Akai • S-3000 / S-3200
The S-series samplers from Akai are most likely the best 16-bit samplers in the world. The most radical feature about these great samplers is that they are very synth-like. Aside from outstanding sampling specs such as 44.1kHz 16-bit stereo sampling with tons of RAM (8 to 32 MB) and extensive editing capability, the S-3000 series have excellent synth-like filters with resonance, 32-voice polyphony, full digital onboard effects (delay, chorus, reverb, etc.) two LFOs, and complete MIDI implementation with MTC and SMPTE. Other bonus features include digital I/O, SCSI interface, multiple storage options and a great big LCD display screen.
The S-3000XL (pictured above) has the same specs as the S-3000. But it comes with most of the options already installed. That includes the built-in hard-disk recording option, added filters, SCSI interface, digital I/O, additional optional effects and a SMPTE reader/generator.
The S-3200 (pictured above) differs from the S-3000 by coming with the added Digital filter expansion board and a magneto-optical storage drive option. Also, the Digital I/O, SCSI and SMPTE interfaces are standard features on the S-3200.
Some other models in the series include various options such as built in CD drives (S-3000CD) or internal hard disks (S-3000i, pictured top). The S-series samplers are THE professional standard and are used by everybody in all styles of music, especially the sampling-intensive styles of music such as HipHop, Techno, Trance, House, Industrial and Ambient. S-3000 series samplers are used by William Ørbit, Moby, Apollo 440, Fluke, Hardfloor, Goldie, Plastikman, Olive, LTJ Bukem, Eat Static, Dave Holmes, Underworld, Fatboy Slim, Faithless, Future Sound of London, Sneaker Pimps, Pet Shop Boys, and A Guy Called Gerald.
im looking at doing the same thing, and this site has some stuff
http://www.geocities.com/s3000xl/ut ilities.html
theres a program called MESA but i think its only for OS 9 or the dreaded PC.
Absolute classics imo, a little bit dated I think for most people but I love mine and preffer to work with it rather than using software, with my MPC2000xl everything is all good.
Once you get your head arround the Akai way of working (READ THE MANUAL!!) getting things done will be realy quick, when I got my first Akai years ago (2800) i remember scratching my head for days trying to work it out but once you know how it's work flow is quick.
I mean, besides this one, they've used the S-612, the S-950 and the S-1000.
@johan - try MESA, it's available from the AKAI site