Also new in 2020 – a remake of the legendary 1987 E-mu SP-1200. Just get ready for some sticker shock, because it’s not just a clone, it’s an actual SP-1200, rebuilt.
This one is an extremely, extremely limited edition because it starts with an original working SP-1200. So the price tag is similar to a top-condition refurbished 1200 because that is literally what it is. The new SP-1200 undertaking comes from E-mu Systems co-founder Dave Rossum, so we can think of this as passion project more than anything.
Rossum Electro-Music calls it “better-than-new.”
Starting with an original SP-1200 and upgrading and calibrating it, you get (copy-pasting here):
- A new 3.5″ disk drive (seriously), plus an SD card floppy emulator integrated with the software (by Dave himself, no less).
- Manual filter cutoff frequency control sliders for the SSM 2044 analog filters for channels 1 and 2 added to the rear panel
- A new metal chassis
- A new panel overlay
- The top shell restored and painted “SP Grey.”
- A new power supply with locking connector (and cool operation)
- A new LCD display with adjustable brightness and a selectable red, blue, or green color LED backlight
- All new play buttons
- All new programming buttons
- All new 1/4” and MIDI jacks
- All electrolytic and tantalum capacitors replaced with high-reliability ceramic or aluminum-poly caps
- All rotary potentiometers replaced with million cycle lifetime pots and installed with new knurled black metal knobs
- All slide potentiometers replaced with 200,000 cycle lifetime sliders and installed with new slider knobs
- All original trimmers replaced with 20-turn versions and precisely calibrated
- New rubber feet
- An individualized Dave Rossum signature plaque
- A dust-proof, crush-proof, lockable Pelican™ brand case with press-and pull latches, wheels, and an extendable handle.
- Full testing and calibration by Rossum Electro-Music
Yes, there’s a wait list. So Dr. Dre, if you’re reading, go get on it.
There are other rebuilders out there, so you might want to comparison shop if this is something you really want to do.
I’m lost, to be honest, so coming soon to CDM, I’m proud to launch a new feature: a round-up of what legendary classic gear isn’t being cloned/remade/rebooted.
Actually, if I wait a few days even that story may be unnecessary.
Also, anyone want to take bets on when we get a Behringer BS-1200? (for “Behringer Sampler,” you know…)