S20 - Version 1.00

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 installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off 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. 21 B-En
AVIS POUR LES ACHETEURS CANADIENS DU S20
Le present appareil numerique n'ement pas de bruits radioelectriques depassant les limites applicables aux appareils numeriques de la Class B prescrites clans le Reglement sur le brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le ministere 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
CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS NOT EXPRESSLY APPROVED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR COMPLIANCE COULD VOID THE USER'S AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT. 32-En

Copyright Notice

The AKAI S20 is a computer-based instrument and uses software contained in ROMs and floppy disks. Software that is provided with the instrument, including information contained in this manual, is copyrighted by applicable laws. You can use that software or information concerning the instrument only for personal use. You are strictly prohibited to copy or modify any part of the software or manual without written permission from AKAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD. in Japan.

S20 - Version l.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 original purchase only, and only on completion and return of the AKAI Warranty Registration Card within 14 days of purchase. Warranty coverage is valid for factory-authorized updates to AKAI instruments and their software, 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. Before purchase and use, owners should determine the suitability of the product for their intended 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. The warranty provides only those benefits specified, and does not cover defects or repairs needed 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) Damage caused by any tampering, alteration or modification of the product: operating software, 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: This warranty becomes void if the product or its software is electronically 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. AKAI will not cover under warranty an apparent malfunction that is determined to be user error, or owner's inability to use the product. THE DURATION OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER IMPLIED OR EXPRESS, INCLUDING 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.

Note: In this manual, the names of main panel controllers (keys) are represented in bold.

Panel Descriptions

Main Panel

1. MAIN VOLUME

Adjusts the output level and headphone level at OUTPUT.
5. Press this key to decrease the number on the display. Keep pressing this key to decrease the number continuously. Also, if you press [+] while holding down this key, the number will decrease rapidly.

2. REC LEVEL

Adjusts the input level at INPUT. The current input level is shown on the LEVEL METER. In REC standby mode, the LEDs on the left column of the Edit Matrixes function as a level meter, allowing you to check the level.
Press this key to increase the number on the display. Keep pressing this key to increase the number continuously. Also, if you press [-] while holding down this key, the number will increase rapidly.

3. PROG.No./DATA

The display shows information such as a parameter, symbol, current status, etc., depending on the current mode selection.

7. Cursor keys

Used to select a parameter in Edit Matrix when you are working in Edit mode; The cursor keys are also used to show a total sampling time with ~ cursor key (in seconds, at 32 kHz sampling frequency, mono) or remaining sampling time with the other cursor keys in Play mode and Sequence mode.

4. COARSE

This is used while you are editing the starting point or length of a sample to move quickly through the sample data. Press [+][-] while holding down this key to increase or decrease the first two digits of the number on the display. This also switches between stereo and monaural while you are sampling.

8. Edit Matrix

This edit parameter map gives you fast access to a desired parameter; Move the light of an LED (left/ right/up/down) using cursor keys. The lit LEDs indicate the current parameter at their cross point in the matrix. The current parameter value is shown in PROG.No./DATA.

14. REVERSE

Pressing this along with a bank key causes a reversed playback of the corresponding sample; Releasing this with the bank key held down changes to normal playback of that sample.

15. SEQ 9. REC

Pressing this key starts the sampling process; Pressing this key puts the S20 in record standby status; 'Consecutively pressing one of the bank keys starts sampling. REC is also used to execute commands in Edit mode and to start and stop sequence recording in Sequence mode. Pressing this key lights its LED and the S20 enters Sequence mode. Pressing the key a second time returns the unit to Play mode.

