User manual AKAI S900

1 professional i MIDI DIGITAL SAMPLER 'I I To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture. Operator's Manual CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION WELCOME! Welcome to the Akai S900 Sampler. This versatile sampler provides the flexibility associated with more expensive machines. yet is quite easy to use once you become familiar with its operation. It took many months of intensive development to produce the S900, and it will take you some time and practice to master this advanced instrument. But the reward for your efforts will be the opportunity to make creative, exciting music using the latest in sampling technology. - Individual audio outputs for eight signals, left and right mix outputs, and mono mix output. Of course, this list just skims the surface (for example, with an optional hardware card the S900 becomes a full-featured sampling drum machine). You will find out much more about the S900's capabilities over the course of this manual. but since you are no doubt very eager to get started, let's set up the S900 and play back some sounds. SET I UP T .-7 The S900 has several features of interest: 12 bit sampling resolution for less noise and better high frequency response than older, eight bit samplers. Variable sampling bandwidth to save on memory. Built-in disk drive for added convenience. A "user-friendly" liquid crystal display (LCD) that displays ..: - helpful messages and instructions. 'Versatile MlDl implementation (omni, poly, and mono modes available) 1. Connect a cord from the master MlDl controller MlDl Out to the S900 MlDl In jack. Akai recommends the MX73 master MlDl keyboard, but other MIDI-compatible controllers can be used (MIDI keyboards, guitar-to-MIDI converters, MlDl drum controllers etc.). 2. Connect an audio patch cord from the S900 Mix Out jack to a suitable amplification system, initially turned to zero level. (We will describe how to use the other outputs later in the manual.) Speakers M~xer/ To personal computer To other MlDl equ~pment MlDl OUT 1 MlDl Master Keyboard Player. Deck, CD etc. Guitar .. . - - - .. &a'lg&aa;-.. Microphone CHANGING PARAMETERS Now practice changing parameters. Parameters can usually be changed in two ways: Scroll by turning theCONTROL through the available options. Use the PARAMETER KEYS if you know the value you want to enter. If the value is a number, use the 0-9 keys (remember that numbers must have leading zeroes - e.g. if a threedigit number is required, enter zeroes if necessary. Thus, 9 would be entered as 009. If a two-digit number is required, then 9 would be entered as 09). Some parameters expect a yes/no answer, or a positive/negative indication; for these, use the ON/+ and OFF/- buttons. , .>portant: If the LCD asks you t o press ENT after altering " 3 parameter, d o so. , DEFINITIONS 1. A velocity keyboard is a type of keyboard that measures the time it takes for a key to go from the up to down position. It assumes that i f this time period is short. you have hit the key hard and want a loud sound; if this time period is longer, you have hit the key softly and want a soft sound. Therefore, even though velocity is measuring the speed at which a key goes from key up to key down, we will consider it as an indication of how hard or soft you hit the key. 2. A Sample is a single sound that you record into the S900. To cover more than one key on a keyboard, the sample may be transposed over up to a six-octave range. 3. A Keygroup is a pair of samples. Playing a velocity keyboard harder increases the level of one of the samples and decreases the level of the other (or, switches over from one of the samples to the other at a certain velocity threshold) Thus, with a bass sound you can have a normally plucked string at lower levels and a slap bass effect at higher levels The sample meant to be heard at higher velocity levels is called the Loud sample and the sample meant to be heard at lower velocity levels is called the Soft sample. 4. Trying to transpose a sample over too wide a range leads to an unnatural sound. The S900 can assign up to 32 samples over the keyboard. Using multiple samples means that individual samples need npt be transposed very far. A Program (also called preset) is a set of keygroups, and can consist of up to 32 different keygroups (or individual samples) assigned across the keyboard. For example, with a five-octave keyboard you could take five samples and assign one to eacb octave. or ten samples and assign one to every half-octave. Samples may be edited in a number of ways, as can programs These will be described fully later. Once samples and program: are set as desired. the S900 memory can be saved to disk. ENTERING TEXT AND NAMES: MEET THE S900 WORD PROCESSOR Occasionally you w i l l need to enter a name rather than a number, so let's meet the S900's "word processor". Assuming that a blank disk is still in the drive, and that the EDIT PRESET function is still active, select Page 01. Move the arrow so that it points at "Select. Copy." This parameter requires a name instead of a number; here's how to enter a name. 1. When the arrow point to a parameter that requires a name, press the LETTER button (Fig. 2). The cursor will be replaced by a line under the letter to be entered. 2. Turn the control to choose a letter (A-Z). You may also choose 0-9, space, and #. To quickly choose a space without having to turn the CONTROL, press the SPACE button. To quickly choose a number, press the 0-9 buttons (Fig. 2). 3. After selecting the desired character, move the cursor to the next letter with the arrow/cursor button and repeat step 2. If you make a mistake at any time, back the cusor up to the in+-,correct character and repeat step 2. I :-,hportant: After entering the entire name, press ENT. ~G.have now learned how to scan pages, select parameters, and edit parameters. Before continuing. we need to cover some basic definitions. THE IMPORTANCE OF SAVING S900 MEMORY DATA TO DlSK PLEASE NOTE: The S900 has no permanent memory. If you load a disk into the S900 and alter it, the altered parameters MUST BE SAVED TO DlSK or your work will be lost if you turv off the power. This is described fully in the section of the DlSK function. ERROR MESSAGES If all eight function lights flash, there is a usually not-too-seriour problem. The LCD will give you some idea of what is wrong. Tc return to normal operation, press one of the lunction buttons.