IMPORTANT: I pre-configure this SSD assuming it is going to be the only drive in your Akai recorder. If you plan to use this in conjunction with other drives in your machine, you MUST let me know immediately, along with what SCSI ID's your other drives are on.

~ The original Akai DR Recorder SSD upgrade ~

Tested and working and guaranteed with a 60 day No Hassle warranty

2021 version comes with newly manufactured custom made 12" SCSI cable and can be upgraded with a 64GB SD card (minimum 10MB/s). NEW 2022 VERSION PCB AVAILABLE using easier to find microSD cards! No new functions over the 2021 version otherwise.

The device is fully satisfaction guaranteed and many of my most demanding professional buyers have come back for more!

Simply put there is no other SCSI substitute out there which can handle 16 tracks in and out simultaneously, allow you to make the disconnect the internal fan for total silence, AND allow for hotswapping of SD media(only with the use of SD Extension Cables - not included).

ERROR CODE ON YOUR AKAI? Most are due to bad or failing hard drives. See below!

!!! DR4 OWNERS !!!

PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF YOUR DEVICE IN CHECKOUT NOTES SO I THAT I CAN PROVIDE YOU A DR4 SPECIFIC SCSI CABLE !!!!

• Easy installation - takes 5 minutes tops. All you need is a screwdriver to take the top of the unit off, and install instructions included. You can even disconnect the internal hard drive cooling fan to make the Akai totally silent.

• Maximum record time. 24.5 hours on the DR4 & DR8, 99.9 hours on the DR16 & DR16 Pro. (48 hours with 16gb card on DR16.)

• Lightning fast speed. You will never wait for the DR to complete a task again. The massive bandwidth of the SSD allows operations to take place instantly. More importantly, it is tested to be able to record and play back 16 tracks without issue.

• Pre-configured for plug & play use. The SCSI to SSD adapter is programmed prior to shipment for maximum compatibility, reliability and speed. All that's left for you to do is format the drive.

• Allows use of inexpensive SD media in your DR. The kit ships with a SD card pre-installed. It can be left inside the device like a hard drive or mounted by the expansion port slots on the back to allow swapping of SD cards.

• Use it by itself or with a hard drive. This kit can co-exist with a hard drive as DR units have two SCSI hard drive connectors. Transfer your hard work to the SD card for peace of mind.

• 60 day warranty. For 60 days after the time of purchase I will guarantee full satisfaction with the kit and provide assistance should it be needed.

Please read the following section as it is essentially an "owners manual".

Note for DR8/16 owners running multiple drives:

The DR can run out of memory if you have several Extended format drives installed. The solution is to upgrade the CPU memory. The DR has two kinds of memory: one for recording buffer and one for the CPU. The CPU memory can become full if you have multiple hard drives or upgraded your SSD adapter with a SD card above 64gb. You will need two 1mb 30-pin 60ns RAM. They plug in on the bottom side of the unit into two black slots tucked in the corner. You can usually find these RAM on eBay for under $10 for two 1mb chips. If you already have expanded memory in your DR16 you will not need to worry. If you do not your SSD may act slow and dr16 may display “no memory”.

"DISK SLOW" error?

The AKAI SSD has a large on board cache sufficient of storing enough data in case the SD card is not writing fast enough in real time and will never drop out or de-sync. But, the AKAI does not know this, so you may wish to increase your Hard Drive RAM if you encounter the "DISK SLOW" error. install "Wave Buffer Memory" (72 pin SIMM 32Mb or 16Mb 60ns) on CPU Board (white sockets - see final item photo).

EXTRA INFO FOR DR-4 / DR4d OWNERS ONLY

The DR-4 has a non-standard SCSI connection and the cable must be modified to fit the DR-4. Your cable will be modified to fit both ways instead of being locked to one polarity. Please plug in your SSD and attempt to format the drive. If it gives  you a drive not found error, switch off the machine, reverse the connection of the SCSI cable and it will work. Cutting the tab off the SCSI connector is your responsibility if you do not inform me you have a DR-4 before shipment.

ERROR CODE ON YOUR AKAI? This chart will help you determine if your error is a drive issue or not.
If your error code is as follows, this SSD Upgrade Kit will solve your problem!
SYS ERROR: 4, 5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
DISK FORMAT ERROR: 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

The following error codes MAY or MAY NOT be a Drive issue but has been known to be solved with this kit.
SYS ERROR: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8

Disk Format Error 25 means you need to upgrade your CPU RAM! (See Note for DR8/16 owners running multiple drives above)

You will receive the following with your purchase:

• 1x SCSI to SSD adapter pre-programmed for Akai DR units.

• 1x NEW 1’ (0.3m) single-ended SCSI cable (as of July 2019, all SSD kits are shipped with newly manufactured, higher quality cables instead of old stock SCSI cables. These new cables are also sold separately in my eBay store. As of March 2020, these cables are reserved only for Akai SSD customers.)

• 1x 16gb SD card (must be formatted by the end user)

• Printed out install guide

SHIPPING TERMS

USA shipment will be via USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate box. As of March 2020 I am offering new options for international delivery. 

• Economy rate international shipment is via the Global Shipping Program.

• Express international delivery will be via UPS Expedited Saver which is typically delivered within 3 days of shipment. Please be sure your shipment information includes a phone number as it is mandatory for UPS Express services.