Akai S3200XL User manual

WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not
exposethisappliancetorainormoisture.
Operator’sManual
MIDI STEREO
DIGITAL SAMPLER
s3200xl

The lightning flash with the arrowhead symbol superimposed across a graphical
representationofaperson,withinanequilateraltriangle,isintendedtoalerttheuser
to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure;
that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intented to alert the user
tothepresenceofimportantoperatingandmaintenance(servicing)instructions
in the literature accompanying the appliance.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
THE SYMBOLS ARE RULED BY UL STANDARDS (U.S.A.)
5A-En
WARNING!!
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.
1-En

S3200XL Operator’s Manual - Version 1.00 i
WARNING
The S3200XL is designed to be used in a standard household environment.
Power requirements for electrical equipment vary from area to area. Please ensure that your
S3200XL meets the power requirements in your area. If in doubt, consult a qualified electrician
or Akai Professional dealer.
120 VAC @ 60 Hz for USA and Canada
220~230/240 VAC @ 50 Hz for Europe
240 VAC @ 50 Hz for Australia
PROTECTING YOURSELF AND THE S3200XL
• Never touch the AC plug with wet hands.
• Always disconnect the S3200XL from the power supply by pulling on the plug, not the cord.
• AllowonlyanAkaiProfessionaldealerorqualifiedprofessionalengineertorepairorreassemble
theS3200XL. Apartfromvoidingthewarranty,unauthorizedengineersmighttouchliveinternal
parts and receive a serious electrical shock.
• Do not put, or allow anyone to put any object, especially metal objects, into the S3200XL.
• Use only a household AC power supply. Never use a DC power supply.
• If water or any other liquid is spilled into or onto the S3200XL, disconnect the power, and call
your dealer.
• Make sure that the unit is well-ventilated, and away from direct sunlight.
• Toavoiddamagetointernalcircuitry,aswellastheexternalfinish,keeptheS3200XLawayfrom
sources of direct heat (stoves, radiators, etc.).
• Avoid using aerosol insecticides, etc. near the S3200XL. They may damage the surface, and
may ignite.
• Do not use denaturated alcohol, thinner or similar chemicals to clean the S3200XL. They will
damage the finish.
• Modification of this equipment is dangerous, and can result in the functions of the S3200XL
being impaired. Never attempt to modify the equipment in any way.
• Make sure that the S3200XL is always well-supported when in use (either in a specially-
designed equipment rack, or a firm level surface).
• When installing the S3200XL in a 19" rack system, always allow 1U of ventilated free space
aboveit toallow forcooling. Make surethat theback ofthe rackis unobstructedto allowa clear
airflow.
• In order to assure optimum performance of your S3200XL, select the setup location carefully,
and make sure the equipment is used properly. Avoid setting up the S3200XL in the following
locations:
1. In a humid or dusty environment
2. In a room with poor ventilation
3. On a surface which is not horizontal
4. Inside a vehicle such as a car, where it will be subject to vibration
5. In an extremely hot or cold environment
WARNING

ii S3200XL Operator’s Manual - Version 1.00
VENTILATION
Do not prevent the unit's ventilation, especially by placing the unit on the soft carpet, in a narrow space, or by
placing objects on the unit's chassis—top, side, or rear panels. Always keep the unit's chassis at least 10
centimeters from any other objects. 31C-En
This equipment conforms to No.82/499/EEC, 87/308 EEC standard. 3A-En
CONFORME AL D.M. 13 APRILE 1989 DIRETTIVA CEE/87/308 3B-It
WARNING
WARNING
THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED
IMPORTANT
This equipment is fitted with an approved non-rewireable UK mains plug.
To change the fuse in this type of plug proceed as follows:
1) Remove the fuse cover and old fuse.
2) Fit a new fuse which should be a BS1362 5 Amp A.S.T.A or BSI approved type.
3) Refit the fuse cover.
If the AC mains plug fitted to the lead supplied with this equipment is not suitable for your type of AC outlet
sockets,itshouldbechangedto an ACmainslead,completewithmoulded plug,totheappropriatetype.If this
is not possible, the plug should be cut off and a correct one fitted to suit the AC outlet. This should be fused
at 5 Amps.
If a plug without a fuse is used, the fuse at the distribution board should NOT BE GREATER than 5 Amp.
PLEASE NOTE: THE SEVERED PLUG MUST BE DESTROYED TO AVOID A POSSIBLE SHOCK
HAZARD SHOULD IT BE INSERTED INTO A 13 AMP SOCKET ELSEWHERE.
The wires in this mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code:
GREEN and YELLOW — EARTH
BLUE — NEUTRAL
BROWN — LIVE
Asthe coloursof thewires inthe mainslead ofthis apparatusmaynot correspondwith thecoloured markings
identifying the terminals in your plug, please proceed as follows:
The wire which is coloured GREEN and YELLOW must be connected to the terminal which is marked
withtheletterEorwiththesafetyearthsymbol orcolouredGREENorcolouredGREENandYELLOW.
The wire which is coloured BLUE must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter N or
coloured BLACK.
The wire which is coloured BROWN must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter L
or coloured RED.
THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED
Ensure that all the terminals are securely tightened and no loose strands of wire exist.
Before replacing the plug cover, make certain the cord grip is clamped over the outer sheath of the lead and
not simply over the wires.
6D-En

