Akai S1000 / S1100 samplers

Hi,

In message 4 I mentioned a sample cd deal at thomann.de : 17 pure 
akai S1000 format sample cd's for 99 Euro's (about 120 $ by now ?). I 
just had the time to review them a bit. 
The cd's are made by 'best service', a well known german brand for 
sample cd's. 
Here's the list of all cd's in the package:
Set1:
Dance Instruments
Orchestra Classic
Voice Spectral
World FX
World FX
World FX
Crash Boom Zap
Sound Tracks
Ethnic Journey
Rave X

Set 2:
Popped Vol.1
Laidback
Brushed
House
G-SOul
Country
Roots Reggae


Half of the cd's in set 1 are filled with drum loops. These loops are 
realy good: the recording quality is very good. As with the other 
sampled instruments, the loops themselves are a bit outdated and only 
interesting if you do something with retro house / rave etc... So for 
me its a gold mine. I also like the vocals and the pads. The 
recording quality of the vocals is not incredibly good but it's 
extensive collection which can complement your existing collection. 
The multisampled piano's and organs are not good. This seems to be a 
difficult thing for the S1000. I had the same dull sound from the 
dedicated hammond sample cd I bought from greytsounds.
Set 2 is a compilation of drum loops and drum sets. The drum sets are 
all based on real drum kits and sound very good. I could use them 
directly in a hardhouse track, together with my Juno. 

Ok, if you ant an overall rating: it's incredible value for money, 
especially if you just bought your S1000 without samples. The 
programmers did a very good job, so you immediately get the right 
effects and save a lot of time ! If you're into old school drum loops 
or you want to have some nice drum kits, this is for you. If you're 
looking for a nice collection of synth samples, you will probably 
find better sample cd's. 

This review is based on 1.5  hours of listening.  Just let me know if 
you want a better review of one of the listed sample cd's. 
If you have an incredible sample cd, please let us know.

Regards,

Frank