12/13/23 (filter opening, pitch) Roland Jupiter 6 + Akai ME20A + Alesis Midiverb II (46)

video upload by Cfpp0

"Added the Alesis Midiverb II to the Roland Jupiter 6 and Akai ME20A window. It’s a bloom machine, but it’s great at reversed effects, like this reversed delay preset #46. The Midiverb II is being used in mono here. I still don’t really understand how the ME20A turns chords into these odd sequences in sequential playback mode, but when I switch to up mode it makes a bit more sense."

Akai ME20A MIDI Sequence Arpeggiator

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You can find demos of the Akai ME20A in previous posts here.

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4 vintage synths arpeggiating at once | How to do a closing track for an album

video upload by Espen Kraft

"Arpeggiating 4 synths, in real time, all driven by the Akai ME20A arepggiator which I've set up with a loop of chords that are broken down into arp lines, by the ME20A. Synths used: Sequential Prophet VS, Memorymoog, Kawai K3m and the Korg EX-8000.
External reverb and delay used. Valhalla VintageVerb & Specular Tempus.

Support this channel on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/espenkraft

Find my music here:
iTunes Apple music: https://apple.co/35ZTdfR
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38aoWMB
Bandcamp: https://espenkraft.bandcamp.com/
Google Play: https://bit.ly/2NrgXD9"

Akai ME20A | Midi Sequence Arpeggiator - a spectacular failure, but still fun

video upload by Espen Kraft

"The Akai ME20A sequencer and arpeggiator from 1985/86, is a bit of an oddball thing. It can sequence or arpeggiate a set of notes, or chords, and somewhat manipulate the midi notes going to the synth you're playing. However, Akai didn't make this sync-able, in any way, so forget hooking this up to a drum machine or anything like that. Unless you mod your unit it have to be used stand-alone, which in some live gigs can be fun although limiting I guess. This came out about the same time as the Akai S612 sampler, in a black sleek design that shows Akai was a hi-fi manufacturer at the time."

Akai ME20A MIDI Arpeggiator and Roland SH-2

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video upload by psychgrave

"We run across these things all the time, but what do they do? I finally picked one up, so let's find out. It seems that it has 2 modes: playback and arpeggiate. Just input some notes from a MIDI keyboard and it will play them back as 1/6th notes. Alternatively, it can play them back as an arpeggio, giving the sequence more life. Here I also demonstrate how it sequences and arpeggiates based on the order in which you input the notes, so it's pretty flexible in that regard. This is all I have been able to figure out. Please don't ask about any other features. However, if you know more about it, please leave comments. There are very few ME20A videos on here, so I thought I'd put up a useful one. MIDI to the SH-2 provided by Kenton Pro Solo MKII."

via this auction

"Akai ME20A Rack Mount Midi Arpeggiator. It can record a chord or pattern and then play back based on what has been entered, almost like a step sequencer. Midi In, Out, Thru. Comes with the manual. Very Good condition. Well taken care of and clean."

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Akai ME20A MIDI Arpeggiator/ Sequencer

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Akai S612, MS204, MS100, & MD280 Full Set

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"This is a rare chance to own the Akai S612 full set that comes with the Sampler, the MD-280 + storage disks, ME20A and the ME10D.
Everything has been tested and works as should."

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Consoled

Published on Mar 21, 2020 zack dagoba

"Testing out the new console I just built and wired up. This is the Roland MKS7 being arpeggiated by the Akai ME20A and that is going into the Roland RSS-10 3d FX processor. See http://myblogitsfullofstars.blogspot.com"

Velour Arpeggiations with the Akai ME20A Rackmount MIDI Arpeggiator

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Velour Arpeggiations Published on May 12, 2019 zack dagoba

"I just got a vintage Akai ME20A MIDI Arpeggiator (from 1986) and here are my first tests with it. Its great! Its more like a basic note sequencer, as it will record whatever notes you play in and then replay them at its internal clock. But it will also arpeggiate held chords, but not in real time like a normal arpeggiator, you have to load the chords in first. Also there is no external clock sync, so to integrate this thing into a larger system would mean recording the MIDI data into the computer sequencer and using that as an editor and clock source for other devices

The synth is the mighty Sequential Prophet T8 - velvety and lush. The Effects are various Roland 80s rack units, the DEP5, SRV2000 and SDE3000"

via this auction

"It's not a typical MIDI Arpeggiator. You need to record notes or chords in real time. I've linked a youtube video that has a good demo of it."

