Akai S950 Trouble ...

Okay … I never really do this. But I'm having some slight trouble with the S950. I'm a frequent user of the S950 sampler and know my way around the unit pretty well. As of a couple of days ago, the sampler started acting weird.

I sample everything on 32kHz - It's been working fine. I sometimes use 48kHz but not all the time. However, as I have been sampling the last couple of days something weird happened. I hope it's not a big problem. But, when I sample … The playback has all this fuzz in it. Like extra feedback in the sample. I've checked all of my levels, inputs, gains, and mixer. Everything is hooked up perfectly fine.

I ran the same sample from the record through the MPC and - No Feedback. It has me worried but not freaking out. I just know it's something in the sampler, not the operation.

If anyone has experienced this - please shed some light on the brethren. Otherwise, I'll just use this S1000 until the unit is back in operation. "I Need the S950" Lovemaking beats with the combination.

Have you tried sampling into the Analog Input (1) instead of the digital card?
Use the Line input on the front of the S950.

Could be a problem with your digital card (IB105/IB109) or your digital cable.
Maybe you need to seat the card again as it may have come loose.

If you use the "SCSI" port for an external drive try to sample without the drive connected to the 950.
To be honest. IDK.Its just a thought.

What is your source (soundcard, CD, DAT?) and have you changed it at some point.



peace

Greatful of the advice, thinking it has to be the card ... the unit can sample as it's picking up signal properly, keygroups and all other functions work correctly. Just when I sample, this great fuzz is present in the sample.
I am using the analog (1) input at 6000 Hz with 32kHz. I am afraid to go any higher at this moment due to the fuzz.

I don't think I know where the card you are speaking of is located. I opened up the unit and couldn't locate it.

As for source - all connections are tight, grounded turntable, proper cables, using an analog set up. All levels are proper, I've used the MPC 60 to sample the same recording and it's working fine. Which leads me to believe it's that card. Or ... it has to be ... because it's running still perfectly fine. Samples on the S950 are coming through the machine just have this fuzz that interrupts the sample. You can still hear the sample though but it's being overdriven or some sort.

Yo .. where is the card located though? I have heard many times about these things coming loose never seen it on mine however. I opened up the back panel and there is nothing there. Well at least in my uneducated approach. But the unit is maxed out 1536 keywords.

Oh & no SCSI.

Robbinson wrote:I am using the analog (1) input at 6000 Hz with 32kHz. I am afraid to go any higher at this moment due to the fuzz.

I don't know where you get 32kHz or 48kHz from if you're using the analog in.

Using the Analog Input you select between 3000Hz and 19200Hz bandwidth.
Using the digital input you select either 32kHz, 44kHz or 48kHz.

If you don't have the digi card on the back of your S950 then you have to use analog and select between 3000Hz and 19200Hz.

I thought you had the digital card because you said that you sampled at either 32kHz or 48kHz.

Without the digital card then, the problem could be that either of your RAM expansions may need re-seating. You have two expansions fitted if your machine reads 1536 words.
Get to them by un-screwing the bottom panel and make sure they are pushed in fully.

If that doesn't fix it then it could be lots of different things, e.g. a BA9221 DAC may need replacing, you could have dry solder joints somewhere, a resistor or capacitor might need replacing, etc, etc.
Try re-seating your RAM expansions first though.

This is an S950 with a digi card fitted:

My mistake. You're right no 32kHz input is on the analog line input. My fault - So no … card is fitted for digital input. So yes there must be something wrong with the capacitor or something else. I opened up the unit and checked all the connections, everything from the wiring to the board connections. Everything is solid in this unit, and it just started doing that all of a sudden too. So basically I'm coming in at 6000Hz - no 32kHz or 48kHz.

My fault I was looking at the digital input selection. The unit runs fine until it's time to sample.

Take the two RAM expansions out and see if that has any effect.
Post a sound sample.

Checked the expansion cards. They are tight in there with a screw locking them in place. I'll try to post a sample. Access to a computer is kinda hectic but I'll try my best. The sample is there just has this noticeable distortion. Can't use a sample from the S950.

I'm thinking it's the actual line input. Maybe bad - I've checked all the wiring, all the connections, and everything is solid. I did one time try to sample on phono - but it didn't work because I didn't have a phono input. I use strictly analog and that's been the long way to a promise.

My reasoning behind removing the RAM expansions was to see if any of the RAM chips on them are broken and take them out of the equation.

To do a RAM test:
[*]Turn on your S950.
[*]Press the 0, ON/+ and OFF/- buttons together.
[*]Press 'LETTER'

tbh, even if there are any RAM errors it may not be the cause of your problem.

Have you put your sample through the separate individual outs ( 1 to 8 ) on the back to see if it's still distorted?

It could be any one of a number of chips that need replacing.
You've got input opamps, input filter chips, sample/hold chips, the AD chip, multiple timing chips, etc, etc..

Oh... and you're def not accidentally using the Mic input are you
I have to ask... I've done that a couple of times and wondered why my samples were distorted.

Fixed it!!! It was a loose IB05 connection - It's located on the top right board. There were a couple loose connections. Even as they seemed to be in contact there was a little play in one of them. Snapped it back into play and click. I really really appreciate your help - after just speaking on it I was inspired to take better assessment. It's working fine - the unit itself has been through some travelling, so that definitely is what caused the loose connection. I knew it was something that we were saying. If you ever have this problem ... yes - Check the connections and give them a nice plug. They look as if there can be no loose connection but push them in and be extremely careful. Especially in the small port places like in between the input on the front. Once the unit is opened there is tons of circuitry - those little places that your fingers can't reach. I used a stylus but you can use a pencil eraser. But be finesse with the pressure ... there are a lot of small diodes and soldered chips that bend if you get in their way. Watch out for those. I'll post some pictures tonight.

Nuff Respects Jimmie & Peter. Thank You both I'll post some beats soon too.

Also … You all may have known this already. But I'm a really organized person … kinda. But when it comes to sampling I like to rename my samples in succession. For example.

I'll name a program 1990 … The first sample will be 1990, The next sample will be named 1990 1 … This creates an error in the S950. When you get to 53% on the memory. The samples will start as well clouding over. This was also what was happening when I was saving samples in my earlier days of saving sounds.

So quick note. If you want true clarity of your samples and chops. You should first make sure that the unit memory is blank by deleting all the samples in the program. Be wise though on saving your progress. Cut each sample individually. Meaning, say I want three chops in this 4 bar frame. The first chop is done when the unit has no samples loaded on the S950. Make sure you get the chop right before saving it and deleting the start / end. When you have it sequenced correctly, go onto the next sample. But first save your first sample on the disk and then delete it from the program in the sample edit menu. Now you're ready to start your next sample. Remember to keep your levels unified as they will be different if you start messing with mixing while sampling. I thought I'd share a thing - may not be new advice, but I hope it helps some of you.

Peace.