Akai DPS24

very easy to use if uv had hand on experience with other recorders or have the slightest clue about a mixer...just read the manual, watch the tutorial, and most importantly..hands on baby!! in no time ul be the one in control and the overwhelming feeling will turn into afeeling of joy...this is a very special machine!

24 tracks uncompressed at 24 bit...full automation, motorized faders, adjustable crisp lcd screen, seamless editing capabilities, excellent headroom, top line converters and pre-amp...awesome f lybrary ( i personally see no reason why to go outboard, this is pro in every sence and the f were not compromised on that imho) we're taking a huge room full of gear worth around 100,000 grand probably 11-12 yrs ago...this is a very special machine!

1st rate, top notch, pristine, clear, warm, anolog-like...ul think ur in a pro studio (even better than a pro in my experience for the simple fact this is easier to get good sound of) it actually slow roasts the sound so it sounds even better coming out...this is a very special machine!

compared to/with the best and just as if not more reliable! built like a tank...made to last...very military and durable...the o.s is top notch quality put through all the tests..ur in good hands...lets put it this way..ur in good hands with the dps...esp if it is in good hands with you! this is a very special machine!

dont know, has never bin an issue. but i have heard (and read) only good things so i know im ok should i need customer support!!

if this were stolen id hunt down the thief however if i couldnt find him, the least i could do is be happy for him (or her) and hope they make good use of the deeps beast (and of course feel somewhat flattered and praise them for such good taste )
i love everything about this recorder, sure id love even more to have a 48 (physical) tracker...but we can all dream eh...but theres certainly nothing i hate about the dps24...its an invaluable legendary classic concept and its too bad theyre not in production anymore...im just happy i got mine :D
this is a very special machine!!

very easy to use if uv had hand on experience with other recorders or have the slightest clue about a mixer...just read the manual, watch the tutorial, and most importantly..hands on baby!! in no time ul be the one in control and the overwhelming feeling will turn into afeeling of joy...this is a very special machine!

24 tracks uncompressed at 24 bit...full automation, motorized faders, adjustable crisp lcd screen, seamless editing capabilities, excellent headroom, top line converters and pre-amp...awesome f lybrary ( i personally see no reason why to go outboard, this is pro in every sence and the f were not compromised on that imho) we're taking a huge room full of gear worth around 100,000 grand probably 11-12 yrs ago...this is a very special machine!

1st rate, top notch, pristine, clear, warm, anolog-like...ul think ur in a pro studio (even better than a pro in my experience for the simple fact this is easier to get good sound of) it actually slow roasts the sound so it sounds even better coming out...this is a very special machine!

compared to/with the best and just as if not more reliable! built like a tank...made to last...very military and durable...the o.s is top notch quality put through all the tests..ur in good hands...lets put it this way..ur in good hands with the dps...esp if it is in good hands with you! this is a very special machine!

dont know, has never bin an issue. but i have heard (and read) only good things so i know im ok should i need customer support!!

if this were stolen id hunt down the thief however if i couldnt find him, the least i could do is be happy for him (or her) and hope they make good use of the deeps beast (and of course feel somewhat flattered and praise them for such good taste )
i love everything about this recorder, sure id love even more to have a 48 (physical) tracker...but we can all dream eh...but theres certainly nothing i hate about the dps24...its an invaluable legendary classic concept and its too bad theyre not in production anymore...im just happy i got mine :D
this is a very special machine!!

very easy to use if uv had hand on experience with other recorders or have the slightest clue about a mixer...just read the manual, watch the tutorial, and most importantly..hands on baby!! in no time ul be the one in control and the overwhelming feeling will turn into afeeling of joy...this is a very special machine!

24 tracks uncompressed at 24 bit...full automation, motorized faders, adjustable crisp lcd screen, seamless editing capabilities, excellent headroom, top line converters and pre-amp...awesome f lybrary ( i personally see no reason why to go outboard, this is pro in every sence and the f were not compromised on that imho) we're taking a huge room full of gear worth around 100,000 grand probably 11-12 yrs ago...this is a very special machine!

