Akai Professional Z-4

64 polyphony. Efffets optional. From 16 to 24 bits and 44.1 to 96 Khz. Converter neutral to the S5000 I had before. 16 MB of standard memory up to 512 MB 2 Jack inputs, 2 outputs Jack Midi, USB. SCSI. Non-detachable front panel.
PC and Mac Edition (Aksys).

UTILIZATION

General configuration and editing sounds, programs, ... relatively simple and of course, simplified grandemment on the computer thanks to the editor (we have everything on the screen).
The manual is clear, but I was already accustomed to the S5000.

SOUNDS

The converters are transparent. More than the S5000. Very good dynamic. Filters are effective. The effects are options. The possibility to read a lot of format sound banks, make a sampler of choice. What find happiness. I could keep all my sound banks of my S5000.

OVERALL OPINION

I had the S5000 before and dynamics is much higher. The screen is smaller than the S5000, so the programming is more difficult without a computer. The screen was the big addition to the S5000.
The price / quality ratio is good for the hardware. Possibility of a hard drive without any difficulty compared to the S5000 yet, or have a record worthy of the name was poor (SCSI complicated). You can retrieve any IDE hard drive, it will work perfectly. I have tried several without any problems. and loads are faster as well.
Hardware for the Z4 is powerful. We regret the lack of original outputs (2). Too many options that goes up the price of the device.
In occassion, it is the perfect partner for electronic drums. Especially for the price.

Sampler 64 channel 24 bit / 2 in 2 out (expandable 8 outs) / 2 MIDI ins midi out 2
16 MB of RAM expandable to 512 SDram
Scsi port 1 / 1 internal IDE / 1 USB to PC / Mac / 1USB keyboard to mouse
Logitiel ak sys edition of PC / Mac trs effective
4 assignable controllers Intgr

Ultra Full

UTILIZATION

Akai is the config gnrale respcte and amliore, which requires some acoutumence
because there are lots of Settings, but it's powerful shot trs.

The edition AKsys via USB and is simpler and more convenient

The manual is clear and complete with respect to the functions,

For the basics of what use is a envellope or other better talk to a regular samplers

SOUNDS

The sound is crystalline trs and powerful, almost identical with my S3000 just over claret because the sounds are converted. The sudden wave of samples that blow a little, breathe a little more!

Effect trs trs vary the effective and also a bit cooler than the S3000,

The card is optional Eb4js effect, but of good quality, attention to work on a program level down or they saturate, we rcupre power at the end of treatment and any master gnral bath!

Other dtail for users of old records akai, when importing certain programs can cut open the envelope a little attack vrifier to import programs,
This should be rsolu by akai OS in the future

OVERALL OPINION

Used for 1 month, including scne, the power of the ram is that of happiness,
everything is loaded and has left to play music,
do not worry, prvoir a zip rather than a hard drive for scne,

Function toggle (borrows yamaha) will launch loops from a keyboard without holding the button pressed, huge, and assigning midi paramtres can change the effects and filters live, a rgal,

2 or he would regret t perfect, only four external Q-link assignment (8 for the Z8), while the software will be the 8 Z8, and the small imperfection import old programs akai (s3000) .. ...... the home ingnieurs akai rsoudrons 2 points soon I Espree.

It remains that this is a sampler box of course, powerful, compatible, and top-art ....

- What is polyphony?

64 polyphonic

- What converter?

24 bit, 16 bit 44.1, 48 and 96 khz

- What effect?

thirty with the card EB4Js effects, the traditional tools of samplers namely envelopes (3) ADSR (attack delay sustain release) lfo (2), filters (2 * 3 (high pass low, medium))

- How much memory as standard? maximum?

16 min, 512 max, I have 272, no problem of saturation in memory.

- What connection (Audio, MIDI, digital ...)?

8 separate output (map opt), if not two mono jack inputs 2 outputs mono jack, USB connection, optical output (map opt.)

- Is there an editing utility for Mac / PC?

Aksys yes, you can either go through it, or use the machine directly interface faithful and very practical. avoids putting an internal hard drive, the USB connection is sufficient. USB master and slave (ie usb mass support)

as mentioned above, a very complete sampler in terms of performance. check the manual akai home to reassure you before purchasing: http://www.akaipro.com/documents/Z48/Z48om.zip

UTILIZATION

- The general configuration is it simple?

it takes a few days to take control of how it works, but yes c is relatively easy. (and I am a humble beginner ..)

- Publishing of sound effects or is it easy?

yes, as mentioned above, be sure to use small programs (noise) if the saturation is near. if quality is sufficient for my needs. If a need for power in the effects is necessary, abondonner The idea of ​​the card, and invest dan sun effects processors.

- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...

so c is written for once, and few errors but much less comprehensive than the old Doc akai which explained the envelloppes and a whole lot of musical definitions. do not hesitate to download them (I think the manual s3000xl)

SOUNDS

- The A / D and D / A are transparent?

yes really transparent to the coup.

- Effects and filters are effective?

yes and some color noise, with regret, but according to the musical style that proves to be more (or configuration).

- The dynamics are respected? ...

clearly yes.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
1 year and a half
- What is so special that you like most and least?
easy to use, good sound quality, power.
4 are the qfx suffisant.je reproach him
- Have you tried many other models before buying it?
of other models of the same brand. in time and at the cost of acquisition was not procrastinate (600 euro)
- How would you rate the quality / price?
excellent for the coup.
- With experience, you do again this choice? ...
yes

See more advice and technical doc.

UTILIZATION

If we touch an adj AKAI S SERIES, representatives are quickly taken.

Having repeatedly prt friends he finds trs heavy.

The manual is adequate, nothing more.

Using the software (freeware) ak.Sys makes the manipulations easier by my knowledge against manual ak. Sys does not exist in French.

SOUNDS

- The A / D and D / A are transparent?
Yes, trs, or too much. Some samples tend whistle.
The background noise is more noticeable with the same samples as the S5000.

- Effects and filters are effective?
I have not invested in the optional effects which I considered too expensive for fairly mundane feats ... but I did test this unit in the store a few minutes.
Filters are top.

- The dynamic is it respect? ...
On paper this is not at 192 KHz and my samples are 16 bits, but the dynamic is that!

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
End of 2002.

- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
+ 512 MB c'tait great and I think in 2006 is still the case
-: 8 "Q" t would be welcome without a dbourser Z8

- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
No, j'tais happy with my S5000, I believed and still believes Akai.

- How do you report qualitprix?
In the era had to SAVE and budgtiser, like the S5000 also.
However the quality is at an appointment.

- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...
And certainly if AKAI out a new series with more RAM and better management of the HDD I remake the jump.

As a personal opinion is all, I put a notice of 10 overall!