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Akai ME20A MIDI Sequence Arpeggiator

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From the S-612 aesthetic.

"Clever MIDI device from the 80's that produces no sound of its own, but elevates the creative possibilities for your synths that do not have a built-in arpeggiator. The 'SPEED', 'GATE TIME' and 'DYNAMICS' functionality are really what make this machine worth it, in my opinion."

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Akai S612 MIDI Digital Sampler Synthesizer w/ MD280, ME20A, & ME10

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This is the first post to feature the MD20A and ME100.

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MD20A MIDI Sequence Arpeggiator
ME100 MIDI Digital Delay
S612 MIDI Digital Sampler
MD280 Sampler Disk Drive

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Akai Timbre Wolf demo song 2.12.2017 with friends

Published on Dec 2, 2017 Veli-Matti Rautio

"This song is made by four Akai musical equipments ME20A midi sequence arpeggiator, VX90 midi sound module, Rhythm Wolf analog drum machine and Timbre Wolf analog synthesizer with a helping hand of me and Boss RC-505 looper.
Instruments used:

VX90 & ME20A making arpeggio with reverb.
VX90 two pads with chorus.
Rhythm Wolf analog drums with reverb.
Timbre Wolf synth bass with RC-505 chorus and lead with Boss Super Chorus.
Akai ME20A midi sequencing synced to RC-505.
Boss RC-505 looping, midi master clock and fx, tempo was 112,5.
Mackie 802 VLZ3 for mixing and Nikon D3200 videorecorder.
Composed, played and arranged by me in Studio Tupos 2: )
Olipa työläs sessio! Koko päivä tässä touhussa meni, mutta onneksi valmista tuli: ) Seuraavaksi lähden koirien kanssa ulos happihypylle; )"

All Akai sound sources.

Akai AX60 Synthesizer + S612 Digital Sampler, ME10D Delay, ME15F MIDI & ME20A Sequencer

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via this auction

"The set includes
Akai AX60
Akai S612
Akai MD280 Disk Drive
Akai ME10D Midi Digital Delay
Akai ME15F Midi Dynamics Controller
Akai ME20A Midi Sequence Arpegiator
Akai Quick Disks 100 Pro Samples"

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1985 Akai Controller & Effects Ad with AX80

via Retro Synth Ads, where you'll find the write-up.

"Akai ME10D MIDI delay, ME20A MIDI arpeggiator and MM99"

AKAI ME20A Manual

You can find the pdf here.

via d

Akai ME20A MIDI Sequence Arpeggiator

Akai ME-20 A Midi Arpeggiator

via stamba on the forum

If anyone knows where to find a manual for this please comment or shoot me an email. You can find my contact info on the bottom right of the site.

BTW, I'm open to posting questions for people, just send me something worth posting with the question like an image, video, audio or other. Something that would warrant a post without the question. Just like band promo posts and the like. Hopefully I won't regret this. :)

Update via b rock in the comments (be sure to check out the comments for more):
"I happened across this thread while I was looking for background information myself.

Re: an ME20A manual. Here's a link ...

I haven't pursued that one yet, as I'm just looking to verify what I may have missed in my own explorations. (I've been putting together a .pdf for the newly-revitalized PatchArena.)

I've had an ME20A for years now. The key to using it is in embracing the quirkiness of the design. It's certainly an arpeggiator; just not in a modern sense of the term.

There are 3 algorithms: the usual Up & Down, plus a programmable Seq pattern. Rec Pattern determines octaves & direction. Rec Chord determines the notes that all three algorithms act upon. I don't have any numbers on maximum length yet.

MIDI In is for recording purposes only. The arpeggiated notes don't act upon live input. These are transmitted by Play, or a latching-type footswitch. The parameters cannot be changed with a footswitch plugged in, unless the 'latch' is currently pressed. Play or Stop is triggered on the footswitch release.

Step either extends a recorded note in progress (before note off), or can be entered as a rest by footswitch or front panel. Really old school here.

There is no MIDI Sync on the Speed, although I've used it as a master in a Tap Tempo routing. Gate Time literally lengthens or shortens the MIDI note output. Dynamics varies the velocity values of all outgoing notes from v=1 to v=127.

This may all sound confusing, but it's much easier in practice. That's one reason that I've undertaken an explanation in .pdf format. A picture is worth a thousand words.

In the meantime, I hope this helps someone get started. The ME20A is really a unique & useful device. If you get the opportunity, grab one before it catches on ... ;-) "