Yamaha Introduces A3000 Version 2.0 SamplerMany Powerful Performance, Editing and Utility Features Added
July 10, 1998Yamaha Corporation, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Digital Musical Instruments (DMI), is very proud to announce the introduction of the A3000 Version 2 Professional Sampler at Summer NAMM 1998. While the original A3000 with its popular "analog-like" control interface was very warmly received-especially by the dance/hip-hop/techno set-the new A3000 Version 2 adds many important new performance, editing and utility features which are sure to make it a hit.
"With all of the new features and performance enhancements, Yamaha has really pulled out all the stops with the new A3000 Version 2, while still keeping it affordable," states Avery Burdette, product manager, DMI Department. "The techno/hip-hop market as well as professional musicians alike will be blown away with new features such as Loop Remix and Loop Divide and the new filter types-all of which increase the creative possibilities. Breakbeat and loop production capabilities are definitely enhanced."
The new A3000 with the Version 2.0 Operating System features full 64-note polyphony, 16-part multitimbral, three effect blocks (54 effect types), 4-band total EQ, four analog outputs and expandability to 128 MB of sampling RAM. The unit will have a suggested retail price of $1,995 and is currently shipping.
Major new features of the Version 2 include Loop Remix and Loop Divide. Loop Remix allows the user to automatically rearrange a looped breakbeat into new variations, extending the mileage out of existing breakbeat patterns. Loop Divide automatically slices up a breakbeat pattern and maps the pieces to successive keys along the keyboard. The user can then generate variations manually with the keyboard. A sample can be divided into anywhere from two to 32 pieces.
Version 2 now offers a total of 16 different filter types, seven of which incorporate a new Distance parameter, the distance in frequency between the two different filters. The 16 types are: LowPass 1, 2 &3; HiPass 1 & 2; BandPass; BandElim; Peak 1 & 2; 2 Peaks with Distance; 2 Dips with Distance; Dual LPFs with Distance; LPF + Peak with Distance; Dual HPFs with Distance; HPF + Peak with Distance; and LPF + HPF with Distance.
Also offered in Version 2 is a powerful new MIDI-Controlled Program LFO that can be set separately for each program. The LFO can be synched to external MIDI clock. New effect routings in Version 2 include the following configurations: 1/2/3, 1>2/3, 1>2>3, 1/2>3 and 1>2<3 . Each effect can be routed to any of the assignable outputs. New Modulation Matrix features have been added as well. New modulation destinations include: FEG Level, Cutoff Distance, Filter Gain and Pgm LFO depth. New sources include: NoteNumber, Velocity and Program LFO.
Four new Sample Management features have been added. The Arrange Program or Sample Bank allows the automatic mapping of all samples included in a Program or Sample Bank to successive keys. The Move Program or Sample Bank feature allows the automatic building of a Sample Bank from either a Program or another Sample Bank or the building of a Program from a Sample Bank. The Copy feature allows the copying of all sample parameters from one sample to another, from one Sample Bank to another, or from one Program to another. When copying Programs, the user has the option to merge the data, or to copy just one of the effect blocks. The new Freeze Sample Bank feature takes the bank offsets to the samples in the bank and writes them to the samples themselves.
The A3000 Version 2 offers improved Interface features including a new safer disk saving routine, confirmation of destination every time, and better layout of Easy Edit, with more parameters on screen at each page. Also including are the ability to set all key limits to =Orig (original key). If used as a Set Init or in the record page, much faster keyboard mapping is facilitated, which is especially useful for drums and one-shot samples. The Assignable button can now be used to toggle MIDI>Smp on and off.
New Disk features have been added. Import/Export allows improved Akai Import (with the velocity range now translated) and Roland Import. Also offered is AIFF Export and Multiple Floppy Save, allowing the saving of data across multiple floppy disks. Also added is the capability to use larger SCSI disks of up to 8 GB. The new Partition Offset feature allows access to data on disks containing more than eight partitions. The A3000 also offers faster loading from both floppy and SCSI disks, as well as improved SMDI transmission.
An easy-to-install upgrade kit will soon be available for purchase by A3000 Version 1 owners. For more information on the Yamaha A3000 Version 2 sampler, please write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Digital Musical Instruments Department, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; call (714) 522-9011; or visit Yamaha on the web at http://www.yamaha.com/.
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