The Akai CD3000XL marked a major step forward in professional sampling, combining powerful synthesis tools with extensive sampling capabilities. It offered 32-voice polyphony, expandable memory, and a flexible DSP engine. With resonant lowpass filters, multiple LFOs, dedicated envelope generators, and wide-ranging modulation options, the Akai CD3000XL could function as a fully capable synthesiser in addition to its role as a sampler.
A key addition was the new MULTI mode, designed to streamline multi-timbral sequencing and sound layering. The Akai CD3000XL could also be expanded with an optional multi-effects processor. This provided four independent effects channels, including two full multi-effects units featuring distortion, EQ, ring modulation, chorus, flanging, pitch shifting, auto-panning, rotary speaker effects, delay, and reverb. The remaining two channels were dedicated to reverb, giving users even more flexibility. An optional second bank of resonant multi-mode filters could also be installed to further enhance the unit’s tonal range.
Bundled software for Macintosh systems allowed users to control the sampler directly from their computer. This enabled large-screen waveform editing, efficient organisation of sound libraries, and improved integration with sequencer setups.
Another important feature was the built-in quad-speed CD-ROM drive, allowing users to load sample libraries without needing external hardware. The Akai CD3000XL was compatible with sound libraries created for the Akai S900, S950, S1000, S1100, S2000, and S3000 series, giving instant access to thousands of existing sounds stored on floppy disks, hard drives, removable cartridges, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROMs. It could also read CD-ROMs developed for other manufacturers’ samplers, further broadening its library support.
With its advanced synthesis tools, flexible expansion options, and vast library compatibility, the Akai CD3000XL delivered high-end performance at a price that redefined what professional sampling equipment could offer.
Akai CD3000XL Features
- Polyphony: 32 voices
- A-D conversion: 16-bit stereo with 64-times oversampling
- Internal processing: 28-bit accumulation
- D-A conversion: 18-bit with 8-times oversampling
- Sampling rates: 44.1kHz / 22.050kHz
- Stereo operation: Phase locked stereo sampling and playback
- Internal memory: 8MB standard, expandable to 32MB using SIMMs
- Sampling times:
- 8MB: 92.13 seconds mono at 44.1kHz
- 32MB: 5.92 minutes mono at 44.1kHz
- (Halve times for stereo sampling)
- Inputs: L/Mono and R jack inputs
- Outputs: L/R stereo jack outputs, 8 assignable individual outputs, stereo headphone jack output
- Display: 40 x 6 character backlit LCD with graphic waveform editing
- Digital I/O: SPDIF digital audio input/output on RCA phonos
- Effects: Optional EB-16 4-channel multi-effects processor with:
- 2 channels of simultaneous distortion
- 4-band EQ
- Ring modulation
- Modulation effects (chorus, phase shift, flanging, pitch shift, autopan, rotary speaker)
- Stereo delay and reverb
- 2 additional channels of reverb (total 4 reverb processors)
- DSP functions: Timestretch, re-sampling, digital EQ
- Filters: 2-pole (12dB/octave) resonant lowpass filter per voice
- Optional filters: IB-304F provides a second bank of 2-pole resonant multi-mode filters (HP, BP, LP, EQ) and tone control
- Envelopes: 1 x ADSR and 1 x multi-stage envelope generator (extra multi-stage envelope with IB-304F)
- LFOs: 2 x multi-wave LFOs (triangle, square, sawtooth, random)
- Legato mode: Single trigger playback to emulate monophonic synths and solo playing styles
- Portamento: Polyphonic and monophonic portamento
- Sound library compatibility: Fully compatible with Akai S900, S950, S1000, S1100, S2800, S3000, S3200, S2000, and S3200XL samplers
