4/6/2019 Emulator Archive

Synth Museum
"Synthesizer preservation via
research and education."
Home About Contact Site Index
Home Archive Emulator Archive SP12 Tweet Like 303 Share
Search
The Web SynthArk

Galleries Resources Glossary Research Participate Archive Store

Emulator Archive

SP12 Product Spec

Overview Sampling Drum Machine

12-bit linear resolution
The Drumulator II Roger Linn's company continued to set the pace for drum machine 27,500 Hz Sample Rate
development in the early 1980's, and after the roaring sucess of the Drumulator, E-mu 8 velocity sensing pads
Systems moved into the upper end of the market in 1984. The Drumulator II was a complete
48 Kbytes sample ROM
revision of the original. It was designed with user sampling, MIDI and SMPTE, far better
controls and a LCD. It takes its looks straight from the Emulator II, as well as using the TURBO is 192 Kbytes
same buttons and sliders ! The original PCB's even have Drumulator II on them, as well as "Paul is the 24 samples in ROM
Walrus" in mirror reversed writing. Those crazy guys at Santa Cruz! 1.2 seconds sample time
Why the name change ? Umm don't know , but SP-12 stands for Sampling Percussion at 12 bits. TURBO 5 seconds
Realtime sequencer
12-bit Heaven The SP-12 comes supplied with 24 drum samples stored in ROM. They are bass, snare, MIDI Sample Dump
electronic snare, rim, 4 toms , 4 electronic toms, hi hats, crash, ride, claps, cowbell. An additional 8 user
SP1200 filters!
sample positions are available in battery backed up RAM for sampling into, but all 32 positions can use
sampled sounds provided they fit in RAM memory . The samples are 12-bit linear at 27,500Hz, and there is a
full set of sound editing controls on board for manipulating the samples. The machine is highly regarded in
Dance and Hip Hop circles, for both its sound and beats. Models/Prices
Sample Time The base model maximum sampling time is 1.19 seconds (refered to as 1.2 seconds in the
documentation). The Turbo model has quadruple this memory providing 4.76 seconds of sample time across SP-12 #7021
2 separate banks (a sample cannot span a bank). The documentation incorrectly refers to this being 5.0
www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/SP12.html 1/13
4/6/2019 Emulator Archive

seconds of sample time, although most factory sample diskettes only use up to around 4.2 seconds of sample SP-12 TURBO #7021
time. The SP1200 uses a lower sampling rate of 26,040Hz. Launched in Summer 1985
Additional Features The SP-12 can store up to 100 patterns, 100 songs and has a 5000 note memory (4 Withdrawn mid 1987
times this with the TURBO model). It also has a mono mix output and eight individual outputs, MIDI Launch Price $2745
in/out/thru, SMPTE sync, cassette/floppy disk storage and a metronome output. TURBO Expansion $795

Tips & Technqiues #1 I use the dynamic filter feature on my SP -12. Here's an easy way to play with it. Secondhand $300 - 500
Sample a breakbeat, or something that has several jumps in amplitude (i.e. not just a kick or other single
percussive sound). Go into the output assign menu and tap the user key that holds the sample while you
press "1," "2," etc. for output. The effect the dynamic filter has is dramatic. I think only the 1 and 2 outputs
have dynamic filtering, 2 less than one. There are two SSM2044's in there.
OS Versions
In the stock configuration, the toms get the dynamic filtering on output one (which makes them sound so OS 1.6
smooth I guess), and... shoot. Now I can't remember - - I think the snares are on output 2 by default. That
OS 2.4
would make sense. Anyway, try it, play with it. A lot of people don't seem to know about it. The multi pitch
function on the SP-12 is pretty remarkable too! And don't forget that Prairie Prince (The Tubes) did the OS 2.6 is the latest
samples!

