Advice Needed: Akai s3000xl vs s5000?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mconcave
  • Start date Start date
mconcave

mconcave

New member
I am starting to think that my MPC 1000 isn't the right sampler for me. I'm really into the power of it's sequencer, the sound quality, and the USB port...

But I have an E-MU XL-7 Command Station with an equally powerful sequencer for the type of music I make, a USB port to back up my data, and it's one hell of a synthesizer + 16 track MIDI sequencer.

I'm thinking of selling my MPC 1000 soon and going for either an Akai s3000xl or a s5000. Whichever one I'd buy, I'd sequence with my Command Station. I like the workflow and sound quality of Akai samplers alot. And I definitely want to get an EB16 Effects card installed in either one I end up buying.

Can anyone help me answer the following questions:

1 - Which sampler has better sound quality and why?

2 - Do either of the samplers have a waveform view to edit samples?

3 - Are either of the samples durable enough to travel with and perform live with if rack-mounted?

4 - Give me your personal opinions on why you like or dislike these S-series samplers.

Much thanks!

PS - Since I'm selling my MPC 1000, e-mail me if you need one in LIKE NEW condition with extras. Send me a message and I'll tell you more bfore I just list it on eBay (which I hate doing... people never pay, too many deadbeats!)
 
mconcave said:
Can anyone help me answer the following questions:

1 - Which sampler has better sound quality and why?

2 - Do either of the samplers have a waveform view to edit samples?

3 - Are either of the samples durable enough to travel with and perform live with if rack-mounted?

4 - Give me your personal opinions on why you like or dislike these S-series samplers.
Click to expand...

1. Don't know, I'd imagine that's a matter of personal preference. I was able to play around with an S3000XL for a while, and it sounds smooth as hell. If I were to get a rack sampler that's the first one I'd look at.

2. Yes, both do.

3. Yes.

4. I know this... the S3000XL has the same problem the S3000 and MPC3000 have: they sometimes don't play the last 20 ms or so of a sample. If you're editing the sample on a computer, this is easily remedied: just insert 30-50 ms of silence at the end of the sample, problem solved.

I'm not sure about PC and Mac connectivity on the S5000, but the S3000XL supports Chicken Systems' Millennium software and Akai's own MESA software for SCSI sample transfer directly to and from a computer to WAV files and program files.

Either choice you make, they're great machines.
 
hi- i dont know much about the s5000 but i am a s3000xl user

this i will say- from what i understand the two of these units are sort of different beasts all together. the s5000 is bigger, has increased polyphony, and probably a bit more of a comfortable interface (i think it also does drag and drop as well)

the s3000xl has amazing looping, is cheaper, and makes you follow a rather deliberate workflow. it has sample chopping, but its a little bit more of a time-intensive process that you really have to know what you want to get good results out of it. if you get it, consider picking up a small phrase sampler to do simple re-sampling of loops- re-importing and modifying loops is one of the most enjoyable aspects of working with this machine

if you have any q's feel free to ask

_lodger
 
Thanks alot for the info and opinions! I am pretty sure that I'm going for a S5000 or if I can really find a deal, a s6000. They both have better storage capabilities which is really important to me.

Anyone know how many rack spaces the S5000 takes up? I know the S6000 takes up 4 spaces, is there a chance that the S5000 is only 3?
 
The S5000 is 3 rack spaces.

Both the S5000 and S6000 have USB options too, which is nice if you're working with a PC.
 
Yea, I think that I'm definitely going for the S5000. It's a good size, very expandable, and the price is right.

Now the only trouble is trying to get someone to buy my MPC 1000!

I was so sure that it was the way to go for me until I got my hands on the E-MU Command Station... I love that sequencer and the synth possibilities!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top