Ever since the introduction of sampling technology, most rackmount samplers on the market have been straightforward samplers – nothing more. While improvements in sound quality and the addition of digital effects have occurred over time, the core concept has largely remained unchanged – until now. Introducing a revolutionary sampler that goes beyond creating sounds, offering unparalleled flexibility to shape them in ways never thought possible, the Yamaha A5000.
The Yamaha A5000 boasts impressive specifications, expandable with up to 128 MB of RAM and support for an internal hard drive and internal Zip® drive simultaneously. It provides 16 Multitimbral Parts and 64 Notes of Polyphony, and it is compatible with a wide range of sample formats, including AIFF and WAV. Additionally, it includes special Sample and Parameter Editing Software for enhanced control and convenience.
The Yamaha A5000 is not merely a “sampler”- the Yamaha A5000 is an advanced synthesis tool designed for versatile sound creation. It offers 16 types of ultra-fat filters with powerful resonance, 96 effects for generating unique sounds, a MIDI syncable LFO with programmable waveforms, and sophisticated Loop Divide/Remix and Resampling functions. The large LCD panel, heavy-duty real-time control knobs, and intuitive user interface make it easy to operate, allowing you to focus entirely on crafting your sound.
The elaborate filter stage of the Yamaha A5000 includes 16 filter types with comprehensive parameter control. Many of these filters feature a Q (resonance) setting, which can be controlled by keyboard velocity – perfect for expressive leads and basses. In addition to standard low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass filters, there are several unique filter types, such as band eliminate, peak, and dip filters. Multi-mode filters let you assign two independent filters to a single sample for more complex sound design.
The Yamaha A5000 is more than a high-quality sampling unit—it also serves as an advanced digital multi-effect processor. Six blocks of effects are available, and each block can be assigned one of the 96 onboard algorithms, including a wide variety of reverbs, distortions, modulations, and delays. Some of the unique effects include Auto Synth, Tech Modulation, Digital Scratch, and an extensively programmable Lo-Fi effect. These effects can be applied during the sampling process, offering virtually endless effect processing power.
The Loop Divide and Remix functions of the Yamaha A5000 are indispensable for remixing and dance music production. The Loop Remix feature divides a sample loop into sections and randomly rearranges their timing, order, and effects, creating completely new loops with ease. The Loop Divide function slices a sample loop into parts according to the beat, which can then be triggered manually on a MIDI keyboard, allowing for instant remixing capabilities.
The Resampling function of the Yamaha A5000 simplifies matching the pitch and tempo of samples with your sequenced tracks. Pitch Convert changes the pitch without altering speed, while Time Stretch adjusts speed without changing pitch. Speed variations can be calculated based on tempo, length, beat, or time. The MIDI syncable LFO features programmable waveforms and six LFO types, expanding modulation capabilities and enabling advanced control of the modulation effect.
The intuitive user interface of the Yamaha A5000 makes navigating through various functions straightforward. The bright 320 x 80 LCD panel displays all parameter details, and the five panel knobs allow for quick menu navigation, value selection, and operation. The four right-hand knobs can also function as real-time MIDI controllers for both internal samples and external MIDI devices.
The Consecutive Sampling function allows you to sample multiple sounds in a row without repeated setup. Set the Record Type to “New+” and the Yamaha A5000 will automatically create a new sample each time an audio signal is detected. This function is ideal for quickly sampling multiple sounds from a CD or drum machine, significantly saving time and effort.
Equipped with a SCSI interface, you can connect an external hard drive or CD-ROM drive for quick loading of sample data. It also supports an internal hard disk drive (50-pin SCSI or 40-pin IDE) or a Zip® drive. Sampling memory is expandable up to 128 MB using 72-pin SIMMs. For professional-level production, an optional expansion board provides six individual audio outputs and digital I/O capability.
Easily back up your projects by connecting a CD-R or CD-RW drive directly to the SCSI port, without the need for a computer. This feature offers a cost-effective way to store your work and create your own audio sampling CDs.
The Yamaha A5000 is compatible with AIFF and WAV files and can import and export directly to and from any DOS-formatted floppy disk, hard disk, or Zip® disk. It can also import sample files from various manufacturers’ samplers, supporting a broad library of sounds for unparalleled creative flexibility.
Features
- Advanced sampling and synthesis system offering extensive sound-shaping capabilities
- Expandable RAM capacity up to 128 MB for increased sample storage
- Supports simultaneous use of internal hard drive and internal Zip® drive
- Provides 16 multitimbral parts and 64 notes of polyphony
- Compatible with AIFF and WAV file formats for easy data exchange
- Includes dedicated Sample and Parameter Editing Software for enhanced control
- Features 16 ultra-fat filter types with powerful resonance and velocity-sensitive Q control
- Equipped with 96 onboard effects including reverb, modulation, distortion, and delay
- Six independent effects blocks assignable with a wide range of algorithms
- Unique effects such as Auto Synth, Tech Modulation, Digital Scratch, and Lo-Fi processing
- Loop Divide and Loop Remix functions for creative sampling and dance music production
- Resampling, Pitch Convert, and Time Stretch functions for seamless tempo and pitch matching
- MIDI-syncable LFO with six types and programmable waveforms for advanced modulation
- Bright 320 x 80 LCD display providing clear parameter visibility
- Five-panel navigation knobs for intuitive menu control and data entry
- Four assignable real-time control knobs for performance and MIDI control
- Consecutive Sampling mode for fast, automatic multi-sample recording
- SCSI interface for connecting external hard drives and CD-ROM drives
- Supports internal hard disk or Zip® drive installation for flexible storage options
- Optional expansion board offering six individual audio outputs and digital I/O
- Direct CD-R/CD-RW drive connection for project backup and audio CD creation
- Imports and exports samples to and from DOS-formatted floppy, hard, and Zip® disks
- Imports sample data from a wide range of other manufacturers’ samplers