Many Thanks to David Bivins for this Tip

Resources
Technical Description
SP-12 brochure1
SP-12 Specifications
Architecture Two years after the original Drumulator E-mu Systems released the SP-12. This new drum
machine was based very closely on the Drumulator but added 12-bit samples, user sampling and sound SP-12 Keyboard Review
storage to diskette. The technical architecture is very similar, being based on a custom design micro- SP-12 Service Manual
controller, Z80 processor and multiplexed audio. SP-12 Turbo Upgrade
The 8-bit Z80A processor runs at 3.3MHz, it reads the controls, writes to the display, and communicates to Drum File User Manual
the outside world via an Serial I/O chip. It also runs the sequencing software. A CTC (counter timer circuit) is Drum File Flyer
used for generating timing interrupts for scanning the controls every 1.2mS and keeping the sequencer
accurate and sync'd to MIDI or SMPTE.

The micro-controller is the E-mu magic which enables the sample memory to be read for each drum sample. Navigation
The eight voice channels are internally mixed into one, along with the click channel. A TL084 is used.

Sample Memory The SP-12 has a combination of EPROM and RAM memory for storing samples. The Drum Machines
standard samples are stored in the 24kbytes of EPROM's and any user sampled sounds reside in the
48kbytes of RAM (SP-12) or 192kbytes of RAM (SP-12 TURBO). The sample RAM is powered by a Lithium Drumulator
battery when the power is off, so you don't lose your samples. The sample memory is actually 16-bits wide, Edrum
and therefore has some de-muxing to fit the various 12-bit samples across all the chips. SP12
SP1200
Sequence Memory The SP-12 has RAM memory for storing sequences. The base model has 8kbytes, whilst
the TURBO has 32kbytes. The sequence RAM is powered by the same Lithium battery that is used for Samplers
www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/SP12.html 2/13
4/6/2019 Emulator Archive

sample and program memory. DPX1

Emulator 1
Program Memory The SP-12 has an Operating System of just 32kbytes held in ROM, with an additional
small amount of RAM. Emulator II
Emulator III
Digital Sampling A single 12-bit linear Digital Analog Converter (DAC) chip replays the samples (an
Emulator IIIX
AD7541), and is also used for sampling sounds via successive approximation. This saves the cost of an ADC
chip. The sample input goes via an anti-aliasing filter to remove unwanted frequencies that are above half the Emax
sample frequency, the cutoff is brick walled at 42dB. Emax II
ESI32
Micro controller This is made from discrete logic, although in the future this circuitry was encapsulated into
ESI2000
one custom chip by E-mu Systems for the samplers made after the mid-1980's. The micro controller gets the
sample out of memory, to the DAC and to the subsequent sample and hold circuits which are needed as the ESI4000
output channel is multiplexed. Synthesizers
OS Versions The SP-12 has 24kbytes of EPROM based OS, which was upgraded a few times during its
Audity
product life. You can determine the OS version by watching the LCD display at power on. Version 2.1 was
current in 1985 - the last version was 2.6. It can also be found by looking at the two OS EPROM's. SSM chips
Modular
Eight Voices There are a total of eight voice channels, through which the 24 drum samples are played.
Synth Modules
Analog Filters Yes, the SP-12 has analog filters ! Two of the channels the ride/crash and hit hats are
unfiltered. Four others (snare/rim, bass, claps. cowbell) are each filtered with a static five pole 1dB Proteus 1
Chebyshev filter, set at frequencies to optimise the sounds. The remaining two channels (the toms) each use Proteus 2
a dynamic VCF. They use the SSM2044 with a simple AR enevelope generated by the Z80. They create a Proteus 3
5ms sloping attack, followed by a decay. The frequencies can be internally adjusted.
Proteus MPS
Diskettes The SP-12 uses DS/DD soft sectored 5.25" diskettes, which are becoming hard Procussion
to locate. High quality diskettes are recommended (Imation and Maxell). Do not try and use Proformance
HD diskettes, or DD diskettes that are hard sectored or IBM formatted. They will not work. Vintage Keys
We recommend Imation DS/DD.
Classic Keys
Debug EPROM There is a debug EPROM to enable the SP-12 operating system to be Proteus FX
replaced by a program that will run some diagnostics. Provided the basics of the SP-12 are working then this Morpheus
EPROM can be used to check out the following:
Ultra Proteus
Buttons Carnaval
Sliders Orbit
Display Planet Phatt
LED's Audity 2000
CTC and SIO chips Proteus 2000
Sound Memory B3
Metronome MoPhatt
Virtuoso
www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/SP12.html 3/13
4/6/2019 Emulator Archive

