Brand: Akai
The Akai AA-8500 is a professional sequencer that was introduced in the mid-1990s. It was a significant upgrade to the popular Akai S950 sampler, as it included advanced sequencing features for composing and arranging music.Some of the features of the Akai AA-8500 include:1. 100 sequencer tracks: The AA-8500 allowed for the creation of complex multi-track compositions with up to 100 individual sequences.2. MIDI timecode (MTC) synchronization: The AA-8500 could be synchronized to external MIDI devices using MTC, enabling precise timing and synchronization between multiple devices.3. Real-time recording: The AA-8500 allowed for real-time recording of MIDI performances, and featured 128 MB of RAM for storing these sequences.4. Step recording: Step sequencing allowed for precise note placement and programming, while quantization and swing settings could be adjusted to add a human touch to the performance.5. Arranger features: The AA-8500 included arranger functions, such as chord tracking, which could automatically generate chord progressions based on the original musical material.6. Audio recording: The AA-8500 also featured 8-bit 44 kHz audio recording, making it possible to record audio performances directly into the sequencer.Overall, the Akai AA-8500 was a significant advancement in the field of sequencing and layout, offering advanced features for music production and arrangement. It is still a highly sought-after piece of equipment today, particularly due to its compatibility with modern DAWs via software emulation.