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Akai S950 MIDI Digital Sampler

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Akai S950 MIDI Digital Sampler

^# 16

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$599.00 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (24)

1 Critic Review

4 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Akai S950

5 community setups

27 wishlisted

75 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

4.0 (10)

$599.00 8 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $599

Standard/Professional

$249

$700+

Price Tier

In the Audio Samplers category, Akai S950 MIDI Digital Sampler is priced in the upper end of the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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Unleashing a revolution in the music industry, the Akai S950 MIDI Digital Sampler is a rackmount titan with a pivotal role in the evolution of contemporary sound production. Renowned for its 12-bit stereo sampling and variable sampling rates ranging from 7.5kHz to 40kHz, this ground-breaking device provided a canvas for musical experimentation for greats from Prince to Dr. Dre, and even Bladerunner composer Vangelis.

Key Features:

12-bit stereo sampling
Variable sampling rates from 7.5kHz to 40kHz
63 seconds of sampling time
Rackmount format
Integral in modern music development

Product specs

Brand	Akai
Model	S950 MIDI Digital Sampler
Finish	White
Year	1988
Made In	Japan
Categories	Digital Synthesizers, Samplers
Analog / Digital	Digital
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Polyphony	8 Voices

FAQs

What are the key features of the Akai S950 MIDI Digital Sampler?: The Akai S950 offers 8-voice polyphony, a 12-bit sampling engine, and a programmable digital low-pass filter. It includes features like vibrato, ADSR envelopes, auto-bend, and MIDI connectivity, making it versatile for various sampling needs.
Can the Akai S950 MIDI Digital Sampler perform timestretching?: Yes, the Akai S950 includes a timestretching feature, allowing you to change the length and pitch of a sample independently, which is useful for creative sound manipulation.
How does the Akai S950 integrate with other MIDI devices?: The Akai S950 features MIDI Input, Output, and Through ports, allowing seamless integration with other MIDI-compatible devices, making it easy to incorporate into your existing setup.
What is the maximum sample rate of the Akai S950?: The Akai S950 supports a maximum sample rate of 48 kHz, providing high-quality digital audio sampling for various applications.
Is the Akai S950 suitable for live performances?: With its robust MIDI connectivity and 8-voice polyphony, the Akai S950 is well-suited for live performances, offering reliable and flexible sampling capabilities.

Videos

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Dan Baker

Akai S950 Part ONE: An introduction to the sampler that changed everything..

Dan Baker

Akai S950 A Workhorse Sampler!

The Daydream Sound

Akai S950 Sampler - Initial Thoughts by The Daydream Sound

The Daydream Sound

AKAI S950 MIDI Setup

SampleKings

AKAI S950 sampler Review + Time stretch Tutorial

TheBizzyBScience

Akai S950 MIDI tutorial

BeatRippa

Reviews

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PROS

Unique "mojo" not replicated by plugins
Filter quality praised across reviews
Capable of producing complete songs independently
Fast navigation for an older sampler
Continuously variable sampling rate offers unique sound
Excellent for drum machine use with individual outputs
Legendary 90's sound signature
Features like timestretch and low-pass filter add significant value
Intuitive use, even for beginners
Superior polyphonic instrumental sampling capabilities

CONS

Pricier due to its vintage status and hip-hop/jungle genre connections
Considered cryptic compared to modern standards
Some users prefer the sound of competitors like SP1200 or Sequential Prophet 2000

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Akai S950 MIDI Digital Sampler.

Software and compatibility

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SCSI2SD devices are recommended for replacing floppy drives, allowing easy sample loading via SD cards, enhancing the workflow significantly.
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Features and functionality

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To play samples, use a MIDI controller with a 5-Pin MIDI Out. Avoid controllers needing USB to MIDI hosts to keep setups simple.
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The S950's analog filters and unique clock frequency changes provide a distinct sound that differs from standard interpolation methods.
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Setup and maintenance

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Ensure MIDI controllers are OS compatible to utilize software for advanced MIDI assignments like CC7 for volume control.
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Use cases and applications

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The S950 can be integrated into DAW setups using MIDI and audio outputs, similar to other vintage samplers like the Emulator IV.
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Sampling at 48kHz allows the S950 to clip in a way that adds pleasant new frequencies, enhancing the high end without sounding lo-fi.
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The S950 is favored for jungle drums due to its analog filters, highlighting its suitability for specific musical genres.
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Comparisons

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The S950 offers a sound characterized as "low-fi but super clear and glassy," distinct from the S5000's high-quality 16-bit playback.
Source

Value and pricing

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S950s are noted to be priced 2-3x higher than S1000s due to their desirable sound characteristics, with well-priced units being rare.
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Mods and upgrades

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Consider replacing the S950's floppy drive with a SCSI2SD for improved reliability and ease of use.
Source

Critic Reviews

Akai S950 Digital Sampler (MT Jan 89)

muzines.co.uk

The Akai S950 MIDI Digital Sampler builds upon its predecessor, the S900, with expanded memory and time-stretching capabilities, making it a solid choice for first-time buyers delving into sampling. Its improved sampling rate and compatibility with S1000 disks add to its appeal. However, the lack of velocity crossfading and the need to replace the ASK90 interface may frustrate existing S900 users. While not a revolutionary upgrade, the S950 remains a practical option for those serious about sampling, even if it falls short of some expectations.

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Full Review

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 24 Ratings

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sounds_past_midnight

279

over 6 years ago

12-bit << MEGA BEAST >>

Legendaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaary crunch. 90's sound signature. Really intuitive to use (imo). Sampling anything in this beast is great. Plus, you cant go wrong with the low-pass filter on this bad bwoy. Just a great, feature packed sampler. JUNGLIST MASSIVE!

From Gear Setup

michael_barakat

125

about 11 years ago

A (perhaps the definative) classic sampler

Although it looks rather cryptic by todays standards, it is actually quite easy to use and sounds great. I eventually sold it when I got my mpc1000. However, the s950 had what sounded to me like a better system for polyphonic instrumental sampling. In other words, it is a great sampler for turning a short wave loop into an awesome sounding instrument part. Or, for making sick low-fi drum samples.

atonalmeasure

257

about 8 years ago

Nice

Easy to use, very very easy to use.. great for drums, warm and fat.. But i dont miss it when compared to the beef of the SP1200 or Sequential Prophet 2000. I loved its simplicity.