E-Mu SP-12 - User Manual

SP-12
SAMPLING
PERCUSSION SYSTEM
OWNERS MANUAL
By Craig Anderton
Version 2.3
© 1985 E-mu Systems, Inc. Scotts Valley, CA. All Rights Reserved

E-Mu SP-12 Specifications

General

Type	Drum Machine
Polyphony	8 voices
MIDI	Yes
Pads	12 velocity-sensitive pads
Storage	Floppy disk
Sequencer	Yes
Year Released	1985
Synthesis Type	Sample-based
Effects	None built-in
Outputs	8 individual outputs, stereo master output
Sampling Time	2 seconds standard, up to 10 seconds with expansion

Summary

Introduction to the SP-12

SP-12 Ground Rules

Fundamental terms and concepts necessary for understanding the SP-12 manual.

Part 1: Getting Ready

1 A Setup

Step-by-step guide to physically connecting and powering on the SP-12.

1 D Selecting Drum Sounds

How to choose between different banks of drum sounds using the SELECT button.

1 E Adjusting the Mix

Instructions on varying individual drum levels using sliders and the MIX LED.

1 F Tuning the Drums;Changing Decay

How to adjust pitch or decay time for individual drum sounds using sliders.

1 H Accessing;Exiting Multilevel

Guide to applying and removing multilevel effects to drum sounds.

1 I Accessing;Exiting Multipitch

Guide to applying and removing multipitch effects to drum sounds.

1 J Accessing Dynamics

1 K Storing (Defining) a Mix

1 M Assigning Drum Sounds to Output Channels

1 N Playing Back Segments

1 O Setting Tempo

1 P Programming the Metronome

Part 2: Recording Segments

2 B Erasing a Segment

2 C Dimensioning a Segment

Setting the time signature and bar length for a new segment.

2 D Understanding Auto Correct

2 E Setting Auto Correct

How to select the desired resolution for Auto Correct timing.

2 F Recording a Segment in Realtime

Step-by-step guide to recording drum patterns in real-time performance.

2 G Recording a Segment in Step Time

Method for recording drum patterns note-by-note for precise control.

2 H Erasing a Specific Drum Sound

2 I Erasing a Specific Note of a Drum Track

2 J Copying and Appending Segments

2 K Adding Swing

2 N Clearing the Memory

Part 3: Creating a Song

3 B Selecting a Song

3 C Chaining Segments Together

Step-by-step process for arranging segments sequentially to form a song.

3 E Editing Songs (Stepping, Inserting, Deleting)

Methods for modifying song steps: stepping, inserting new steps, and deleting existing ones.

3 F Using Repeats

3 G Changing the Song Drum Sound Mix

3 H Setting Song Tempo

3 I Programming Tempo Changes Within a Song

Creating accelerandos and ritardandos by changing tempo over song steps.

3 L Starting at a Specified Point in the Song

3 M Efficient Use of Memory

Part 4: Sampling Your Own Sounds

4 B Setting Levels Prior to Sampling

Procedure for setting input gain and monitoring levels for optimal sampling.

4 C Assigning the Sample to a User Number and Output Channel

How to assign a sampled sound to a user slot and output channel.

4 D Setting the Sampling Threshold

Configuring the signal level trigger to start sampling automatically.

4 E Setting the Sample Length

Programming the fixed duration for a recorded sample.

4 F Initiating and Stopping Sampling

Starting and stopping the sampling process, including threshold and forced modes.

4 G Deleting (Erasing) a User Sound

4 H Modifying a Sample via Truncation and Looping

Editing samples by trimming start/end points and creating loops.

Part 5: Saving Your Data

5 C Hooking Up the 1541 Disk Drive or Cassette

Instructions for connecting external storage devices to the SP-12.

5 D Formatting Disks

Procedure for preparing new or used disks for use with the SP-12.

5 E Disk and Cassette Operations

Detailed steps for saving, loading, verifying, and cataloging data on disks/cassettes.

Part 6: MIDI, Sync, & SMPTE

6 A MIDI Channel and Mode Select

Setting up MIDI communication parameters for controlling the SP-12.

6 G Writing SMPTE Time Code on Tape

6 H Writing a 24 PPQN Click Sync Track on Tape