16. EDIT

The label should be facing upwards when it is inserted (actually, it is physically impossible to insert disks the wrong way round without using an extreme amount of force!). To eject the disk, simply press the DISK EJECT button. While loading, saving or formatting the disk, the DISK ACTIVITY LED will be lit. NEVER press DISK EJECT button while the LED is lit. It is important to remember that, unlike a synthesizer, the S20 has no means of storing sounds in its internal memory. As a result, it is vital that you save your work to disk before turning the power off otherwise you will lose your work and, unless previously saved or backed up, it will be gone for ever. In fact, it is a good idea to regularly save your work as you are working. All good computer users do this as it prevents the accidental loss of data should power be accidentally removed from the instrument. This also serves as a form of `undo' - if you make some kind of mistake in your programming and editing and can't fix it, you can load the last level of editing back into the sampler. It may be a bit tedious to have to stop every now and then to save your work but it is better than losing some valuable sounds.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR DISKS
These floppy disks contain valuable sound data and, as such, should be treated with extreme care. Therefore, please observe the following points: Never slide the metal cover back and touch the disk. Finger marks may render the disk unreadable. Don't leave the disk in the drive whenever possible. When the disk is in the drive, the metal protective cover slides back exposing the actual disk inside and this makes it susceptible to picking up dust which may cause read errors. Do not leave your disks in a hot car.
Do not place your disks next to any magnetic sources such as speakers, amplifiers, televisions, etc. Also, try to avoid X-ray machines but with the added security at airports these days, this may not be possible. At airports, it is sometimes possible to ask for your disks to be inspected by hand at security desks. Always check with the security officer, just in case. Security X-ray machines are generally safe with disks, though. If in doubt, make backup copies which should be left at home.
Note: Some checked-in luggage are X-rayed by quite powerful machines that are not as safe as those that check hand luggage. It is probably best to take your disks as hand luggage.
Do not leave your disks around liquids - one accidental spill could ruin a lot of work! Always use high quality disks. While cheap ones may be appealing, they are prone to errors more than good ones. Try to ensure that the write protect tab is switched on (i.e. the tab not blocking the hole). This will prevent accidental erasure, formatting and loss of data. It may be a nuisance to try to write to the disk and find it write protected but it is less of a nuisance than accidentally over-writing a set of your favourite samples and programs! Try to get into the habit of labelling your disks - it will pay dividends when you are searching for something. Invest in a sturdy carrying case for your floppies, especially if you are a gigging musician. Heavy duty metal camera cases are ideal and some flight case manufacturers now make special heavy duty disk flightcases. Even if you are using a hard disk of any sort, please make sure you have backed up your work to floppy disks. It can be time consuming but it will be worth it if you ever have a problem with your hard disk! Supplied Disks Your S20 comes with four sound disks. A portion of this manual is described using such disks. The following is the contents of the sound disk.

Sampling

1. Make sure that the S20 is in Play mode (with EDIT and SEQ LEDs both turned off) and start the sound source (i.e. the CD player, cassette or turntable). 2. Press REC.
3. Adjust the source input level that is shown in LEVEL METER (the LEDs lined vertically under Edit Matrix), using REC LEVEL; Set the level as high as possible, but do not light up the top LED.
Set the level so this top LED does not light up.
4. Press the bank key of an empty bank (one with its LED turned off) at the point you want to start sampling. Press STOP at the point you want to stop sampling/recording. You can have up to 16 samples within the memory of the S20. 5. The recorded sample (from the CD player or turntable) will play each time the corresponding bank key is pressed. Note; If F u L L blinks when you have started sampling by pressing a bank key, there is no more free memory. If you have a dispensable bank, press that bank key while holding down ERASE to erase the sound. By erasing the sound, the memory used for that bank will be accessable and you will be able to sample new sounds.

S20 Basics

Your S20 can easily record any source sounds from a CD; It can take samples of acoustic instruments such as piano, strings, percussion, etc., or sound effects such as wind, rain, human voice, etc. These or other sounds can easily be fed to the S20 as long as they are in the form of audio signals that can be connected to the S20's INPUT. Once these sounds have been recorded or sampled, you can simply play them using the 16 bank keys or an external MIDI keyboard. Also, these samples can be edited using several edit parameters like BEAT LOOP FUNCTION that enables tempo-matched looping.
The S20 provides 16 banks, into each of which you can record a sample or load sample data from sound library disks. Each bank has edit parameters such as looping, level, pitch, etc.

