The Audio Playground Synthesizer Museum

AKAI

RIFF-O-MATIC (U40)

RIFF-O-MATIC (U40)

Learn your favorite riffs at your speed! Digitally
sample any musical phrase and slow it down without
changing its pitch.

The Riff-O-Matic is the perfect tool for learning a hot guitar part from a CD
or transcribing a complex jazz solo.

The Riff-O-Matic takes advantage of Akai's advanced Digital Signal
Processing (DSP) technology to let you digitally sample any musical phrase
(up to 26 seconds) and slow it down without changing its pitch.

With the Riff-O-Matic, you can slow a riff down to half speed and still
practice along at the original pitch. As you learn it, speed it up to 2/3 speed
and then back to full tempo, all at the same pitch.

Use the Filter to emphasize the frequency range of the phrase you want to
learn.

Want to learn a recorded part in a different key? No problem. The
Riff-O-Matic lets you transpose it over a +/-6 semitone range.

For figuring out those really fast solos, the Riff-O-Matic's "Note Grabber"
function lets you isolate and loop each note. Transcription has never been
easier.

Learn your favorite riffs at your speed! Digitally
sample any musical phrase and slow it down without
changing its pitch.

Check out these features and functions:

Playback Tempo
This is what it's all about! Choose the original recorded tempo or
2/3 or 1/2 of that tempo. The original pitch remains the same at any
tempo.
 
Filter
Isolates mid-range or low frequencies to help you hear the solo or
base instrument you're interested in.
 
Semitone
Transposes the sampled riff over a range of ±6 semitones
 
Fine Tune
Tunes the sampled riff to your instrument
 
Select: Up/Down
Use these buttons to select and adjust a function. For example:
Press Select until the Playback Tempo LED is lit and then use Up or
Down to choose Normal, 2/3 or 1/2 the normal tempo.
 
Note Grabber
Press this button and use the Up and Down buttons to isolate and
loop a single note. Great for figuring out those really fast solos.
 
Normal Record
Records until you press Stop or fill up memory.
 
Continuous Record
In Continuous Record, the Riff-O-Matic is always sampling. When
you hear the riff you want go by, press Stop and you've just
captured the last 13 (or 26) seconds.
 
Set Loop: Start/End
During playback, press Start and End at the start and end of the riff
you want to work on to loop just that riff. Press Start and End at the
same time to clear that loop and hear your whole recording again.
 
Record Time x2
Press to double the available recording time from 13 seconds to 26
seconds (but with reduced frequency response).
 
Record Level
Displays the input signal level. If LED 3 lights, turn down the Line
In level a bit.

Rear Panel Controls:

Headphone
Plug headphones in here for private practicing.
 
Output Level
Controls the volume from both the headphone and line outputs.
 
Line Out
Plug your amp or stereo in here to keep your neighbors updated on
your progress.
 
DC10.5V
The 10.5 volt DC power transformer (included) goes here.
 
Instrument In
Plug your guitar or other electronic or amplified instrument in here.
 
Line In Level
Sets the recording level for the music that you're sampling.
 
Line In
This is the sampling input. Plug a CD player, cassette player, etc.,
in here.

RIFF-O-MATIC (U40) Specs

Sampling Time:
Normal: 13 seconds, Rec Time x 2: 26 seconds

Playback Tempo Selection:
Normal tempo, 2/3 of normal tempo, 1/2 of normal tempo

Output Filter:
Off: full range response
Mid: to isolate midrange instruments
Low: to isolate bass instruments

Tuning:
Transposition: ±6 semitones, Fine Tune: ±50 cents

Looping:
Normal: realtime nondestructive looping
Note Grabber: to isolate individual notes

Record Modes: Normal, Continuous

Inputs:
Instrument In: 1/4" phone, 47k ohms impedance
Line In: 1/8" mini phone, 47k ohms impedance

Outputs:
Line Out: 1/4" phone, 130 ohms impedance
Headphones: 1/8" mini phone, 130 ohms impedance

Power Requirements: 10.5V DC

Included Accessories:
10.5V DC, 300mA power transformer;
audio connection cable (1/8" stereo mini phone)

Dimensions: 140mm W x 113mm D x 29mm H

Weight: 200 grams