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S900

Akai S900

S900
S900 (image courtesy of AkaiPro)

Released: 1986

MSRP: $2500

Synopsis:

Adds features typical of the era Architecture Class: Sampler.

Ebay Description:

The Akai S900 is a 3U rack, 8 voice, velocity sensitive, 12 bit sampler with 8 individual outputs, featuring a programmable digital low pass filter, vibrato, ADSR amp envelope, auto-bend, and MIDI. Sample memory (500kW) can contain up to 32 Waveform, recorded at 7.5-40kHz. Sample editing includes loop, resampling, reverse, time-stretch, and truncate. Waveform can be saved/loaded via a 3.5″ DSDD drive.

Physical

Form Factor Dimensions Weight Audio Input Audio Output Communication Port Control Input Control Output Switch Input Power
3U rack W:482.6mm H:132.6mm D:410mm 10.8kg mic line mono stereo 8 individual MIDI: IN OUT THRU RS-232 no no record trigger wired

Interface

Compatibility Multitimbral Memory Program Memory External Storage External Programming UI Input UI Output
S950? N/A 99 max? disk:3.5″ DSDD MIDI Sysex RS-232 menu driven LCD display

Architecture

Multitimbral Polyphony Unison Architecture
no 8 yes Sample->VCF->VCA

Output

Effects Pan Modulator Volume Modulator Headphone
None no EG Velocity no

Control

Arpeggiator Arpeggiator External Sequencer Sequencer Memory Sequencer External Continuous Program Change
no no no N/A N/A MIDI MIDI

Keyboard

Key Pressure Chord Memory External Control External Sustain Key Scaling Velocity Curves
channel no MIDI MIDI 1 1

Sample

Stereo Sample Depth Sample Rate Sample RAM Sample ROM Sample Points Sample Trigger Sample Loop Sample Edit
no 12b 7.5-40kHz 500kW (750kB) no 32 pedal 1 merge resample (half BW) reverse splice truncate

Source

Name Signal Class Waveform Octave Range Amplitude Modulator Harmonics Modulator Pitch Modulator Wave Assign Modulator
Sample digital 99? N/A no no Auto-bend LFO MIDI Velocity Key Velocity

Filter

Name Signal Class IC Resonant Shape Frequency Modulator Resonance Modulator Shape Modulator
DSP digital ? no low pass Key Velocity no no

Envelope

Name Level Rate Loop Polarity Trigger Level Modulator Rate Modulator
EG sustain attack decay release no no key no no

LFO

Name Waveform Delay Polarity Sync Delay Modulator Level Modulator Rate Modulator
LFO ? yes no no no pressure MIDI-CC1 no
Sampler Models
S612 X3700 X7000 S700 S900 S950 S1000 S1000HD
S1000KB S1000PB S1100