[net.music.synth] AKAI support experience

ewa@sdcc3.UUCP (Eric Anderson) (01/09/86)

The following should be of some interest to those considering AKAI products:

My presonal opinion is that while the products themselves are designed and
built well, by people who know what they're doing and such, the marketing
department for the States is far below par.

Everything (Ads, manuals, flyers) they print is translated poorly, indicating
their publishing is dictated from Japan, rather than an American ad agency.
This results in confusing documents and misleading specifications. For this
reason, if you tend to depend on manuals and support info you might think
twice about purchasing AKAI hardware. ON THE OTHER HAND (not to be too hard
on them) the hardware is fine and I have no trouble using it. I've figured
everything out through experimentation and am now a fully satisfied user.

Writing to AKAI seems to be in vain. Although they responded before Ensoniq
to a letter writtent he same day, their response was underwhelming. I wrote
and told them that I had an AX-80 synth, and was interested in info about
their other products. Well, they sent me a one-side xeroxed flyer for the
AX-80 (which I told them I already have) which was about as informative as
the front panel on the synth. It was written in strange (translated) english
and rather misleading. They also sent me a two-side suggested price list for
some of their stuff, including a 12 channel mixer/14 track recorder (strange
combination?) for $7000. This unit uses $30 cassettes. Also listed was the
AX-60 at $800, the MX-76 (keyboard only) at $900, the VX-90 (rack mount
AX-80?) at $1300, and a MIDI music computer for $3000. Seems a bit steep,
no?

Anyways, that's all I got for my 22 cents. I was hoping for some specs, at
least, on other products. Nope. I will write another letter explaining my
discontent and let you know what happens.

(BTW, I'm not knocking the hardware. It's great stuff, particularly if you
 can get an AX-80 for $690, as reported on the net.)


Eric Anderson, UC San Diego         {elsewhere}!ihnp4!ucbvax!sdcsvax!sdcc3!ewa
Home: (619)453-7315       Work: (619)586-1201       White House: (202)456-1414