The Emu SP-1200 remains a legendary sampler, not least for its key role in the development of hip-hop
The age of the anorak
Though recording studios had relied on trusty analogue technology since the very inception of recorded music in the late 19th century, the advent of digital tech had seen less demanding storage solutions gaining significant ground by the beginning of the 1990s. The digital tape of the ADAT format (Alesis Digital Audio Tape) was encroaching on its analogue forebears for professional audio storage. However, before long, this 8-track-limited format would be soon rendered obsolete by the rapid acceleration of computer hard drive space. With this, came the growing development of Pro Tools, Cubase and their ilk. Though it would take a while until they would become accessible to home producers. A gamut of digital keyboards, samplers, recorders and sequencers were therefore required to make music at home.