FS: SPATIAL SOUND SP-1 SURROUND SOUND PROCESSOR

Very rare and unusual piece of equipment. The Spatial Sound SP-1
is an audio signal panner for simulation of sound movements and localization
of sound in one-, two- or three-dimensional space, using real-time manual
control or under control of MIDI or FSK.

Features:
* Real-time or sequenced amplitude control of 2 to 8 speakers / outputs
* 2 joysticks for manual panning
* 2 built-in sound position sequencers
* External MIDI or FSK control of spatialization parameters
* Accepts MIDI program changes
* Programmable speaker locations
* Transmits MIDI data for control of external digital reverb parameters and
light controllers
* Automated 4-channel volume control mode
* Memory -
* 30 sequences of up to 99 steps each
* 50 spatialization programs
* 9 speaker setups

Interfacing (all 1/4-inch phone jacks, line level, except for MIDI):
* 4 audio inputs
* 8 audio outputs
* 8 parallel inputs
* Tape Sync In and Out (FSK)
* Trigger Input
* 4 Control-Voltage Inputs
* Control-Voltage Output
* MIDI In / Out / Thru

The SP-1 allows specifying the number of speakers in the setup, as well as
the location of each speaker.
Positions are defined by 3 coordinates (each 0 to 99, 50 being midpoint):
X for left to right
Y for front to back
Z for bottom to top
9 different speaker arrangements can be stored in memory.

The number of coordinates used depends on the number of speakers - 2
speakers would only require
an X coordinate, etc. Both of the SP-1's 3-dimensional modes use all 3
position coordinates, and
can output to from 4 to 8 speakers. There is also 4-channel automated
mixing.

The apparent source of a soundan be changed using the SP-1's 2 joysticks, 2
built-in sequencer,
external MIDI controller data or taped FSK data. Spatialization modes can
assign incoming audio
signals to the processors outputs as either mixed or unmixed. The mixed
option wil conglomerate
all inputs for output to a single set of speakers. The unmixed option will
route the inputs to
separate sets of speakers.

The SP-1's built-in sequencers record joystick movements or incoming MIDI
controller data in quantities
of steps measured against time. Sequences can also be entered in an edit
mode. Steps can
be inserted or deleted from an existing sequence. A sequence can loop
continually or run once and
stop, or be reversed. There are 5 demo sequences in ROM, including a random
location generator.

The SP-1 allows scaling, to increase or decrease the size of the
spatialization patterns within the sound
field. The Expansion feature can create the illusion that the sound source
lies beyond the speakers.
Using the Rotation function, 2- or 3-dimensional sequenced movement patterns
can be shifted horizontally
along the Z-axis or vertically along the Y-axis. The joysticks can be used
to define the degree of rotation.
Any of the functions can be activated or controlled externally using a MIDI
controller.

Many digital reverb and effects processors allow dynamically controlling
certain parameters over MIDI.
The SP-1's MIDI implementation allows taking advantage of such devices in
conjunction with its
Expansion feature to simulate changes in the distance to a given sound
source - particularly striking
in stereo through headphones.

The SP-1's control voltage output can also be connected to a digital delay
control voltage input
to simulate the Doppler effect, the shift in a sound's apparent pitch as the
sound moves towards
or away from the listener. The SP-1 can also be interfaced with a MIDI
lighting controller
to vary the intensity of lights in proportion to speaker output levels.

The status of all SP-1 front panel knobs and buttons, the current
spatialization mode and
mixed / unmixed settings, the active speaker set, the current sequence(s)
and step(s) and
MIDI controller assignments (everything except the volume levels) can all be
saved as a
program. Up to 50 programs can be saved. Programs can be saved onto
cassette tape or
by MIDI bulk dump. SP-1 programs can be switched by MIDI program changes,
or recorded
as part of a sequence.

Size - 16 inches x 13 inches x 4 inches
Weight - 10 pounds

Excellent condition, fully functional, includes the operation manual.
$800 obo.


Mark

+1138 rating on eBay

Pictures:
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Spatial10.jpg
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Spatial11.jpg
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Spatial2.jpg
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Spatial3.jpg
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Spatial4.jpg
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Spatial5.jpg
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Spatial6.jpg