1st rate, top notch, pristine, clear, warm, anolog-like...ul think ur in a pro studio (even better than a pro in my experience for the simple fact this is easier to get good sound of) it actually slow roasts the sound so it sounds even better coming out...this is a very special machine!

compared to/with the best and just as if not more reliable! built like a tank...made to last...very military and durable...the o.s is top notch quality put through all the tests..ur in good hands...lets put it this way..ur in good hands with the dps...esp if it is in good hands with you! this is a very special machine!

dont know, has never bin an issue. but i have heard (and read) only good things so i know im ok should i need customer support!!

if this were stolen id hunt down the thief however if i couldnt find him, the least i could do is be happy for him (or her) and hope they make good use of the deeps beast (and of course feel somewhat flattered and praise them for such good taste )
i love everything about this recorder, sure id love even more to have a 48 (physical) tracker...but we can all dream eh...but theres certainly nothing i hate about the dps24...its an invaluable legendary classic concept and its too bad theyre not in production anymore...im just happy i got mine :D
this is a very special machine!!

I don't find this machine difficult to use at all. Basic recording and editing can be mastered fairly quickly, particularly if you have used analog recording equipment. I think they have written this intuitive work flow in their original design. Full marks here!

Just a delight. I am still discovering new features and applications. I have had this machine for 6 years now and use it almost daily. Can't say there is anything I would appreciate other that perhaps another hard drive slot for an additional removal drive.

Just amazing quality. I use pro mics and monitoring equipment making this machine feel right at home amongst top pro gear.

Apart from the odd internal IC fuse blowing ( good thing though that there is careful protection of those expensive boards from nasty voltage spikes)... you can replace the fuse yourself if you can solder. Plenty of articles and help on repairs at dpsworld.vibestudio.net

Akai sold out after making this flagship, swan-song recorder, but there is almost immediate and excellent online help from the many who use the machine daily at dpsworld.vibestudio.net

I'd be heart broken if I lost this. It will be my recording friend for years to come. Nothing, but nothing comes close for value and features. Don't take my word for it alone though, ask the guys who use it as their main studio recorder.

I have the version just before V2.0

This has a learning curve. That said, the forum DPSWorld is extremely useful and helpful. You'd get step-by-step individual assistance for free.

The Manual is fine. Better than most. Not as good as Yamaha, but with the forum, I stopped even reading the manual.

Not for a beginner. I'd recommend having DAW experience before jumping into this very deep instrument. Often more than one way to do things, so even is something mechanically fails, there are often work-arounds.

Basically this is an all-in-one DAW. It's very professional sounding, except it's effects. I don't use them.

It's a 24 track digital recorder that does operations 12 banks at a time. 12 for pre's, Two 12 sets for the recordings, and 12 user related.

It can utilize external hard-drives. It can send/receive digitally. Many use that feature to use their computer's plug-ins.

I've never lacked for needing a feature. In fact, I've often have ignored many of them for lack of needing the options.

Once you get used to using it, it's way better than manipulating a computer to control multiple tracks. And it has motorized faders and auto-tracking so you can simplify the manual tasks even.

The effects are from their time period. They don't hold up to the modern free plug-in community. Things like Compression/Reverb etc are just not up to professional standards. Again, they were for THEIR day.

However, the pre-amps are amazing. The recordings are professional. And the routing options are so numerous there isn't anything you can't do to hook this up to your setup.

I have tried to think of ways to replace it to go just PC but there are a few things that hold me back:
1) The cost of going PC over this unit is 1-2 grand more.
2) The ease of manipulation on the PC is less fun and more "tabled"

I will one day have to do this, but I suspect they'll have a very good peripheral unit that will mimic mixing board function for the fun and ease I'm describing.

Because of it's highly professional sound and manipulative wav functions, I give this high marks.