Cassette XL1
SMPTE Planet Earth
DAC Command Station
Non Volatile Memory Proteus 2500
DAC Trim Orbit 3
Dynamic Button Trim Proteus 1000
Disk

Repairs

Overview The SP-12 is on the whole a reliable drum machine, with few mechanical parts and a robust
electronic design. The main problem areas are the PSU, the LCD and sliders and buttons.

Warning Please only attempt a repair yourself if you are competent at servicing electronics, use a service
centre if in doubt. The SP-12 is easily damaged or melted by amateur attempts at repair.

LCD Overview The SP1200 uses

the same 16x2 character LCD as the
Emulator II. This is an Optrex unit
with an EL backlight. When new the
display is bright blue with grey/black
characters. The LCD does fade
dramatically over time, and the
backlight can fail or the inverter that
drives it can fail too.

LCD Age After around 2000 hours

use the LCD will need replacement,
and its a good idea to replace the
LCD whilst parts are still available.
You can check when the LCD was
manufactured by looking at the code
stamped on the back of the LCD in
black. The first 2 characters are the year, and the third character is the month. 85 or 86 is a typical build year.

LCD Viewing Angle The LCD viewing angle can be controlled by varying the voltage on pin 3. The SP-12
has a preset viewing angle controlled by resistors R1 and R2 on the panel PCB. You will not need to change
this.

LCD Part Number The original part number is an Optrex DMC16207-AE. This is a 16x2 LCD with EL
backlight. The physical size is 84x44mm and it uses a standard single row of 14 data connections. E-mu

www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/SP12.html 4/13
4/6/2019 Emulator Archive

Systems no longer have any spares, and this is a good job as its expensive from them! The current Optrex
part number is DMC16207N-EB, and this LCD is widely available for under $25/£15. Try www.digikey.com.

LCD Inverter The LCD backlight (the blue colour) is driven by a small inverter that generates 100VAC at
400Hz from a 5V supply. The inverter is a NEC (NEL-D32-46), and its a small black plastic box that sits on
the front panel PCB to the right of the LCD. The inverter can fail in which case it will need replacing.

LCD Replacement The LCD can be replaced relatively easily but you will have to remove the front panel
PCB and desolder/resolder the 14 way data cable and 2 way backlight cable that connect it to the front panel.
You may also need to file down the PCB to get the LCD to fit as new LCD's don't have sloping corners.
Ensure the new LCD face and the LCD transparent cover in the front casing are both protected whilst your
desolder/solder. You may also need to replace the 14 way cable between PCB and LCD, as this is difficult to
desolder.

EL Backlight Replacement An easier solution to replacing the whole LCD is to replace just the EL backlight
itself. This works well if you know the characters are working okay but you just cannot read them properly. An
added plus is that the black on blue lettering remains, which is easier to read. Visit Backlights for more
details.

The EL backlight is easily removed by unsoldering the two connections on the LCD and then pushing the
backlight out using a credit card. The new backlight can then be slotted in and the connections soldered in
place.

Battery The Lithium battery in the

SP-12 will last around 5 years. It is
bright yellow and located at the rear
of the main PCB. When it fails your
songs and the RAM based samples
will not be stored after power off. To
replace it you need a Panasonic
Lithium 2/3 A 3V battery with tags -
part number BR-2/3AT-2SP. DigiKey
in the USA stock them , the Part # is
P201-ND

DAC Chip The SP-12 uses an AD7541 12-bit DAC,

which is still widely available. mo

Filter Chips The Emulator SP-12 uses SSM2044

analog filter chips, which occasionally fail and take a
voice down. These are hard to locate.

