For discussion about setting up your studio and advice on the gear and equipment within it.
By Ozymandias Tue Aug 12, 2014 3:57 am
I have an Akai S20 and like it seems like an amazing machine from what I've seen and heard and I want to start using it. I use FL Studio and I want to know if there's a way to use it with FL Studio and all. Thanks guys! Btw I'm new to music production so I might not know a lot of stuff lol.
By Bathmutz Tue Aug 12, 2014 5:46 am
Use FL to sequence the s20: Computer midi out to s20 midi in.

And use s20 as a midi controller: s20 midi out to computer midi in.

If you don't got a midi interface for your computer, get one.

S20 doesn't have a usb connection or anything. :lol:
By Ozymandias Tue Aug 12, 2014 2:07 pm
Bathmutz wrote:Use FL to sequence the s20: Computer midi out to s20 midi in.

And use s20 as a midi controller: s20 midi out to computer midi in.

If you don't got a midi interface for your computer, get one.

S20 doesn't have a usb connection or anything. :lol:


To sequence it means to like play the samples through my S20? LOL I'm really new to this. I have a Steinberg UR22 which I think I can use as an midi interface.
By Clint Fri Aug 15, 2014 5:58 pm
Ozymandias wrote:I have an Akai S20 and like it seems like an amazing machine from what I've seen and heard and I want to start using it.


I'll be honest with you, the S20 is pretty shit.

Not least because you're stuck with floppy disk storage and the there is only a main stereo output. Add to that a lack of useful sample editing featues, a rubbish sequencer, and the fact that it doesn't sample at 44.1khz (CD Quality) and you begin to see that the S20 is of limited use in a studio. It was, after all, aimed toward the DJ market.

Having said all that, more experienced samplists, could find a use for a "pretty shit" S20 alongside a traditional workhorse sampler. Sometimes "shit" samplers can be "shit" in a good way for certain tasks. A beginner to sampling may well be misguided into wasting time learning how to use the S20. They would be better off getting a cheap Akai S series rack (S2000 or S3000XL for example) to put in your groundwork.

SOS Akai S20 Review (1997):

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_ar ... ais20.html