EMU Samplers

E-MU samplers are classic machines that helped shape the sound of hip-hop, electronic, and pop music from the late '80s through the early 2000s. Known for their rich, gritty sound and powerful editing tools, E-MU samplers let producers chop, stretch, and layer samples with precision. From the SP-1200 to the Emulator series, these samplers gave artists a hands-on way to create bold, original tracks. Even today, E-MU gear is loved for its character and is still used by producers looking for that iconic, vintage vibe.

EMU SP-1200 (reissued in 2021)

The EMU SP-1200 is a legendary sampler and drum machine, reissued in 2021 by Rossum Electro-Music, the company founded by its original designer, Dave Rossum. Revered for its gritty 12-bit sound and 26.04 kHz sampling rate, the reissue preserves the iconic character of the original while adding modern updates like an SD card slot, metal chassis, and doubled sampling time (20 seconds total). With new filter controls on channels 1 and 2 and local production in the U.S., the SP-1200 reissue is a faithful, rugged revival of one of hip-hop and electronic music’s most influential instruments.