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Description
Unlock the potential of your musical creativity with the Akai S3000XL, a versatile audio sampler designed for both DJs and producers seeking high-quality sound manipulation. Originally released in the mid-90s, this iconic sampler has maintained its status due to its robust build and advanced sampling capabilities. The S3000XL is engineered to deliver pristine audio quality with its 16-bit stereo sampling and an impressive 32 MB of sample memory, making it a reliable tool for studio and live performances alike.
The S3000XL is renowned for its intuitive interface, featuring a backlit LCD screen and a user-friendly menu system that enables seamless navigation through its extensive features. With 8 individual outputs and a wide array of connectivity options, including MIDI and SCSI, this sampler integrates effortlessly into any setup, whether you're working in a digital or analog environment.
Its dynamic filter settings and comprehensive effects section allow for in-depth sound sculpting, giving you the power to transform your samples into entirely new sonic landscapes. Whether you're sampling vinyl, synthesizers, or live instruments, the Akai S3000XL provides the flexibility and precision needed to bring your musical ideas to life.
Key Features:
- 16-bit stereo sampling with up to 32 MB memory
- Backlit LCD screen for easy navigation
- 8 individual outputs for versatile routing
- MIDI and SCSI connectivity
- Dynamic filtering and effects section for sound manipulation
- Renowned for robust build and high audio quality
Product specs
| Brand | Akai |
| Model | S3000XL MIDI Stereo Digital Sampler |
| Finish | White |
| Year | 1996 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Digital Synthesizers, Samplers |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Polyphony | 32 Voices |
FAQs
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What are the key features of the Akai S3000XL sampler?
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The Akai S3000XL features 32-voice polyphony, MIDI input/output/through capabilities, and a digital sampling engine. It is designed for versatile audio sampling and manipulation, making it ideal for studio and live performance applications.
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Does the Akai S3000XL come with built-in effects?
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The Akai S3000XL does not come with built-in effects. To add effects, you would need an additional effects card, such as the EB16FX, which allows for effects like echo, chorus, and pitch shift.
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Is the Akai S3000XL suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Akai S3000XL is suitable for live performances due to its robust MIDI capabilities and 32-voice polyphony, allowing for complex sample playback and manipulation in real time.
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Can the Akai S3000XL be used with modern DAWs?
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The Akai S3000XL can interface with modern DAWs via MIDI connections, enabling integration into contemporary digital audio workflows for sequencing and sample triggering.
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What is the sampling rate of the Akai S3000XL?
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The Akai S3000XL supports a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz, which is standard for CD-quality audio, ensuring high-fidelity sample playback and recording.
Videos
Dreamwebspace
AKAI S3000XL: sampling
AKAI S3000XL: sampling
Dreamwebspace
Some bounce on mpc one, akai s3000xl
Bloodmasta Cut
Akai S3000XL Vintage hardware Sampler - Introduction, Buyers guide and Setup
Jim
AKAI S3000XL: FX board (EB16)
Dreamwebspace
Reviews
PROS
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12 outputs for extensive routing options
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Unmatched sampling quality and sound
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Effective low pass filters enhance audio character
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Ability to layer samples for complex sounds
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Warm sound, especially beneficial for beats
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Supports both floppy and zip for saving
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32 voice polyphony for rich, layered samples
CONS
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Editing and saving process can be tedious
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High frequencies are rolled off, might require post EQ
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Large size may be cumbersome in small studios
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Akai S3000XL.
Comparisons
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The Akai S3000XL is noted for having cleaner sound compared to the more characterful S900/S950, which have crunchier tones and analog filters.
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Unlike mixers with only stereo outputs, routing the S3000XL's outputs into a Scarlett interface allows each output to appear as a separate channel in Ableton for individual processing.
Source
Features and functionality
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The S3000XL offers cheaper RAM and better SCSI integration, making it more user-friendly for computer connectivity than earlier models.
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The S3000XL's graphical display and clear navigation enhance usability compared to models like the S2000, which have less user-friendly interfaces.
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The S3000XL can be used as an effects box if equipped with the optional EB16 effects board, allowing real-time processing of external audio.
Source
Mods and upgrades
Use cases and applications
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The S3000XL's low pass filter is praised for its pleasing sound, making it useful for creating patches from sampled synths.
