Akai S3000 XL -HELP !!

[TheMIG]

Hey guys,

Thought i would try a bit of vintage sampling.
I recently bought an AKAI S3000 XL for a nice cheap price :-)
I'm used to the new software stuff, thought a bit of nostalgia might give some inspiration.

BUT i can't get to gips with it. It uses SCSI, fine got an old HD and ZIP's but i can't transfer files to it.

I'm using the latest MAC OSX 10.4.9.

How can i get samples to load/transfer onto the sampler.??
Whenever i format the disk on the sampler, my mac can't read it it and vice verser :-)

There are loads of samples around or i can convert them from Recycle into Akai format, but i just can't get them onto the S3000XL !! :-(

Anyone out there a vetran with this stuff that can give me some pointers ??


Cheers

The MIG

[squelch]

Hi Mig,

I had an S3000XL which I sold a while back (kept the S5000 though!).
I had success with mine using an Adaptec scsi card on my G4 MDD 1.25 (dual boot) and the sampler conected directly to it with a standard SCSI cable, I then used Peak to send and recieve files from it using the SMDI protocol (if i recall correctly). This was in OS9 and I had to overcome quite a few obstacles to get it to work but it did work well in the end. I also installed a 1gig SCSI HD in the S3K (it only saw 500mb though - a limit on that machine) for backing up the samples - cimplespares.com
It might be worth picking up an old Mac with SCSI and OS9 as a sample dump machine.

There may be an easier way with a translation program (chickensys) that might let you read S3K discs in the mac, but from memory I dont think it lets you author S3K discs.

Hope this was of help.
Happy sampling!

Cheers
Dave

[chrisso]

I don't think they were designed to regularly talk to Mac computers, although I know they can do so.
I used to sample straight into the Akai, or used Akai format sound CD Roms.
The whole lot would then be saved in Akai format to Zip discs or to an HD formatted for Akai.
My only link to the computer were midi cables so I could run the sampler from my sequncer program.

[TheMIG]

Originally Posted by chrisso

I don't think they were designed to regularly talk to Mac computers, although I know they can do so.
I used to sample straight into the Akai, or used Akai format sound CD Roms.
The whole lot would then be saved in Akai format to Zip discs or to an HD formatted for Akai.
My only link to the computer were midi cables so I could run the sampler from my sequncer program.

Hey Dave,

yep i came to that conclusion too. I have already formatted an old 4GB external SCSI drive and 1x 100mb Zip drive.

I have one more idea that might work, but have to try....

I have an old SCSI to USB adapter perhaps i can connect the S3000 XL to an old Mac running sytem OS9 (not SCSI based, but USB).
I would hook it up like so... SCSI (femal to femal lead) into S3000XL to Microtec USB/SCSI adapter.


Anyone tried this with any joy ??


MIG

[TheMIG]

I guess the easiest way then to get around this problem is to connect the S3000 XL to an audio interface/mixer to the output (via analogue) this will be connected to a computer.

Then open an already opened loop from a CD (WAV,AIFF, REX) or one you already created in a DAW or something, then capture it on the S3000 XL.

That way you won't have to spend ages cutting it in the S3000 XL. Basically what was mentioned above....

Thanx guys.. going to try it :-) dfegad

MIG

[squelch]

Hi Mig,

Give the USB adaptor a try, I don't think they were ever the "recommended" way of hooking up the sampler but I think some have had success.
This was the card I used: http://www.amazon.com/Adaptec-2906-S.../dp/B00005111H

Also, Recycle 1.7 could send samples and keygroups directly to the S3000XL, it was a nice companion to Peak for sample transmission.

Akai also supplied a program called MESA for editing on the MAC (I think it formed the basis for AkSys for the S5000/5000 Z4 etc). Its discontinued so should be available online if you search, I can hook you up if you can't find it (Admins - That is cool I think/hope, as it's end of life/discontinued software now?). I also have pdf manuals and odds and ends if you need them. Also look at www.chickensys.com for their translator tools if you get really into the S3K.

Happy sampling!
Cheers
Dave

[teknosmoker]

[QUOTE=squelch;1254517Akai also supplied a program called MESA for editing on the MAC.......... Its discontinued so should be available online[/QUOTE]


http://www.akaipro.com/archives.php

[teknosmoker]

Originally Posted by TheMIG

How can i get samples to load/transfer onto the sampler.??
Whenever i format the disk on the sampler, my mac can't read it it and vice verser :-)

Just use Disk Utility erase the disk in your Mac, then reformat it in Windows format (one of the options in the drop-down of the "Erase" tab in Apple's Disk Utility).

Make sure to save the samples from your Mac in .wav format and the AKAI should read the disk fine.


-T

[wardshorsehead]

Make sure to save the samples from your Mac in .wav format and the AKAI should read the disk fine.

ahhh. if were only that easy...

unlike the mpc series of samplers, the s series (until the 5000) could not natively read .wav or .aiff files.

so you can't simply import samples from the computer.

nor will the akai read a mac or pc formatted disk...nor will a pc or mac read an akai formatted disk...expect in a very low level way.

you can use the program akaidisk on pre-xp windows pcs. this enables you to transfer samples to the disk using a low level protocol, thus not requiring the pc to really recognize the types of files that are being dealt with, or the base formatting of the disk.

there is also a program called mesa that you can use on pre-osx macs. this requires a scsi and midi connection. for windows pc computers, you can use a program called millenium, along with a midi and scsi connection.

or you can just run audio cables to the akai, and resample. for single hits (drums) or short loops, this is often the fastest.

the workflow that many people have gotten used to, in terms of auditioning, dragging, and dropping samples is far different than working with these older samplers. that said, they are robust, good sounding, and very stable machines that will serve you well!

good luck...

[teknosmoker]

Originally Posted by wardshorsehead

unlike the mpc series of samplers, the s series (until the 5000) could not natively read .wav or .aiff files.
so you can't simply import samples from the computer.

Wow - OK. I knew that a computer would not read an Akai .snd file, but didn't know that the older Akai's wouldn't even read/import standard .wav files.

Until relatively recently, I'd only owned/used Kurzweil & E-MU samplers myself (which both support SMIDI), so SCSI transfers were no problem. After working with clients who would bring MPCs into the studio, I decided to pick up a 2000XL little over a year ago. You can do SCSI transfers with the MPC. I opted to just mod mine by replacing the standard floppy drive with a multi-format card reader, giving it the functionality of the newer MPCs at a fraction of the cost.

Regards
-T

[joykrash]

hi there, i'm new on here so watup every1! i used EMu sampler with Soundforge to dump samplez, also wavelab will do tha same.. i know these appz worx with Akai 4 sho! as sum1 said earlier Recycle has the ability 2 dump slicez 2 Emu'z Kurzweil'z and Akai'z.... tho it is tha earlier version and they took away support gradually, tho i believe version 2 still has Akai support.. tho i'm all on PC i presume SF and Wavelab are available for mac also.. a wave editor is tha way 2 go.. sample in thru ur soundcard, edit and dump it across! job done.. : ) JOy