Slider Knobs Looking for

replacement Slider Knobs? They are available from Farnell at Farnell (part number 766756).

www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/SP12.html 5/13
4/6/2019 Emulator Archive

Small Push Buttons The SP-12 uses a small momentary push button for most of the controls.
After 15 years use they are beginning to wear out and even with cleaning still don't work
immediately. They are easily replaced with new buttons made by E-switch and are available from
Digikey in the USA (blue: EG2556-ND, red: EG1325-ND, black: EG1321-ND). A full set of
buttons will cost around $60, and you can choose from a range of cap colours. You will need to desolder the
old buttons carefully.

Large "Pad" Buttons Replacements can be bought for US$11 from EPR Electronics in the USA. If you find
the pads stick, carefully lever the top off and lubricate the pins with a silicon lubricant.

Fuseholder Not quite the same colours! The SP12 uses a square black external fuse holder, with
an internal red lid and fuse. These were made by Littelfuse and are: Low Profile Snap Mount 15A
250V Part Number 348871

Rotary Pots The SP-12 uses three front panel potentiometers which tend to grind a bit after 15
years use. They can either be cleaned or better still replaced by a higher quality 10k Log potentiometer. We
use nice Bourns Conductive Plastic models with new knobs.

Power Supply The power supply is getting old by now and failure is not uncommon. One of the rails may go
out of specification. Replacement PSU's are not available, so the best option is a service centre repair. It is
very easy to service as it is made of discrete parts and its not a linear power supply.

Upgrades & Add Ons

Factory Upgrades The E-mu Systems factory have long since stopped providing upgrades or spares for the
SP-12. Users are on their own, and there are no third party suppliers either.

Sample Memory The standard SP-12 can be upgraded to TURBO with a full 5 seconds of sample memory -
the longest single sample is 2.5 seconds, by adding 18 additional memory chips into the vacant sockets on
the motherboard, and by replacing the existing memory addressing PAL chip with a new one. The upgrade is
for both sample and sequencer memory.

OS Upgrades The SP-12 operating software resides in two EPROM's at IC location 114 and 115 on the
motherboard, underneath the mains transformer. OS versions 1.6, 1.8, 2.1, 2.4 (31 January 1986) and 2.6
exist. The latest OS we are aware of is Version 2.6, current in Spring 1988. An OS version (8.7) for Phil
Collins SP-12 has been reported . If you wish to upgrade to OS 2.6 please contact us. OS 2.4 implemented
SPECIAL #20 which provides TUNE/DECAY RANGE SELECT.

Sample and Song Librarian Software Two companies produced Mac software for the SP-12. Blank Software
produced Drum File 1.2 which provided sample and song transfer to a Mac, and librarian and sample import
facilities. It cost $295 and was available between 1986 and 1989. Then Blank Software was taken over by
Passport and the software appears to have been killed off. It is not available new. A second company called
Water's Edge produced a similar Mac application but without the sample import facility.

www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/SP12.html 6/13
4/6/2019 Emulator Archive

MIDI Sample Dump The SP-12 (OS 2.4+) does support MIDI sample dump and a user who has the SP-12
used by Phil Collins, reports a new OS version and MIDI sample dump lsited on the front panel.

1541Floppy Drive E-mu Systems introduced removable storage for the SP-12 by using an external
Commodore computer diskette drive. This is a 5.25" self contained unit with its own power supply and a serial
interface. It was the best choice in 1985, when 3.5" drives had yet to appear, and an internal 5.25" would
have taken up too much room. The diskettes are used to stored samples and sequences.

