This is kind of "old news" for some of us but I did not find any threads about it. The iconic EMU SP1200 has been brought back by its original designer with major improvements without losing on character.




The Rossum SP-1200® is an authentic reissue of the iconic classic SP-1200 sampling percussion system. Building on the engineering of 2020’s 35th Anniversary SP-1200 Renovation, including study and analysis of many vintage units using modern technology not available during SP-1200’s original production run, the team determined that virtually all original components ought to be used in order to deliver the sound at the very highest standard of precision. E-mu Systems co-founder and original SP-12 and SP-1200 designer Dave Rossum has duplicated the original analog and digital electronics of the landmark 12-bit drum machine sampler as closely as is possible thirty-five years after its debut. Throughout the process of creating the SP-1200 reissue, Dave was delighted that with very few exceptions, authentic components exactly the same as those found in the vintage classic instrument could be used throughout and took great care to maintain the classic SP-12 and SP-1200 circuit board layouts. Inside and out, SP-1200 is faithful to the original operation and preserves the coveted, authentic sound and character of the classic vintage instrument. Through this labor of love, Dave was able to create an instrument that should sound exactly the same even to the most discerning ears.
https://shop.rossum-electro.com/products/sp-1200

Two things I want to point out. First, this is an offspring of the 35th Anniversary Renovation which was released in 2020. The second thing is that this release, and the version of Isla instruments, has caused the price of the original SP1200 to drop considerably. Indeed, the Rossum is currently selling for about $2000 less than the originals. Market correction.

 

Last edited: Jun 4, 2022

That's a pretty big market correction to 2k if that is true. The 4000$ price tag affixed to this unit was seemingly set at the average street price of a SP when it was released. You could get an old one or a new one for the same price; so why not buy the unit with a warranty, known maintenance history, etc.

Also, I believe when I last looked the 4000 price was for a pre-order, not already in-stock units.

 

True, that is the pre order price. There is none in stock. you need to preorder. You can get one now in the $6-$7K. On the other hand, I have seen documented price drops on Reverb of up to $4000 on the original, bringing average price down to the $7k. Some crazy modafakars are asking $12k-$15k and trust me, there are some crazy idiots that will pay that much. I personally think that for its price and features, the Isla Instruments 2400 is a better deal.

 

I recently bought an S2400... by recently I mean I bought it in April of last year and it arrived two weeks ago

If you compare the two units on paper, the S2400 is the clear winner based on features alone. But what's funny to me is that some users still justify the 4k price on the Rossum SP-1200 claiming that the sound is superior.... except it isnt. It is exactly the same as the S2400 because they both use SSM2044 analog filter chips.

This guy compares them both in this video. Identical.

 

What is funny is that some people are selling and paying $18k for the original SP1200. Come on! Crazy https://www.ebay.com/itm/143455689052?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28

I have the 35th Anniversary and the S2400. Same shit sonically as original without known issues and added modern features. Features wise the S2400 beats the Rossum regardless of price.

 

You are lucky. Some people have waited 2 and 3 years for some of Isla Instruments products. On top of that you have to put up with Brad Holland's tantrum

 

I have never been a fan of the MPC/SP pad style workflow. And that's like 75% of what most actual users want an SP for in the first place. Obviously, just vintage collectors aside. I'd stick a MPC in front of my sampler rack and call it a day for about 2+ grand cheaper.

 

Ha! Yeah, I felt bad for the dude. He's a small business owner navigating through a pandemic and all the issues it came with... but he did it with transparency and honesty which earned my respect. When UPS Spain conveniently "lost" my S2400 after I paid import tax on it, they gave me the runaround for weeks. Isla stepped in filed a claim right away and made sure they got another one shipped out to me as soon as possible and answered every email and question I had. Wish I could say the same for other gear manufacturers who Ive had to deal with in the past when an issue came up. Sometimes problems happen but its how you treat your customers when they do that makes all the difference.

