2400..

[@MrChickenstalker]

FL Studio > SP 1200

[@ToniJXN]

😂😂😂

[@saren6538]

😆😆😆😆😆

[@ToniJXN]

Behringer > Neve

[@brndnwilliams42069]

Great video! Thanks for this :)