1541 Operation Notes First, make sure that you've removed all diskettes from the disk drives before
powering on. Power the 1541 on before the SP-12 The 1541 disk drive will have its green light on, and then
the red drive/error light will blink. Once the red drive/error light has stopped flashing on the drive, it is safe to
begin working with it. To open the door on the drive, simply press the door catch lightly, and the door will pop
open. If there is a diskette in the drive, it is ejected by a small spring. Take the diskette to be inserted, and
place it in the drive face-up with the large opening going in first and write-protect notch to the left . Press it in
gently, and when the diskette is in all the way, you will feel a click and the diskette will not spring out. Close
the drive door by pulling downward until the latch clicks into place. Now you are ready to begin working with
the diskette. Remember to always remove the diskette before the drive is turned off or on. Never remove the
diskette when the red drive light in on! Data can be destroyed by the drive at this time!

1541 Technical Description The 1541 has circuitry for both a disk controller and a complete disk operating
system, a total of 16K of ROM and 2K of RAM memory. This circuitry makes the 1541 disk drive an
"intelligent" device. This means it does its own processing using a "pipeline" software system. The 1541 disk
drive contains a dual "serial bus" interface. This bus was specially created by Commodore. The two ports at
the rear of the drive allows more than one device to share the serial bus at the same time. This is
accomplished by "daisy-chaining" the devices together, each plugged into the next. Up to five disk drives can
share the bus simultaneously, but the SP-12 can only read one.

Which Floppy Drive? The original drive used was the Commodore 1541, which was more usually used with
the C64 computer. It stores 170 Kbytes on a DS/SD diskette, but works at cassette tape speed, and is
therefore rather slow! 5.25" DS/DD diskettes can be used today, although the storage space remains the
same. If you have a SP-12 TURBO, samples may take two diskettes to save, as there is more sample and
sequence storage to save.

Proven Drives: Commodore 1541 (1984), Commodore 1541-C (1986)

Recommended: Commodore 1541-II (1988)

Unsupported: Commodore 1581 3.5" diskettes

Finding a Drive You will be able to find a second hand one on eBay, alternatively you could buy a new/recon
one at Creative Micro Designs web site. The only problem with the 1541 is the very slow data transfer rate of
400 bytes/sec. This means samples load very very slowly. You are much better off using Mac software to hold
your samples.

www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/SP12.html 7/13
4/6/2019 Emulator Archive

1541-II Setup The advantage of the 1541-II is improved reliability thanks to an external power supply and
better PCB design, however you need to set its device ID to 8 via DIP switches to work with the SP-12.

Left Right Device#

UP UP 8

DOWN UP 9

UP DOWN 10

DOWN DOWN 11

Cabling The SP-12 connects to the Commodore floppy drive by means of a standard serial cable with 6 pin
DIN plugs at both ends.

Commodore Serial Cable

1541 Pin Out Description SP-12 PinOut

1 Serial Service Request In 1

2 Ground 2

3 Attention 3

4 Clock 4

5 Data 5

6 Reset 6

Sample Diskettes

E-mu Systems Factory Library E-mu created a 5.25" diskette library of 21 sample banks for the SP-12 and
SP-12 TURBO. Each diskette came with a coloured insert card which explained the samples.

www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/SP12.html 8/13
4/6/2019 Emulator Archive

Northstar Samples have a 63 sample Diskette Library for the SP-12 ($20 each), it is still available (just).

Walt Whitney This small company based in Overland MO produced a 7 bank set of samples on 5.25"
diskette or as an Atari ST 3.5" diskette.

Other SP-12 sample libraries came from Sampleware and Mohawk.

K-Muse This California company based in Tarzana made a range of high quality sounds for the Emulator II
and Emax as well as the SP-12. In mid 1986 they introduced seven sets of sample diskettes called the Sound
Composers Series. Each boxed set cost $99 and consisted of four diskettes, three diskettes with a total of 24
samples and one sequencer diskette.