Memory

Your S20 comes with 1-megabyte of RAM installed. A portion of the S20's memory is used in the operating system. Its remaining memory is used for the user area where you can record or load up to 14 seconds of mono sample data sampled at 32 kHz. You can display the total sampling time by pressing the up cursor key in Play mode; Other cursor keys display the remaining free memory display. You can use the total sampling time (user area) freely for each of 16 banks; One bank can use up all the user memory or several banks can share it, as shown in the following illustrations. Example 1: All memory used for bank 1 only.

The S20 generates up to eight voices at one time. A bank with stereo sampling uses two voices. 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. The bank sounds set to HIGH will not stop sounding. 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

S20 - Version 1.0O

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. See page 36 for data loading. 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. With the following examples use "Sound DISK #1". 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.).
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. Press HOLD/LOOP followed by the bank 3 key; The drum and bass loops stop and you have only the synthesizer loop from bank 3. Pressing ALL STOP stops all playback that currently loops.
Press HOLD/LOOP along with the bank 1 key. Press HOLD/LOOP along with the bank 2 key. Press the bank 3 key along with HOLDILOOP. Press ALL STOP.

Canceling Loop Playback

ALL STOP Pressing this key stops all current playback regardless of looping or non-looping samples.
STOP Pressing this key stops a selected sample. Press the bank I key followed by HOLD/LOOP for a drum loop, press the bank 2 key followed by HOLD/ LOOP, and press the bank 3 key followed by HOLD/LOOP for a triple loop of the drum, bass and synthesizer samples. Pressing the bank 1 key along with STOP stops only the drum loop; The other two samples go on looping. Press the bank 1 key along with STOP

Tips for Sampling

To stop recording, pressing HOLD/LOOP instead of STOP starts immediate playback of that recording; It may loop depending on the bank setting. If there is no need to change the sampling frequency or trigger level, you can make subsequent recordings by pressing REC and a bank key only. In record standby status (after the step 5 described before), pressing a bank key containing a sample, along with HOLD/LOOP, starts playback of that sample. You can record a new sample to another bank by consecutively pressing its bank key. It is a performance-oriented way; For instance, you set the unit in record standby status and start hold playback of a sample. If you stop recording by HOLD/LOOP, the current playback will be replaced with the recording you have just made. Press ALL STOP to stop looped playback on hold.

Edit Mode

In Edit mode, you can edit a samples, set bank and MIDI parameters, as well as access the BEAT LOOP settings, sample load/save, and disk functions. All of these edit operations are found in the Edit Matrix located on the top right of the S20 main panel, making it easy to access any editing functions.
Operational Procedure in Edit Mode
1. Press the EDIT button when the LED is on. You are in Edit mode.
2. Move the LED lights in the Edit Matrix using the cursor keys, to select an edit parameter, The row and column LED lights indicate the current parameter selection at their cross point in the matrix.
With LOOP LENGTH selected
3. Press a bank key to select a sample for editing. (In Edit mode, only one bank LED will be lit at a time) It is a target for editing.
4. Set a parameter value using [+][-] keys. Hold the key down to change the value. If you press [-] while holding down [+], you can rapidly increase the value. The value will rapidly decrease in the same way if you press [+] while holding down [-]
TRIM or LOOP edit may require changing a large number. In this case, press [+][-] while holding down COARSE to change the first two digits of the value shown on the display.
When editing the same parameter for multiple samples, select a parameter as in the step 2 and repeat steps 3 and 4. When editing several parameters for a single sample, select that sample by pressing its bank key and repeat steps 2 and 4. As in Play mode, you can play a sample while in Edit mode by pressing its bank key.

