Akai DPS 16 update

Hello everyone,
I have a prehistoric device from Akai that I would like to use. I have 2 of them. One is version 3.0 and can write to the external SCSI drive but makes noise when I want to record in 96 kHz. These are noises in the form of individual click channels that are actually off and there is no cable plugged in. I am currently trying something with the internal IDE drive as this is not the original.
The other is version 1.4 (or something like that) and can record in 96 kHz but makes a SCSI error when I want to burn to CD. Perhaps there were problems with early SCSI versions. So my question is whether anyone has precise instructions on how to install the update?
Does anyone know the problems with the 96 kHz and SCSI problems?
I can't find anything on the web anymore. Thank you very much!!!!

heya,

no longer have the dps 16, still the 12 getting dust..

latest os was 3.0.2 and it fixed a number of lasting issues on the DPS 16. you need to either burn a CD with that os to upgrade to it. Or upgrade thru midi if the dps has an os 2.X+ (so for your first device it's fine, for the second you need to go with the CD approach, both would work with the CD anyway)

instructions where (order matters):
- Power up the CD drive first and let it spin up a bit till it's ready
- THEN Power-up the DPS16 while holding the Play and Stop keys,you should be then in upgrade mode.
- Check that the DPS has found the SCSI ID your drive (5 or 6, whatever is your settings),
- hit the softkey below "Ok". Follow on-screen directions to finish the upgrade.

You will probably need a VM with WIN98, or old mac os (8?)
you may take a look here : http://www.up.co.nz/dps/

sorry for the limited help

Hello and thank you very much for the message!

I know the site, but it doesn't say exactly how to upgrade today. I also haven't found out how to start the upgrade (stop and start when switching on).

Should I burn the CD with a Win98 computer (with an old Nero, for example) to make the ISO readable for the DSP?

Thank you again!!!

the CD-rom will be in akai format (unreadable from your pc, but that is ok). So yeah you need to burn it.

the alternative method is in test mode (the previous was just a shortcut to it)

1. Turn off the machine
2. Hold [REC] pressed while you power the device until you see the TEST MODE menu
3. Press F5 - (F-ROM)
5. Press F4 - (SCSI) - the screen will display info about your optical device.
6. Press F1 - (OK) - the screen will display a message that the disk was successfully read and the machine is ready to write to the flash ROM. (DISK READ SUCCESS)
7. Press [REC] to start writing to the flash ROM - this will only take a few seconds (like 4 sec), and then display a success message and will prompt you to power off the machine.

Thanks again. Now I have a 98VM I'll write as soon as I make progress. Thank you and best regards

Let us know, others might benefit from it.

I managed it, but it was unexpected
You can't create a Win98 VM in Hyper V
All the drivers were missing in DOSBOX, YouTube streams weren't consistent, and the CD Rom wasn't displayed. All the entries and drivers from the Internet didn't work and my computer is too new. Yes, I could have tried everything again on a different PC but I didn't want to. Setting up a Windows 98 computer in DOSBOX can be quick, but it doesn't have to be
Because I'm old I have enough hardware to build myself a vintage PC with hardware and software. I still do that.

It worked with CDBurnerXP. I wanted to burn one CD after the other with different settings and it worked on the second attempt.
Select ISO image to burn (it has to be set to all files, as it is not a normal .img or something else.
Burn method Automatic
Write speed 8x
Burn options (check):
DVD with high compatibility (that is probably the important function )
Mode2XA instead of Mode1
Close medium
Check data after burning

It's now on version 3.02 I'll try it out in the next few days and am curious to see whether the same error noises in the form of clicks come up at 96 KHZ and whether burning to CD now works (SCSI error)

I also compared the two with 96KHZ and 48KHZ. I would say that 48 KHZ sounded a little better, contrary to my expectations. But I would check that in further tests. If it doesn't make the clicking noises when it's updated to version 3.02, which I don't think is the case.

I know it, but I'm writing it again anyway. It's a shame that there is no way to access the audio files (Linux format). That would make the workflow much easier.

By the way, I couldn't get an SSD to work internally in the device. It does format, but throws an error when it finishes.

Sorry, but my English is so......
Thank you

great news !

The DPS 16 display/screen is the same model that is inside the akai MPC 4000.

It has known issues. I think that in some scenarios, depending on storage and humidity and all that, the ribbon cable glued to the screen itself begins to detach. The glue holding it on has a shelf life, kind of like lots of cell phones that start to separate over time (mine right now).

As far as a track recorder, i usually consider tascam to be some of the best bang for the buck. Just reliable. No bells or whistles. You just want potentiometers to work and things to not be sloppy or break.

I have a Roland MC909 that has an F5 button that doesn't work. I've always wanted to explore that drum machine / synth. I found a producer online who was making insane beats with just hte roland mc909. I don't want to get into it until i have all the function keys working. I tried to fix it but i think maybe the new tact switch i put in there was put in backwards or incompatible or wrong voltage or something.

Can these things be repaired? I have DPS 16 and haven't used in 15 years. It boots up but it's glitchy. Some tracks don't work.