Hardware samplers...

[IamEvil]

Originally Posted by XLR8A

The Akai S5000/S6000 series are a bit problematic in terms of stability, they tend to freeze quite oftenly without even giving you the ability to save your program. If you want a computerish unstable sampler with many cool features - get Kontakt, i think it's the best software sampler available today.

An S6000/Zip/Hard drive/lots of cards should be arriving by post tomorrow. Ive tried the software route with synths/samplers and it just doesnt connect with me. I find it tedious instead of fun to program sounds. Also my pc runs out of steam rather quickly after a few softsynths/effects so prefer to use the hardware bits, though Ill probably get the Kore2/Komplete 5 set when Ive updated the pc towards the end of the year.

However, if you still want to go the hardware route, get yourself an Akai S3200XL (but XL not the regular S3200) or EMU E4K if you'll find one. EMU E6400Ultra is also a good choice, but you can forget about the RFX card because it's way too buggy.

What are the older Akais like ? I know you can get the S1100/S950s etc for beer money on ebay and Ive been quite tempted to get one just to try out.

cheers

[XLR8A]

Well, the older generation Akais have much slower DSPs (something that pisses off any experienced Akai user) and another problem is that they aren't communicating well with the newer computers over SCSI. That means, if you want to hook it up with a computer to transfer samples back and forth - you'll have to find an old P3 with Win98, or a better option would be an old Mac G4 with OS9. That's it, you stuck in a stone age here. Another option is sample transfer over MIDI but it takes ages and kills your workflow, and the last option is to insert and eject and insert and eject and insert and eject Zip drives and being prepared for losing all your data quite often... Btw, older Akais have only one 12db Low-Pass filter and that's it, except S3200 and S1100 with the second filter board that adds a nice HPF BPF and Notch filters. For some people it's not a problem at all though, depends on the type of music you make.

[tricky]

Hi guys another good tip for buying on ebay is to email the seller and ask if it will be ok to pick up the item yourself and pay cash if you win the item, even if it is 500 miles away, if the seller agees then its more than likely legit if the seller dont agree then be cautious there's a good chance the seller might not even have the item (scumbag). Then after you win the item email the seller again and tell them you are unable to pick up item for what ever reason you choose including an apology then pay for the item as normal paypal etc. good luck and happy bidding

[Hollowcell]

I am on the lookout for an old 6000 as well actually - not easy to come accross a good one.

I have a 3000 and a topped out ESI4000, and I tend to lean towards the Emu for anything that requires 'meat', and then I use the Akai for anything that needs 'punch'. The Akais seem to work so well with snares and high end. I never seem to use my Akai for anything other than beats too. The Emu works as a jack of all trades though.

So how did you get on with the 6000? Did it come?

[LivePsy]

I will get kicked off this thread for being a traitor, but here goes.

I have copied some favourite kits from MPC2500 to drum rack instruments in Ableton Live. And smugly thinking that hardware rules. But after getting the eq and compression to match the MPC, the sound from Live is so close that it is only slightly detectable with headphone A/B comparisons. So close, that Live would easily pass for the MPC soundwise.

Sure, I have loved the S-550, ASR-10 and A3000 in their day. But a lot of that magic sound can be created in new gear. I'm only saying because I am surprised it can be done.

Cheers,
B

[IamEvil]

Originally Posted by Hollowcell

I am on the lookout for an old 6000 as well actually - not easy to come accross a good one.


So how did you get on with the 6000? Did it come?

Yeah it arrived , there was a bit of a mess up with the delivery address but that got sorted eventually.

The sampler is great but not as powerful as I expected regarding its filters (crap), effects (so so), internal sound routings (very basic) - A yamaha a5000 eats it for breakfast with everything apart from sample ram and ease of use. it is immaculate though apart from the screen was losing a bit of brightness-so I just bought a new lcd screen for £160. I could have lived with the old screen but thought i had better replace it just incase it dies when stocks arent available anymore.

[Hollowcell]

Glad to hear that it made it ok - looks pretty damn cool in that rack as well! Yeah I never found the filters on the Akais to be much of a strong point either - they tend to be more functional than pleasing.

@ LivePsy, I have tried a few softies for samplng as well, but I always head back to the hardware. I think as I have a set of outputs routed to the Emu at all time, it's just natural to bounce things to it - and something happens when you record into the analogue ins (probably quality loss ) that I like. Then there's the filters etc. Hey what version of Live are you using?

[XLR8A]

Nice one, it looks sick in this rack!

Personally i find Akai standard filters like LPF and HPF are much better sounding than EMU equivalents, especially with resonance cranked up to higher values, but EMU is still stronger than Akai with his unique sounding Z-Plane algorithms like Peak-Shelf and other non-standard Morph type filters.

[LivePsy]

Originally Posted by Hollowcell

@ LivePsy, I have tried a few softies for samplng as well, but I always head back to the hardware. I think as I have a set of outputs routed to the Emu at all time, it's just natural to bounce things to it - and something happens when you record into the analogue ins (probably quality loss ) that I like. Then there's the filters etc. Hey what version of Live are you using?

Hi Hollowcell,

I know its hypocritical of me to talk up software when I have virus but its surprising how close the sound is if you take the time to match Live's drum racks with a hardware sampler. New to live 7, the drum racks give you complete control over drum samples including putting the effects inside the rack. A portable instrument you can move from project to project. No need for a third party plugin. Plusses - its enormously powerful and can copy 99% of the character of hardware. You can stick in synth generators instead of samples. Minusses - a ton of parameters to control all by mouse and the way it hides and shows sections is a tad confusing.

The MPC was programmed in around 30 minutes. The copy in drum racks is almost complete after 2 days Oh, I guess that is another minus...

If you sequence in software, perhaps sampling can be software as well. I don't think a TI can be done in software, of course!

Cheers,
B