Available value range is between 0 and 100; "0" produces no release and stops the sample playback immediately after the bank key is released or the MIDI note off data is received; "100" sustains the playback even when the bank key is released or the MIDI note off data is received. If you want to stop the playback, press ALL STOP. MONO TRIGGER Samples with this parameter set to ON affect each other during playback. For instance, if there are two hihat cymbal samples, one for a closed hi-hat sound and another for an open hi-hat sound, and both of them with MONO TRIGGER set to ON, you can perform natural hi-hat sounds using these two samples because playback of one immediately stops the other.
This parameter is useful for other purposes such as limiting polyphony within certain banks, etc.
RESAMPLE Applies half sampling frequency to a sample. The sampling frequency of the current sample is shown in the
display. Each time REC is pressed, the displayed value is reduced by half (resampling), down to 4 kHz.
At 32 kHz sampling frequenc
Resampling saves memory that the sample used, but degrades the sound quality because it removes high frequencies of the sample. However, it may be useful to make `lo-fi' sounds.
This section determines a bank's base MIDI parameters such as key range, program number, MIDI channel, note priority, etc., when using the S20 as a MIDI sound module.
KEYRANGE HIGH KEYRANGE LOW
Determines the key range where the banked sample plays according to incoming MIDI key notes, using higher limit (HIGH) and lower limit (LOW). These limits are within the MIDI key note range (01~27).
For a bank assigned with "KEYRANGE HIGH=72" and "KEYRANGE LOW--6O", the sample contained in that bank will play out only when a MIDI key note within a range of C3 (60) to C4 (72) is received in. If you want a sample to play with a specific key note, set the same value for HIGH and LOW in its bank. You can also set multiple banks to the same key range and MIDI channel, creating a sound layer composed of samples from those banks.

Sound from bank 1 and 2 are played on all the tones of an 88 key keyboard.
This parameter does not have an affect on performance when using the bank keys.

S20 - Version J.DO

PROG.NO. Determines a MIDI program number for a bank when the S20 is used as a MIDI sound module. The bank is selected for playback by an incoming MIDI program change from an external MIDI controller. See page 14 for more information. This parameter has no affect when using the bank keys. MIDI CHANNEL Determines a MIDI channel for a bank when the S20 is used as a MIDI sound module. Available values are ON, 1-16: When a bank is set to ON, its sample accepts all MIDI channel messages. This parameter has no affect when using the bank keys.
PRIORITY Note priority is similar to voice reservation for each bank within the 8 polyphonic voices the S20 provides. It is very useful to give priorities to banks when a performance requires many bank key operations or there are many MIDI note events coming in. Available values are 0,1, HIGH; When a bank's set to "0", its sample will be muted first when the 8 polyphonic voices is exceeded. You should set HIGH to a bank that contains a significant sample such as a drum loop, etc.; It will be the last bank to be muted.
This section determines MIDI global settings for the entire S20. You do not need to select any bank because the following parameters determine global operations of the S20. MIDI TRANSPOSE Transposes the pitch of the entire S20. This does not affect banks with "CONSTANT PITCH=ON". The available value range is from -24--0-+24; "+12" raises the pitch one octave higher.
MASTER TUNE Fine tunes the pitch of the entire S20. However, it does not affect banks with "CONSTANT PITCH=ON". An available value range is within 0 to 99. Pressing [+] one more time from "99" changes the display to "0". However, the MIDI TRANSPOSE parameter is raised one point.
P.CHANGE CHANNEL Determines the MIDI channel for program change reception from an external MIDI controller when the S20 is used as a MIDI sound module. Available values are ON, 1-16, OFF: With ON, the S20 accepts program changes on all MIDI channels. With OFF, it does not accept any program changes.

