- Akai S3000XL
Infobox_synthesizer
synth_name = S3000XL
synth_manufacturer =Akai
synthesis_type = Digital Sample-based Subtractive
polyphony = 32
timbrality = 16
oscillator =
filter =
attenuator = 4
left_control = none
lfo = 2
keyboard = none| analog audio output = 10 unbalanced (L-R, plus 8 OUT user assignable)
analog audio input = 2 unbalanced(L-R)
digital audio I/O = 1 SPDIF (RCA connectors)
memory = 2MB (32MB upgrade option)
ext_control = MIDI (IN, OUT, THRU)
fx = none (4x50 EB16 option)
dates =1996
price = £1500 new, ~£150 usedThe [http://web.archive.org/web/19970628160724/www.akai.com/akaipro/S3000XL.html Akai S3000XL] is a
16-bit professionalstereo digital sampler. The instrument has 32polyphonic voices, and 2 MB of built-inRAM . While this may not seem like much compared to today's standards, when the S3000XL was released, it was top of the line. For adding sounds to the sampler, the S3000XL featured a 3.5"floppy drive that readAkai -formatted floppies only, and aSCSI port to link with an external storage device, such as azip drive for storage of longer, or more samples. The built-in 2 MB of RAM could be upgraded up to 32 with (2x16)SIMM that Akai provided. Other upgrades included various extra cards such as the EB-16 & IB-304f. The S3000XL had 8 outputs, and two 1/4" inputs, allowing for the S3000XL to operate as ahard disk recorder . The interface consisted of 32 buttons, eight of which were function keys, three knobs, and a four-keydirectional pad for navigating the 620x240 display, located in the upper-middle portion of the sampler.The Akai S3000XL is widely considered to be one of the most versatile and useful samplers money can buy, primarily due to the large screen, and easy-to-navigate interface allowing for quick and in-depth sampling. However, there were several problems apparent in the S3000XL and various other Akai samplers as age dawned on them; the
LCD screen 's backlight faded easily, built-inMIDI file playback functions were glitchy, and lack of ability to upgrade to a larger memory capacity.Although
Akai has discontinued production andproduct support for the Akai S3000XL, many units can still be found working inrecording studio s around the world. In order to obtain this sampler today, the only option would be to buy used from a local or online dealer, such aseBay .Options
*Akai EB16 'SampleVerb' 4x50 effects board
*Akai FMX008 8MB Non-Volatile Flash ROM
*Akai IB304f 'ProFilter' filter board
*Akai MESA editor
*Akai OS v2.0
*Akai SHD524 524MB 2.5" SCSI Hard DiskExternal links
* [http://web.archive.org/web/19970628160616/www.akai.com/akaipro/Samplers.html akai S-Series]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/19970628160724/www.akai.com/akaipro/S3000XL.html S3000XL features]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/19970628160724/www.akai.com/akaipro/S3000XLmore.html S3000XL more info]
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