Akai S-700

[Hair]

Couldn't decide whether to post this here or in Buyers Guide (mods move if needed?)

Found someone selling an S-700 locally for $50, already own an S-612 which I love dearly, also own a busted up AX-60 that I'd like to get working again one day.

Seems like the 700 is very similar to the 612 except the max 8 seconds of sample time (at 4khz) is split up into 6 slots - a max of about 1.3 seconds/slot? Is that right? I understand each of the slots' sample time is unaffected by the others and can only be 1/6th of the available memory.

It does seem like it would be a great way to make awesomely grungy drum kits, especially for $50 - anyone have any thoughts?

[nathanscribe]

What are you asking us for? It's cheap and might be interesting. Just buy it and report back.

[THEODICY]

I'm sure you can re-sell it for what you paid if you don't like it. "Renting" as I like to call it is half the fun.

[gmeredith]

Make sure the floppy drive works in it or it is a boat anchor, you won't be able to save your samples. It uses those annoying 2.8" quick disks so I hope it came with some because they're hard to get. The drives have a rubber pulley belt in them which ends up stretching or breaking and is the most common reason for these drives to die. You can replace the belt but it is an annoying job. There is a sample dumper/loader written for old Atari computers that you can do it with instead if you have the gear.

Yes, each sample slot is dedicated and is a defined length and not affected by the others.
Drum loops sound unbelievably fat and smooth and lo-fi at low bitrates.
You can get a sample expansion board ASK-70 that adds another 10 sample slots plus these are battery backed up and retain their samples when powered down. I have an S700 with it and is the ants-pants! You might find one on ebay if you're lucky.