2. Press REC; Recordable tracks blink in the display and the S20 stands by ready to record. To select a recording track, press [+][-] with REC held down.
Recording track indication that blinks
In case there are no recordable tracks available the display will show F UL L when pressing REC. In this case you will need to first empty a track by erasing unnecessary contents. For erasing a track, see the section below, "Erasing A Track.". 3. You can start recording by pressing any bank key. The S20 will then seeped subsequent bank key operations.
Current recording track is indicated.
If you do not want to record from the first bank key operation, you can start recording by pressing PLAY (HOLD/LOOP). While recording, you can also monitor any existing tracks. 4. To stop recording, press REC. The display shows the 4-track status again.
To record onto another track, repeat steps 2 through 4.
Note: It is also possible to stop the recording with STOP (ALL STOP). However, since ALL STOP will also be recorded as sequence data, the performance will stop while there is performance data on a recorded track. Normally press REC to stop recording.

Playback of the Sequence

Playback of the existing sequence is available in Sequence mode by pressing PLAY. If you want to play a track selectively, select it by pressing [+][-] with PLAY held down. Since all four tracks normally playback with this operation, stop the sequence and, then press PLAY for playback of a single selected track.

Erasing a Track

To erase the entire contents of a track Select a destination track by pressing [+][-] with DELETE held down; The destination track number blinks in the display. Pressing REC along with DELETE erases the entire contents of that track.
To erase certain bank data contained in a track Select a destination track by pressing [+][-] with DELETE held down; The destination track number blinks in the display. Pressing the bank key along with DELETE erases the bank data contained in that track.
To erase a bank data area contained in a track Select a destination track by pressing [+][-] with DELETE held down; The destination track number blinks in the display. During playback of the sequence, pressing the bank key to erase (and holding it down if necessary) along with DELETE erases that bank data area contained in that track.

Note: To cancel saving, press any key other than REC while F U UL L or C L E R is being shown. However, this will cause incomplete storage of that sample data.
Note: You cannot use a `continued' disk for other data storage. If you use it to save other data, the `continued' data will be lost.
Note: `Continued' data must be loaded into the S20 in the saved order. For `continued' disks that divide single large samples, you should number them in the saved order.
To load `continued' data that is stored onto several disks, insert the first disk and load it with the normal loading procedure. 1. When loading from the first disk is complete, the display shows c o n blinking. 2. Replace it with the second disk and press REC. If you have a next disk, repeat the steps 1-2 as necessary to complete loading of that sample data.
Note: To cancel loading, press any key other than REC while c o n is being shown. However, this will result in incomplete sample data that cannot play.
Note: If you load `continued' data and insert a same-numbered `continued' disk with other data, the S20 will continue to loading from that disk. As a result, you may have `strange' data. Also, if you attempt to continue loading with a wrong `non-continued' disk, the loading process will be aborted.
Note: A `continued' disk cannot be loaded first,' The S20 simply shows c o n. If a continued' ALL file contains a sample that has not been divided, you can load it A divided sample cannot be loaded without other `continued' disks that complete it.

S20 - Version J.00

Deleting a File in a Floppy Disk
You can delete unnecessary files contained on a floppy disk. 1. Press EDIT to enter Edit mode. The LED will light.
2. Insert a floppy disk into the S20's disk drive. 3. Select DELETE in the Edit Matrix using cursor keys (by positioning the row LED light at right most DISK and the column LED light at the third from the top).
5. Select the file to delete, using [+][-]. See page 36 for file types you can choose from. 6. Press REC a second time; The file display blinks. To cancel deleting at this point, press EDIT or cursor keys.
7. Press REC to delete the file.
8. The S20 finally confirms with the d F L P indication. To execute deleting, press REC.
Note: You cannot selectively delete a sample contained in an ALL file; Also, deleting an ALL file deletes all samples in it.

Formatting a Floppy Disk

The S20 only accepts a formatted disk to read or write data. 1. Press EDIT to enter Edit mode. The LED will light.
2. Insert a floppy disk into the S20's disk drive. 3. Select FORMAT in the Edit Matrix using cursor keys (by positioning the row LED light at right most DISK and the column LED light at the second to the bottom).

