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Akai S900 MIDI Digital Sampler

Akai S900 MIDI Digital Sampler

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$109.17 Price Tier: Budget

4.5 (15)

1 Critic Review

2 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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8 wishlisted

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Page last updated Jun 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 6, 2026.

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5.0 (1)

$109.17 11 available Used

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Average Price: $109

Budget/Beginner

$249

$700+

Price Tier

In the Audio Samplers category, Akai S900 MIDI Digital Sampler is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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Description

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The S900 sampler was Akai's first truly professional sampler, released in 1986. Its sampling specifications were pro-quality at the time: 12-bit stereo sampling, 7.5kHz to 40kHz variable sampling rates and a maximum of 63 seconds of sample time at 7.5kHz. Up to 32 samples can be created and stored to disk along with any edit settings. This was one of the first rack-mount samplers to use a built-in disk drive. Although the drive could load sounds while you play, it was still a very slow process.

AKAI S900 12 bit Rack Sampler Specifications: • Polyphony - 8 voices • Sampler - 12-bit linear, 7.5 - 40kHz sampling rates (63 seconds). • Memory - 750 kB RAM in S900 (not expandable) • VCA - ADSR • Control - MIDI

Product specs

Brand	Akai
Model	S900 MIDI Digital Sampler
Finish	White
Year	1986
Made In	Japan
Categories	Digital Synthesizers, Samplers
Analog / Digital	Digital
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Polyphony	8 Voices

FAQs

What is the maximum sampling time of the Akai S900 MIDI Digital Sampler?: The Akai S900 offers a maximum sampling time of 63.3 seconds at a reduced sampling rate of 7.5 kHz, allowing for extended sample lengths.
How many voices of polyphony does the Akai S900 support?: The Akai S900 supports 8 voices of polyphony, enabling multiple samples to be played simultaneously.
Is the Akai S900 suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Akai S900 is suitable for live performances, offering MIDI connectivity and real-time sample manipulation, which are ideal for dynamic stage use.
What are the main connectivity options on the Akai S900?: The Akai S900 features MIDI Input, MIDI Output, and MIDI Through, providing versatile connectivity for integration with other MIDI-equipped gear.
Does the Akai S900 have a unique sound character?: Yes, the Akai S900 is known for its distinct sound character, particularly its drum samples, which have been widely used in hip hop and electronic music for their recognizable and memorable qualities.

Videos

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Espen Kraft

S900 - This made Akai the KINGS of sampling

Espen Kraft

Akai S900 Demo

Gear Geek

AKAI S900 12BIT STEREO SAMPLER

Take the Fear out the Gear

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Akai S900 MIDI Digital Sampler.

Features and functionality

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The S950 uses analog filters and changes clock frequency for pitch adjustments, which is unique among digital samplers.
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The S950's sampling rate at 10kHz creates a pleasant crunch, making it ideal for jungle drums.
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The Akai S900 is often paired with an MPC due to its lack of a built-in sequencer, making it reliant on external devices for sequencing tasks.
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Setup and maintenance

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Owners recommend using a proper mixer or soundcard with the S950 due to its limited inputs.
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The S900 typically has floppy drives with a high failure rate, which can be replaced with SCSI2SD solutions.
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Comparisons

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The S950's 48kHz sampling rate provides a "fat and open" sound, contrasting with myths about its lo-fi quality.
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Despite technological advancements, hardware samplers like the S900 offer a distinct sound that plugins and software often fail to fully replicate, especially in terms of vintage vibe and feel.
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Value and pricing

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The S950 is highly valued for its sound, often priced 2-3x higher than the S1000 on the market.
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Mods and upgrades

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Replacing the S900's floppy drive with a smart card reader is a popular upgrade. This process is well-documented and allows for more modern storage solutions.
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User experience

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The S900's AD/DA stage is noted for its unique sonic character, particularly enhancing low-end frequencies, making it favorable for drums and bass applications.
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Use cases and applications

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The chromatic sampling feature in the S900 introduces aliasing artifacts when transposing samples, a characteristic sought after for creating unique textures in music production.
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Other

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The workflow with the S900 is described as time-consuming, requiring careful setup and sample management, which can influence creativity and track development in unique ways.
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Critic Reviews

Akai S900 Revisited (SOS Oct 87)

muzines.co.uk

The Akai S900 shines with its Version 2.0 software update, rekindling enthusiasm for this early, feature-rich sampler. While some might argue it's dated compared to newer models like the Casio FZ1, the S900 holds its ground with enhancements such as crossfade looping and dynamic filtering. These updates substantially improve sample quality and user experience. Pre-trigger recording and velocity crossfade options further bolster its appeal, offering flexibility and creativity. However, Akai's choice to charge for updates and lack of backup provisions for the software disk are notable drawbacks. Despite these, the S900 remains a solid investment for those who value reliability and usability over the latest tech specs.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 15 Ratings

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bklyn

436

about 6 years ago

A certified classic!!!

Most are seeking the S-950, because of the time stretch feature, but what they don't know is the S900 is a secret weapon itself with it's digitally controlled analog filter. It also has an uncanny sound that works perfectly for drum and percussive sounds. I still use my S900 to give certain types of samples that dry 12-Bit grit. This is one sampler I will never let go...

Roles:

Drummer Music Producer DJ

Genres:

Hip Hop Funk / Soul Jazz

atonalmeasure

257

over 9 years ago

Nice warm filter and easy to use

I acquired my S900 from the then manager of Swan Yard Studios just as they were closing back in 2002, it had been used on countless recordings in the 80's and 90's along with an Oberheim Matrix 6r i bought and an Oberheim DPX-1, none of which i own today. The S900 was very similar to a later S950 i owned from what i can recall.