The DPS12 is a great digital audio hard disk recorder made by Akai. It exists in the following versions:

• DPS12
• DPS12 + internal Jaz drive
• DPS12 + internal hard drive
• DPS12 + FX board
• DPS12 + internal Jaz drive + FX board
• DPS12 + internal hard drive + FX board (called the HD+ model)

The versions without a drive need an external drive before they can record anything. The FX board is also available to buy from Akai dealers separately. In the UK, you can generally only buy the HD+ model now. I don't know whether the non-drive or Jaz drive versions are being shipped by Akai anymore.

Information has just surfaced about the DPS12i, which is a repacked DPS12 (new case, redesigned livery and different button colouring) that comes with an internal 10 gig harddrive (and the FX board). Click on the link below to see the picture.

DPS12i picture
DPS12i NAMM info from Harmony Central
Nice DPS12i picture

The DPS12i uses cheaper IDE drives instead of SCSI drives by way of an internal IDE<-->SCSI daughterboard. The external SCSI port is still present and fully functional. The only differences between the DPS12 and the new 12i model is the different colouring of the case and buttons, the inclusion of the IDE to SCSI board and the useage of a (bigger) IDE drive instead of a SCSI one. Other than that, the two models are identical.

Next FAQ page