Disk #1 - kick, three snares (centre hit, rim shot, sidestick

Disk #2 - complimentary percussion in the low registers
Disk #3 - complimentary percussion in the high registers
Disk #4 - a group of sequences to demonstrate the sounds

The Sound Composer Series

New York
L.A.
Techno
Euro
Electronic
Island
Sledgehammer

SP-12 Librarian

Overview In 1989 Water's Edge software in Canada launched an Apple Mac

program called SP-12 Librarian. This amazing software provides both sound
and song management, a sample bank catalogue facility and sample transfer
over MIDI from the SP-12. However, unlike Blank Software Drum File, there are
no facilities for sample editing or loading samples from external software.

Product Description " SP-12 Librarian" for E-mu System's SP-12 and SP-12 Turbo digital drum machine lets
you save and load sounds and sequences in a fraction of the time by using your Apple Macintosh computer.
Sounds, songs, and song segments can be named to help organize your work. Also, the SP-12 Librarian's
Sound Catalog keeps track of your entire SP-12 sample library, so you don't have to. And of course, the
Sound Catalog can be printed at any time to document your library. So can sound files and song files, too.

www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/SP12.html 9/13
4/6/2019 Emulator Archive

General Features The SP-12's data is saved on Macintosh disks - hard disks, floppies, optical, removable
disks, just about anything.

Saves and loads files a lot faster than the Commodore 1541 disk drive or cassettes.
SP-12 Librarian files are compact. A single 800K floppy disk can store about 5 average sound files, or a
few dozen huge sequence files.
"Fail Safe" file management makes sure you don't lose an existing file if something goes wrong while you
are updating it with new SP-12 data.
Each SP-12 Librarian disk is inspected for computer viruses before leaving our facility.
Compatible with System 6, MultiFinder System 7, and newer
Memory efficient. Will run with as little as 180K.
Comprehensive, illustrated User's Manual.
Full support for monochrome, gray-scale and color monitors, as well as Macintoshes with multiple monitors.

Sound Files

Each sound can be named. This includes ROM samples too!

The names of all 32 sounds can be seen simultaneously. The sounds are organized into banks, just like
your SP-12.
Each sound indicates if it's a RAM or ROM sample.
Each sound can be classified in a manner that suits you best (such as: Kick Drums, Toms, Electric Toms,
Cymbals, Hi-Hats, etc.)
The SP-12 Librarian can remember a list of sound categories. This list can be used to standardize and
simplify the classification of sounds.
Each sound's Name, Category, Channel Number, Mix Level, Tune/Decay Selection, Tune/Decay Value,
Sample Time, and Loop can be viewed simultaneously.
Each sound's Name, Category, Channel Number, Mix Level, Tune/Decay Selection, and Tune/Decay Value
can be edited on the SP-12 Librarian.
You can alter the tuning and decay of ROM sounds beyond the range which is normally possible when
using the SP-12's control panel.

Sequence Files

Each song and song segment can be named.

Both songs and song segments are viewed simultaneously in the same window.

Sound Catalog

The Sound Catalog is a comprehensive listing of your SP-12 sample library. It's like an index to your
samples.

www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/SP12.html 10/13
4/6/2019 Emulator Archive

The Sound Catalog can be sorted by sound file. This list is best suited for determining the contents of each
sound file.
The Sound Catalog can also be sorted by category. This list is best suited when looking for a particular type
of sample. For example, all the "Snare" samples are grouped together, indicating the file in which each
sample can be found.

Printing

Sound files, sequence files and the Sound Catalog can all be printed.
The SP-12 Librarian produces professional results, especially if you have a laser printer.
Reports are printed in the font and font size of your choice.

System Requirements

A Macintosh computer ((512KB or higher, excluding the Macintosh Portable, all PowerBooks and all Duos)
Two floppy disk drives, or a hard disk
Printer (optional)
MIDI interface for the Macintosh (running from printer port or modem serial port), with 2 MIDI cables
SP-12 or SP-12 Turbo drum machine

Test Comparison In actual tests, the SP-12 Librarian always out performed the Commodore 1541disk drive
and cassettes. The results are conclusive. If you're not using the SP-12 Librarian, you're spending too much
time waiting on your drum machine. Time is shown in minutes:seconds.

