Akai S900
The Akai S900 is a 12-bit sampler, with a variable sample rate from 7.5 kHz through to 40 kHz. It was common in recording studios until it was superseded two years later by the S1000. Version 1.2 of the S900's internal firmware added support for loading operating-system upgrades from floppy disk.
Akai S900
Shawn_Rudiman's_Studio_-_sampler_rack.jpg: Angie Schwendemann derivative work: Shoulder-synth (talk) · Shawn_Rudiman's_Studio_-_sampler_rack.jpg · CC BY 2.0
- Field
- sampler
- Period
- 1986
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
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Documentary summary
The Akai S900 is a 12-bit sampler, with a variable sample rate from 7.5 kHz through to 40 kHz. It was common in recording studios until it was superseded two years later by the S1000. Version 1.2 of the S900's internal firmware added support for loading operating-system upgrades from floppy disk.
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wikidata · Q105773173 · wikipedia · Akai S900
In this article
Overview
Overview
Akai's final known disk-based release was version 4.0. Its disk image was later preserved and distributed with AkaiSeX, an Atari utility for reading and writing Akai sampler disks. An unofficial third-party operating-system version, SUPER4.0.2, was released on 23 July 2026. An expanded version, the Akai S950, was released in 1988 alongside the higher end S1000. The S950 imported some of the S1000's improvements, including timestretching (allowing the user to change a sample's length and pitch independently of one another), and it increased the maximum sample rate to 48 kHz. Unlike the S1000 series, the S900 series allows a sample to loop alternating forwards and backwards. Notable users include The 45 King (who named his hit "The 900 Number" after the sampler), Juan Atkins, Beatmasters, Black Box, Ian Boddy, Enya, Fatboy Slim (who nearly exclusively uses a pair of S950s), Front 242, KLF, The Bomb Squad, Prince Paul, Renegade Soundwave, Michael Gira and Tangerine Dream.
Key facts
Key facts
• Synth Name — Akai S900 • Synth Manufacturer — Akai • Synthesis Type — Digital Sample-based Subtractive • Polyphony — 8 voices • Timbrality — 8 parts • Ext Control — MIDI • Memory — 896KiB (768KiB for samples) • Dates — 1986
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Jenkins, Chris. Sampling Expandability. Music Technology. Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. Sep 1987.
- 2.Akai S900 Archive. R-Massive.
- 3.Vleugels, Jules. AkaiSeX. Atari Wiki.
- 4.Wiffen, Paul. Akai S900 Sampler. Electronics & Music Maker. Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. 74-78. Jul 1986.
- 5.Jenkins, Mark. Eat your heart out PPG!. Sound On Sound. 50-53. Jul 1986.
- 6.Hughes, David. Ian Boddy. Sound On Sound. 18-20. Dec 1989.
- 7.Trask, Simon. Future Shock. Music Technology. Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. 38-43. Dec 1988.
- 8.Hillier, Stephen. Renegade Action. Music Technology. Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. 18-22. Jan 1989.
- 9.Lennard, Vic. Akai S950 Digital Sampler. Music Technology. Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. 50-52. Jan 1989.
- 10.Collins, Mike. Enya - Watermark. Sound On Sound. 32-33. Mar 1989.
- 11.Trask, Simon. 45 Kingdom. Music Technology. Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. 50-54. May 1989.
- 12.Bradwell, David. Front Line. Music Technology. Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. 76-79. Jun 1989.
- 13.Goodyer, Tim. Beat Generation. Music Technology. Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. 40-45. Jul 1989.
- 14.Trask, Simon. Dream State. Music Technology. Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. 40-46. Jan 1991.
- 15.Prendergast, Mark. Inside The KLF. Sound On Sound. 24-28. Apr 1991.
- 16.Doyle, Tom. Classic Tracks: Fatboy Slim "Praise You". Sound On Sound. Jan 2017.
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