The instrument
The S900 was Akai's first rack-mounted sampler tailored to the professional studio environment in 1986. After about 15,000 units had been sold. The completely redeveloped S1000 was joined in 1988 by its slightly improved successor, the S950, which was now equipped with expandable memory, a SCSI option, a higher maximum sample rate and more operating system functions (esp. time-stretching effect) and could also read and write HD floppy disks.
Founding artists of the Detroit techno scene, Derrick May and Juan Atkins, quickly adopted it. Derrick May even owned two. However, as technology evolved rapidly, the S900 was quickly replaced by newer models like the Akai S950. Nevertheless, many artists, particularly in the techno, hip-hop, drum & bass, and jungle fields, continued to work with the S900, praising its unique sound. It remains highly appreciated and sought after in these circles that cultivate vintage sampling approaches and techniques.
Details
The S900 can sample at 12 bits with variable sampling rates from 75 kHz to 40 kHz and a maximum sampling duration of 63 seconds at 75 kHz. These features, combined with numerous parameters and the ability to work with 8 voices simultaneously with two enveloppes, a filter and a LFO each, were excellent for the time.
The organization of the programs is Akai-typical in keygroups, which can be assigned if necessary in addition to all filter, envelope etc.. Settings can also be assigned to a MIDI channel and/or single output. The assignment of a "Loud" and "Soft" sample in a keygroup allows elementary velocity switching. The "Warp" function, an additional pitch envelope, is useful to make attacks crisper or to create flanging effects when layering.