 

I guess it would be cool to have one just for nostalgia but the 2400 seems to be the better choice.
I'm just talking about price and features. They sound exactly the same to me.

Besides, there are far better samplers on the market right now. And let's not forget the next MPC drops next month.

 

Do you mean the MPC Keyboard that was leaked a few months ago?

 

No. It's a new model planned to drop at the end of next month.

 

There definitely are. I mean even your standard daw is WAY more capable than something like the 2400/1200. But I think that most people who buy these hardware units don't care about that. Everyone has their reasons... some of it is nostalgia, some of it is investment, some of it is the sound, or just a genuine love of hardware and simple workflow / limitations. Mine are all of these.

Nowadays we have literally everything at our disposal to make music but that also amplifies distractions. And even though I use my pc for sequencing almost 100% of what I make, I still use outboard gear for the majority of my sounds simply because I can find what I need on it quickly and love the sound. Fast workflow and sound are my biggest priority making music and if a piece of gear has both and inspires me to make some tunes, I can workaround its limitations.

 

I can't seem to find anything on the net:
Where did you hear about it, do you have any details?

 

4000 Dollar = please make a Virtual Software Version for 100 Dollar !

 

Last edited: Jun 4, 2022

funnny , in those days people could only dream about a software sampler.

for teh rest of us: https://wavetracing.com/products/sp950

 

Last edited: Jun 4, 2022

Well i hear a difference, EMU sounds just a bit crispier and cleaner, the reissue is 98% close.

 

Yep, sad but true. When collectionism turns into pseudo-snob-elitism. Happens everywhere

 

Rossum E-mu SP-1200 renovation - from the developer Dave Rossum himself! Jan 16, 2020 - 7500 US Dollars

Hardly anyone should have expected this: Dave Rossum, founder of E-mu, is rebuilding a very classic drum sampler: the SP-1200, as the Rossum E-mu SP-1200. There is already a kind of clone or inspiration of the SP-1200 available today, but if you want the original, you will soon be able to buy exactly this SP-1200 again. However, this remains an old machine with many renovations. That's why it is exorbitantly expensive.

Rossum E-mu SP-1200 - old machine, new shine

The machine will be very expensive and will be refurbished a bit. Nevertheless, there is a floppy disk drive, a manual filter based on the SSM2044 chip. This also goes through channel 1 and 2, which can be looped through this filter. The case is made of metal, the panel is also new. The display is new and of course there are different colors for the illumination. New MIDI jacks are included and so on. So are feet and pots. In other words, this is a luxury machine with renovation character, not so much a true "new build".

At the front there is still a signature of the master. At the latest with the notes on capacitors and the like, you know: This is a restored SP-1200, which is available for this money. Nevertheless, everything is replaced by new components where possible. This is also true for the power supply. So all this is a very elaborate renovation, but not a new unit.

Further information

You can only buy the machine directly from Rossum-Electro for a whopping 7500 US Dollars. 35th anniversary with floppy drive.
www.rossum-electro.com/products/sp-1200-renovation/

 

Thanks but this isn't what I asked.
I was asking @Soul1975 where he heard about this new MPC he mentioned.

 

Akai MPC Key 61 leak, new photo of the upcoming keyboard groovebox sampler - June 3, 2022

Leak: a new photo shows a father with his child playing on a new Akai keyboard, it could possibly be the new MPC Key 61 groovebox sampler.
NAMM starts today and will we finally see the Akai MPC Key 61? There is no information so far about a possible announcement. However, there were clear indications that Akai had already showcased their new product to selected people behind closed doors at Superbooth 22.

What is new, however, is another picture from Instagram of the music producer Scott Storch, who is apparently the beta tester. On the backside, you can see a wide range of connectivity.

www.synthanatomy.com/2022/06/akai-mpc-key-61-leak-first-photo-of-the-new-keyboard-groovebox-sampler.html