The X7000 was Akai's first major Sampler Keyboard instrument similar in style and format to the E-mu Emax, Ensoniq Mirage, EPS and Roland S-10 sampling keyboards. The X7000 has about the same sampling features as the rack-mount S-900, which were great in 1986. Variable 12-bit sampling up to 40kHz, 128K RAM for storing only a few seconds worth of samples and a complete suite of basic sample editing functions including looping, auto-looping, truncating, multi-sampling and re-sampling capabilities, tuning and so on. It even features a few dedicated parameter buttons above the keyboard for quick access to the LFO and other modulations.

This sampler sounds pretty good. It's got a lo-fi edge due to the fact that it's only a 12-bit rather than 16-, 20- or 24-bit sampler. The slow 2.8" built-in disk drive is not exactly compatible with much. But you can use it to store your samples or load samples from libraries for Akai's S-612, S-700 and X7000. Editing samples is straight forward and makes this synth a great entry-level sampler. However, the LCD display is small so editing can be tedious. It also features a cool analog-like filter with cutoff. But for enhanced analog-like editing, the X7000 can be hooked up to the AX73, AX60 and VX90 synthesizers via the DD-X5013 Voice Cable so you can run the X7000's samples through these synth's analog circuitry.

The built-in keyboard makes the X7000 good for performances and it also makes a good first Keyboard for any budding musicians looking to get into sampling - either for cheap or for some lo-fi sampling. However, it does have advanced functions for users looking for some more elaborate or malleable sounds. These include the multi-sampling and re-sampling functions, sample reversing and alternating, keyboard splitting, and the option to upgrade using the Expansion Memory PCB which increases the number of samples available to 16 and boosts multi-sampling from 6 to 16 splits. There was also a rack-mount version, the S-700, also a few leaps ahead of the original S-612 but also still a couple steps behind the classic S-900. The X7000 has been used by The Chemical Brothers.

Andrea

November 25, 2010 @ 8:25 am

tsun You probably you have the ultra-rare SXM007-X expansion board called Memory back-up Upgrade !

tsun

September 18, 2010 @ 6:34 pm

just picked up one of these yesterday, usual issue with the drive belt notwithstanding i could not be more pleased with it. mine has the ASK-70 upgrade board, and few places seem to mention this but it doesn't just add ten more 8-second sample slots: it also has a battery backup for the samples. I got it home and turned it on and was stunned to discover twenty year old samples in the slots! i'm going to fix the drive with the belt from tototek ($6 with free shipping, get it while they last), but the fact that it will hold 16 8-second samples in memory indefinitely (until the battery finally dies, or is it non-volatile ram? that would make more sense) makes this a spectacular buy, especially since i didn't know if it had the upgrade board.

lamster

July 16, 2010 @ 8:23 pm

Good in its day quality build and keyboard useful as a midi master. Nothing like the Ensoniq EPS. The Eps is a trip to the moon the X7000 is a stroll down the shops eps samples upto 51khz and load sounds while playing has far superior editing features decent filter and a built in sequencer. it also had add ons for scsi 8outputs and memory to give very much longer sample times. compared to the EPS the X7000 is a toy
oh and it sound a lot better

Robin

February 17, 2010 @ 8:36 am

To Nick: this is from Malcolm at Luxsoft, I was enquiring about the disks:

"Anyway, unless I am very mistaken, a 2.8" 'Quick Disc' is an entirely different animal and although I have been asked for CF2's for some oddball things - including some funny Decca radar system in an old fishing boat - Akai samplers is certainly not one of them"

Could be that he can repair the drive though, a service he does offer, it's a similar drive just not the same inch size for the disks.

Robin Sutcliffe

February 14, 2010 @ 9:20 am

Tony:
This belt is the right dimensions for the QD drive:

http://www.turntableneedles.com/Flat-Belt-Small-90-Inch_p_51 2.html

Some other links if you're looking for belts:

http://www.risingstuff.com/store/famicom-disk-system-rep lacement-drive-belt-p-3132.html

http://www.tototek.com/store/index.php?main_page= produc t_info&cPath=1_35&products_id=106


This is a video of how to replace the belt in the drive (the same Quick Disk drives were used in Famicom game systems)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJbWPVS0Suk

I got this info from the S700 page on this site, Curtis posted the info originally, thought I would help out over here, it's the same sampler in a different housing after all. I am about to replace the belt in an S700 myself.

What a sound; it's limited alright but it sounds f*king ACE! Extremely good purchase for 50 euros, can't wait to be able to save some samples...

<7654321>

 

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