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Average Price: $1,206

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$249

$700+

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Description

The Akai S3200 is a classic piece of DJ gear that has stood the test of time, offering a blend of vintage charm and robust functionality. This professional-grade audio sampler is renowned for its exceptional sound quality and versatility, making it a favorite among producers and DJs who value both reliability and depth in their gear. The S3200 combines the capability to sample and manipulate audio with ease, thanks to its intuitive interface and powerful features.

Equipped with 16-bit stereo sampling, the S3200 delivers high fidelity audio, capturing every nuance of your sound. It features a comprehensive editing suite that allows you to tweak and perfect your samples with precision. Its extensive memory capacity ensures you have plenty of space to store your creations, while the multiple outputs provide flexibility for integration into any setup. The Akai S3200 also offers various modulation options, enabling you to customize your sound to suit your artistic vision.

Whether you're looking to recreate iconic sounds or explore new sonic frontiers, the Akai S3200 is a timeless tool that continues to inspire creativity and innovation in the music world.

Key Features:

  • 16-bit stereo sampling for high-quality sound
  • Comprehensive editing suite for precise sound manipulation
  • Extensive memory capacity for ample sample storage
  • Multiple outputs for flexible integration
  • Advanced modulation options for sound customization
  • Intuitive interface for easy navigation and operation

Product specs

Brand Akai
Model S3200 MIDI Stereo Digital Sampler
Finish White
Year 1992
Made In Japan
Categories Digital Synthesizers, Samplers
Analog / Digital Digital
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Polyphony 32 Voices

FAQs

What are the main connectivity options of the Akai S3200 sampler?

The Akai S3200 features MIDI Input, Output, and Through ports, allowing seamless integration with other MIDI-compatible equipment. It also supports digital audio processing, making it suitable for professional studio setups.

Is the Akai S3200 suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Akai S3200 is designed for both studio and live use, offering robust sampling capabilities and reliable MIDI connectivity, which are essential for live performances.

How many voices of polyphony does the Akai S3200 support?

The Akai S3200 supports 32 voices of polyphony, allowing for complex layering and rich sound textures in your compositions.

Can the Akai S3200 be used with modern DAWs?

While the Akai S3200 is an older model, it can still be integrated with modern DAWs via MIDI connections, though additional adapters or interfaces may be needed for optimal performance.

What sampling rate does the Akai S3200 offer?

The Akai S3200 provides a maximum sampling rate of 48kHz, delivering high-quality digital audio suitable for professional music production.

coʀʀı303

coʀʀı303

SimpleSetups02: AKAI S3200

Video thumbnail for SimpleSetups02: AKAI S3200 by coʀʀı303

SimpleSetups02: AKAI S3200

coʀʀı303

coʀʀı303

Video thumbnail for AKAI Sampler's DAC(S3200、S3200XL、MPC2000) by Beat Pants

AKAI Sampler's DAC(S3200、S3200XL、MPC2000)

Beat Pants

Beat Pants

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Akai S3200.

Comparisons

  • The S3200 is perceived to handle breaks with less muddiness compared to the S1000, particularly noticeable when breaks are introduced.

    Source
  • The S3200 and S1000 exhibit different interpolation methods, which becomes apparent when samples are pitched, affecting the sound quality of bass and breaks differently.

    Source
  • While E-Mu's filters are highly regarded, the S3200XL's filters perform well for most needs, offering a punchier sound for drums compared to E-Mu's E-6400 Ultra.

    Source
  • Owners highlight a preference for the Akai S3200 when producing jungle music, noting its seamless integration with Logic 5.5 and Digidesign hardware for a vintage sound.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The S3200 has a rare black variant, reportedly one of only four produced by Akai, making it a unique collector's item.

    Source
  • The S3200XL supports real-time filter sweeps with LP/BP/HP options due to the filter 2 board, enhancing sound manipulation capabilities.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Users have adapted modern systems like Windows 10 64x and Mac OS 9 with a PowerBook G3 for managing S3200 samplers via SCSI, maintaining connectivity with legacy hardware.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Akai Mesa software is praised for simplifying management and editing, allowing easy backup of projects using compatibility with S1100 and S1000 samplers.

    Source
  • The use of Akai Mesa software is emphasized for facilitating direct program saving and loading from a Mac, streamlining the workflow for jungle music production.