S3200XL Operator’s Manual - Version 1.00 iii
WARNING
CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS NOT EXPRESSLY APPROYED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR
COMPLIANCE COULD VOID THE USER’S AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT. 32-En
FCC WARNING
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part
15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in
a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installedand usedin accordancewith theinstructions, maycause harmfulinterferenceto radiocommunications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
causeharmfulinterference toradio ortelevisionreception, whichcan bedetermined by turningthe equipmentoff
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. 21B-En
AVIS POUR LES ACHETEURS CANADIENS DU S3200XL
Le présent appareil numérique n’ément pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux
appareils numériques de la Class B prescrites dans le Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par
le ministère des Communications du Canada. 27-F
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set
out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications. 27-En
FÜR KUNDEN IN DER BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND
Bescheinigung von AKAI
Hiermit wird bescheinigt, daß das Gerät AKAI
S3200XL
in Übereinstimmung mit den Bestimmungen der
Amtsblattverfügung 1046/1984
funkentstört ist.
Der Deutschen Bundespostwurde das Inverkehrbringen dieses Gerätes angezeigt und die Berichtigung zur
Überprüfung der Serie auf Einhaltung der Bestimmungen eingeräumt.
AKAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD. 17B-G
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
TheAKAIS3200XLisacomputer-baseddevice,andassuchcontainsandusessoftwareinROMs.
Thissoftware,andallrelateddocumentation,includingthisOperator’sManual,containproprietary
information which is protected by copyright laws. All rights are reserved. No part of the software
oritsdocumentationmaybecopied,transferredormodified. Youmaynotmodify,adapt,translate,
lease, distribute, resell for profit or create derivative works based on the software and its related
documentationoranypartthereofwithoutpriorwrittenconsentfromAKAIElectricCo.Ltd,Tokyo,
Japan.

iv S3200XL Operator’s Manual - Version 1.00
WARRANTY
AKAI Electric Co. Ltd. warrants its products, when purchased from an authorized “AKAI
professional” dealer, to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 12
(twelve) months from the date of purchase. Warranty service is effective and available to the
originalpurchaseonly,andonlyoncompletionandreturnoftheAKAIWarrantyRegistrationCard
within 14 days of purchase.
Warrantycoverageisvalidforfactory-authorizedupdatestoAKAIinstrumentsandtheirsoftware,
when their installation is performed by an authorized AKAI Service Center, and a properly
completed Warranty Registration has been returned to your “AKAI professional” dealer.
To obtain service under this warranty, the product must, on discovery of the detect, be properly
packed and shipped to the nearest AKAI Service Center. The party requesting warranty service
must provide proof of original ownership and date of purchase of the product.
If the warranty is valid, AKAI will, without charge for parts or labor, either repair or replace the
defective part(s). Without a valid warranty, the entire cost of the repair (parts and labor) is the
responsibility of the product's owner.
AKAI warrants that it will make all necessary adjustments, repairs and replacements at no cost to
the original owner within 12 (twelve) months of the purchase date if:
1) The product fails to perform its specified functions due to failure of one or more of its
components.
2) The product fails to perform its specified functions due to defects in workmanship.
3) The product has been maintained and operated by the owner in strict accordance with the
written instructions for proper maintenance and use as specified in this Operator's Manual.
Beforepurchaseanduse,ownersshoulddeterminethesuitabilityoftheproductfortheirintended
use, and owner assumes all risk and liability whatsoever in connection therewith. AKAI shall not
be liable for any injury, loss or damage, direct or consequential, arising out of use, or inability to
use the product.
Thewarrantyprovidesonlythosebenefitsspecified,anddoesnotcoverdefectsorrepairsneeded
as a result of acts beyond the control of AKAI, including but not limited to:
1) Damage caused by abuse, accident, negligence. AKAI will not cover under warranty any
original factory disk damaged or destroyed as a result of the owner's mishandling.
2) Damagecausedbyanytampering,alterationormodificationoftheproduct:operatingsoftware,
mechanical or electronic components.
3) Damage caused by failure to maintain and operate the product in strict accordance with the
written instructions for proper maintenance and use as specified in this Operator's Manual.
4) Damage caused by repairs or attempted repairs by unauthorized persons.
5) Damage caused by fire, smoke, falling objects, water or other liquids, or natural events such
as rain, floods, earthquakes, lightning, tornadoes, storms, etc.
6) Damage caused by operation on improper voltages.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Thiswarrantybecomes voidifthe productoritssoftwareiselectroni-
cally modified, altered or tampered with in any way.
AKAI shall not be liable for costs involved in packing or preparing the product for shipping, with
regard to time, labor, or materials, shipping or freight costs, or time or expense involved in
transporting the product to and from AKAI Authorized Service Center or Authorized Dealer.
AKAIwillnotcover under warrantyanapparentmalfunction that isdeterminedto be usererror,or
owner's inability to use the product.
THE DURATION OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER IMPLIED OR EXPRESS, IN-
CLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED CONDITION OF MERCHANTABILITY, IS
LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THE EXPRESS WARRANTY HEREIN.
AKAI hereby excludes incidental or consequential damages, including but not limited to:
1) Loss of time.
2) Inconvenience
3) Delay in performance of the Warranty.
4) The loss of use of the product.
5) Commercial loss.
6) Breach of any express or implied warranty, including the Implied Warranty of Merchantability,
applicable to this product.
WARANTY

