Akai S950 Operator's Manual page 21

You will have noticed from all this that most of the pages are set up with
the most sensible option as the default setting. You always have to give a
new sample a new name but, apart from that, the only main things you will
probably need to change are bandwidth, sampling time and the pitch at which
the sample is to be recorded. In this way, you can sample your own sounds
quickly and easily, often ignoring many of the pages.
TROUBLESHOOTING
There isn't much that can go wrong when in the REC mode but anything is
possible!
For example, it could be that you do not get any level from the sound you
wish to sample when you adjust the S950's record level control. This could be
for a number of reasons.
1. Check that the input source on the S950 is correctly set. If you are using
the MIC or LINE inputs, make sure that you are not switched to '2' (Fibre
optic) or '3' (Phono) but that the display reads '1' (Analog).
2. Is the lead connected to the mic or line input alright? Change it if in
doubt.
3. Is the microphone switched on or is the volume from your line level sound
source turned up?
4. Is the REC LEVEL control up?
It might also be possible that you cannot monitor the incoming signal through
the S950. This could also be for a number of reasons.
1. You can only monitor the incoming signal through the MONO MIX output. You
will not be able to monitor anything if you are using either the LEFT, RIGHT
or INDIVIDUAL outputs.
2. Is the MONITOR LEVEL control up? Is the amplifier on or turned up or are
the mixers channel or master faders up?
Once you've sampled a sound, you may find that it is not playing back
properly or even at all. If this is so:
1. Check that the MIDI keyboard or controller is connected properly and that
the MIDI lead is o. k. Also check that it is on the same MIDI channel as the
S950 (see TROUBLE SHOOTING In PLAY).
2. Check that the output audio from the S950 lead is alright and that the
amplifier and/or mixer is working properly.
3. If the sound is muffled, check that the bandwidth was set sufficiently
high before you sampled the sound. If it wasn't high enough, change the
bandwidth and resample the sound.
4. If the sound is at all clipped or too short, check that the sampling time
was set sufficiently long enough.
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