S900
S900 tech specs
Akai S900
- Released: 1986
- Company: Akai
- Type: Sampler
- Polyphony: 8 voices
- Timbrality: Multitimbral
- Sample rates: 7.5 kHz — 40 kHz
- Sample resolution: 12-bit
- Audio out: 8 + stereo pair
- Control: MIDI
- RAM: 750 KB
- Storage: 2DD 3.5" floppy disk
- Display: 40×2 character LCD
- Features: Pingpong looping
- Size: 3U
The S900 was a sampler released by Akai in 1986.
For most musicians in the 1980s, the Akai S900 was the first remotely affordable multitimbral sampler. It wasn't just another instrument you'd add to the mix, it was something you'd combine with a MIDI sequencer and mixing desk to make an entire studio in its own right. Combined with an Atari ST running Creator or Cubase, this was the start of the sound-first workflow. It helped house and hip hop producers segue from DJing and turntablism to creating full remixes and collages.
On a technical level, the S900 occupies an interesting middle ground: recent enough to be multitimbral and thus the cornerstone of a studio; yet old enough to actually change the playback sample rate in the DAC, rather than faking it in software while keeping the DAC at a steady rate.
Accessories
Interface boards
- ASK90 8 channel audio input for triggering sample playback
Notable users
- The 45 King[1] (who named his most prominent track, "The 900 Number", after it)
- Juan Atkins[2]
- The Beatmasters[3]
- Ian Boddy[4]
- Bomb the Bass[5] (×3)
- De La Soul[6]
- Enya[7]
- Front 242[8]
- The Future Sound of London[9][10]
- Jesus Jones[11]
- The KLF[12]
- Legowelt[13]
- Derrick May[14] (×2)
- New Order[15]
- Renegade Soundwave[16]
- S-Express[17]
- Tangerine Dream[18]
References
- "45 Kingdom" Simon Trask, Music Technology, May 1989, pp. 50—54
- "Future Shock" Simon Trask, Music Technology, Dec 1988, pp. 38—43
- "Beat Generation" Tim Goodyer, Music Technology, Jul 1989, pp. 40—45
- "Ian Boddy" David Hughes, Sound On Sound, Dec 1989, pp. 18—20
- "Bass Studies" Tim Goodyer, Music Technology, Oct 1988, pp. 38—41
- "The Making of 'The Magic Number' by De La Soul" Tom Pinnock, Uncut, Feb 2023
- "Enya - Watermark" Mike Collins, Sound On Sound, Mar 1989, pp. 32—33
- "Front Line" David Bradwell, Music Technology, Jun 1989, pp. 76—79
- "Past, Present and Future" Simon Trask, Music Technology, Aug 1992, pp. 61—66
- "Future Talk" Simon Trask, Music Technology, Jan 1994, pp. 16—18
- "The Gospel According to Jesus Jones" Nigel Lord, Music Technology, Jan 1990, pp. 50—56
- "Inside The KLF" Mark Prendergast, Sound On Sound, Apr 1991, pp. 24—28
- "Synths and Stuff" Danny Wolfers
- "Techno Rhythim" Simon Trask, Music Technology, Nov 1990, pp. 38—42
- "Under New Orders" Phil Ward, Music Technology, Apr 1994, pp. 44—48
- "Renegade Action" Stephen Hillier, Music Technology, Jan 1989, pp. 18—22
- "A Night In The Studio" Tim Goodyer, Music Technology, Feb 1989, pp. 40—45
- "Dream State" Simon Trask, Music Technology, Jan 1991, pp. 40—46
External links
Reviews
- "Eat your heart out PPG!" Mark Jenkins, Sound On Sound, Jul 1986, pp. 50—53
- "Akai S900 Sampler" Paul Wiffen, Electronics & Music Maker, Jul 1986, pp. 74—78
- "Akai S900 Sampler" Paul Fishman, International Musician & Recording World, Jul 1986, pp. 84—86
- "Akai S900 MIDI Digital Sampler" Nick Graham, In Tune, Jul 1986, pp. 44—46
- "Sampling an Akai" John Harris, Home & Studio Recording, Sep 1986, pp. 18—20
- "Akai S900 Revisited" David Mellor, Sound On Sound, Oct 1987, p. 40
Tips
- "Getting The Most From... Mono Mode" Paul Wiffen, Electronics & Music Maker, Oct 1986, pp. 34—36
Downloads
Documentation
- "S900 manual" Akai
Akai: ASQ10 | S612 | S900 | S950 | S1000 | S1000 guide | S1000 page map | S1100
Samplers: FZ-1 | S612 | S900 | S950 | S1000 | S1100 | Studio 440 | W-30