Hardware samplers are NOT dead, I repeat, NOT dead !!

Just dug up this screen grab I got from Robbie Williams Intensive Care album launch gig in Berlin last year. I knew that he and Guy Chambers used Akai S6000's extensively during their time together. In fact, certain features of the S5000/S6000 were down to a unique collaboration between their keyboard tech and Akai, resulting in the SET LIST feature in the sampler. This feature allows you to store a complete set list, with associated samples, programs, multis and MIDI files, so that you simply dial up the track and the sampler loads everything required, then uses the built in MIDI file player to give a rock solid performance.

Why Akai never used this collaboration to promote the sampler is a mystery, although I have heard that when Akai UK approached their Japanese masters for permission to do a deal with the Robster, the Japanese bosses thought they meant Robin Williams and couldn't understand why they needed to use a hyperactive American stand up comic/oscar winning actor to promote a hi-tech musical instrument !! Funny, but true !

Anyway, I thought that after their split, and Robbie's subsequent tie up with Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy, that he may change his methods to suit his new partnership. But no ! Robbie (and his band and crew) obviously know that hardware is still the king and still have their three S6000's (2 on stage, 1 back up) as can be seen here in this pic of drummer Chris Sharrock, to his left (the two removable front panels).



Proof, if any were needed, that the S5000/S6000 is still at the heart of many studio's and live acts today.

Did you also know the Pet Shop Boys had six of them and Richard Jacques, famous computer game music composer, has twelve !!!

The one S6000 that I have does me just fine ;o)