I bought mine used. The only thing wrong was a button that you had to press extra hard to get it to light. I also found out that there is another way to implement it's function separately even if it did fail!

This kind of redundancy system makes this seem like a unit from NASA, much less Akai. Kudo's Akai!

Alas, they don't make this unit anymore, but fear not buying a used one. It's worth the risk. Read the forum to see what "can" go wrong and assess it for yourself. People are pretty open about their problems. Most people have had their units for years and years with lots of use.

Never dealt with Akai. But the online community and YouTube tutorials done by Akai DPS24 users, makes "customer support" awesome for THIS particular unit.

If it died, I'd compare to see if I could spring for a PC or Mac system entirely. When I stacked that entire cost up, and if it's more than 1000 more than a used unit, I might go solely to PC.

As it is, I use this to record and port the files to the PC to mix and finish.

BUT, when I mix with this unit, it still can be superior (not the mixing effects, but the mastering effects are pretty good)

This is just the best DAW ever made and I suspect with computing systems eventuality, probably with have become the best digital DAW ever made.

DPS24 OS 1.60. This is something for the "big kids" to play with.... not for the "home enthusiast" or the faint of heart. There is a large learning curve but the results are stellar. I have owned the Roland VS2480 and this thing blows it away. Take the time and be patient. There is alot of online support and several DVD's available to guide you along. This is about as "Pro" sounding as it gets for home studios.

Editing, effects, preamps, automation...It's got it all.

Nothing else comes close in this price range. I have used the Yamaha MD8, Roland VS2480 ( a very "blah" sound), Pro-Tools M-Powered, and the Akai DPS16 (great unit...needed more tracks). The DPS24 is the one! Incredibly clean, clear tracks....if you know what you're doing. Has an almost "analog" quality to the sound.

Going on 5 years and still cranking out the rawk.

Never needed to call. This thing is a work horse.

If you are serious about producing your own material, then this is it! Use higher end mics, a few higher end preamps and let her rip.

Everthing has a learning curve. This unit is low depending on you general experience with signal routing and 8 group recording architecture. If you have the slightest clue, it's intuitive and well laid out. The maunual is sort of like an engineering specification, nothing is step 1, step 2, you are left to your own devices and the resources on line, dvd instructional products sold ebay, etc. These are very good. I was tracking, mixng, and mastering in two days.

Comprehensive, quality throughout, covers all the bases in a single unit...awesome.

Excellent very analog sounding results. Effects are good, if you wnat really high quality go outboard, but they are usable and add some good subtle ambiance where needed, during tracking as a reference to make the sounds more interesting, etc. This thing shines on the quality of tracks...awsesome and actually could almost be considered "warm" in the digital world do mostly to the great preamps.

So far so good, a few hiccups, but nothing I can't handle.

Excellent, the still stand by the stuff when you take the time to get hold of them. Call...don't write.

All in one pro recording for the budding producer, songwriter, musician. Automation is flawless, once you get a hang of this, you won't look back...grab one of you can find one.

OS V2.0 for surround sound mixing. The DPS24 is the most professional all in one work station period! There isn't another SIAB that even comes to close at this price. The manual is okay. Could've been better but the machine itself is laid out well and very easy to use.

The FX are very good IMO. If more are needed I'll buy an external FX unit. For now I am very happy with what's in the machine. It is loaded with features. Far to many to list here. 24 tracks at 24 bit, 8 channels of ADAT with the option to add 16 more. It is a pro 24 track environment with options that can make it even more powerful. Even the new DPS24 hasn't made any major improvements (Color and a extra bay is about all). Even new models from various manufacturers today still can't compete. Akai had it down right from the start.

The sound is amazing! Very warm and natural. For a digital recorder it is the closest sounding to analog I've ever heard. It can handle anything you throw at it. Lots of headroom in this unit. The mix engine is incredible. I owned a Korg (their flagship model). Sounds were okay but it was very digital and there was always something missing in my mixes. Not enough 3D or ambience? I don't know but it certainly isn't a problem anymore!

