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Average Price: $148

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$200

$801+

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Description

Step into the world of professional sampling with the Akai S1000 Midi Stereo Digital Sampler, a legendary piece that has been a staple in studios since its release. This classic sound module offers 16-bit stereo sampling, delivering high-quality audio that captures every nuance of your sound. Ideal for producers and musicians looking to add authentic, vintage textures to their music, the S1000 remains a favorite for its flexibility and reliability.

With its intuitive interface and comprehensive features, the S1000 is perfect for both live performances and studio recordings. Its powerful capabilities include multiple sampling rates and comprehensive MIDI implementation, making it a versatile tool for both beginners and seasoned professionals. The Akai S1000 also boasts a large memory capacity, enabling you to store a significant number of samples for extensive creative exploration.

Whether you're creating intricate soundscapes or simple loops, the Akai S1000 provides the precision and depth needed to bring your sonic ideas to life. Its robust design ensures durability, while its straightforward operation allows you to focus on what matters most—your music.

Key Features:

  • 16-bit stereo sampling
  • Multiple sampling rates available
  • Extensive MIDI implementation
  • Large memory capacity for ample sample storage
  • Intuitive interface for easy operation
  • Durable design for longevity and reliability

Product specs

Brand Akai
Model S1000 MIDI Stereo Digital Sampler
Year 1988
Made In Japan
Categories Digital Synthesizers, Samplers
Analog / Digital Digital
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Polyphony 16 Voices

FAQs

What are the key features of the Akai S1000 MIDI Stereo Digital Sampler?

The Akai S1000 features 16-voice polyphony, MIDI input/output/through, and digital sampling capabilities with 24-bit internal processing. It originally comes with 2MB of RAM, expandable up to 8MB, and includes digital filters and effects send and return.

Can the Akai S1000 sampler be used with modern MIDI setups?

Yes, the Akai S1000 can be integrated into modern MIDI setups using its MIDI input, output, and through ports, allowing it to communicate with other MIDI-compatible devices.

Is the Akai S1000 suitable for live performances?

The Akai S1000 is suitable for live performances due to its robust build and reliable MIDI functionality, although its vintage interface may require some familiarity for efficient live use.

How does the sound quality of the Akai S1000 compare to modern samplers?

The Akai S1000 offers classic digital sampling with 24-bit internal processing, known for its warm and authentic sound, which is still appreciated by producers seeking vintage sampler tones compared to modern high-resolution options.

What storage options are available for the Akai S1000 samples?

The Akai S1000 uses floppy disks for sample storage, which was standard at the time of its release, and can handle double density or high density disks for storing and retrieving samples.

Espen Kraft

Espen Kraft

Akai S1000 - Sampling and building a drum kit from scratch - Free drum samples included

Video thumbnail for Akai S1000 - Sampling and building a drum kit from scratch - Free drum samples included by Espen Kraft

Akai S1000 - Sampling and building a drum kit from scratch - Free drum samples included

Espen Kraft

Espen Kraft

Video thumbnail for AKAI S1000 vintage sounds by SynthMania

AKAI S1000 vintage sounds

SynthMania

SynthMania

Video thumbnail for What was revolutionary about the Akai S1000 sampler? by TheBizzyBScience

What was revolutionary about the Akai S1000 sampler?

TheBizzyBScience

TheBizzyBScience

Video thumbnail for Akai S1000 Beat by IJO Sound

Akai S1000 Beat

IJO Sound

IJO Sound

Video thumbnail for Akai S1000 in 2020 part 2 by Ian o'Brien

Akai S1000 in 2020 part 2

Ian o'Brien

Ian o'Brien

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Akai S1000 Midi Stereo Digital Sampler.

Comparisons

  • The S950 is noted for its analog filters and unique frequency handling, distinguishing it from the S1000 which interpolates pitch changes.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The S1100 offers clearer 18-bit sound and effects, unlike the S1000 which lacks these features and is slightly less clean.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • S950 requires a proper mixer or soundcard due to its input/output configuration, a crucial detail for optimal use.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • S950s are valued for their sound but can cost 2-3 times more than the S1000, often exceeding $1,000 on the market.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Sampling at low rates with the S950 can create a distinctive "fat and open" sound, ideal for specific musical styles like jungle drums.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Akai S1000 (MT Dec 88)

muzines.co.uk

The Akai S1000 sampler is a studio powerhouse, boasting exceptional 16-bit sampling quality with an array of features like dynamic voice assignment and flexible output routing. Its intuitive interface, aided by a large LCD, simplifies navigation, while its ability to load from a vast S900 sample library offers immediate versatility. However, the S1000 isn't without flaws—the absence of an index in the manual and a persistent background whine in the review unit raise concerns. Despite these, the S1000's robust capabilities and intelligent design make it a tempting choice for professionals seeking a reliable sampling solution.

positive

Hands On: Akai S1000 Sampler (SOS Feb 92)

muzines.co.uk

The Akai S1000 sampler stands as a cornerstone in music studios, praised for its comprehensive feature set, including stereo sampling and 16-note polyphony. While hailed for its usability and being a game-changer in the sampler market, its sound quality, although good, doesn't quite match up to CD standards due to technical nuances. The S1000's design intelligently circumvents the issue of losing its operating system, but the manual could better guide stereo sampling. Despite some looping challenges and minor interface quirks, it's a reliable workhorse for those looking to delve into sampling. For overall functionality and user-friendliness, the S1000 is hard to beat, though purists might nitpick its imperfections.

Akai S1000 Midi Stereo Digital Sampler review on rapmag.com

rapmag.com

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Adam F uses Akai S1000 Midi Stereo Digital Sampler

Adam F

Music Producer

...
Verified

Per this 2025 interview for 15questions.net, Adam F's main bedroom studio sampler was an Akai S1000:

I set up a market stall, which cost £5 a day to rent where I sold coffee, orange juice, and over time, I saved enough to buy some second hand/used equipment.

This included an Atari 1040 STE with Notator as my DAW (Notator, which later became Logic - Audio), an Akai S1000 sampler, a second-hand Allen & Heath mixing desk, a Fender Rhodes, and various other analogue out board gear and synths that became the foundational equipment used when recording,composing and producing Colours. all in my bedroom studio, Bible Studios.

See how Praga Khan uses Akai S1000 Midi Stereo Digital Sampler

Praga Khan

Music Producer

Lords of Acid

...
Verified via YouTube

In a video from July 22, 1990, recorded at Oliver's studio in Tienen, Belgium, Praga Khan is documented using the Akai S1000 Midi Stereo Digital Sampler during studio experiments, as shown in footage from the Praga Khan Private Camcorder Collection.

See how John Webster uses Akai S1000 Midi Stereo Digital Sampler

John Webster

Keyboardist, Composer

The Cult

...
Verified via John T. Webster

John Webster uses the Akai S1000 Midi Stereo Digital Sampler, as confirmed by his biography, which details that his music collaborator Werner Freistaetter purchased the Akai S-1000 Sampler for their studio setup. This information is provided by John T. Webster on his official bio page.

Album Usage

The Akai S1000 Midi Stereo Digital Sampler has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Akai S1000 Midi Stereo Digital Sampler, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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