The official AKAI S series thread

jazzroom wrote:AKAI S5000 test drive:

Have S5000 for couple of days - testing

just discovered that in the
sample EQ section there is no way of pre listening the EQ-ing
before rendering sample to a new file - so its just aditing by numbers???

So the EQ's edits are actually distructive while logically it should be non-distructive?

is it the same for S3000 series?
that is a limitation .....

has EQ ing, Filtering and FX it improved on Z4/8 ?

There are some things I don't understand...Why even bother with the average at best FX in there, the thing has like 10 outs or something..same with eq..the 5k can re-sample while it's playing back if I can remember right, so you can eq from your desk and sample it back into it.
Why even bother with the guess EQ...it's useful at times yes like for reducing rumble perhaps of a vinyl sample but for anything serious meh.

Re the EQ; It's NON Destructive cos the original sample is NOT overwritten (on the 3k series any way) hence why you have to re-name the file when you want to apply EQ..it can't do it otherwise.
If you keep applying EQ changes it wont write 90293092 files but over write to the "new" file..the original file stays the same though.

To be honest you should just get a computer lol fu*k using samplers for rhodes and ish..much much better physical emulations of real instruments on a computer..sampled piano sounds wack lol

vinyl_junkie_1620 wrote:To be honest you should just get a computer lol fu*k using samplers for rhodes and ish..much much better physical emulations of real instruments on a computer..sampled piano sounds wack lol

ive got Macbook Pro with Kontakt that has Scarbee Rhodes - much better playability
due to 8 or 12 velocity zones ( 4 zones max on any hardware sampler)
but i am trying to move to hardware setup run by MPC3000 while writing,
than bounce tracks into Logic for mixin , eq & fx.

thats why i am conciederind a S5000/6000 or Z8 for a Quick n dirty multitimblal
sound module.

ultimately my dream is to get the real Rhodes one day

jazzroom wrote:AKAI S5000 test drive:

Have S5000 for couple of days - testing

just discovered that in the
sample EQ section there is no way of pre listening the EQ-ing
before rendering sample to a new file - so its just aditing by numbers???

So the EQ's edits are actually distructive while logically it should be non-distructive?

is it the same for S3000 series?
that is a limitation .....

has EQ ing, Filtering and FX it improved on Z4/8 ?

? Are you sure? I never had the 5000 but I doubt that it dont have any real time filter EQ settings.
I had an Emu e64 back in the 90s and there was an EQ on the sample edit and it was just as you described it. But then there was the Preset edit (name is something like program edit on AKAIs I guess) and there was a filter for every keygroup (sample) and this was realtime. Ok Emu was steps ahead when it comes to filter (had 20 different filter or so (2,4,6pole HP,BP,Notch,LP, Vocal, Z-plane morphing etc) while AKAIs had just a LoPass by that time) But the 5000 was one of the last rack samplers so I guess it would have more filters.

peace

peterpiper wrote:

jazzroom wrote:AKAI S5000 test drive:

Have S5000 for couple of days - testing

just discovered that in the
sample EQ section there is no way of pre listening the EQ-ing
before rendering sample to a new file - so its just aditing by numbers???

So the EQ's edits are actually distructive while logically it should be non-distructive?

is it the same for S3000 series?
that is a limitation .....

has EQ ing, Filtering and FX it improved on Z4/8 ?

? Are you sure? I never had the 5000 but I doubt that it dont have any real time filter EQ settings.
I had an Emu e64 back in the 90s and there was an EQ on the sample edit and it was just as you described it. But then there was the Preset edit (name is something like program edit on AKAIs I guess) and there was a filter for every keygroup (sample) and this was realtime. Ok Emu was steps ahead when it comes to filter (had 20 different filter or so (2,4,6pole HP,BP,Notch,LP, Vocal, Z-plane morphing etc) while AKAIs had just a LoPass by that time) But the 5000 was one of the last rack samplers so I guess it would have more filters.

peace

Yes there are Filters avaliable for each Keygroup in a program ( not for keyzones )
2-Pole LP
4-Pole LP+
2-Pole BP
4-Pole BP
2-Pole BP+
1-Pole HP
2-Pole HP
1-pole HP+
LO<>HI
LO>BAND
BAND<>HI
NOTCH 1
NOTCH 2
NOTCH 3
WIDE NOTCH
BI-NOTCH
PEAK 1
PEAK 2
PEAK 3
WIDE PEAK
BI-PEAK
PHASER 1
PHASER 2
BI-PHASE
VOWELISER

all with variable Cutoff , Resonance , Lots of Filter Envelops and LFO's, etc.

