Vintage Synth Explorer

Akai • S-700

Akai's 12-bit S700 was released in 1987 as a rack-mount spin-off of the X7000 keyboard sampler. The S700 is a very user-friendly sampler. It's much like the S612 that preceded it, but with some improvements. It has the same filters and effects as the S612. Its sampling frequency ranges from 4 to 32 KHz and it supports up to 8 seconds of sample-time. Its polyphony is limited at just 6 voices and unfortunately it uses the totally obsolete 2.8-inch QuickDisk format for loading and saving samples.

A unique limitation of its sampling, the S700 is capable of recording only six 0.8-second samples at its maximum bandwidth setting of 16kHz. It samples in mono and using twelve bits it has a distinctly lo-fi sound quality. Yes there's a low-pass filter and no, it's not resonant. So, limited memory, sound quality and data-storage may label the S700 as a dead end. But some think it's got character and continue to use them today. It's a dinosaur, and some people may like that about it!

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

Robin Sutcliffe

Posted 29 days ago

I ordered a replacement belt of the right dimensions here (with some help from Curtis! Cheers dude)

http://www.turntableneedles.com/Flat-Belt-Small-90-Inch_p_51 2.html

I'm thinking of posting a video of the replacement when I do it, should be the same as the famicom, only taking the drive out of the sampler will be different.

Curtis

Posted 31 days ago

Link to quick disk repair video below had a space in it so it won't work. Try this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJbWPVS0Suk

If you are looking for belts for your drive try here.

http://www.tototek.com/store/index.php?main_page=produc t_info&cPath=1_35&products_id=106

or here

http://www.risingstuff.com/store/famicom-disk-system-rep lacement-drive-belt-p-3132.html

Hope this helps.

Curtis

Curtis

Posted 82 days ago

The problem the disk drive is most likely the belt. The QD disk system has a weak link; the rubber drive belt. If you are up for the repair, or want to take it in, you need a 9 inch by 2 mm replacement belt. Try and track one down at you local electronics repair store or this place says they will have some in January.
Rising Stuff <risingstuff@risingstuff.com>The disc drives were also used in an ancient ninetendo console called the Famicom system.

Here is a link that shows how to change/ install the new belt once you get the drive out of your sampler.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJbW PVS0Suk

Good Luck and email me if you need more info.
curtisandheidi (at) netscape (dot) net

Daniel

Posted 130 days ago

I got on my own home studio, for makeing old school beats s700 is perfect, I love it, maybe it's a dinosaur but sound with I recive is unreapatable

Jaggz

Posted 143 days ago

Pretty handy 4 making a random syth out of any sound,,the test tone in it is real nice 2 i use it a lot

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