The Akai S1000 is a professional-grade digital sampler with a 44.1kHz sampling rate and 16-bit resolution, allowing it to record and playback samples at CD-level quality. The basic unit offers over 23 seconds of mono sampling time, expandable up to 90 seconds with additional 2 Mbyte memory boards, reaching a maximum of 8 Mbytes.
There are three main models in the S1000 series: the basic S1000 with a diskette drive, the Akai S1000HD with a built-in 40Mb hard disk, and the Akai S1000PB, which has a diskette drive but lacks the recording and editing features of the other models. The Akai S1000PB is designed for setups needing more than 16-note polyphony (in conjunction with the S1000), or as a playback-only unit for live performances.
Recordings made on the Akai S1000 can be transferred to the S1000PB via diskette or MIDI Sample Dump for playback. Diskette and MIDI data are compatible across all models, including the Akai S1000KB sampling keyboard.
The 16-note polyphony allows for intricate passages to be played back using the full sampling time. Samples can be finely edited (down to a single sampling period), looped with up to eight loop points per sample (with loop tuning), spliced with other samples, filtered, and shaped using dual independent ADSR envelope generators. The unit supports full velocity, positional, and looping crossfade options. It also offers basic synthesizer waveforms (sine, triangle, etc.) for use with synthesizer or sampler sounds.
The Akai S1000 can also edit samples digitally, stretching or compressing them to fit a specific time slot without altering pitch. It supports resampling at different frequencies, making it a versatile tool for various production applications, such as “house” and “hip-hop” genres or ambient sound design.
Its full MIDI implementation and multi-timbral capabilities make it an excellent choice for use with sequencers like the AKAI MPC-60 or ASQ-10. Additional features include remote operation of the AKAI ME-35T Audio/MIDI trigger unit (up to 2 units), and a single-trigger monophonic mode, which transforms the S1000 into a real-time percussion sound generator.
The Akai S1000’s eight independent outputs offer flexibility in mixing and effect processing. A built-in stereo effects send/return loop allows for efficient channel use in live settings.
The unit can handle up to 200 samples, 100 programs, or a combination of up to 400 samples, programs, and keygroups. The internal 3.5” floppy drive provides quick and easy data storage and retrieval for samples, programs, and settings.
Using the optional IB-103 interface board, the Akai S1000 can connect to a hard disk, such as the 40 Mbyte internal drive offered by AKAI, or any SCSI-compatible drive up to 512 Mbytes. The drive can be partitioned and managed by volume, with automatic volume loading through MIDI Program Change commands. The SCSI interface also facilitates fast data transmission to connected computers for editing.
An optional IB-104 digital interface board offers coaxial and optical digital links for direct sampling at up to 48kHz, as well as hard disk archive/restore functions to DAT for quick data management.
Before the Akai S1000’s introduction, the industry standard was the AKAI S900, with hundreds of sample disks produced for it. The Akai S1000 can read these disks and associated programs, convert them, and replay them, ensuring compatibility and ease of use for existing S900 users.
