Description | The Z8 Sampler from Akai Professional was released in 2002 with a ground breaking set of specs. For the first time a hardware sampler offered 24 bit/96 khz resolution and integrated with the ak.Sys PC/Mac control and networking software.
Unlike the Z4 the Z8 has a removable front panel LCD screen to make editing life with the Z8 a lot easier. The unit features automation of routine sampler functions while still supporting S Series however this time around the Z series offers the operational functions of the MPC series of Samplers. Like before the unit is also a synthesizer with 3 envelope generators, 2 multiwave LFO's, a dynamic digital resonant filter, with a maximum polyphony of 64 voices. |
| Brand | Akai |
| Model | Z8 |
| Device | Sampler |
| Type | Rack |
| Engine Type | Digital |
| Engine | Sample |
| Voices (max) | 64 |
| Multitimbral | 32 |
| Oscillators | 1 |
| LFO | 2 LFO Parameters: Sample & Hold, Saw Up, Saw Down, Sine, Square, Triangle |
| Sampler | 16 bit, 24 bit, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 96 kHz, Loop, One Shot (Phrase), Multi-Sample |
| Filter (VCF) | 12dB Slope (2-pole), Low Pass, Resonance |
| Envelope (VCA) | 3x ADSR |
| FX | 4 multi-effects processors |
| Memory | Hard drive |
| Keys | 0 |
| Key type | N/A |
| Velocity | N/A |
| Aftertouch | N/A |
| Audio | Stereo in-out, Digital I-O, ADAT |
| Midi | I-O/T 2x, USB |
|
Produced: | 2002 - 2002 |
| Legend: |
Obvious |
Y: Yes, N: No, N/A: Not Applicable |
| VCO |
Voltage Controlled Oscillator |
DCO |
Digital Controlled Oscillator |
| LFO |
Low Frequency Oscillator |
Sub |
Sub Oscillator |
| VCF |
Voltage Controlled Filter |
VCA |
Voltage Controlled Amplifier |
| Velocity |
As with a piano, the harder you hit a key, the louder the sound, unlike most organs which always produce the same loudness no matter how hard you hit a key. |
Aftertouch |
Pressing a key after you activated it. Channel Aftertouch, no matter which key, it will send a Channel message. Poly Aftertouch, sends the pressure per key instead of the whole channel. |
| Values for OSC, LFO, Filter, Envelope are per voice unless stated otherwise. |