    Source

User experience

  • The cyclic time stretch feature is a significant draw for users, offering a straightforward function that outshines more feature-laden samplers for starting projects.

    Source
  • Users report that employing external clocking, like Nanoclocks, can enhance the performance of the Akai S3200, particularly when paired with older Digidesign converters.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The S3200's integration with SCSI allows for efficient sample chopping and editing, proving advantageous for jungle producers seeking quick workflow between hardware and Mac systems.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Boards of Canada uses Akai S3200

Boards of Canada

Music Producer

...
Verified via bocpages

The back of an Akai S3200 can be seen in this photo taken during a live performance of Boards Of Canada.

See how Moby uses Akai S3200

Moby

Music Producer

Hanzel und Gretyl

...
Verified via Soundonsound

The construction of 'Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?' started with the vocals, which Moby had sampled three years earlier from a recording of a 1953 gospel choir. Once safe in the memory of Moby's sampler, in this case an Akai 3200

See how Mike Oldfield uses Akai S3200

Mike Oldfield

Guitarist, Bassist

The Sallyangie

...
Verified via Equipboard

The photo on Equipboard shows Mike Oldfield with an Akai S3200, highlighting his use of this audio sampler.

See how Röyksopp uses Akai S3200

Röyksopp

Music Producer

Röyksopp

...
Verified via Dailymotion

4:40

Torbjørn: "The key was the Akai sampler, a really simple mixer.." Svein: "..The S1000, and S3200 I guess."

See how Chris Lowe uses Akai S3200

Chris Lowe

Keyboardist, Composer

Pet Shop Boys

...
Verified via Geowayne

3rd on list of PSB snths/samplers

See how Jun Senoue uses Akai S3200

Jun Senoue

Guitarist, Composer

Crush 40

...
Verified via Twitter

"I used Akai S3200 and CD3000 for them. RT @JRokujuushi Most rock songs without vocals sound like they use similar drums- Windy and Ripply... "

See how Andrew Eldritch uses Akai S3200

Andrew Eldritch

Singer, Drummer

The Sisters of Mercy

...
Verified via The-sisters-of-mercy

"For recording we use an Akai S3200 in case we want to take a digital output."

See how Biosphere uses Akai S3200

Biosphere

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

Akai S3200 can be seen in this photo.

See how Koji Kondo uses Akai S3200

Koji Kondo

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Photo

In this picture of Kondo's sound studio from 2006, the S3200 is sitting in the space on the far right of the rack.

See how William Orbit uses Akai S3200

William Orbit

Music Producer

Torch Song

...
Verified via Photo

In the July 1998 issue of Keyboard magazine, William Orbit stated that he used an Akai S3200, which was triggered by Cubase.

See how Gareth Jones (producer) uses Akai S3200

Gareth Jones (producer)

Music Producer

Depeche Mode

...
Verified via Garethjones

Gareth Jones' hardware: "Akai S3200; Novation SuperNova, BassStation and DrumStation, Nord Micro Modular; Doepfer MAQ 16/3, Regelwerk, MS404 and Pocket Control; Apogee 500e A/D; Focusrite ISA115HD and ISA 131; TC Finalizer; B&K 4006 mics; Schoeps Collete series mics; Genelec 1029A monitors; Sherman Filterbank; Line6 POD; Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo; Waldorf 4-Pole filter; Apple G3 PowerBook; Digigram VX pocket; E-Magic Unitor II; and the wonderful MT4. My Soundcraft Spirit Folio Notepad is in daily use. Palm Pilot is also a major part of my life, and my Creative Nomad MP3 player and Sony CD Walkman are great tools."

See how Yoko Shimomura uses Akai S3200

Yoko Shimomura

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Photo

In this picture of Shimomura's studio, the S3200 seems to be sitting in a rack behind her (though it could be a S3200XL instead).

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 S3200, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Akai S1000
Akai S1000 Audio Samplers
6
E-mu Vintage Keys
E-mu Vintage Keys Sound Modules
6
Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter
Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter Synthesizers & Sound Modules
3
E-mu Morpheus
E-mu Morpheus Synthesizers & Sound Modules
3
Roland JD-800
Roland JD-800 Synthesizers
3
Akai S1100
Akai S1100 Audio Samplers
3

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