User manual AKAI S20

[. . . ] WARNING WARNING The S20 is designed to be used in a standard household environment. Please ensure that your S20 meets the power requirements in your area. If in doubt, consult a qualified electrician or Akai Professional dealer. 120 VAC 220230/240 VAC 240 VAC @ 60 Hz for USA and Canada @ 50 Hz for Europe @ 50 Hz for Australia PROTECTING YOURSELF AND THE S20 Never touch the AC plug with wet hands. [. . . ] There are three types of S20 files-ALL file; contains all banked samples with edit parameter values and sequence data, sample file that contains one banked sample with edit parameter values, and sequence file, contains only the sequence data. You can determine which file type is used when saving and loading data. Additionally, the S20 can load sample data from the sample library disks used with AKAI S-series samplers. For detailed information, see page 36. S20 - Version 7. 00 13 S20 Basics Programs You can use the S20 as a MIDI sound module by assigning a channel number and program number for each bank. · Multi-sampling and Examples of Layer Setting You can create sound layers by assigning the same MIDI channel number and program number to multiple banks. For example, use the following table when controlling the S20 with an 88-key MIDI keyboard. Sending MIDI program change 1 through 4 will allow you to play various bass sounds from a MIDI keyboard. If you send MIDI program change 5 and play, you will be able to play the strings which had been multi-sampled for each pitch. BANK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 PROG. NO. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 KEY RANGE 21 -108 21 -108 21 -108 21 -108 21 - 48 49 -72 73 -90 91 -108 SAMPLE Electric bass Chopper bass Acoustic bass Synthesizer bass Strings LOW Strings LOW MID Strings MID HIGH Strings HIGH 14 S20 - Version 1. 00 S20 Basics Also, if you use the following table to set the S20, a layered sound of piano and strings will play when MIDI program change 5 is sent. BANK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 PROG. NO. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 KEY RANGE 21 -108 21 -108 21 -108 21 -108 21 -72 73 -108 21 -72 73 -108 SAMPLE Electric bass Chopper bass Acoustic bass Synthesizer bass Strings LOW Strings HIGH Piano LOW Piano HIGH When program number 5 is selected note number · Example of Multi-timbre Sound Source Setting Changing the MIDI channel for each bank under the same program number will allow you to use the S20 as a multi-timbre sound source. program number MIDl channel For example, if you use the following settings and control the S20 from a sequencer, you can play a string ensemble. BANK 1 2 3 4 5 PROG. NO. 1 2 3 4 5 KEY RANGE 0 -127 0 -127 0 -127 0 -127 0 -127 SAMPLE Violin 1 Violin 2 Viola Cello Contra bass S20 - Version 1. 00 15 S20 Basics The Number of Simultaneously Generated Voices The S20 generates up to eight voices at one time. If you want to play more than eight voices at one time, the PRIORITY setting (see page 32) will determine which bank will be muted. For example, set the PRIORITY of the bank as illustrated above. When the bank tries to generate more than eight simultaneous voices, the sounds set to 0; (bank 4, bank 9, bank 15, and bank 16) will stop. Set the samples which will not affect the entire sound when stopped to "0" and set more essential as drum loops to HIGH. Note: If you set too many banks to HIGH and play them at the same time, some sounds may stop, even if they are set to HIGH. The Mode Structure and Operation Flow · S20 Mode Structure · Operational Flow 16 S20 - Version 1. 0O Play Mode Play Mode The S20 automatically enters Play mode when it is turned on. In Play mode you can play 16 banked samples using bank keys or other controls on the main panel. You can also use the unit as a MIDI sound module in this mode. Playback with Bank Keys Load the "Sound DISK #I" supplied. When the sample data is finished loading, LEDs for each bank containing samples will light up. Pressing any lit bank key plays the assigned sample. Playback with Hold Feature By using HOLD/LOOP, a sample set to LOOP ON can repeatedly be played after releasing its bank key. See page 36 for data loading. Note: Banks that are set to LOOP OFF (ONE SHOT) will not produce repeated playback when their bank keys and HOLD/LOOP are pressed. · Making a Sound layer · Press the bank 1 key followed by HOLD/LOOP for a drum loop. · Press the bank 2 key followed by HOLD/LOOP for a bass phrase layered on the drum. · Press the bank 3 key followed by HOLD/LOOP for a synthesizer phrase layered on the drum and bass. · Pressing ALL STOP stops all playback of currently looped sample phrases. Note: The S20 can play up to 8 samples at a time. When you attempt to play nine or more samples, samples currently playing will stop in the order specified with PRIORITY (See page 32. ). S20 - Version 1. 00 17 Play Mode · Switching to Another Loop · Press the bank I key followed by HOLD/LOOP for a drum loop. Consecutively press the bank 2 key followed by HOLD/LOOP for a bass phrase layered on the drum. [. . . ] Then set SAMPLE LENGTH to the same value as LOOP LENGTH to create a seamless loop. If you have made your loop correct by, that SAMPLE LENGTH and LOOP LENGTH will have the same value. If the values do not match, the phrase correctly for some measures and not others. To play several phrases synchronized throughout, SAMPLE LENGTH and LOOP LENGTH should have the same values. · · 44 S20 - Version 1. 00 Applications Controlling the S20 from a MIDI Keyboard You can use the S20 as a MIDI sound module with MIDI settings for individual banks-program number, MIDI channel, key range, etc. [. . . ]