AKAI S3000XL

The Akai S3000XL is an AMAZING machine I've been using quite extensively during the last year or so. I've had it for some times, using it sparsely; then, last year, I've decided to delve into learning how it works properly and it was game changing. As of now, my home studio have been re-arranged around the S3000XL : LOTS of things goes into this thing before ending up in a proper recording.
More infos about this sampler :
www.vintagesynth.com/akai/s300...
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Website: www.stephanerichard.work
Bandcamp (SAINT-SAMUEL)
www.saint-samuel.bandcamp.com
Bandcamp (Meaningless Data)
www.meaninglessdata.bandcamp.com

[@Vesalempinen]

S3000XL is a beast! Tedious to set up, when using multiple outputs to mixing desk (1 sample per program, keygroup) etc. but that´s the name of the game ;0)

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Oh yes. I LOVE this machine. Thanks for watching Vesa !

[@LeeDaHitman]

thank you for this breakdown

[@hubertmuller6157]

Oh man your video editing matches so great to the music ! Great work !

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

It was great fun to do ! Thanks for watching Hubert !

[@coreydunn]

Great video! Really enjoyed your explanation and editing keep it up!

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Thanks Corey!

[@edkenndy]

Fantastic video wow! I have an S3000XL I can't wait to dive into. Definitely going to need some studio re-arranging.

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Hi Ed ! Thank you ! - This sampler is so cool, you can use it in so many different way. It’s a very powerful instrument to work with. Have fun !!

[@colemangroove5314]

Awesome video loving the vibes 🥳

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Thanks for watching !

[@iixorb]

Great video! Despite having played around with my dad’s mate’s Fairlight in 1984 (when I was 12) and getting massively into synths 3 years later, I never bought a sampler! Sure, some of my workstations have had built-in sampling capability (which I never used), and Ableton can sample (which I do use), I’ve never had a ‘box’ dedicated to this task. I’ve just purchased an Akai S3000XL with upgraded LCD and a GoTek. Picking it up in a couple of weeks and looking forward to exploring something I probably should have bought 30+ years ago!

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Good move ! :-)

[@AgentsofRush]

Great vid. I love the 3kxl 😎

[@Manel597]

Subscribed! Amazing video, the editing and the content!

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Thanks !!

[@Rulon-bo1ig]

Your music is chill, soothes the soul.. The S series really gives your samples a vibe. I installed a usb Compact flash drive on mine, it’s really easy to install, disconnecting a ribbon and unscrewing, no soldering. I did the same on an mpc 2000xl then I had to load in a new OS for it to work. I got sick of floppies, playing Russian roulette every time I started it up. I’ve since sold the 3000xl cause of space management, it’s one of those pieces of gear you’re never sure if you made the right decision by selling it though.

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Yeah... I will have to replace the drive for a USB reader that's for sure ! Thank you for your good words !

[@XBASS247]

your track got so much style 6:27

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Thank you so much ! And thanks for watching !

[@RobertScott-7]

Omg I'm only two minutes in, I love this!

[@IJOSoundVideo]

Cool video. Appreciate every little thing you put into it as i know what it takes to make a video like this ;) and , obviously, music is awesome. I don't know how come KZbin suggested me this video, but I am well in to akai samplers and that kind of stuff my self. Kudos ;)

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Thanks ! These video are really fun to do, I'm glad you liked ! Thanks for watching btw !!

[@teflonbunker4512]

Love that video ♥️😎

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Thank you !

[@emmetoconnor3406]

This video is awesome. Absolutely in love with all that analog gear you've got. I am thinking of purchasing one of these Akai machines, can you explain whether it would be possible to export the samples into my mac (os. 10.1) to use with my daw? I can see based on scouring forums that it is possible, but I can't wrap my head around what other equipment I'll need to make it possible. Thanks for any help

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Hi Emmet ! Thanks for your good words. Yes, you can probably do it (via scuzzy to a pc, for a start) but I’m only interested to use and manage everything into the sampler. I’m still on floppy and I will switch to a USB stick reader soon. More space, easier to load but it still won’t be compatible with my Mac. - My two cents: despite all this, this machine is worth it. Fun to work with, and it sounds SO good !