5. The display shows F o r for disks already formatted or U n F o for ones not formatted for the S20. It also shows P r o t if the disk is write-protected. Set the write protect off to continue the process.
Close the write protection tab to format disk.
6. Press REC a second time.
7. Select a format type from 2 H d and 2 d d using [+][-], according to the disk you put in the drive. 8. Press REC a third time; The display shows G o ?? blinking. To cancel formatting at this point, press EDIT or cursor keys.
9. To execute formatting, press REC. During formatting, the display shows F o r H for a 2HD disk or F o r d for a 2DD disk. When the display goes out, the formatting is complete.
Note: Formatting process permanently eases contents in the disk. So, before formatting, you should make sure that the disk is completely new or only contains unnecessary data.

Applications

This chapter explains describes the S20 features as well as detailed explanations of them. Several examples will help you better understand its functions capabilities.
Effective Use of BEAT LOOP FUNCTION
BEAT LOOP FUNCTION is used to synchronize the tempo of several phrase samples. When you use BEAT LOOP FUNCTION, you match the beat by directly entering the tempo rather than by setting the, transpose or tune. This allows you to freely set the tempo. You can also use MASTER TEMPO to change all the sample loop tempo at once.
Note: Changing the tempo of a phrase also changes its pitch. Similarly, changing the pitch of a phrase with the transposition or tuning function also changes its tempo.
1. Set the beat count of a phrase sample using the BEAT parameter. If the phrase is 4 beats long, set the value to "4". 2. When the beat count is correct, SAMPLE TEMPO shows the original tempo of that phrase. 3. Set value for NEW TEMPO; This may be used to synchronize with other phrase samples. When a new tempo is set, the pitch of that phrase is automatically calculated to play at the new tempo. If you do not know the exact tempo value to set to match the tempo of, you can tap the tempo to the beat of the song on the TAP key to set a NEW TEMPO value. 4. You should repeat the steps above all phrase samples you wish to play together.

Tips for Looping To create a seamless loop for a phrase sample or rhythm sample, you need to precisely set the START POINT; Setting the start point before the correct point produces extra space or sound. The start point after the correct point results in lack of the beginning. LOOP LENGTH is obtained from SAMPLE TEMPO. It is easily calculated by setting START POINT to the known SAMPLE TEMPO value. 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.
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. In addition, setting NOTE ASSIGN to ON in Edit mode assigns a MIDI key note to each panel key on the S20. You can then control the panel key operations from an external MIDI keyboard. Each main panel key is assigned as in the following table:
Key BANK1 BANK5 BANK9 BANK13 HOLD/LOOP SEQUENCE

MIDI Note Offset 18 22

Key y BANK2 BANK6 BANK10 BANK14 STOP TAP

MIDI Note Offset 19 23

Key y BANK3 BANK? BANK11 BANK15 ALL STOP

MIDI Note Offset 20

Key y BANK4 BANK8 BANK12 BANK16 REVERSE
MIDI Note Offset ti 15 21
As seen in the table above, the key note number along with a base key note number and a MIDI note offset value in the table can control the corresponding key on the S20 main panel. When you use, for instance, a 60-key MIDI keyboard to control the S20, you may set the base key note to " 36" (C 1) to control the bank 1 key (MIDI note offset-0=base key note) by the lowest key (C 1) on the keyboard. Using the MIDI note offset value for each panel key, you can control other panel keys using a two octave range on the keyboard.
Recording Panel Key Operations to the Sequencer
With "NOTE ASSIGN-0N", you can record a serees of selected panel buttons to an external MIDI sequencer and play it back. This allows you to reproduce the panel key operations by playing back the recorded data from an external sequencer. (Note that the MIDI output channel on the S20 is fixed to "1 ".) When doing this, it is impotant to set the same base key note when you record and play the performance. Otherwise, you will not have correct playback. When recording the performance, set the MIDI OUT/THRU parameter value to OUT in Edit mode.

