devices/e-mu/sp-1200.vendor.fw-unknown.jsonEdit on GitHubJSONE-MU SP-1200 MIDI CC chart, NRPN and OSC map
The E-MU SP-1200 MIDI implementation: 3 CC, 10 SysEx commands, each named, for Claude (MCP), SuperCollider or any OSC app.
- sourcemaker's documentation
- real unitnot yet checked
Not checked on a real E-MU SP-1200 yet. Own one? Load a sound or send a control, and tell us whether it worked.
- Maker
- E-MU
- Version
- SP-1200 Owner's Manual, Appendix J MIDI Implementation (1987)
- Source
- maker's documentation
- OSC prefix
/sp_1200
Use it
Find the MIDI ports, then start the bridge with this driver:
osc-bridge detect # prints the ready-to-run line for what is plugged in
osc-bridge run --device devices/e-mu/sp-1200.vendor.fw-unknown.json --out-port <N> --in-port <M>
Then send OSC to 127.0.0.1:7777, for example:
From Claude or any MCP client, the osc-bridge mcp server exposes this driver as sp_1200: ask “what can the E-MU SP-1200 do?” and it reads this map with list_routes. See the MCP guide.
MIDI controls
13 controls, each with its number, its range and the name to send
Channel mode
| Control | CC | Range | Name to send |
|---|---|---|---|
| All notes off | 123 | trigger | /sp_1200/all_notes_off |
| Omni off | 124 | trigger | /sp_1200/omni_off |
| Omni on | 125 | trigger | /sp_1200/omni_on |
SysEx commands
| Command | Arguments | Name to send |
|---|---|---|
| Transport clock | /sp_1200/transport/clock |
|
| Transport start | /sp_1200/transport/start |
|
| Transport stop | /sp_1200/transport/stop |
|
| Transport continue | /sp_1200/transport/continue |
|
| Song position | beats: u14 | /sp_1200/song/position |
| Song select | song: u7 | /sp_1200/song/select |
| Sample dump request | sound: u7 | /sp_1200/sample_dump/request |
| Sample dump ack | packet: u7 | /sp_1200/sample_dump/ack |
| Sample dump nak | packet: u7 | /sp_1200/sample_dump/nak |
| Sample dump cancel | packet: u7 | /sp_1200/sample_dump/cancel |
Performance MIDI
Notes, pitch bend and any CC are also available: /sp_1200/note/on <note> <velocity>, /sp_1200/cc/<number> <value>, /sp_1200/pitchbend <0-16383>, /sp_1200/program_change <n>.
Limitations
Source: SP-1200 Owner's Manual, Appendix J (1987). Notes 36-67 play the 32 sounds (velocity counts, note-off velocity ignored); a second Note On before the first one's Note Off plays the first sound at the second note's pitch. Which key plays which pad is drawn on a keyboard chart ('Emax keyboard to SP-1200 play buttons', p. 57) that is not readable as text, so no per-pad trigger is listed. Receive channel and Omni/Poly are set in SET-UP 22. Sending a sound to the SP-1200 (dump header then 120-byte packets of 12-bit words, checksum = XOR) is not exposed: it needs the whole sample. No Control Change, Program Change, pitch bend or aftertouch. Untested on hardware.
Frequently asked questions
How many parameters of the E-MU SP-1200 can be controlled over MIDI?
SynthHub's map of the E-MU SP-1200 lists 3 MIDI CC parameters, each with its number, range and a readable name; the full chart is on this page.
Can an AI agent like Claude control the E-MU SP-1200?
Yes: SynthHub's hosted MCP server knows the E-MU SP-1200's MIDI map, and its browser relay lets the agent send it parameter changes or load a sound, each sound change confirmed by you.