SPM-1 Musician’s Manual
ENSONIQ Corporation
Page 1
THE SPM-1 – AN INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your new purchase. The Sampled Piano Module is a rack-mountable version of the ENSONIQ
Piano, Model SDP-1. It is the same instrument in virtually every regard, except that it doesn’t have a keyboard of
its own. You control it via MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) from a remote synthesizer, keyboard
controller or sequencer.
The ENSONIQ Piano and the SPM-1 are the products of high technology known as digital sampling. Some of the
terms we use in describing the various functions are borrowed from the hi-tech world. There’s a small glossary on
page 18 that will give you a plain language description of these terms.
Digital sampling has been around for almost a decade and is based on the same technology as digital recording and
compact discs. It involves taking the acoustical and electrical energy produced by an instrument (analog) and
converting that energy into computer-type data of “binary digits” (hence, digital). This digital information is stored
in memory and, when you press a key, is converted back into analog electrical and acoustic energy through
amplifiers and loudspeakers.
While fairly simple in theory, there are literally hundreds of catch-22’s when bringing the theory into practice.
ENSONIQ made a major breakthrough in digital sampling with the development of the Q-chip integrated circuit
and the introduction of the Mirage Digital Sampling Keyboard. The SPM-1 represents a further refinement of the
technology.
Multi-sampling allows acoustic instrument sounds – in particular, piano sounds – to be accurately reproduced
across the entire range of an 88-note keyboard. The complex waveforms of acoustic instruments don’t behave
very well when the pitch is shifted more than a few semi-tones away from the original pitch.
Multi-sampling is a technique that uses different waveform samples at small intervals from the lowest notes to the
highest. When you play a multi-sampled sound, the character and timbre of each note is true and accurate to the
corresponding note on the actual instrument. The SPM-1 is multi-sampled many times across its range, giving you
sonic accuracy that non-multi-sampled instruments can’t possibly produce.
Most MIDI keyboards built today feature a system for determining how hard you play, and they send this
information out via MIDI for each key strike. This function, known as velocity sensitivity, allows the Piano to
respond like its acoustic counterpart. The harder you play, the louder and brighter the sound will be. The dynamic
and timbral range of the Piano closely matches an acoustic piano. You can drive the SPM-1 from a MIDI keyboard
which doesn’t send velocity, but you will not be taking advantage of the subtle response capabilities of the
instrument.
One more thing; we suggest that you fill out and send in the enclosed warranty registration card. It will help
smooth the service of any problems you may have in the future and will allow us to contact you with news about
your instrument.
Summary of Contents for SPM-1
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