A perfect recorder for our homerecorders and small studio setups.

Extended information

More Is Better
At the heart of the DPS12 is a powerful random-access disk recorder capable of simultaneously playing 12 (that's twelve) tracks of uncompressed 16-bit linear audio from convenient removable JAZ cartridges or SCSI hard disks. More tracks for more recording flexibility. More control of individual parts. Less need for track bouncing.

And speaking of more tracks, the DPS12 also provides a whopping 250 virtual tracks. That means that you can actually record up to 250 tracks (limited only by your disk capacity) and, at mixdown, assign any virtual track to any of the twelve physical tracks for playback. This gives you the freedom to compare multiple takes, experiment with alternative arrangements, even combine parts of different virtual tracks on a single track. All without having to worry about erasing or recording over previously recorded material.

At the front end, the DPS12 lets you record on up to 8 tracks simultaneously through six high-quality balanced analog inputs and a S/PDIF stereo digital input. To ensure that those tracks will accurately reflect your sound, the DPS12 uses 18-bit A/D and 20-bit D/A conversion at selectable sampling rates of 48kHz, 44.1kHz or 32kHz.

The Wait is Over
Since the DPS12 is a random-access recorder, waiting for tape to wind is a thing of the past. The DPS12's locating functions let you move instantly to any of 12 direct-locate points or to an additional 100 stack memory points. The stack points can even be named, so you can identify locations by the part of the song (FIRST VERSE, CHORUS, etc.) or even by specific lyrics.

Easy Editing
Ever wonder how people managed to write anything before word processors? Well, after experiencing nonlinear editing on the DPS12, you'll wonder the same thing about audio. Insert, Delete, Erase, Copy or Move sections of single- or multitrack audio from anywhere to anywhere within your project. This is stuff you just can't do with tape.

The DPS12's high-quality jogging and graphic waveform display let you zero in on your precise edit points. Mark them with the In and Out keys. Call up an edit screens (complete with a graphic representation of your selected operation) and Do It. Then use the special play keys to confirm that seamless edit. Changed you mind? 250 levels of UNDO are only a button press away.

Mix Master
The DPS12's digital mixer is a model of flexibility. During mixdown, for example, the inputs can be used as an additional 8-channel THRU MIX, perfect for adding tracks from sequenced MIDI modules to the 12 recorded tracks for a true 20-channel mixdown. And since the mixer includes two AUX sends for patching in external effects devices, the inputs can also be used as effects returns.

Digital EQ is also included. Depending on your needs, you can configure 12 channels of 2-band high and low shelving EQ or 6 channels of 3-band EQ with high and low shelving and mid-band parametric. In either case, all bands are sweepable over a wide range.

Found the perfect mix? Mix setups can be saved as snapshots and recalled at any time. And since all of the DPS12's faders and panpots generate MIDI controller data, you can record your mix moves into an external MIDI sequencer (like our MPC2000, for example) and play them back in sync with the DPS12 for a fully automated mixdown.

Effects Inside
If you want the added convenience of integrated internal effects (not to mention keeping your mix entirely in the digital domain), add the EB2M multi-effect processor board.

The EB2M gives you two independent studio-quality effects processors with a wide variety of programmable effect types. In addition to the usual suspects (listed with the DPS12 specifications), you get some bonuses like an unusually rich stereo chorus (thanks to two independent LFOs) and a rather generous 1.5 seconds of delay time (1.5 seconds per channel for stereo delays).

It's one thing to give you all the tools you need to do the job, but it's another thing entirely to make them useable. Here, the DPS12 really shines. It is, quite simply, really easy to use.

At the heart of its friendliness is its informative graphic display. Backlit and easy to read, it always gives you a clear picture of what's going on with your DPS12. (A quick look at the examples here and you'll see what we mean.)

The DPS12 also provides dedicated panel keys for most common functions and soft-keys under the display for one-button access to many secondary parameters. Frankly, it's all so simple that most of you may never have to take the manual out of the box.