[@soulfingers]

Great video and loving your EP on Bandcamp. Funnily enough I have the 3000XL paired up with a Mackie 14 channel mixer, a TX802 and a bunch of other cheap analogue gear. I love the soundscapes you have created! I’m currently renovating the studio and haven’t been able to do anything musical for about 3 years now. Can’t wait to get back into it, your video has spurred me on to push through and crack on with the renovation work so I can finally be let loose! I was curious if you do your sample processing on the unit or via software like MESA / Recycle etc. ? Greetings from Birmingham, UK

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

David O'Malley hi David ! Thanks a lot. This is awesome. I hope you’ll get back to it real soon. - you have the TX802, I LOVE this machine. Eight DX7 in one box !!! - Yes, I do everything in the sampler. Editing, stretching, filtering. The sound on this thing is SO good ! You’re in UK, I’m in Montreal, Canada. Have a great day !!

[@gindkutyma]

real dope video m8!

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Thanks for watching !

[@XBASS247]

the sound of akai s3000xl is the best ,out of all my samplers , got mine hooked up with scsi in windows 10 with mesa and recyle in 2020 save all my samples and prgrams on my comp , this maschine is not slow once hooked up to the computer,,, like the track

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Thanks man ! And thanks for watching. Wow ! Using scsi, very cool !

[@djtrakakadrunkpoet8598]

Great music sir 🔥🔥💯🎧

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Thanks! And thank you for watching!!

[@djtrakakadrunkpoet8598]

@@StephanesCreativeBasement it’s like taking digital music making and having an analog approach. Using my imagination and understanding that using hardware is a bit harder but just because I’m using apps it was no cake walk either lol

[@itspat87]

Hey man, do you mind explaining to me what you typically use for each of the 5 s3000 outputs you have going in your mixer? I recently acquired an s3000xl myself, and an old Behringer mixer 2642a. I am wondering how you do drums; is one program your drum track? Just looking for mindset and template for spltting up sounds on this thing.

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Hi Patrick, mostly, I will use 5 programs with one sample each. Every programs will have its own MIDI channel AND its own output. So, MIDI 1 will go out of output 1, then route to my mixer. After that, it’s just a matter of controlling your channels with your DAW or sequencer. I hope this helps!

[@cureforlife]

I love these set ups but always wondered how you get around mastering. Do you just get the mix as good as possible then record to tape then done?

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Well, I do all sorts of things. Sometimes I record on tape, then go in the box and mix. Other times, I record from different sources, then mix, then go out of the box to tape, import it back then go to mastering. What I lost in quality (hifi) I gain in « personality » and this is what I’m always aiming for. Thanks for watching Luc!

[@cureforlife]

ok that helps. thanks for the reply. I'm going to try record to tape then back into logic for mastering. thanks@@StephanesCreativeBasement

[@phillindablank]

Salut Stéphane! Just stumbled upon your channel and have to say that was a great video! Do you ever sequence the S3000XL with other samplers/sequencers to make a beat? Inspiring stuff, thanks 🙌

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Hi ! Yes, I use it on a regular basis with a Yamaha QY10 sequencer (though, no other sampler). It’s very handy when working out of the computer. You can work with this thing in so many different ways !

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Thanks for watching !!

[@phillindablank]

@@StephanesCreativeBasement Cool i actually watched your video after using the QY-10 with the S3000XL, very cool! I have a MPC 500 and i think I can use it as a midi sequencer for these types of samplers aswell! Cheers, thanks for the reply 👍

[@Manel597]

Hi Stephane, how do you record the live mixes? Do you have a 16 inputs interface to record each channel independently on your DAW? Are you able to record post FX, EQ & compressor during this live mixes? Thanks again for putting this videos together! 🙏🏽❤️👽

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Hi Manel, yes I can record post (I use an Appolo Twin) though I record the whole mix, from the board, on a stereo track. When I have something I like, I have some options: recordind directly to tape (reel to reel) or directly to Logic. Also, I can use the Portastudio and record on separate tracks. In the end, I will work with all these parts in a DAW, Logic or Ableton. Best of both world !

[@Manel597]

@@StephanesCreativeBasement Hi Stephane, thanks for your answer! So first you record on a stereo track directly to tape or directly to logic (or portastudio) and edit it in your DAW? Love from Singapore!

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Manel Valero yes. Always a stereo track, either directly to the reel-to-reel, DAW or cassette tape. Then (if not already in the DAW), I will import what I have into Logic Pro. Greetings from Montreal (Canada) !!

[@Manel597]

@@StephanesCreativeBasement Thanks Stephane!

[@costasaroniadis3376]

Great video i like the same part of the game iv just order one akai cd 30000xl and i think is the same machine ...i like very much to write to a reel tape

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Thank you Costas - thanks for watching !

[@SunsetRC]

Great production on this video brother! Can you share how you MIDI the sampler to your computer?

