I work with each one I have differently.
AKAI S5000 -- I use this primarily for drums after I've processed and would be the main workhorse when I work outside the box, I find it's internal midi jitter is quite "tight" when I compare it to the EMU. I don't sample into the unit usually. I prefer to just copy over using AKAI.SYS. I create patches using reaper and awave studio. Then it's a simple matter of copying over USB. Storage is an external SCSI HDD. It's noisy so when I load my samples I shut it off.
EMU E5000 Ultra -- I use this more as a synth, load up waveforms and sounds then resample. Great for bass and pads. When I first got this unit everything was done in this as it was super easy to use. When I started looking at the output though I noticed the drums were all over the place. After much reading, testing and digging I came to my own conclusion that it was the EMUs themselves and if I wanted things tightened up I would need to bring into the box or just live with it. Again I don't sample into this unit when I used it. it has a scsi card and I used Awave studio to transfer very quickly. One trick I had for this that Kasious and I still use is the "blank" preset. You create a blank preset with a sample on every note of the keyboard and assign sample numbers in increasing order without samples (or with). Then when you do the copy, just copy starting at sample position one and it will automatically place the drum hits on each note without having to do it each time in the sampler. Storage is on an internal IDE harddrive. This unit has a great workflow and you can modulate pretty much anything.
AKAI S1000 -- First sampler I ever bought and learned on. Works great for processing drums. Best described as helping drums cut though the mix. I've modified mine to include a CF card reader instead of the standard floppy as I replaced it a few times. Also the backlight's EL invertor blew out and I can't find a replacement that doesn't sound like it's squeeling the entire time the unit is on. I mainly use it to process, timestretch and resample into the box or into another sampler. I was trying to speed up my workflow with this unit by creating patches in Awave and converting to an ISO via ChickenSys translator. *Side note Chickensys translator software is kind of shite IMHO. It does the job but it's a memory hog and the developer has a very "interesting" way of dealing with customers. A quick google search on ChickenSys and you'll be sure to find some interesting threads. However, I personally have not dealt with them other than to purchase the software (For those who know I do have a copy of the CD that people can'd seem to get their hands on)*
AKAI S950 -- I've done some playing with this to only use the S950 and my Atari ST1040. It's great but takes time to build up your library. Until I build it up I've been using this to sample into the unit and add some 12-bit 22hz dirt to lots of things
If I want to pitch a break up I'll generally try to do it in this unit and sample back out. I would like to get some more Ram for this unit. I did replace the backlight with a better version that doesn't required an EL-inverter so no squeeling! This is floppy only for me at the moment.
AKAI S3000XL -- I bought this because Paradox uses it for his live setup. It's racked up I've turned it on and not done much with it. I would like to use this for a live setup if I eventually get there as it's a smaller unit.
EMU ESI-32 -- It came with something else. Not worth it to sell. I've heard it has it's own sound but I haven't played with it enough to advise.
I could talk for days about the EMU though as it was one that you can really bend all the rules with. One trick I used to do was map midi controllers to different chords. I could then mash up breaks on the fly. One trick I loved was chopping my breaks and then reversing each hit and then merging them together. So when you hit a note the drum hit would play normal then play into reverse. This is one way to get around the fact that it only does forward looping. Also, you can wire a cord to the sample start position and reverse hits on the fly. (this is the EMU term for the modulation setup)
When Kasious and I did Gabel Kenos it was recorded live in terms of the midi modulation on the breaks and recorded to an old reel-2-reel
I would like to do a video on how I'm using my S5000 today with Awave studio and my workflow but just haven't had time.
And yes, I know I have a serious sampler collection problem. I blame my tech background, part of me just likes tinkering with old gear. Especially when it's broken and I can get it for cheap and fix it myself!
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