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The S3000XL can function as a two-track hard disk recorder, even on Zip disks, offering additional recording flexibility.
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Some owners use the S3000XL for resampling and timestretching to achieve sounds akin to "Rockafeller Skank" and "Aquatic Ambience."
Source
User experience
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Owners report differences in sound between the LR outputs and individual output boards on the S3000XL, contributing to its distinct tonal qualities.
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Sampling directly into RAM is necessary; disks aren't fast enough for real-time playback, requiring samples to be loaded back into RAM for use.
Source
Value and pricing
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The S3000XL is considered a worthwhile purchase at $100, especially if it includes additional components like the FX board.
Source
Software and compatibility
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For sample editing, using an old Windows 98 computer with an Adaptec SCSI card and Akai MESA software is suggested, though it operates in a legal grey area.
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The Akai MESA software requires an old Windows XP PC and a specific Adaptec SCSI PCI card, model 2940, for sample transfer to the S3000XL.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 36 Ratings
491
Shaped my tones and workflow
This is my only rack sampler and if i had an idea of where to place it in my tiny corner of a studio, i'd still use it. Rack samplers are pretty big... The editing and saving to floppy or zips really had me thinking about how to get the most out with very little. The sound is unmatched, from sampling quality to the sound of the low pass filters, as well as the ability to layer samples!! Your samples will have the highs rolled off, however i think this works well in adding highs post eq. Enough outs to route to effects in an outboard mixer.
Here's a song i did with drums and synth from the s3000xl: https://nothingstellar.bandcamp.com/track/i-still-broke-down And another one, where near the end is a guitar note sampled to the s3000xl and run through a Johnson j-station, giving it a tape echo type sound: https://nothingstellar.bandcamp.com/track/ahead-of-realization
cool
12 outs, mesa editing and transferring, recycle, 32 voices, what more could you need in 1997?
146
Good sampler
A very good sampler with warm sound.. good for resampling beats to get a warm sound
Artist usage
Add artist
From left to right: Apple Macintosh, Moog MemoryMoog, Roland RS-09, unknown computer, Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, Suzuki Omnichord Q-Chord, Crumar Orchestrator / Multiman-S, Korg Poly-Ensemble P PE-1000, Moog Keyboard Controller, MIDIPRO 49, Akai S3000X On table: Baldwin DS-50 Discoverer, Korg MicroKorg, ? ? Korg MS20
"But that's when I heard Daft Punk's first album. Wow! It just blew my mind. It was electronic music, but it was also rock 'n' roll. I went and bought a little computer, Cubase, an Akai S3000, a Roland Juno-106… and, luckily, we still had access to the big studio in Tel Aviv. I was no longer an indie kid. Now, I wanted to make electronic music."
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An Akai S3000XL was used on the album Small Moon, according to the liner notes.
Stargate's work is almost entirely 'in the box', but they keep a few rackmounting synths and samplers around. From top: Furman power conditioner, Digidesign 96I/O interface, Roland JV1010 synth, Yamaha Motif Rack synth, Emu Proteus 2000 synth, Yamaha Motif Rack XS, Digidesign MIDI interface, Apple G5 Power Mac and Akai S3000XL sampler. Photo: Lucas Thorpe
can be seen in this post from September 10, 2020
In this interview conducted in 1997, Rudy provides a current gear list.
In a photograph from the Swans Are Dead Tour in 1997, Jarboe is depicted next to a collection of samplers and a keyboard, among which the Akai S3000XL is identifiable due to its distinct knob placements and overall design matching the model. This gear was utilized live during the Final Tour in 1997 and potentially in studio settings as well.
akai s3000xl is on the rack equipment of tenishia..
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Featured in this January 8, 2019 Instagram post.
Brighton Rock Day 2-Finally...my time machine appears to have worked....#roland #akai @akai_pro @roland_uk #studio #recordingsession
Samplers: Akai MPC3000, Akai S3000 (2), Akai S3000XL (2), Akai S6000, Akai X7000, Native Instruments Kontakt soft sampler;
In an Instagram post by Morgan Geist, an Akai S3000XL can be seen on a rack mount in the studio.
Album Usage
The Akai S3000XL has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Akai S3000XL, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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