Akai Z4 vs. Kontakt

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fumbling on Ecstasy
  • Start date Start date
Fumbling on Ecstasy

Fumbling on Ecstasy

New member
So currently I'm considering buying a new sampler. I'd like to buy a hardware sampler simply so I don't take up any processor power and I figured the Akai Z4 would be great since it has the AkSys interface. The AkSys system would allow me to use it with the ease of a software sampler without taxing my processors. Then again, I was wondering if i should just save my $600 and buy Kontakt because my computer is fast enough to handle it. (I have a Mac Dual G4 867mHz with 1.2gB of Ram and 3 drives)

I was wondering if anyone here owns an Akai Z4 or Z8 and if they would care to comment on it. In particular regarding the AkSys interface.
 
I had the same problem a couple of months ago, and eventually went for Kontakt, basically because I'm a big software and NI fan I guess. I think indeed that processing is not that big an issue with today's cpu's, although it seems to be Akai's main promotional argument:
Tired of inserting virtual samplers into your tracks only to see your Mac or PC grind to halt with CPU overload?
Click to expand...
Mind you if you plan to make extensive use of Kontakt's filters and effects, you WILL see the performance meter rise.
With disk streaming to be introduced in the near future, you won't have to deal with RAM restrictions anymore.

One more thing: did you notice that the Z and Kontakt both have an identic 'multi-mode' filter? NI must have copied that from Akai, or was it the other way round?
 
Kontakt. I love it. your G4 will have no problem running it.


its speeds up the creative process 2 fold , i dont run more than one smaple at a time...so....processing is not an issue.

as a production tool it really cant be beat for the price, Akai must be pissing in their pants.

think about it. with that extra 600 hun you can pick up the FM7 too.
 
I'm starting to lean more towards Kontakt now. The only reason I'm buying another sampler is because my current one doesn't read Akai formatted sample CDs, and I just bought 'Symphony of Voices' and 'Vocal Planet' from Spectrasonics. I was wondering if anyone has loaded an akai sample CD into Kontakt? If so is it easy?
 
Yes and yes!!!

what are you waiting for?

edit: what samplers are you currently running?
 
Last edited:
MrKasualUltra said:
its speeds up the creative process 2 fold , i dont run more than one smaple at a time...so....processing is not an issue.
Click to expand...

Well that's why I was considering the Z4, because the AkSys would allow me to control everything just like Kontakt.
 
Either way you'll be happy.

i just dont think the Z4 is worth the pocket damage to a home producer.
 
On the S5000 and S6000 AkSys is an option, it's not stock.

I really don't mind in terms of the pocket damage because I really have nothing better to spend my money on. Money isn't really an issue for me. I'm just wondering which one is going to giive me better ease of use and performance. Right now it's debatable. I've heard great things about Kontakt, and I've played with the demo, but I have yet to hear from anyone with a Z4.
 
your computer is a ****in horse. so then sound quality would be your only issue, correct?

Kontakt sounds great. Much control as well.

then again, outboard gear is unbeatable if money is no object.
 
Fumbling on Ecstacy said:
I'm starting to lean more towards Kontakt now. The only reason I'm buying another sampler is because my current one doesn't read Akai formatted sample CDs, and I just bought 'Symphony of Voices' and 'Vocal Planet' from Spectrasonics. I was wondering if anyone has loaded an akai sample CD into Kontakt? If so is it easy?
Click to expand...

Same question: I just ordered "Symphony of Voices", which has sample banks with a size of up to 32 MB (!). Is it possible (and how) to import AKAI sample banks ? And will those banks of 32 MB not affect too much your CPU and RAM - or cause stuttering ?
 
some people prefer a hardware sampler and some a software...
so its up to you...

id prefer the z4/z8.... i like hardware stuff much more than software... but thats my choice...

just ask yourself.... is 4 u a hardware sampler the price worth?


cheers

rick j
 
THM said:
Same question: I just ordered "Symphony of Voices", which has sample banks with a size of up to 32 MB (!). Is it possible (and how) to import AKAI sample banks ? And will those banks of 32 MB not affect too much your CPU and RAM - or cause stuttering ?
Click to expand...
Seems there are big problems with reading AKAI cd's since 1.1, see NI's Kontakt forum
As to the size, 32 MB is not that big by today's standards :), on the Kontakt cd's there are programs of +200 MB, but these are quite useless if you have anything less then 512 MB installed. On the other hand, the next upgrade is supposed to have disk streaming.
 
As far as loading other sample formats I have only heard complaints about Giga samples and people using Mac's (bad for you). But it seems that most people don't have issues with sample loading.

As far a "real world" performance goes I made a full track from 15 samples in Kontakt. I was running up to 10 samples at once and I hade several LFO's, ADSR's, some panning, 2 reverbs, 3 Delays, and some other misc Chorus, flange, etc going and it peaked my processor out at 21%. That's including any random spikes in processor usage that may have occured. I'm running a P4 2.4Ghz and 512MB of RAM. I imagine the dual 867 Mac is about as fast or faster than mine so unless you are doing 50 tracks at once with 50+ effects I don't see that you'd have any problems.
 
HHmmmnn. Decisions decisions. I think I'm going to opt for an Akai S5000 or S6000. Aparently to load sample banks you need to have an external CD Rom hooked to the samper. You can't do it via Ak.Sys. So I might as well go for the less expensive sampler. I can use my current sampler for drums and other stuff. Thank you everyone for all your input.
 
Last edited:
Just think, for the price of a Z4 you could upgrade your PC/Mac and have enough left over for Kontakt....

With the current prices of PCs plummeting and Ram very cheap at the mo, you should consider this an option. Perhaps in the January sales?

There are definate advantages to the hardware route, like if you want to sell it down the track you will get a good price..... not so with the software.....it's all cracks with kids today.....
 
I have enough processing power and RAM to send a man to the moon. I have a Mac G4 Dual 867 with 3 drives and 1.25gig of RAM. I'm more concerned with the sheer sound quality. When I use the demo version of Kontakt, somtimes you can hear this certain quality which makes it sound fake. I'm hoping that the different sound algorythm an Emu or Akai sampler uses eliminates this.
 
hahaha, i just got a Z4 for $600!!! me happy.

anyone want a used copy of kontakt, im also selling reason, its registered though.
 
Last edited:
THM said:


Same question: I just ordered "Symphony of Voices", which has sample banks with a size of up to 32 MB (!). Is it possible (and how) to import AKAI sample banks ? And will those banks of 32 MB not affect too much your CPU and RAM - or cause stuttering ?
Click to expand...

don't know about kontakt but you can load those into your A3000
 
I know mate; I use them in Kontakt and they work fine (have a GB RAM) - I never tried to import them in my A3000 but I remember you told me that I could (only probem: my SCSI CD-drive - for import into A3000 - is broken :( ).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top