Well , missed this topic completely.

You might look out for an adaptec 2940 model.
This is SCSI II but also works on all SCSI I devices. Is in fact downwards compatable.
You won't have the speed of SCSI II but only SCSI I.
The 2940 has it's own bios, which means you can set it up manually.

I use one for the connection between M Kurzweil 2600S and my PC.

What I don't know though do PCI cards fit in a Mac??? I don't own a Mac.

Then for your info;
The 2940 is 80 pins while my Kurzweil is 64 pins, which gives no problem at all with a 64 to 80 pin cable.

Hope this helps.

Fred

What about a USB 2 SCSI converter? Can I connect a Mac (or a PC) to an S2000 using that?

Not something that I would do.
SCSI is weird enough. By introducing extra conversion and signal issues you're gonna make things more complicated and add more problems to something that is a pain in the ass to use already.

Just my $0.02

-ED-

Any scsi card that your mac will recognize and that has the proper connector should work. I use an adaptec 2906, works perfect.

As for the comment regarding not being able to turn your mac on with the akai connected, not sure about that. I've been doing it for years with no issues.

Well it all depends on how many years we're talking about. Last time I had to do that was when I was still using a 7100/80 with Mac OS 7.5

I had an ESI 32 and an S1000 samplers. I even remember several guys at work mentioning that connecting to samplers via SCSI was a bitch since Macs didn't boot up while connected to a sampler. If anything it is the first time I hear anyone tell me otherwise. If we're talking about using Macs made after 8100 and 7100 series as well as later versions of Mac OS you may well be right

Although SCSI voodoo might have to do with it.

-ED-