Micro-Chopping The E-mu SP-12 and 1200: A Brief History and 24-Track Playlist
Few drum machines or samplers have played a more critical role in the evolution of rap music than the E-mu SP-1200 and it’s earlier SP-12 model. With the 1200’s crunchy, lo-fi sound and 10.07 second sampling time spread over eight pads, the machine stretched the creative limits of any producer who dared sit in front of it.
Instead of limiting creativity, the small sample time imposed by the 1200 seemed to foster it, which may help explain the sampler’s enduring popularity today. For many producers who were prolific in the 80s and 90s, the SP-1200 served as an instructor that forced them to chop samples with expert precision. “That’s how a lot of producers learned how to chop the samples: We didn’t have no time, so we had to figure out ways to stretch the sounds and make it all mesh together,” producer Ski Beatz explained in the Village Voice article “The Dirty Heartbeat of the Golden Age”.
In addition to the unique sonic qualities, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the sampler’s legacy is how widespread it’s use was, as the infatuation with the 1200 knew no geographic boundaries. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis crafted entire songs with the SP for Janet Jackson in Minnesota while that late Johnny J made “Knockin’ Boots” for Candyman in California.
From there, Pete Rock changed everything when he used the 1200 to make “T.R.O.Y.” in Mount Vernon, NY. A few years later Dilla used the iconic sampler in Detroit to make “Get A Hold” for A Tribe Called Quest.
Trying to whittle down a cohesive list of SP-12 and 1200 songs from the enormous amount of material out there was a herculean effort. As a result this playlist runs a bit longer than a typical Micro-Chop playlist. It’s also labeled Vol. 1 with hopes that it will be the first 12/1200 playlist of many. Song submissions for future consideration are strongly encouraged.
If you’d like to learn more about how producers use the 1200, check out my articles on the making of Juvenile’s “Ha” and Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s “T.R.O.Y.”, as well as my interviews with Grap Luva and J-Zone.
To check out another sampler-specific playlist, click the link below.
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