So far so good. I haven't had a single glitch or hiccup. I bought it used with very low hours in excellent condition.

Haven't had to deal with them personally but the OS updates have been truly astonishing. There have been several already.

I'd definitely have to get another one if something were to happen to this one. It's worth every penny I paid and then some. The DPS 24 competes with machines costing 3 times as much... even more! The Korg and Roland don't even come close. USB 2.0 would've been nice for faster back ups and file transfers but it's not needed. There's an option to add a SCSI board to back up/transfer to external drives and it's very fast if you are transferring large amounts of data. The Akai DPS 24 kills the competition!!

Once you understand it, Then no problem.

The best in features

There is nothing that sounds this clear and precise on the marjet for the general public at this time.

This is what the recording industry should have been building all along.

Numark/Akai The best of both worlds. The merging of hte two has given more power for support and innovation

Grab the DPS24 while you can. They are being unloaded at incredible savings to the consumer in response to the new Akai DPS MkII being released (little differnce in the units except the color and an added drive)

Using Beta OS for v.2.0 (surround). The DPS24 is truly a pro-level machine, with 9 individual fader banks (108 total user faders) and full automation (faders, static, and FX), - there is almost no limit to what can be done on this unit. The sound quality is amazing, and we usually record at 24-bit, 44.1k!
The DPS 24 is a professional level machine with an amazingly broad feature set. Certainly it is expected that learning such a complex machine takes a bit of time (just ask any Pro Tools power user!) For those who are impatient, or who may want to learn the features and shortcuts quicker, instructional videos are available from wfstudios.net The newest release "Straightline" is targeted at new users and even features a video "Quick Start Guide" to get you tracking fast. Once you learn this machine, you will be blown away with the sound quality of what you can produce with it.

With 56-bit internal processing, the mix buss on the DPS 24 easily surpasses Pro Tools sound. The clarity is there, no coloration of sound, VERY flexible EQ, Dynamics, and 4 great stereo FX with a versatile library. Akai is also very on top of their OS (which has NO BUGS!). There are many new features which have been implemented in recent OS updates (available free at the Akai Pro web site) as well. Things like "Audio Recovery" which allow you to retreive tracks deleted by mistake, "Fader Flip" which allows you to turn the motorized faders into Aux Sends (for quickly setting headphone monitoring levels), and many more. The on-screen editing works right down to sample level, and is a s good as it gets.

I'd have to say it is a cross between the best analog system and Paris. Very clean, with a detailed stereo panorama. I work with several "big name" studios in LA, and have often received comments like; "How did you get such pristine sound on that?" The converters on this machine are excellent and overall sound quality is top shelf.

Here's where the DPS 24 shines; I've been a DPS 24 user for 4-years now, and in that time I have not had a single crash, lockup, or loss of data. The machine is a rock-solid platform. A Maxtor Diamond 9 Series hard drive is recommended for the most reliable and quiet performance. If your machine has any problems, it may have been shipped with a Seagate drive, which has now become incompatible with the latest operating system. Change out to a Maxtor and you?ll be running smooth as silk!

Akai is a great company, very eager to make sure their customers are happy. Robert Ray at Akai Pro has gladly fielded calls from me and is an excellent testimony to their commitment to support. If you have general questions about the DPS 24, check out www.wfstudios.net where you can buy instructional DVD?s for the machine. They also offer paid phone support for studios.

I think the DPS 24 is by far the best sounding platform out there in the under $30k class. Having worked with projects tracked in Pro Tools, Sonar, Nuendo, and Digital Performer, the sonics of the DPS 24 stand out above all these. Sure it takes a bit of work to learn and understand all the many features of this "deep" machine, but after you do, you'll be working smoothly and turning out very "pro" sounding material with a minimum of effort. If you get stumped; buy the instructional DVD and it will help get you going.