Samplers

Advantages: THAT filter, very easy to use, graphical editing, warm sound
Disadvantages: monophonic outputs, not much memory, takes a while to load up disks

...rate of 32Khz and although casio claim 16 bit sampling, rumours have it that it is more like 12 bit sampling with 16 bit processing. This is what gives it the unique sound that is loved by artists such as u-ziq, Global Communications and Underworld. Once you recognise the sound you can hear it all over the Dubnobasswithmyheadman album. It is capable of producing fairly clean samples but this is not the point, if i wanted clean samples i would use ...
...memory although this can be expanded to 4MB if you can find a dealer. 1MB is just enough for 14 seconds sampling in mono at 32KHz. It may not sound like much but i have never needed more due to some extent to the ability to copy and edit samples without taking up extra memory. Around the back you will find 8 monophonic outputs and one polyphonic mix output. The monophonic outs are not really a problem as the FZ-1 is only 8 note polyphonic anyway. ... Read review

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 ...
...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 you'll make. Enjoy! ... Read review

Advantages: great sound, great features
Disadvantages: steep learning curve

I have used this machine for the past 4 years (and its predecessor the E64 for another 4) and rate them the best on the market. Even with all the soft sampling available nowadays, you can't substitute it for a hardware sampler for speed, ease of use and reliability. The E6400U has a great bottom end, its convertors are pretty good all round. Easy to get samples in, trimmed and ready to go once you get the hang of it ( takes about 2 hours with the ...
...that make this machine stand out. You can control the filters, lfos, envelopes and just about anything else with any parameter, so there endless mod possibilities. In-built FX, 8 outputs, SCSI, loadable up to 128mb of ram which is enough for any track, I wouldn't part with it for anything. ... Read review

Advantages: Was Industry standard, Easy to use
Disadvantages: Software samplers

I have had my S3000 XL for 5 years now, and with the prices you can pick thease up for now, they are a must for anyone who doesn't like working in the Computer Environment. They come out of the box with 2meg of Memory, but this is easly /cheaply upgraded to a maximum of 32Meg (which is more than enough) for most uses., It can sample at 2 reates , The CD standard 44KHZ, or a lower quality, more memory space 22KHz, it also has 10 outputs (YES 10?),and ...
...Zip/Hard drive and/or a CD rom,Filters, which you can assain to a controller like the Mod wheel etc.. I find this sampler very easy to use, and very inspiring for anyone who wants to get into or needs sampling in thier sonic scape.., I use this sampler on most of my tracks, which are mainly commercail Dance tracks, I find the 10 outputs are perfect for say slitting sounds like a drum kit, bass, etc, as with a Hardware mixer, Effect unit you can ... Read review

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

...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 ...
...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 reason for having one would be as a collector or enthusiast but not as a user. There are far, far, far better samplers available and I would consider the S900 a rare find. It was however an important link in the developement of ... Read review