Elektron Machinedrum SPS 1 MKII Drumcomputer

Elektron Machinedrum SPS 1 MKII Drumcomputer Product Details

Description

The Elektron Machinedrum SPS-1 is a classic-style drum machine built around a percussion step sequencer but with the modern amenities of software synthesis and an integrated digital effects/dynamics section — all tethered together by the best MIDI implementation of any beat box that I've ever laid hands on.

The Machinedrum's sonic prowess is broken down into four main types of MD-synths: TRX is inspired by, but not exclusively limited to, the Roland TR-series sounds; EFM (Enhanced Feedback Modulation) produces meatier synthetic “power drum” sounds and effects; E12 is inspired by the sampled tones of classic E-mu and Linn instruments; and P-I uses physical-modeling synthesis to simulate the behavior of acoustic drums and percussion. And although not considered an MD-synth, per se, GND produces basic electronic pulse and noise elements and pulls double duty by routing the stereo analog inputs. Each MD-synth offers anywhere from eight to 16 individual sound-type personalities, such as bass drum, closed hi-hat, cowbell and so on. Each of these has as many as eight real-time-tweakable parameters with which you can tailor an individual sound on the LCD's Synthesis page. The analog inputs, by the way, are also addressed as machines, but they route signals rather than produce sound themselves.

Kits can consist of as many as 16 machines individually drawn from any of the MD-synths. Each machine in a kit is assigned to one of the 16 tracks controlled by the sequencer (or an external sequencer). Each track has its own Track Effects page with amplitude modulation, 1-band EQ, resonant lowpass/bandpass/highpass filter, sample-rate reduction and distortion. Furthermore, each kit in the Machinedrum has 16 assignable LFOs. Finally, there's a stereo master effects processor with a simple synchable rhythm echo, a gated reverb, a 3-band EQ and a compressor.

Machinedrum SPS-1 Specifications

Audio Inputs (2) unbalanced ¼" line-level

Audio Outputs (2) unbalanced ¼" main; (4) unbalanced ¼"

Software Version Reviewed 1.11

Polyphony (16) notes

Patch Memory (64) user-programmable kits, each with (16) sounds max.

Synthesis Types TRX (analog drum-machine modeling), EFM (enhanced feedback modulation), P-I (acoustic-drum modeling), E12 (sampled), GND (sine/noise/pulse)

Effects Processing (per track/drum sound) amplitude modulation, 1-band EQ, resonant lowpass/bandpass/highpass filter, sampling-rate reduction, distortion

Effects Processing (global) rhythm delay, shelving EQ, parametric EQ, gated reverb, compressor

Sequencer (16) tracks; (128) user patterns; (32) user songs; (254) song steps; 32nd-note max. resolution with variable swing individual; (1) ¼" stereo headphone

A/D/A Converters 24-bit

MIDI In, Out, Thru; (384) controllable parameters

Dimensions 13.38" (W) × 3.00" (H) × 6.94" (D)

Weight 6.19 lb. (excluding adapter)