Akai DPS 16: SCSI

[lazyboy]

Hey DPS owners:

Well the 10 gig HD is nearly full and the time has come to fork out for the SCSI CDRW for back-ups and archiving. So here's the issue, have any of you found that the apporved drive info available on the website is a little off?

Particularly with the plextor and yamaha drives, I'm finding that the model numbers generally are not matching up with a compatible drive. Usually, I'm finding that the scsi connection according to the manufacturers lit. is something other than SCSI-2. I emailed Akai, and I'm waiting for a reply.

Through my research, I'm also becoming aware that the approved drives are among the most expensive on the market today, often pushing or exceeding $400. I know some of you are using the Ricoh 7060. Anybody using anything different? Anybody finding the same issues?

The shitty thing is that I'm gonna record a band in a few weeks and I need the drive space and archive capabilities pronto! Can anybody offer any tips? Thanks in advance.

 

[Sharris]

scsi cdrw

I work in the computer industry, this is what I can tell you. The certified plextor and yamaha devices that were certified and the time Akai released our dps 16's have been discontinued. The new models from Plextor will work, actually any external scsi cdrw will work as long as it is mmc compliant (multi media command set). You may have to use a cable that adapts from scsi II to scsi III and make sure you use a good terminator. This is what I did. I purchased and internal scsi cdrw (plextor) and mounted it in a pc case using the power supply that was in it to power up the cdrw. I ran the cable into the case and connected that way. If you have access to used begged borrowed or stolen computer equipment this is pretty simple and less expensive that purchasing the external drive. Hope this helps. How are you liking your DPS 16 other than that?? Just curious so far I like mine very much I am still trying to figure all of its functions out but it seems pretty easy to use as far as just getting tracks down.

 

[lazyboy]

Hey thanks for replying.

The folks from Akai did respond telling me that nearly any SCSI would work. I would just need an adaptor. I wasn't sure if it was that simple. Good enough!

I really like the machine. I find it so easy to use and it sounds great. I'm currently using the onboard pre's and effects, and so far I'm happy. I do find the metering a good bit lackluster. Still, I just finished tracking a band's demo on it on Saturday. Sould get a chance to really put it through its paces this week.

 

[ditnoj]

Plextor drive

Hey.
I got a "newer" (at the time of purchase last september, anyway) Plextor 12/4/32 external drive which did not need an adapter because it was the same species of SCSI. The only problem I have had is that I can't playback directly from the drive in the CDR pages. Even Akai mentioned that with some models that is a problem. All I did was run some cable from the RCA out on the drive to two of the ins on the AKAI and I was set.

I will say that as you may have heard or read, I have gotten much better burning results (audio) doing it at 1X. Even at 2X I have had problems with some CD players that have trouble reading the disc sometimes. At 1 X no problems.
Information probably isn't a big deal because I'm using the same drive to reload that I use to burn, so it reads fine.

D out ITNOJ

 

[hixmix]

The marketing director at Ricoh just same day Fed-Ex'd me the brand new Ricoh 9020. On a Sunday! Smokin' unit! If you're not usin' it, well, then.....you're just not....cool.