INTRODUCTION................................................................................1
FEATURES .........................................................................................................2
ABOUT THIS MANUAL...........................................................................................5
FRONT PANEL.....................................................................................................6
TAKING CARE OF YOUR DISKS..............................................................................8
REAR PANEL ......................................................................................................10
SETTING UP THE S3200XL....................................................................................13
CONNECTIONS ...................................................................................................13
LOADING THE DEMO FLOPPY DISKS......................................................................14
MOUNTING THE S3200XL......................................................................................15
GETTING AROUND THE S3200XL ...........................................................................16
OPERATING MODES................................................................................16
SOFT KEYS ............................................................................................16
SELECTING PARAMETERS AND ENTERING DATA.........................................17
NAMING FILES - THE NAME KEY ................................................................19
THE ENT/PLAY KEY .................................................................................19
LCD CONTRAST.......................................................................................19
RECORD LEVEL, MAIN VOLUME, HEADPHONE OUTPUT............................................20
HOW THE S3200XL WORKS...................................................................................21
S3200XL FLOWCHART..........................................................................................22
SINGLE MODE..................................................................................25
SELECTING PROGRAMS ......................................................................................25
VIEWING PROGRAMS..........................................................................................26
SETTING PROGRAM LEVELS, PAN, FX SENDS.........................................................26
SETTING PROGRAMS’ MIDI PARAMETERS..............................................................27
SETTING PROGRAM LOUDNESS AND VELOCITY......................................................29
LOADING FROM FLOPPY DISK ..............................................................................30
LOADING FROM HARD DISK..................................................................................31
DELETING PROGRAMS ........................................................................................32
RENUMBERING PROGRAMS .................................................................................34
USING THE S3200XL IN ‘OLD AKAI’ MODE! ..............................................................35
USING SELECT PROG - PROGRAMS WITH THE SAME NUMBER ......................35
LAYERING PROGRAMS............................................................................35
CREATING KEYBOARD SPLITS..................................................................35
USING RENUMBERING TO CREATE MULTI-TIMBRAL SETUPS.........................36
SINGLE VS MULTI....................................................................................37
MULTI MODE - COMBINING SEVERAL PROGRAMS......................................39
ASSIGNING PROGRAMS TO PARTS .......................................................................40
SETTING A PART’S MIDI CHANNEL.........................................................................40
MIXING THE PARTS .............................................................................................40
SENDING PARTS TO THE INTERNAL EFFECTS .........................................................40
ASSIGNING PARTS TO THE INDIVIDUAL OUTPUTS...................................................41
TUNING AND TRANSPOSING PARTS.......................................................................41
SETTING A PART’S LOW AND HIGH KEYRANGES .....................................................41
SETTING A PART’S PRIORITY................................................................................42
INITIALISING A PART...........................................................................................42
SETTING UP A MULTI ...........................................................................................43
MODIFYING THE MULTI ........................................................................................44
NAMING A MULTI.................................................................................................45
SAVING A MULTI .................................................................................................45
LOADING A MULTI ...............................................................................................45
RENUMBERING PROGRAMS .................................................................................46
USING MULTI MODE FOR LAYERING PROGRAMS.....................................................49
USING MULTI MODE TO SET KEYBOARD SPLITS......................................................50
PROGRAM EDITING...........................................................................52
WHAT IS A KEYGROUP?.......................................................................................53
KEYGROUP ZONES .............................................................................................54
OVERLAPPING AND CROSSFADING KEYGROUPS ...................................................55
ASSIGNABLE PROGRAM MODULATION..................................................................56
EDIT SINGLE ......................................................................................................60
NAMING PROGRAMS - COPYING AND RENAMING ....................................................61
DELETING PROGRAMS ........................................................................................62
MIDI PAGE .........................................................................................................66
OUTPUT LEVELS PAGE........................................................................................68

