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 used

The [http://web.archive.org/web/19970628160724/www.akai.com/akaipro/S3000XL.html Akai S3000XL] is a 16-bit professional stereo digital sampler. The instrument has 32 polyphonic voices, and 2 MB of built-in RAM. 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 read Akai-formatted floppies only, and a SCSI port to link with an external storage device, such as a zip 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 a hard disk recorder. The interface consisted of 32 buttons, eight of which were function keys, three knobs, and a four-key directional 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-in MIDI file playback functions were glitchy, and lack of ability to upgrade to a larger memory capacity.

Although Akai has discontinued production and product support for the Akai S3000XL, many units can still be found working in recording studios 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 as eBay.

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 Disk

External 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]