Vintage Synth Explorer

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.

VISITOR COMMENTS

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

johan

Posted 281 days ago

any one got a good option how to transfer samples via OS X 10.5.5 to the 3000 these days? i presume SDS would be the best option, but then what software?

thanks for tips!

acham

Posted 321 days ago

I have to say, the S3000xl is the center of my studio; it has a special sound quality to it that leaves things punchy. The edit options are great, and while I don't have the optional effects card, there's enough there (with, for example, interesting, older timestretch methods) to spend hours and hours making and manipulating sounds.

Arni Geir

Posted 346 days ago

Got one (S-3000xl) from e-bay (Recently) (New Old Stock)) for approximately $320. I've had really good experience with the PC software
(connecting S-3000XL to PC via SCSI).
May I add that the s-3000XL plays MIDI files, but I have not tried that
function myself.
Quite like the thing. I'm going to use it for live
performance since I can't remember all my melody's or unfortunately
don't have 19 hands....

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