The Akai S5000 was introduced as a high-end digital sampler that redefined flexibility and integration for studio-based sampling systems. Designed with professional users in mind, the S5000 was a leap forward from earlier Akai models, offering advanced performance and extensive connectivity.
It adopted standard DOS and .WAV file formats for native operation, allowing files to be loaded directly from PC-formatted hard disks or removable media, and even supported downloading of sounds via the internet. This eliminated the need for format conversion, while also simplifying workflow for modern computer-based production environments.
A key advancement in the Akai S5000 was its Virtual Sampling function, which enabled the playback of long samples directly from disk without needing to load them into RAM. This feature made use of keygroup assignment, allowing sections of audio to be triggered within a program while still benefiting from full DSP processing, filters, envelope control and effects routing.
Users could re-sample internally on the Akai S5000 and record digitally using onboard I/O or the optional EB20 effects processor, and the sampler could be configured to route outputs independently through its 8 assignable outputs.
The Akai S5000 supported up to 256MB of RAM via four SIMM slots, enabling over 50 minutes of mono sampling time at 44.1kHz. The hardware was also designed for serious integration, with balanced and unbalanced analogue I/O, digital I/O, Wordclock sync, SCSI support, dual MIDI inputs, and optional ASCII keyboard input for detailed file and folder organisation. The unit was also expandable with a removable 3.5-inch floppy drive for onboard saving and loading.
For synthesis and sound design, the Akai S5000 featured 64-voice polyphony as standard (upgradeable to 128), with assignable program modulation, digital dynamic filters, two multi-wave LFOs, and multiple envelope generators. Its large 320 x 240 pixel graphical display, function keys, and rotary encoder were part of a control interface designed for deep, real-time editing without menu-diving. A unique ‘Touch and Tweak’ system streamlined navigation, making sound design tasks intuitive and efficient.
The Akai S5000 also featured a Utilities page for flexible MIDI and key mapping, an EB20 slot for optional multi-effects processing, and extensive file support for Akai’s S1000 and S3000 libraries. Folder-based navigation, loop editing, pitch shifting, tempo matching, and timbral layering were all made accessible through its powerful OS.
With its comprehensive sampling capabilities, modular expandability, and professional connectivity, the Akai S5000 offered a complete solution for serious producers and sound designers at the time of its release.
Akai S5000 Features
- QUICKLOAD allows direct loading of sounds into parts for fast assembly of complex multi-timbral setups
- User interface with icons, graphics, pop-up windows and drag-down menus for intuitive operation
- 26 filter types including 4-pole and 2-pole lowpass, bandpass, highpass and other variants
- 18-bit A-D converters with 64x oversampling 5th order Delta Sigma
- 20-bit D-A converters with 128x oversampling Delta Sigma on all outputs
- Stereo, phase-coherent timestretch algorithms from Akai’s DD1500 for pitch shift and tempo match
- 3-band digital EQ with variable gain, frequency and Q for each band
- Configurable outputs for stereo pairs, mono outputs or combinations
- Standard MIDI file playback and dual MIDI outputs for controlling external modules
- Reads Akai S1000 and S3000 series sound libraries
- Folder-based disk system for sound library management
- 16 function keys for fast access and real tactile control
- WINDOW key for hiding less-used functions while keeping deeper features accessible
- Two MIDI inputs for 32-channel multi-timbral operation
- Virtual Sampling allows long samples to play directly from disk
- Expandable to 256MB RAM using standard SIMMs
- 64 or 128 voice polyphony depending on configuration
- Supports DOS and .WAV formats for direct PC disk access
- Optional 4-channel 20-bit multi-effects processor (EB20)
- Audition samples directly from disk without loading