Akai s2000 User Manual

PROGRAM EDIT
Page 86 S2000 Operator’s Manual - Version 1.30
SETTING A KEYGROUP’S KEY RANGE
The next two pages down allows you to set the low and high note of the keygroup:
The SPAN page is where you actually set the keygroups’ key span. Use the outer SELECT
wheel to select the keygroup and press F1 to set the LOW note using the DATA wheel and
press F2 to set the HIGH note using the DATA wheel. Alternatively, you can move the cursor to
the KG field and use the DATA wheel to select the keygroup.
NOTES ON SETTING KEYSPAN RANGES
Setting a keyspan range is the key to multi-sampling on the S2000. Most sounds you sample
cannot be transposed over an infinite range for several reasons. Firstly, the sample speeds up
and down as you transpose the sound (much like playing a record or tape machine at higher or
lower speeds) so a one second sample taken at C3 will only last half a second an octave up
plus, any attributes such as vibrato will also be twice as fast (or twice as slow if transposed down
an octave, of course). Also, many sounds have fixed tonal qualities which, on the real thing, do
not transpose but, if sampled and transposed on a sampler, distort the sound in odd ways (for
example, this is why samples of the human voice do not transpose well and give rise to the
characteristic “munchkinisation” effect. Pianos also suffer badly in this respect). So, to
overcome this, we sample the sound at a variety of pitches across the instruments range and
then map them out across the keyboard using the SPAN page.
Some sounds can get away with just one or two samples across the keyboard range, others
may need one sample per octave whilst others need even more. Perhaps the ultimate multi-
sample you can set up is one sample every minor third - this means that the sample is never
transposed more than a semi-tone up or down. Of course, memory constraints often prevent
this from being practical and unless your sampler has the full complement of memory (and you
have the time and patience to do it!), most of us take one or two samples per octave.
If you plan taking one sample per octave, it is recommended you sample each sound on G (i.e..
G1, G2, G3, G4, etc.) and map the keygroups’ ranges C0-B1, C2-B2, C3-B3, etc.., so that each
sample is transposed up and down an equal amount. However, there are no hard and fast rules
for this and so experimentation is the name of the game.
Whatever keyspan you set, however, there may be times where there is an abrupt tonal
change between adjacent keygroups. If this happens, then the KEYGROUP CROSSFADE
function described above can often help overcome this. By overlapping the keyspan ranges
and switch the keygroup crossfade function on, you can smooth out the transition. I.e.:
KGRP SAMPLE NAME LO HI
KG01: STRING G1 C0 E2
KG02: STRING G2 A1 E3
KG03: STRING G3 A2 E4
KG04: STRING G4 A3 E5
KG05: STRING G5 A4 G8
A few semitones overlap is usually all that’s required to create a good crossfade.

Akai s2000 Specifications

General

Type	Sampler
Polyphony	32 voices
Sampling Frequency	44.1kHz
Filters	Digital low-pass filter
MIDI	In, Out, Thru
Bit Depth	16-bit
Memory	2 MB, expandable to 32 MB
Outputs	8 individual outputs, stereo master output
LFO	1 LFO
Display	LCD
Storage	3.5" Floppy Disk
Inputs	Stereo input

Summary

Safety, Warnings, and Warranty

General Safety Precautions

Guidelines to prevent fire, shock hazards, and ensure safe operation of the S2000.

Warranty Information

Details of the product warranty period, coverage, and service procedures.

Introduction to the Akai S2000

S2000 Features and Specifications

Detailed list of S2000 features including polyphony, memory, and I/O.

Front and Rear Panel Overview

Description of controls, displays, and connectors on the front and rear panels.

Operating Modes Explained

Overview of the different operating modes: Single, Multi, Sample, Effects, Edit, Global, Save, Load.

Getting Started and System Overview

Initial Setup and Connections

Steps for connecting peripherals and powering up the S2000.

Loading Sounds and Demo Sequence

Procedures for loading sounds from disk and playing the demo sequence.

How the S2000 Works

Explanation of samples, programs, keygroups, and modulation.

Load Mode Operations

Loading from Floppy and Hard Disks

Steps for loading data from floppy and hard disks.

Selective Loading Options

Loading multis, programs, samples, or individual items.

Loading Operating Systems and External Libraries

Loading OS and sounds from other manufacturers' disks.

Save Mode Operations

Saving Entire Memory Contents

Procedure for saving all data to floppy or hard disk.

Saving Specific Items and Systems

Saving multis, programs, samples, and operating systems.

Deleting Items and Naming Volumes

Deleting files from disk and naming disk volumes.

Single Mode Operation

Playing and Managing Programs

Playing, renumbering, and deleting programs in Single mode.

Layering and Multi-Timbral Setups

Creating layered sounds and multi-timbral setups in Single mode.

Single vs. Multi Mode Comparison

Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of Single and Multi modes.

Multi Mode Operations

Setting Up and Modifying Multis

Assigning programs to parts and modifying multi parameters.

Part Parameters and Routing

Setting MIDI channels, levels, pan, and output routing for parts.

Layering and Keyboard Splits

Combining techniques for layering sounds and creating keyboard splits.

Program Edit Functions

Understanding Keygroups and Zones

Keygroup definition, zones, and sample assignment.

Filter and Envelope Generator Settings

Editing filter parameters and using envelope generators (ENV1, ENV2, ENV3).

Modulation Sources and Pitch Control

Using LFOs, APM, and pitch bend for sound modulation.

Velocity, Looping, and Timestretch

Editing sample parameters like velocity, loops, and timestretch.

Sample Edit Functions

Trimming and Normalizing Samples

Removing dead space and optimizing sample levels.

Looping and Crossfading Samples

Creating loops, tuning loops, and using crossfade looping.

Re-sampling and Timestretch

Optimizing memory with re-sampling and altering sample length with timestretch.

Effects Mode and Editing

Multi-Effects Processor Overview

Description of the 4-channel effects processor and its channels.

Delay, Reverb, and Modulation Effects

Editing parameters for delay, reverb, chorus, flange, and phase effects.

EQ, Rotary Speaker, and Autopan Effects

Adjusting EQ, rotary speaker, and autopan effects.

Pitch Shift and Chaining Effects

Using pitch shift, chaining effects, and routing options.

Global Mode Settings

MIDI, Controller, and SCSI Settings

Configuring MIDI channels, controllers, and SCSI ID.

Disk Formatting and Management

Formatting disks and managing disk operations.

DAT Backup/Restore and SMF Playback

Using DAT for backup and playing SMF files.

Appendices and Technical Information

Connecting External Devices

Guide to connecting SCSI devices and understanding SCSI cable requirements.

Data Compatibility Issues

Information on compatibility with older Akai sampler data formats.

Installing Options and Memory

Instructions for installing optional hardware like filters, effects, and memory.

S2000 Specifications and MIDI Chart

Detailed technical specifications and MIDI implementation chart.