Power Source Dimensions Weight Accessories
60 Hz 18 W. for U.S.A. and Canada 220 - 240 VAC 50 Hz for Europe : 290 x 65.5 (80.4*) x 204 (205*) mm (W x H x D, unit: mm, *: max.) : 2.0 kg : AC Adaptor...1 Sound Disk....4 Operator's Manual...1

: 120 VAC

* Above Specifications are subject to change without notice.
S20 MIDI Implementation Chart
Date:NOV.1996 Version 1.00 Function Basic Default Channel Changed Default Mode Messages Altered Note Number. True Voice Velocity Note on Note off After- Key's touch Ch's Pitchbend Control 1 Change 67 Program Change True No. System Exclusive System Song position Common : Song select Tune System Clock Real time : Commands Aux Local ON/OFF Messages: All Notes OFF Active Sense Reset Transmitted O1 X X Recognized O1 O 1 - 16 Mode 1 Model - 4 OMNI ON/OFF, P/M X 0 - - 127 O 9n V=1 - 127 X 8n V-1 -127 X X O X O O X 1 - 128 Remarks Without disk Memorized (disk) Without disk Memorized (disk)

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X X X X X X X X X X

0 - 24 semitone steps (Full resolution) Modulation wheel Volume Sustain pedal Soft pedal by Preset number Value Sample Dump Standard Only ('1)

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X X X X X X X X X X O X X X X X X O (123) X X
Mode 1 : OMNI ON, POLY Mode 3 : OMNI OFF, POLY
Mode 2 : OMNI ON, MONO Mode 4 : OMNI OFF, MONO

O : Yes X : No

('1) Full details of System Exclusive data formats can be obtained by contacting your AKAI dealer.

22 randwick ave, oakland, ca 94611 baillie@anticon.com, www.anticon.com phone/fax: 510.653.4363
A Point Too Far to Astronaut is a psychedelic collage of spacey samples, droning synths, hard-hitting drums, early-60s vocal samples, pretty guitar riffs and sweet piano melodies, interwoven with surreal poetry pieces from what sounds like a lost Dictaphone. The mood of the record ranges from hallucinatory to sad and contemplative, to paranoid and angry, to good old sarcastic. Embracing a bit of ADD, the record demonstrates tel.jim.jesuss range of ability. With its short track lengths and varying moods, the record never loses the listeners interest and at the same time maintains cohesiveness throughout. A Point Too Far to Astronaut reads like a Douglas Adams novel. The most remote destination imaginable is really only as distant as you want it to be. One third of the restiform bodies trio and regular producer for sole, telephonejimjesus began work on a solo record with an MPC2000, an Akai S20, bass and guitar, various drum machines, synths and effects boxes. He also started compiling songs for what he initially thought would be a self-released project. Over the course of two years, he added new tracks and guests, reworked and edited old pieces; by the time it was burned on a CDR and heard by the anticon family, it was clear that it had to be released on the label. TRACK LISTING 1. war toy 2. bathroom mirror 3. Im not ok 4. N+1 trial (feat. pedestrian) 5. failure to fly 6. untitle private landscape (feat. pedestrian) 7. guessing tubes 8. the ouroboros tongue 9. struck by falling object 10. a blindness falls pt a (feat. pedestrian) 11. a blindness falls pt b (feat. pedestrian) 12. blue in the face 13. convertible stingray (feat. passage) 14. little boy one-eye 15. sometimes. 16. two clasping what they dream is one another (feat. pedestrian) Restiform Bodies s/t (Six Months 6M0005) CD 16.98

anticon.

T E L E P H O N E J IM J E S U S
A P o int To o F a r to A s tro na ut
A n t ic o n A B R N o v e m be r 8 C D 1 6. L IS T L P 1 0. L IS T

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One third of restiform bodies and a frequent collaborator with anticons sole Guest appearances by passage (restiform bodies) and the pedestrian Radio by Spectre Full press campaign
Publicity Contact: Baillie Parker, anticon records baillie@anticon.com. 510.653.4363 Radio Promotions: George Spectre, Spectre Ent, george@spectremusic.com 213.368.1603