SP-12 Action SP-12 Librarian 1541 Disk Drive Cassette Interface

Save Sounds 1:42 (0.25 disks) 12:05 (2 disks) 12:15

Load Sounds 1:42 4:20 12:15

Save Sequences 0:22 (0.05 disks) 2:19 (1 disks) 2:19

Load Sequences 0:19 0:50 2:19

Test Conditions When testing the SP-12 Librarian, a standard Macintosh Plus was used with two 800K
floppy disk drives. The SP-12 Librarian startup disk was in the internal drive, and a blank disk was in the
external drive. If you use a hard disk, you will obtain slightly better results (about 10%). In all cases, an SP-12
Turbo (5 seconds of sampling time) with version 2.6 software was used. The sample or sequence memory
was completely full, depending on the data being saved.

www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/SP12.html 11/13
4/6/2019 Emulator Archive

Timing was started when the SP-12 command was entered, and ended when the SP-12 displayed
"Cassette/Disk Complete." In all cases, the required disk or tape was inserted and ready to be used prior to
timing. In the event that a second disk was required (as with the Commodore 1541 disk drive), the time
required to insert a new disk and restart the SP-12 was not included (actual time takes a little longer).

The SP-12 Librarian's disk requirements were based on an empty 800K disk which actually has 779K
available for use. The sound file was 194K, and the sequence file was 37K. Both files do not include extra
disk space consumed.

Drum File Software 1.12

Overview In 1985 Blank Software launched an Apple Mac program called Drum File. This innovative
software provides both sound and song management, with sample transfer over MIDI.

Drum File provides quick access to hundreds of sampled sounds, with individual samples transferring in less
than 10 seconds, which is 10 times faster than using a Commodore 1541 disk drive. All data is transmitted via
MIDI, eliminating additional custom hardware expense. Your entire collection of SP-12 samples can be
organised into Drum File libraries on the Apple Mac. Samples can be organised into named groups, such as
"Orchestra Hits" or "Electronic Drums". Samples can be previewed via the Mac's digital audio port. Song files
can also be named, catalogued and moved.

Sound Manager The Sound File Window displays the names of all 32 SP-12 samples simultaneously, both
the ROM and RAM samples. Remote Play enables samples in the SP-12 to be played from the Mac either via
mouse or the keyboard. The amount of memory in the SP-12 is displayed using bar graphs and numerics.
Both bytes and seconds are displayed.

Song Manager The Song File Window displays the names of all 99 songs and segments in the S-12.
Segments belonging to a particular Song are highlighted. The Memory Indicator shows much memory
remains for the current Song.

Sound Libraries An unlimited number of sound libraries can be created for organizing samples into
categories. Up to four libraries can be on the screen simultaneously. Up to one hundred samples can be
stored in each library.

Global Features Individual sample, song and segment names can be up to 12 characters long and can be
edited at any time. There are copy, paste and clear commands, plus audio preview. This enables samples
that are in the Mac's memory or on the Mac's hard/floppy drive to be monitored via the Mac's audio port.

Data Transfer Samples or entire sound banks can be transferred to and from the SP-12 over MIDI. Song files
and segments can also be transferred. Each sample typically takes 10 seconds to transfer and an entire
TURBO SP-12 memory will transfer in 1.65 minutes (that all the samples and songs).

Other Features Samples can be imported from, and exported to, a range of 8 and 16 bit audio file formats
such as Sound Designer, Sound Lab, and Switcher. The software can be installed to the hard drive of the
www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/SP12.html 12/13
4/6/2019 Emulator Archive

Mac.

System Requirements An Apple Mac or Mac plus with 512k of memory, a Mac MIDI interface and a TURBO
SP-12 with ROM 2.4 or higher.

Drum File Previews

Copyright © 2015 SynthArk® | All Rights Reserved | Disclaimer

Design by 1234.info | Modified by SynthArk | XHTML 1.0 | CSS 2.0
SynthArk Museum | SynthArk Store

www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/SP12.html 13/13