Samplers

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: 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