PAN PAGE..........................................................................................................71
THE TUNE PAGE..................................................................................................73
MODULATION PAGES ..........................................................................................74
PITCH BEND ...........................................................................................74
LFO1 .....................................................................................................76
SETTING LFO1 MODULATION DEPTH..........................................................79
LFO2 .....................................................................................................80
SETTING UP THE SOFT PEDAL ..................................................................83
PORTAMENTO ........................................................................................84
KEYGROUP PARAMETERS - CREATING KEYGROUPS...............................................87
MAPPING OUT YOUR KEYGROUPS - SETTING KEYSPAN ..............................90
ASSIGNING SAMPLES TO KEYGROUPS AND ZONES - SMP1......................................92
SMP2.....................................................................................................95
SMP3.....................................................................................................97
THE FILTERS ......................................................................................................98
ENV1 - SHAPING AMPLITUDE................................................................................101
ENV2 - SHAPING THE FILTER ................................................................................103
USING THE FILTER AND ENVELOPE GENERATORS......................................104
THE SECOND FILTERS .........................................................................................105
CREATING 24db/8ve 4-POLE LOWPASS FILTER...........................................109
THE TONE PAGE .....................................................................................111
ENV3.................................................................................................................113
KEYGROUP PITCH/AMPLITUDE MODULATION.........................................................114
EDIT MULTI.....................................................................................116
SCREEN DIFFERENCES IN EDIT MULTI ...................................................................116
SAMPLE MODE.................................................................................118
WHAT IS SAMPLING?...........................................................................................118
RECORD MODE...................................................................................................120
THE MAIN RECORD PAGE.....................................................................................123
NAMING SAMPLES FOR RECORDING .....................................................................123
ADJUSTING THE RECORDING AND THRESHOLD LEVELS ..........................................125
RECORDING ON THE S3200XL...............................................................................125
DIGITAL RECORDING...........................................................................................126
EDIT SAMPLE ..................................................................................128
NAMING SAMPLES - COPYING AND RENAMING .......................................................130
DELETING SAMPLES ...........................................................................................131
TRIMMING SAMPLES ...........................................................................................132
LOOPING...........................................................................................................136
LOOP AUTO FIND AND CROSSFADE LOOPING.........................................................137
MAKING A GOOD LOOP............................................................................139
LEVEL NORMALISATION ......................................................................................141
DSP FUNCTIONS - TIMESTRETCH, RE-SAMPLING AND EQ.........................................142
TIMESTRETCH ........................................................................................142
PERFORMING A TIMESTRETCH .................................................................145
RE-SAMPLING ........................................................................................146
PERFORMING A RE-SAMPLE.....................................................................147
EQ........................................................................................................148
EQ’ING A SAMPLE...................................................................................150
USING THE EQ........................................................................................150
FURTHER EDITING FUNCTIONS .............................................................................151
THE PARAMETER PAGE ...........................................................................151
REVERSING SAMPLES.............................................................................153
SECTIONAL EDITING ...............................................................................154
THE JOIN PAGE ......................................................................................157
SPLICING SAMPLES................................................................................157
CROSSFADING .......................................................................................158
MIXING AND LAYERING SAMPLES.............................................................158
SETTING DIGITAL FADES .........................................................................160
EFFECTS MODE................................................................................162
ORGANISATION OF EFFECTS FILES.......................................................................164
ASSIGNING EFFECTS TO SINGLE PROGRAMS ........................................................165
ASSIGNING EFFECTS TO MULTI PARTS..................................................................167
ASSIGNING EFFECTS TO INDIVIDUAL KEYGROUPS.................................................169
PROCESSING EXTERNAL SOUND SOURCES THROUGH THE EFFECTS........................170