Drum Machines

Overview

The Beat Generation A key contributor to the transformation of E-mu Systems in the early 1980's was its range of superb drum machines. Whilst they only designed three models in just 5 years, (leaving the market to the Japanese), each model was a classic - and the SP-12 and SP1200 are still highly regarded today. The SP1200 was/is so popular that its was reissued in the 1990s, making it the longest production run of any E-mu Systems product or any drum machine. Most of the core design work was done in 1983 - 84, and Dave Rossum contributed to the design and he actually fixed many of the early Drumlator designs flaws (Engineering Change Orders).

Drumulator The first model in 1983, the Drumulator, spear headed E-mu Systems growth in the early 1980's and provided the cash to enable the Emulator II to be developed. Whilst it is now a rather limited drum machine, at the time it was revolutionary in terms of value ($995) and the sounds were good. It sold extremely well , earning E-mu Systems over $5m - until the arrival of the Oberheim DX/DMX.

SP-12 With the Emulator II taking the market by storm in 1984, E-mu Systems shoe horned the new Emulator II technology into a drum machine called the SP-12. They launched it in 1985 and created one of the first sampling drum machines, matching the new Linn 9000 and eclipsing the Oberheim DX/DMX, a full two years before the Akai MPC60.

SP1200 In 1988 E-mu Systems enhanced the SP -12 with an internal 3.5" disk drive, and a better case - the SP1200. It has become a legend for dance and hip hop musicians around the world, and its still changes hands at over $1500. It was re -issued in 1993 and 1997 for a few years.