E.M.U 6400 or AKAI Z8.

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josu

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Hi to everibody;

I could have the oportunnity of buy one of these two samplers for the same price each one but I need advice about, because I am not sure about which would be a better choice. Which of them would you buy if the price does not matter?? Which would be the pros and lacks of each one??

Thanks!
 
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if you use a computer at all the z8 would bea far better fitting solution.
 
Computer with AKAI ak.sys software + Z8 is a very solid setup for sure.
 
Can akai.sys work with the Z4? and when is the update for mac os x commin. Cheers.
 
Let's not forget the modulation matrix of the Emus and , heaven's forbid, the filters.
 
I'm sorry I had an ESI and a Z4, EMU knocks the **** out of the Z4 in terms of sound quality.
 
was the emu just using 16 bit samples, was the Z4? I'm curious how the z4 sounds with 24 bits, and how quick it loads. I hate waiting, makes me just want to use my Motif and **** sample loading but you can't beat the flexibility . How many voices can the z8 do simultaneously, I've thought about using my laptop for midi sequencing only and have all the sound come out of the z8. Anwone doing this, hows the timing, is it as tight as using a hardware sequencer because my laptop beats often sound a little flat compared to harware generated.
 
It loaded really quick from the internal drive, but sounded even thinner in 24 mode, and the AK Sys worked like a charm with my old PC, but the sound was just ****, to make matters worse a strong digital buzz would come out of the analog outs, I think it was because of the hard drive inside. ****ty.
 
The one ive been using at a studio, doesnt buzz, its quiet, I dont have another sampler there to check for sound quality tho. Im about to buy a sampler, and its a toss up between either Akai z4 or z6 / Emu e5000 / Yamaha A4000 or A5000.

What would you guys recommend?

I want a HD and input method. I like the usb port on the akai. In the studio im at I can plug my Philips 15 GB mp3 Juke box into the Akai and upload samples, which is cool as F***.
 
DOVESKY, is the sampler with the strange sounds and crappy thin sounding samples the Akai Z8? I'm really trying to replace the computer for 24 bit sounds and so far the akai stuff is the only thing I know about that even does it. Is the Z8 buggy like the mpc4000? I tried the mpc but its interface was too slow for me, I really like barebones (with lots of features of course) stuff that just always works as you'd expect it to. If the Z8 is a PIA then I'm probably going to forgo 24 bit hardware sampling for now. I wish Kurzweil would come out with a 24 bit sampler that also had all their orchestral stuff or that yamaha would come out with one with mlan or adat options. I have high hopes for NAMM.
 
Avoid the Z4. It's the one with the thin sound that users complain about regularly. The Z series is essentially an MPC without pads. It has bugs and missing features like the MPC4000 -- including audition from the hard drive, which is also missing from the Z series. Those who own the Z8's tend to like them. Be aware that any of these rack samplers under discussion will probably not get an OS update anytime soon, if ever again. Buy it with the thought in mind that you like it as is, not how it could be some day.
 
Glenn A said:
DOVESKY, is the sampler with the strange sounds and crappy thin sounding samples the Akai Z8? I'm really trying to replace the computer for 24 bit sounds and so far the akai stuff is the only thing I know about that even does it.
Click to expand...

Nah, it was the Z4. as far as getting the z8, if i was in your position i'd rather go for the older Akai models or an EMU, the Akai s6000 is dope and it can use Akai.sys, the only thing i liked about the Z4. =)

I'm curious though, are you scoring movies, why do you need 24bit sound?
 
Im interested in how it could have a thin sound? Is it to do with the Dac or what. If you have good fat samples and loaded them into the akai, what would make them sound thin?

Which samplers have audition from HD? Cause I think that would be a function for me. I hate the fact the mpc2000xl cant do that.
 
Which features has the S6000 over the Z8? I could buy a new Z8 for 1400 euro or a second hand S6000 for 1200 euro but I do not know what to do. Which features I would get and which others I would lost with each one? Could you advice me what to do, please? I am totally novice to this...

Thanks!
 
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go with emu e ultra sampler n editor..
it's gonna save lot's of your time..
 
I am sorry, I have explained wrong. I am refering to the famous AKAI S6000 vs the Z8. I was thinking to buy a new Z8 for 1400 euro but I have the oportunity to buy a second hand S6000 for 1200 euro and I do not know what to do.
About features, I only know that the poliphony of the S6000 is 128 voices against the 64 voices of the Z8, however, I think that the memory is superior on the Z8. I do not know anything more about them and I would like to know in which other aspects shine each one over the other one. What would you do in my case? Why?

One thing... I will use it to play it alive too and not only for studio and record work...

Thanks!
 
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