Akai S900

The S900 sampler was Akai's first truly professional sampler, released in 1986. Its sampling specifications were pro-quality at the time: 12-bit stereo sampling, 7.5kHz to 40kHz variable sampling rates and a maximum of 63 seconds of sample time at 7.5kHz. Up to 32 samples can be created and stored to disk along with any edit settings. This was one of the first rack-mount samplers to use a built-in disk drive. Although the drive could load sounds while you play, it was still a very slow process.

Editing and programming the S900 is a very good precursor to the advanced S3000 series. There are lots of advanced edit capabilities for looping, truncating, velocity crossfading, tuning and even analog-like parameters to control. Individual outputs for each of the eight voices, stereo mix out, stereo input, MIDI and trigger inputs round out this machine as a professional vintage-status sampler that still proves to be very useful even for today's musicians!

Akai S950

The S950 soon followed the S900 and offered increased memory and sampling rates. The sample rate was now variable from 7.5 to 48kHz and it could hold up to 99 samples in memory. Memory could be expanded from 750KB to 2.25MB. The S950 is used by Fatboy Slim, Moby, Skinny Puppy, Depeche Mode, Future Sound of London, Sneaker Pimps, The Bomb Squad, Dr. Dre, DJ Premiere, Prince Paul, Vangelis, Digable Planets and A Guy Called Gerald.

Daniel Fletcher

July 29, 2011 @ 11:00 am

Does it have analogue filter?
Which type of filter does it have, only lowpass?
Does it have a AMP envelope generator (digital) or a VCA envelope generator?

Thanks!

Daniel Fletcher of D a z z - S y n t h
www.myspace.com/dazzsynth

thebeatmarket

July 25, 2011 @ 11:39 am

@Peter. Check EBAY. Get the update on EPROM Chips. They're up there all the time.

Peter

July 22, 2011 @ 2:18 am

Hello!

I looking for operating system for akai S 950 ver 1.2 but on akaipro.com is not found. Anybody knows where i s possible download it?

Lum

July 14, 2011 @ 4:43 am

Roots Manuva made his entire first album with an S900 or 950 and an Atari ST 1040

jake

April 12, 2011 @ 6:43 pm

This was also used by Fast Eddie

<87654321>

 

Post Comment!

Your Name: (Required.)

Email Address: (Required, not published.)

Image verification: (required)

Message:

 

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.

I have read and understand the posting rules.