Akai Dps24 internal cd issue

[Dean Ottoman]

Hi, I've owned this unit since new. Problem is I'm trying to import a wav file burned onto a CD/rw that I've used many times before. The Dps24 recognizes the CD as a data disc but doesn't see the wav file. I've tried using other CDs, I've positively verified that the wav file is on the CD. But I can't figure out why the Dps24 can't see the wav file. Without that I can't import the drum track so I can finish the song. Thanks for any help.

[Lostgallifreyan]

Rewritable disks may weaken with repeat use, but more annoyingly, optical readers can get steady increases of microscopic dust on the optics that might let them detect a disk as valid, while not allowing the finer points of data access.

The only reliably way I know of to avoid this risk, if not replacing something specific (and likely rare and expensive for older gear) is to dedicate a computer to using a cheap generic optical device that I can replace easily, and to use digital transfer of data between that and any other machine.

EDIT: I found this:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/13636 ... l?page=117
You may be in luck because it looks like the drive might be a standard type, easily replaceable, though it will be best if Akai can sell you one at moderate cost. It may last longer than a generic one.

[Wonks]

Have you done this before on the unit?

Does the bit depth and sampling frequency match the project bit-depth?

It is possible that the laser in the CD drive is wearing out and isn't generating enough output to read the CD/RW correctly any more.

[Lostgallifreyan]

It is possible that the laser in the CD drive is wearing out and isn't generating enough output to read the CD/RW correctly any more.

I don't think that would be a great risk, because the write diode would read too, in most cases, with automatic power regulation. It might be designed to limit though, to well under a level considered risky for the pigment in a reusable disk as obstructive filming increased with age and use. I think it's likely that microscopic crud is doing this because it will increase diffusion of light, so bold detail like disk structure will be seen, while fine track patterns may not.

Still, optics, or diode, it's not a user repair, so a full replacement of the optical disk unit is needed, and fortunately it looks as if Akai intended this to be easy.

[resistorman]

I've taken a cd drive apart and cleaned the optics using a camera lens cleaning kit. It was easy to do and it worked.

[Lostgallifreyan]

I've taken a cd drive apart and cleaned the optics using a camera lens cleaning kit. It was easy to do and it worked.

Nice. They can be very fragile, but its good if you have little to lose by trying. I have a drive I might try that on..

[ajay_m]

I would be tempted to burn another copy onto a CD-R disk and just absolutely confirm that the drive won't read this. The rewritable media use a phase change medium which doesn't have the same contrast ratio and may well degrade over time. Media are dirt-cheap these days, it's not like the days when you forked out a tenner every time. Also double-check bit depth and rate are what the Akai can handle.

[OneWorld]

I have just read this in the review of the dps24 which SOS did way back when......look at the 'cons'

Pros
Fast, intuitive user interface.
Simple but flexible structure.
Highly capable performance.
Ongoing development.

Cons
Ongoing development!
No channel delay parameter.
***Samples can not be loaded as audio directly from CD-RW drive***.
No surround facilities yet.

There is also reference to this in the article saying "This will be a source of dis-appointment" - not able to load samples and store them to the HDD........" I could not find a way of loading material from the drive directly onto the DPS24's hard drive via an internal data path. This will come as a major disappointment to anyone wishing to load samples, for example."

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/akai-dps24

[Dean Ottoman]

Hi, thanks for the replies (very appreciated). Yes, Ive done this exact procedure many times, and the procedure to import .wav files via CD is also laid out in the owners manual which I still have. So, I imagined that my issue was maybe related to how I was burning the disc, until I found my old hand written directions on how exactly I needed to burn the CD, using the mastered option and using the data disc option. And I verified the .wav file is correctly burned onto the disc. The DPS24 does recognize it as a data disc, but wont see the file. I now think you guys may be right that perhaps the disc is not fully working right and I guess I will try to find a used compatible one. It looks like the connector is a 40 pin, plus a 4 pin power connection. They used to have a way that you could use a computer plugged into the USB connection to do file backups and or load .wav files. It used a software program that you haad to download from AKAI called akSysServer. But I dont still have that and they dont still support this machine, so the only way to get .wav files in is via the CD drive.