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Description

Step into the world of professional sampling with the Akai S3200XL, a staple in the arsenal of DJs and music producers. This audio sampler is renowned for its robust capabilities, offering a blend of classic Akai sampling power with modern functionalities. The S3200XL is equipped with the legendary S-2000 series sound engine, celebrated for its warm, punchy sound that has graced countless tracks across various genres. Perfect for live performances and studio sessions alike, this sampler's intuitive interface makes it accessible for both seasoned professionals and aspiring musicians.

The S3200XL supports a wide range of sampling rates and bit depths, providing high-quality audio reproduction. Its comprehensive editing tools allow you to tweak and shape your sounds with precision. Whether you're crafting intricate beats or layering complex soundscapes, the Akai S3200XL handles it effortlessly. With MIDI compatibility, it seamlessly integrates into any setup, enhancing your workflow and expanding your creative possibilities.

The sampler also features expandable memory options, ensuring you never run out of space for your sonic creations. A built-in floppy disk drive offers a touch of nostalgia while maintaining practical utility for saving and loading projects. The Akai S3200XL stands as a testament to Akai's commitment to quality and innovation in the field of audio sampling.

Key Features:

  • Legendary S-2000 series sound engine
  • Supports multiple sampling rates and bit depths
  • Comprehensive editing tools for precise sound shaping
  • MIDI compatibility for seamless integration
  • Expandable memory options
  • Built-in floppy disk drive for project storage

Product specs

Brand Akai
Model S3200XL 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

What are the main connectivity options for the Akai S3200XL sampler?

The Akai S3200XL features MIDI input, output, and through ports, allowing it to connect seamlessly with other MIDI-compatible devices for comprehensive integration into your setup.

How many voices of polyphony does the Akai S3200XL offer?

The Akai S3200XL provides 32 voices of polyphony, enabling complex layering and playback of multiple samples simultaneously.

Is the Akai S3200XL suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Akai S3200XL is well-suited for live performances due to its robust MIDI capabilities and reliable sample playback, making it a versatile choice for DJs and electronic musicians.

Can the Akai S3200XL sampler be used with external MIDI controllers?

Absolutely, the Akai S3200XL can be controlled by external MIDI controllers via its MIDI input, allowing for dynamic performance and control over your samples.

What kind of sound editing capabilities does the Akai S3200XL offer?

The Akai S3200XL provides a range of sound editing features, including sample editing, looping, and effects processing, allowing for detailed manipulation of audio samples.

Architecture

Architecture

Akai S3200XL Jungle

Video thumbnail for Akai S3200XL Jungle by Architecture

Akai S3200XL Jungle

Architecture

Architecture

Video thumbnail for Needs: Akai MPC2000XL & S3200XL Jungle Akai S3200 DD Mixdown by Architecture

Needs: Akai MPC2000XL & S3200XL Jungle Akai S3200 DD Mixdown

Architecture

Architecture

Video thumbnail for Akai S3200XL Atmospheric Jungle by Architecture

Akai S3200XL Atmospheric Jungle

Architecture

Architecture

Video thumbnail for Behind the Tools: Akai Mesa and Akai S3200XL by Architecture

Behind the Tools: Akai Mesa and Akai S3200XL

Architecture

Architecture

Video thumbnail for From Earth - Akai S3200XL Jungle by Architecture

From Earth - Akai S3200XL Jungle

Architecture

Architecture

Video thumbnail for Akai S3200xl Drum n Bass by Architecture

Akai S3200xl Drum n Bass

Architecture

Architecture

Video thumbnail for AKAI S3200 non-XL vs S3200XL Same Samples by Beat Pants

AKAI S3200 non-XL vs S3200XL Same Samples

Beat Pants

Beat Pants

Reviews

PROS

  • Excels in creating unique, stretchy digital sounds

  • Ideal for sampling anything, enhancing creativity

  • Seamless integration with Mac via SCSI

  • Direct recording to DAT through optical output offers high-quality sound

  • Multiple outputs and nice converters enhance connectivity and audio quality

CONS

  • Filters and FX considered somewhat static and limited

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Akai S3200XL.

Features and functionality

  • The S3200XL supports cyclical time stretching, a feature not found in the newer S5000 model.

    Source
  • The EB16 board provides the S3200XL with four effect busses and ten outputs, enhancing its versatility compared to models with fewer outputs.

    Source
  • The S3200XL can uniquely create delay-like effects using pitch wheel automation, offering a versatile approach to drum programming.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The S3200XL is often preferred over the E-Mu E-6400 Ultra for its punchier sound, especially for drums.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Akai Mesa software simplifies managing and editing the S3200XL, compatible with both Windows 10 and older Mac OS 9 systems.

    Source

User experience

  • Real-time filter sweeps are achievable with the S3200XL's filter 2 board, offering LP/BP/HP options.