Powerful random-access digital recorder

12 audio tracks
250 virtual tracks (freely allocatable between the 12 physical tracks)
Can record 8 tracks simultaneously (6 analog and 2 digital)
Record onto convenient internal removable media drive or external drives
via the standard SCSI-2 interface
Backup to DAT or SCSI drives
The fully professional sound quality you expect from Akai

16-bit linear data format (no compression)
48kHz, 44.1kHz, and 32kHz sample rates
18 bit 64-times oversampling delta-sigma ADCs
20 bit 8-times oversampling, 1 bit delta-sigma DACs
Intuitive, easy-to-use graphic interface

Dedicated panel keys for most common functions
Easy-to-read backlit 248x60 graphic LCD
Graphic waveform display
Soft keys for quick access to parameters
Flexible locating and editing

12 direct locate points
100 stack locate points
Random-access editing including Copy, Move, Insert, Delete and Erase
High-quality jogging
250 level Undo
Integrated MIDI-automatable digital mixer

6 balanced analog inputs and 1 optical S/PDIF digital (stereo) input
2 aux sends
2 Master stereo outputs (analog and optical S/PDIF digital)
Inputs act as thru mix during mixdown for a total of twenty channels
(12 internal recorder tracks plus 8 inputs)
Digital EQ
Save and recall mix snapshots
Faders and pan pots generate MIDI controller data for sequencer-based automation.
Optional multi-effect processor board (EB2M)

Technical specifications

"Simultaneously playable tracks: 12
Maximum virtual tracks: 250
Maximum tracks simultaneously recordable: 8
Quantization: 16 bit linear
Sampling Frequency: 48kHz, 44.1kHz, 32kHz
Recording Media: Internal JAZ drive or external SCSI JAZ/hard disk
Recording Time (1Gb disk):
FS=48kHz: 180 track minutes (12tr x 15.0 min)
FS=44.1kHz: 196 track minutes (12tr x 16.3 min)
FS=32kHz: 270 track minutes (12tr x 22.5 min)
(Note: 12-track times are for reference only.
Recording time is dynamically allocated to tracks.)
Maximum usable disk capacity: 14 Terrabytes (2 Terrabytes x 7)
A/D Converter: 18 bit 64-times oversampling delta-sigma system
D/A Converter: 20 bit 8-times oversampling, 1 bit delta-sigma system
Input level (variable): -46dBu to +4dBu nominal/+19dBu max. at 1kHz (0dBu = 0.775V)
Input impedance: 15k ohms
Output level:
Master out: -10dBu nominal / +5dBu max. into a 47k ohms load
AUX send: -10dBu nominal / +5dBu max. into a 47k ohms load
Headphones: 24mW into a 32 ohms load
Output impedance:
Master out: 1k ohms
AUX send: 100 ohms
Headphones: 100 ohms
Frequency response:
Sample Rate
Frequency Response
48kHz
10Hz to 22kHz (+/- 2dB)
44.1kHz
10Hz to 20kHz (+/- 2dB)
32kHz
10Hz to 15kHz (+/- 2dB)
all at nominal input/output levels
Total harmonic distortion: 0.05% or less at 1kHz, nominal level, Fs=48kHz
Channel crosstalk ratio: 75dB or better at 10kHz (input terminated with 100)
Vari-Pitch: 30kHz - 50kHz
Locate points:
Direct: 12
Stack (namable): 100
Display: 248 x 60 dot graphic LCD with back light
Analog Audio Inputs: 1/4"" diameter stereo phone jack, balanced x 6
Analog Audio Outputs:
Master Out (L/R): RCA pin, unbalanced x2
AUX Out (A/B): 1/4"" diameter phone jack, unbalanced x 2
Digital Audio input: Assignable (2 ch), Optical (S/PDIF) x 1
Digital Audio Output: Master Out, Optical (S/PDIF) x1
Headphone Output: 1/4"" diameter stereo phone jack x1
MIDI:
MIDI IN: 5-pin DIN x 1
MIDI OUT/THRU: 5-pin DIN x 1
Foot Switch input: 1/4"" diameter phone jack x 1
SCSI: 50-pin high density, female x 1 for external hard disk
Power Requirements: 100-240V, 50-60Hz, 21W
Dimensions: 445 (W) x 98 (H) x 334 (D) mm
Weight: 4.8kg (with internal Jaz drive and EB2M)
Options: EB2M: Internal Multi-effect Processor Board:Chorus Effects: Mono Chorus, Stereo Chorus, Crossover Chorus; Flanger Effects: Mono Flanger, Stereo Flanger, Crossover Flanger, Pan Flanger; Phaser Effects: Mono Phaser, Stereo Phaser, Crossover Phaser, Pan Phaser; Delay Effects: (Up to 1.5 seconds. 1.5 seconds per channel for stereo delays) Mono Delay, Stereo Delay, Ping Pong Delay, Pan Pong Delay, Crossover Delay, Tape Echo; Rotary Speaker; Pitch Shift; 3-Band Parametric EQ; Auto Wah; Touch Wah; Autopan; Triggered Pan; Compressor/Limiter; Expander; Noise Gate; Reverbs: Small Room, Big Room, Small Hall, Big Hall, Non-Linear, Reverse.
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