Elektron Machinedrum SPS-1UW+ MKII (2010)

Name: Elektron Machinedrum
Brand: Elektron

A and sequencer with 12-bit sampling, 64-step sequencing, and flexible synthesis capabilities.

Overview

The Elektron Machinedrum SPS-1UW+ MKII is a drum machine, synthesizer, and sequencer made by Elektron as part of its legacy hardware line. It has a 12-bit sampling engine with 2.5 MB of sample memory, so you can sample on the fly and store the results across multiple slots. The sequencer does parameter locks per track, and LFOs can modulate the sample start and end points.

Specifications

Sequencer steps	16 steps per pattern
Sample parameter range	Start = 0, End = 127; Sample Length Hold to 127
Machine types	Rom machine, CTR-8P, INP-GA, INP-GB, MIDI machine, CTRL, MID, CTRL-RE, Ribbon machine
Parameter locks	Supported for individual hit control (volume, length, pitch)
Accent range	0-8, accent placement individual per track, amount shared across tracks
MIDI CC assignment	Up to six or more CC controls per MIDI channel
Headphone jack	Regular pcb-mount 6.3mm (1/4″) socket
Delay parameters	LEV=0, FEEDBACK=64, DELAY TIME=127, FILTERF=0, FILTERW=127, MONO=0, MOD=0; Hold FUNCTION + DELAY to 127
Sample memory	2.5 MB
Sample rate
Bit depth	12-bit
Steps (MKII)	64

Design

The Machinedrum does stereo sampling through a delay at full bit rate. The delay loop degrades over time, which gives it a lo-fi sound. CTRL or MIDI machines can share a track with an INP machine, and an exploit lets you run up to 18+ machines at once. LFOs can modulate the CTR-8P Start/End parameters, and grid edit mode lets you copy and paste parameter locks. The unit has a 12-bit sampling engine with reverb and compression effects.

Context

It succeeded the earlier SPS-1 and SPS-1UW MKI models (2005-2007) and was later discontinued. Users swapped tips and techniques on the Elektron Users Forums and the Yahoo Group Mailing List.

Market

Market prices for the Machinedrum SPS-1UW+ MKII run from $1,168 to $1,695, and some units reportedly sold for as much as $3,456. Brand New Old Stock has been available through retailers like Big City Music. cEvin Key of Skinny Puppy is a notable user. The battery may need replacing over time, and replacement guides exist for the headphone jack.