Akai Z4

bcgood · 15th November 2006

I have an Akai Z4 sampler module. Since the unit interfaces with my pc to bring samples into it I'm having a problem. Windows XP doesn't recognize the Akai format CD's I bought for it. Is there a way that I can convert the information on the Akai format cd's in a program so that I can transfer it to my Akai Z4? I'm aware of the program translator but the free version didn't work, maybe I need the professional version which cost $$$? Let me know of any ideas you might have. Thanks in advance for any and all help!

bcgood

bcgood · 16th November 2006

Tibbon · 17th November 2006

The akai cd's you have are likely "akai" formatted CDs. You can convert them in Chicken Convertor or something like that. Silly name but it will convert them. It's cheap (like 30 bucks i think) but well worth it for getting them working. On the other hand, Logic will load it too, and you might be able to convert them in there somehow.

Rozzer · 17th November 2006

http://www.extranslator.com/

that would be my choice of convertor.

bcgood · 18th November 2006

Thanks guys, yea chicken systems is translator which I already mentioned. It may or may not work. I sent them an email about my situation and they haven't got back to me. I'll try the other program, just downloaded it. Thanks!

bcgood

teknosmoker · 18th November 2006

You don't need any kind of translator. You already own an AKAI sampler.

Simply connect a SCSI CD-ROM drive (you can find one cheap on the second hand market) to the SCSI port on the back of your Z4 and AKAI format discs will read and load them without any problem.

-T

bcgood · 8th December 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by teknosmoker

You don't need any kind of translator. You already own an AKAI sampler.

Simply connect a SCSI CD-ROM drive (you can find one cheap on the second hand market) to the SCSI port on the back of your Z4 and AKAI format discs will read and load them without any problem.

-T

Just found your post. That's actually not a bad idea. Any ideas for the best place to get a hold of a scsi cd-rom drive?

bcgood

rodrigo · 8th December 2006

You don't necessarily need a SCSI CD drive. I own the Akai Z4 and I have a USB Plextor CD burner that I use whenever I need to load .akp programs to my sampler's hard disk.

There used to be a list of compatible CD drives available somewhere in the Akai pro site. The problem is, not every CD drive will work. So you need to choose the correct CD drive to do the job.

Good luck!

bcgood · 8th December 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodrigo

You don't necessarily need a SCSI CD drive. I own the Akai Z4 and I have a USB Plextor CD burner that I use whenever I need to load .akp programs to my sampler's hard disk.

There used to be a list of compatible CD drives available somewhere in the Akai pro site. The problem is, not every CD drive will work. So you need to choose the correct CD drive to do the job.

Good luck!

Hey, thanks a lot Rodrigo! I tried my Plextor drive before and it didn't work so I thought that was it. After you said you had a Z4 and a Plextor drive I figured I better try again. Sure enough I forgot to turn the switch in the back to USB and when I did it worked. You the man, thanks for you're input!

bcgood

rids · 8th December 2006

It's funny, some things are simple, but in uncharted territory, one becomes flabbergasted. Feels good to finally figure out huh, I know I've been there with software programs of all things. Have fun!

Tell us how you like your Z4.

bcgood · 8th December 2006

The Z4 is pretty cool but I haven't even scratched the surface. I bought some sample cd's that I'm probably never going to use, or at least hardly ever, bad purchase... I'm not happy so far with the piano cd's I've put into it or the 256 meg piano sample that comes with it. I think I'm going to have to sample a piano myself. This should be interesting...

bcgood

rids · 9th December 2006

Don't know if it's any help, but the company SoniVox (used to be Sonic Implants) just released a sample library called Muse. It's probably the best bang for buck of any sample library ever. Only $600, but they packed a hugh 38mb of samples in there

(was going to be 33mb for $500 originally). I thought about getting something like Colossus, but I think this blows it out of the water. And I think it's compatible with any sample library. I'm going to buy it once they release it for Mac.

15th November 2006	#1
bcgood Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 5,952 Thread Starter	Akai Z4 I have an Akai Z4 sampler module. Since the unit interfaces with my pc to bring samples into it I'm having a problem. Windows XP doesn't recognize the Akai format CD's I bought for it. Is there a way that I can convert the information on the Akai format cd's in a program so that I can transfer it to my Akai Z4? I'm aware of the program translator but the free version didn't work, maybe I need the professional version which cost $$$? Let me know of any ideas you might have. Thanks in advance for any and all help! bcgood

17th November 2006	#3
Tibbon Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Boston/MA Posts: 4,780 2 Reviews written	The akai cd's you have are likely "akai" formatted CDs. You can convert them in Chicken Convertor or something like that. Silly name but it will convert them. It's cheap (like 30 bucks i think) but well worth it for getting them working. On the other hand, Logic will load it too, and you might be able to convert them in there somehow. __________________ David Fisher (aka tibbon) What is Noise, Blog (DIY, gear, tech, etc) Follow me on Twitter imVOX- Voice for Gamers WTB: Moog Theremin Signature Edition

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16th November 2006	#2
bcgood Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 5,952 Thread Starter

17th November 2006	#4
Rozzer Gear nut Joined: May 2006 Posts: 118	http://www.extranslator.com/ that would be my choice of convertor.

18th November 2006	#5
bcgood Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 5,952 Thread Starter	Thanks guys, yea chicken systems is translator which I already mentioned. It may or may not work. I sent them an email about my situation and they haven't got back to me. I'll try the other program, just downloaded it. Thanks! bcgood

18th November 2006	#6
teknosmoker Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD - USA Posts: 876	You don't need any kind of translator. You already own an AKAI sampler. Simply connect a SCSI CD-ROM drive (you can find one cheap on the second hand market) to the SCSI port on the back of your Z4 and AKAI format discs will read and load them without any problem. -T

8th December 2006	#8
rodrigo Gear nut Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Monterrey, Mexico Posts: 89	You don't necessarily need a SCSI CD drive. I own the Akai Z4 and I have a USB Plextor CD burner that I use whenever I need to load .akp programs to my sampler's hard disk. There used to be a list of compatible CD drives available somewhere in the Akai pro site. The problem is, not every CD drive will work. So you need to choose the correct CD drive to do the job. Good luck!

8th December 2006	#10
rids Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Between Harmony & Irregularity Posts: 2,178	It's funny, some things are simple, but in uncharted territory, one becomes flabbergasted. Feels good to finally figure out huh, I know I've been there with software programs of all things. Have fun! Tell us how you like your Z4.

9th December 2006	#12
rids Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Between Harmony & Irregularity Posts: 2,178	Don't know if it's any help, but the company SoniVox (used to be Sonic Implants) just released a sample library called Muse. It's probably the best bang for buck of any sample library ever. Only $600, but they packed a hugh 38mb of samples in there (was going to be 33mb for $500 originally). I thought about getting something like Colossus, but I think this blows it out of the water. And I think it's compatible with any sample library. I'm going to buy it once they release it for Mac.