Akai DIO-4

Advantages: quick to use
Disadvantages: lacks functionality, memory etc...

...This sampler reminds me of the first time I entered a real and professional studio in the early 90's! It was a time just before the Akai S2000 hit (see my review) and I was knocked out by it. Must say however that once the S2000 hit it was was the end of my love affair with the S900. It really did knock it out of the water. The S900 was an adequate sampler for the time, it was in a studio after all and that must have meant something, right? I remember it was easy to use and wasn't long before we were piecing together loops. If you've ever used an Akai sampler you'll be very aware of it's interface. This is a great feature of the Akai ranges and is a real benefit. this interface has been carried right through and even is a feature of the new Z4/8 series. Hand on heart I couldn't recommend an S900 in this day and age. The only... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Big pads easy to hit with a excellent solid build ,bright lcd ,note velocities
Disadvantages: its a midi pad controller so you will need a pc or laptop

..., i didnt even need to install the drivers supplied on the akai cd! General specifications : Mpc series style drum pad controller Usb or midi connection 16 velocity & pressure sensitive pads 4 selectable pad banks for a total of 64 pads 6 assignable faders for transmitting midi control change data 8 assignable 360 degree knobs 5 dedicated transport controls (play stop rewind fast fwd & record) Detailed bright lcd display Usb output Midi output Included editor librarian software (mac and pc) Includes a customised version of fxpansion's bfd lite... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: ease of use
Disadvantages: lack of memory compared to more modern samplers

...The Akai S2000 was without doubt a ground-breaking sampler. It was the first sampler I owned as a young and enthusiastic musician without much money to go around. Therein lies the beauty of the S2000, it really did open the doors to the masses who couldn't afford the prices of recording studios in those days (early 90's). Inspired by bands like Pop Will Eat Itself and Jesus Jones, Depeche Mode etc I was very quickly able to piece together music that wouldn't have been shamed next to the bands I loved. From a user friendly point of view it can't be beat. All functionality is reached easily within a few scolls of the beautifully intuitvive wheel selector (think Ipod click wheel years before!). It's an awesome bit of kit and if you're just starting out and need to get sampling in a hurry, get one, it'll be the best hardware purchase... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful