A while back, I teamed up with David Yeh and worked on a software model of the SP12. The model was intended to emulate the sampling engine and low pass filter in the SP12. We had no intention of modeling the SP12’s sequencer. The goal was to build a software model that could input an audio file, modify the file so that it sounds exactly like it was sampled by the SP12, and then save the affected file in wav format. The user would have the option of detuning the sample (which creates the classic ringing sound of the SP12), and turning on/off the SP12’s low pass filter. The tuning would exactly match the 32 tuning steps available in the SP12. The project was very successful. David’s paper on the subject is available
More recently, I took some time out and rebuilt the tuning of the algorithm to model my SP1200. I thought it was perfect, so I had the new tunings tested side by side with the SP1200 by an industry leading golden ears plug-in developer. We tested several sample sets by sampling into the SP1200 and running the same sample at the same tuning through our modeling algorithm. The two output files are indistinguishable.
The algorithm was coded in Matlab by David. This made it difficult (i.e. expensive) to port to a platform that could be easily run on Windows and Mac. I think I found a way to create a simple GUI that can be used on any machine without the need for Matlab. It won’t be pretty, but it will sound very pretty. I’ll post the program if I work it out.
One important thing to take away from this project: The low sample rate causes a digital sampling error called aliasing. This is what causes the classic SP12 ringing sound. When aliasing occurs, frequencies appear in the output sound that were not present in the original sound. From a mixing/mastering point of view, this is particularly useful for drums. When the drums contain a wide range of frequencies, the can be heard on any speaker system. It doesn’t matter if your system has no bass, because the presence of the kick can still be heard in higher frequency ranges due to the aliasing errors. This concept is the basis for the Flesh Modulation effect (it adds clean analog broadband noise to drum samples by using FM radio). The drums can be heard on any system.
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Sounds like you really went through everything. Have you accomplished the software yet?
Not in a releasable form. Last week I updated the matlab script to take one sample in, and return 64 samples. 32 samples are all 32 tunings of the sp1200 with no filter, and the other 32 are the same tunings with the filter. I’ve got about 1300 kick samples from playing with it last week.
Hi!
Excellent project! When can we expect the first release?
Peace!
Still pending… No current schedule for an official release.
Sounds really interesting! What is the current situation of the plugin? I hope the project will be a success and will get released.
Thanks, I hope so, too!!
Hello,this is amazing,there is no emulation of the real sp12 besides this one…please release it ,the is a lot of musicians out there that would die for a true emulation,i’ved tried every vst emulation (bitcrusher based) and i cannot get any close…please make a VST plugin!!
sergio frias
Hey
this sounds really dope i’ve been waiting for this for years let me know if you need
any info as I’ve been a big SP-1200 user on countless records,also let me know
when this is looking for release and if it will be available for mac
peace
kenny dope
Thanks Kenny. I appreciate the help. This project is on hold for now. I’m deep in a skratch hardware project at the moment.
If/when this gets a real release, it will be for mac.
Hey man – incredible work! I was just wondering if this project was ever likely to resume or if you were done with it. Serious props either way
Thanks! The project has been closed for years, so it’s not likely we will update it anytime soon. At least not for release.
Hi ,
Is it possible to upload the matlab scripts and LTspice files online ?
There has been no other serious virtualization of the SP1200 so far….
Even if the script is not in real-time , it doesnt matter.. It’s still better than nothing at all….
There’s a lot of people seeking a serious alterrnative to buying a $3500 SP1200…
Thanks in advance.
Thanks. I can’t distribute the code.
It is, unfortunately, the best model I have heard by far.
You should team up with UAD to release the plugin. I am sure they could work with the code you have and you could make a lot of money in the process. They are all about old gear but haven’t tackled the vintage sampler department yet…..
I know those guys. I was in there showing the SP1200 version to their golden ears. They liked it, but they never got into the sampler thing.
you should team up with Tal (https://tal-software.com/products/tal-sampler) and finish this great project
Man i need a good emu from a person that understand the complexities of the sp
yo bro! i do a great job! World needs yo skills! even Dave Rossum know about yo work! i hope you can make REAL SP in the box! Mutch luv.
thanks!
*YOU.
You do a great job!
maybe you can try code it in python? Reaper works well with it
Wzp G? How are you? Do you think about connect with Native Instruments? They made maaad ugly and NOT autentic SP model. I realy hope you find a ivestor for that project – read this thread every weak for news.
If you interested i have one rare and complitly accurate amterial for tests – only REAL SP make this thing sound good, rich, and crisp – all vsts are make it ugly
Have you thought about crowdfunding it maybe? Not sure if lack of funding is what’s holding you back, but maybe with all the people out there who want it, you’d be able to get closer to your funding goals that way.
Thanks. It’s not a funding issue. I worked on this project more than 10 years ago. It’s been shelved.
Any update on this project? Really interested in getting my hands on this plugin!
Seeing this not come to fruition is painful! Hope this happens as a program soon!
Hey man, amazing work. I’ve been combing the net for years looking at ways to potentially model the SP, as well as the various emulations and clones that have been attempted. Reading this is tantalising, and it makes me sad to think that the solution exists but is just lying dormant.
I’ve seen your replies to previous comments stating that it’s not an issue of funding and that the project has been permanently shelved. With the prices of 12s and 1200s reaching exorbitant levels, and the number of fully functioning machines decreasing every day, the demand for this software is at an all-time high and only going to increase.
Would it ever reach a point where the financial benefit or public demand for the profit would be enough to motivate you to finish the software to a releasable level? I know of a lot of producers, just in my personal circle, who would be more than willing to put money towards funding this kind of release.
Either way, appreciate your work man. Peace!
Also if it did end up coming out on mac and could eventually be ported and utilised within the modular iOS audio environment, I think many peoples dreams of a powerful modern sampler with the SP sound would be realised.
How much money would I need to give you for you to finish this project and make a useable AU or VST for Mac? I know you’ve shelved it, but I would rather spend the same amount of money on a plugin if the results are indistinguishable from the hardware. I totally serious – how much?
Big producers aroudn the world is waiting for you! We belivein you
Firdt off let me say this is truly incredible work.
I am currently working on a replica of the SP-1200 using a raspberry pi, I have a good amount of the UI and sequencer done but my biggest hurdle is modeling the sound.
I’m especially interested in reproducing the tuning algorithm, which you have already done to perfection. It’s hard to find much info aside from what’s in the service manual, is there anywhere I can contact you to ask a few questions?
Best regards
Welcome to the music business, brother)
I’ve been working on this over the past few weeks for my own use, thought I’d share now that I’m happy with the results.
It’s a simple Python script for pitching/resampling audio files, I use it to get that gritty “SP-1200 sound” before bringing things into Ableton
Github: https://github.com/mwcm/pitcher
SC with examples: https://soundcloud.com/user-32015826…tcher-examples
Feel free to share it around if you know others who’d find it useful.
Would love to hear any feedback, anyone is welcome to fork/pr/raise issues on GH as well!
woops sc link is https://soundcloud.com/user-320158268/sets/pitcher-examples
Thanks for referencing David’s paper on Github!