But no dedicated multiband EQ section.

Need your purchase advise

What is an average 2nd hand market value for S5000 ?

AKAI S5000 ( 136MB memory/USB/4GB internal HD/)
with no extra cards like FX or 64 Voices expantions.
( some functions Keys get stuck randomly)

is it somewhere between 150 - 200 euros / dollars/ pounds ?

bump! cos this thread's got some great info

anyone got any tips on repairing a dead output on a CD3000XL?

I haven't checked it in detail, but one of my individual outs doesn't output anything. when I opened the case to install some upgrades I looked and couldn't see any obvious signs of damage (nothing loose, scorched or missing)

has anyone got the service manual?
is there a self-test mode on the S-series that will check the outs?
is it likely to be fixable?

Finally I have found a scsi computer.

I scored a G4 dual 800 from Denver Craigslist.

I am putting 5 scsi cards in it and will hook up a sampler to each one.
So far akai s3200xl, s2800, s2000, I will get an E-Mu and a Roland to finish up.

Recycle 2.0 is installed,


this is a sick retro OS9 machine
Propellerhead Rebirth
Propellerhead reason 2.5
Propellerhead recycle 2.0
Cubase VST 5
DSP Quattro
Ableton Live 4
Akai Mesa II
MOTU Digtal Performer 3.1

I need a soundcard and midi piece for this computer and it will be done.


I really need Bias Peak Pro 2.7 if anyone has it.


I will hook it all up soon and report back.


This is my dream set-up from late 90's.



only drawback is the g4 is so damn noisy.

I only can find versions 5.2 and I think 6.... which probably wont help you at all for that machine. I wonder how you would go about obtaining a copy of that... maybe you could post a wanted add on craigslist cause probably somebody is bound to have a copy laying around (if google doesn't turn up some results)


as for the fans, maybe you could grab a few stealth fans to replace noisy ones.

I don't want to put that kind of work into the project.

I will just turn it on to load up the samplers, then turn it off when it is time to work the beats.


thanks for the reply.

I have a S5000 and an S6000 currently sitting in a cupboard, both recent purchases because I could.

Between the two samplers I have every available option as follows.

S5000
64 voice polyphony
168mb RAM
USB card (option)
ADAT I/O card 8in/ 16 out (option)
8 individual outputs

S6000
FX card
64 voice polyphony x2
136mb RAM
2GB internal hard drive (option)
Detachable front panel
16 individual outputs


I dont need them both so Im planning to combine parts/ options to provide my ideal S5/6000 solution.

At the moment I have no need for the ADAT card, but these are hard to find so I may decide to keep this. The USB is essential for using the sampler in combo with my computer and MPC4000 via Aksys. I would like an internal HD if only to eliminate the need for an external one. But it would be easier to leave the HD in the S6000, the fittings are all in place and it is quite cramped inside the S5000. Perhaps I could upgrade the drive to a larger capacity?

I will keep the FX card regardless of its quality and am in a position to max out the RAM on one machine. I do not really need 128 voice polyhony for the stuff I usually do.

But the finished sampler will be my partner for many years to come as my talent and studio grow.

So I was wondering if any of you that use an MPC4000 with a S5/6000 and Aksys combo could highlight the benefits of this setup. I obviously know what Aksys does and the 4000 so what role can the S5/6000 play?

Also will any SCSI HD work in the S5/6000 and is there a limit to the HD size?

Studio is down until further notice, in the meanwhile im upgrading.

Currently I have the following Akai gear:

MPC60 12 bit
MPC3000LE Vailixi 16 bit
MPC4000 16/ 24 bit
S-950 12 bit sampler
S5000 16 bit sampler
S6000 16 bit sampler
XR-10 16 bit drum machine
ME30P II 8x8 midi patchbay

Too much Akai?? Lol

Lord Toranaga wrote:This is my dream set-up from late 90's.



only drawback is the g4 is so damn noisy.

Well that and its not the late 90's anymore...

I still get busy with it.

all serious work is done in Logic 8

Lord Toranaga wrote:I am putting 5 scsi cards in it and will hook up a sampler to each one.
So far akai s3200xl, s2800, s2000, I will get an E-Mu and a Roland to finish up.

it sucks that all those devices only have a single scsi connection so can't be chained ... you really shouldn't need 5 scsi cards just to use 5 devices when you can connect up to 16 devices on a single scsi bus!

"just the way of the road'

every chain will have its own zip drive also.

realistically there will be three sampler buss. One for E-MU, One For Akai, one for roland.

scsi cards are cheap