    Source
  • Owners experimenting with pitch wheel automation find it fills a gap in their sound design, particularly in atmospheric jungle music.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Pitch wheel automation with 16th note triplet chops on snare rolls enhances jungle-style drum trills effectively.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
mikefiction

I love all the AKAI

Yep. I love them. I want to marry all the Akais. They make the world sound like music and they make drums that kick your pants off. Stretchy digital goodness.

If it were a person, it would be amazing at facilitating original ideas at corperate meetings. Those meetings would never be boring.

Sample movies or your backyard or your kitchen. Sample the world into your Akai and you will smile forever and the world will be an ok place.

morten_vammen

Clean and classic

I connected it thru scsi to a mac and BANG: recycle on screen and export to jazz drive. I made my A*A*A: conneseurs cornucopia CD and hundreds of beats, soundtracks and jingles on this, often recording straight to dat thru the optical output. The filters and FX are ok, but a bit static. Lots of outputs, nice converters, but very clean. Never used the 2 track hd recorder, but its there.

summedanddot

Akai S3200XL

Akai S3200XL Akai S3200XL Akai S3200XL Akai S3200XLAkai S3200XL

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jonny Greenwood uses Akai S3200XL

Jonny Greenwood

Guitarist

Radiohead

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo from the band’s 1997 Glastonbury performance, an Akai S3200XL can be seen in the top space of each of Jonny’s two racks. On tour, they were used to reproduce the sounds of Jonny’s Mellotron M400, which he sampled onto the units.

See how Prince uses Akai S3200XL

Prince

Singer, Guitarist

The New Power Generation

...
Verified via Photo

In a personal studio photo featured in W Magazine, Prince is seen with the Akai S3200XL, highlighting his use of this audio sampler.

See how Kanye West uses Akai S3200XL

Kanye West

Rapper, Music Producer

Kids See Ghosts

...
Verified via Photo

Kanye West is confirmed to have used the Akai S3200XL during the recording of "Bully," as evidenced by a studio setup breakdown shared on Instagram by user @theyKilledRYN.

See how Underworld uses Akai S3200XL

Underworld

Music Producer

Freur

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Underworld's Rick Smith says "I use this a lot. Very important."

See how Moby uses Akai S3200XL

Moby

Music Producer

Vatican Commandos

...
Verified via Photo

In a user-uploaded photo from Futurecdn, Moby is shown using the Akai S3200XL, a well-regarded audio sampler in the DJ gear category.

See how Junkie XL uses Akai S3200XL

Junkie XL

Composer, Music Producer

Tiësto vs. Junkie XL

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video at 3:07 see Akai S3200XL

See how Fanu uses Akai S3200XL

Fanu

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

Fanu's S3200XL can be seen in the right hand corner of this studio photo, underneath the MPC 60II.

See how Yasunori Mitsuda uses Akai S3200XL

Yasunori Mitsuda

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Archive

"This is another sampler, but I mainly use this thing to sample my own sounds (like recording my own guitar or percussion). The edit features are really easy to use, and I value this thing alot."

See how Robert Miles uses Akai S3200XL

Robert Miles

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

In a user-uploaded photo, Robert Miles is shown with the Akai S3200XL, a crucial piece of DJ gear in his setup.

See how TIM SIMENON uses Akai S3200XL

TIM SIMENON

Keyboardist, Composer

Interference

...
Verified via Gearslutz

According to Future Music, this item is listed as used by Tim Simenon on recording ULTRA for Depeche MODE

See how Marius de Vries uses Akai S3200XL

Marius de Vries

Composer, Music Producer

The Blow Monkeys

...
Verified via Soundonsound

""The Akai samplers are without question the most musical and best sorted out sampling devices on the planet. I have three 3200XLs now and I am waiting very impatiently for the 6000 series, which will be out in a few weeks, because it has a DOS‑based file system. In itself that's a bit of a turn‑off for me, because I am a Macintosh purist, but what it means is that you can have one huge hard disk attached to the sampler with all your sounds on it and a little laptop on the side with a database on it. It will finally enable me to begin to meaningfully organise a big sample library. At a the moment with my suitcase full of Syquests, it's impossible. All I can do is file everything carefully away by project and hope that one day the technology will allow me to do something meaningful with it. Until you get something where you can easily move large batches of data around and save and group them and manipulate them I don't see how it is possible to keep track of it all unless you spend your whole life being a librarian and forget about music."

See how Technasia uses Akai S3200XL

Technasia

Music Producer

Technasia & DJ Skull

...
Verified via Vicious Magazine - Revista de Música Electrónica, Deejays, Clubbing y Festivales

Technasia also describes the Akai S3200XL as his favourite's to work with. Check it out!

Album Usage

The Akai S3200XL 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 S3200XL, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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3
Oberheim Matrix 12
2
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2
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2
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Ensoniq DP/4+ Effects Processors
2
E-mu Vintage Keys
E-mu Vintage Keys Sound Modules
2

Community setups

Show yours
chase_h_xealot

chase_h_xealot

Gear IQ 145

chase_h_xealot

chase_h_xealot

Gear IQ 145

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