question for those using z4/8

i really want to get away from lugging my hardware synths to shows so i've been toying with the notion of picking up a z4/8 to go along with my 4k. correct me if i'm wrong but this would basically give me 20 analog outs (exp. board installed in both machines, of course) of identical converters and machines that function almost identically save for the mechanical interface differences.

(ian, i watched your youtube video. nicely done, very informative.)

- jim

jimfowler wrote:i really want to get away from lugging my hardware synths to shows so i've been toying with the notion of picking up a z4/8 to go along with my 4k. correct me if i'm wrong but this would basically give me 20 analog outs (exp. board installed in both machines, of course) of identical converters and machines that function almost identically save for the mechanical interface differences.

(ian, i watched your youtube video. nicely done, very informative.)

- jim

Yes. If the outs are the issue, you can look for an s6000 with the 16 outs expansion which also works very similarly to the 4K/z4/z8. I have the 4K and s6000 with 16 outs. I don't use them together but if I did, that would be 28 outs.

It gets even more fun if you connect a nice controller like the behringer bcr2000. Because the z series has the same modulation matrix parameters. So you have a lot of synth functionality with the two together. Both machines sound the same. If you record 24 bit 96 khz then each unit is 32 polyphony. Which is still great having two mafhines to share the load of great sound.
Cheers
Ian

care to comment on the build quality? i have two friends (both in touring bands) who had LOTS of problems with their Z-series samplers. so problematic as to force them to sell and find an alternate solution.

- jim

Wow, what the devil did they do to their Z's? lol

I have not had a problem with mine. The knobs and such are the same as those on the MPC 4000. When I bought my Z it had a broken volume knob. I had a local tech fix it for very little money.

I don't see how someone breaks a rack unit unless they drop it or something. I mean they are not built to be thrown about. I would be worried if any of my gear fell on a concrete floor.

So to answer your question I don't think it is indestructible, and it seems to be built well. The only gear that I have owned that had problems were the knobs on my SU700.

Cheers,
Ian

PS "people that I rate highly in here have dissed the Z and I just don't understand why, because to me it sounds great and has so much functionality. It is easy to use , and has the added benefit of being able to be used with aksys. I just don't understand."

one of the guy's speculation is that akai was, at this juncture, focusing on just mpc's and their stand-alone hardware samplers kinda got forgotten...and thus the quality was sub-par. however, the mpc4k is built like a tank so logic would suggest that the z samplers would be on the same level given that they were built concurrently.

these are both touring musicians who know how to take care of gear. in fact, one has lugged an S5000 around for years with basically no problems. he was quite critical of the z.

anyhow...thanks for the feedback. good to get lots of opinions.

- jim