Akai XE-8 (1988)

Rack-mount 16-bit MIDI drum expander with programmable sample playback and ROM card expansion

Overview

The Akai XE-8 is a 1U rack-mount programmable sample sound module from 1988, built as a MIDI drum expander. It ships with 16 internal sampled sounds. Two optional ROM card slots (Ext 1 and Ext 2) add 16 sounds each, for up to 48. Any 16 sounds from the pool can be combined into a program, and 32 programs are stored in RAM. There are no direct trigger inputs. It takes MIDI from keyboards, sequencers, or the Akai ME25T pad-MIDI converter.

Specifications

Audio Resolution	16-bit
Sample Rate	32 or 44kHz (depending on sound)
Internal ROM	1 Mb
Internal Sounds	16 sampled sounds
Total Sound Capacity	48 sounds (16 internal + 16 per card in two slots)
Program Storage	32 programs/kits in RAM
Sounds per Kit	16
Rack Size	1U
Connections	Mix out, 8 individual outs, MIDI In/Out/Thru, 2 card slots
Trigger Sources	MIDI (keyboard, sequencer) or Akai ME25T pad-MIDI converter
Outputs	Eight individual assignable outputs plus mix output
Note Assignment	Sounds assignable to any MIDI note

Design

The front panel is compact. It has a rotary Play/Edit knob, S-Sel/P-Sel buttons, two 2x2-digit LED displays, and dual concentric knobs for data/sound number and volume/velocity. A Shot/Copy button handles sound management. Internal and card-based sounds can be edited quite a bit: pitch, decay, pitch sweep (~2 octave range), VCA Decay Time, Sweep Depth and Time. Key Offset or Note Velocity can modulate VCA Decay and Sweep. More sounds come from "Sound Library" ROM cards.

Context

The XE-8 came out in 1988 and was one of the first pure MIDI drum expanders. It preceded units like the Roland R8M, Alesis D4/D5, and E-mu Procussion. Its samples are derived from the Akai S-1000, and it was considered ahead of its time. The sound quality was high, but it was a commercial flop. The editing interface was non-intuitive, the display was tiny, and there were no direct pad inputs. It has since been used as a source for sample packs, including 102 one-shot samples.

Market

Original pricing is unknown. Optional ROM expansion cards have sold for around $150 each. Complete units with manuals and sealed, unused cards turn up occasionally in open-box condition. Full sets with all expansion cards are rare.

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