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

In this I'm triggering it with Logic X. Though, most of the time, I will use an old QY10 Yamaha sequencer !! Thanks for watching !

[@scurrency]

lower jitter

[@256k_]

so i found this machine on the used market for 50$ came to youtube to find if it's any good, i've always heard great things about the s950 but didn't know anything about this one... would you say it's worth getting? i already have the MPC 2500 and MPC 500

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

fayekhelmi oh yes, absolutely ! It may take a little time to get use to but it’s a very powerful machine.

[@michaelmccann5278]

That's a steal! even if it's got its basic ram go for it, you won't regret it, even abbey road has akai's

[@fjufbjdhhfhgrjhh8621]

Hello! If you record in 20khz (or less) and then pitch down the sample do you get those crackling crunchy artifacts??? On the MPC2000 you can only convert (re-sample) to something like 20000khz but it takes about 5 minutes. On the MPC you can only record in 44 khz

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Nope. No crackiling.

[@fjufbjdhhfhgrjhh8621]

O.K.,that's really strange... Because on the Boss SP-202 you can sample with 15.63 khz (lofi mode 1) and 7.81 khz (lofi mode 2) and you get that crunchy crackling gritty sound! Even more than on the Emu SP1200! So I don't understand why this shouldn't be able on the Akai when sampling with 10 khz??? Greetings from Germany

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

I mean it’s lofi and VERY gritty but no digital crackles.

[@acselmendozasalazar9536]

What Can i do if my s3000xl have This: waiting for hard disk ready?? Saludos de México!!!!

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Some unit were sold with an internal HD. Maybe it's the case with yours, its searching for it (maybe it's dead? Maybe it has been removed?). Maybe you could try to do a hard reset ? (You'll have to check the manual) www.platinumaudiolab.com/free_stuff/manuals/Akai/akai_s3000_xl_manual.pdf --- hope this could help.

[@badb.2826]

Bro i have option to buy 3000 og or 3000 xl for same price from my friend. I dont know what unit i should buy. Im going for 90s house sound. Can you help please

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

The S series is killer. For the same price I would go with XL so you’ll have an amazing filter. Also, maybe you’ll also have (because it was optional) effects (chorus, delay, reverb). My unit don’t have effects. It could be a cool bonus though the samplers (3000 or 3000XL) sounds fn GREAT right off the gate !

[@badb.2826]

@@StephanesCreativeBasement tnx it has cd drive 8 outs and effect board for 250 euros. I will probably connect s to mpc renessaince via midi and will have great hybrid setup. Poor mans mpc 3000 lol

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Awesome ! 🎶

[@costasaroniadis3376]

Hello.my friend i found a akai cd 3000xl i dont have any exerience with the samplers may ask you does thesample have the own sounds if i conect a midi keybord will play ..with akai sounds ..thanks

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Hi Costas, right out of the gate, the sampler will give you a sine wave and a PWM wave so you can play with it and even sculpted some cool pads with the waves. But, if you want other sounds, beats, loops, synths, brass, voices - you’ll have to create them yourself. Good news: it’s the fun part !! 😀 - Take your time, learn how everything’s work and it’ll pay off big time in the end ! - Have fun and thanks for watching ! 🎶

[@costasaroniadis3376]

@@StephanesCreativeBasement thanks my friend i.like the old hardware to create music i have found a akai cd 3000xl

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

I don’t have the CD one, for all I know is that you can find sound library (CDROM) from Akai but it can also read sound library from other brand ! Cool !

[@saren6538]

This is basically the same sound as the s2000 and mpc2000 ?

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Nowadays, can't go wrong with any sampler of this era though every one of them has its own signature.

[@saren6538]

Bit different

[@rolandexclusive6306]

i have two, will never part with them. the s range of samplers are the best. easy to use and sound incredible whatever the sample rate you choose to record in at.

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Hi Jacob, I agree 100%. Thanks for watching !!

[@ravemealone]

lovely sound

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Yeah... every. fn. time. I. Press. Load... I have my fingers crossed !! Haha !

[@QR_Code]

i literally have og floppy disks from 30 years ago and they still work...i actually dont remember ever having a floppy not work the only real prob was capacity and loading time. at one point i bought a roland cdrack and installed a scsi hdd and a cdrom and scsi'd my few pieces of hardware so i didnt have to deal with floppy loading, but the floppy on my keyboard still worked and i also used an alesis datadisk sq for a long time to do sysex dumps

[@solodolo6018]

Just dont put a magnet on them or next to them, store them safely and you'll be good

[@descendancedenoefilsdadam1028]

This sampler has scsi

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

True