The Akai S2000 Stereo Digital Sampler, released in 1995, marked a significant step forward in affordable professional sampling. Designed as a cost-effective alternative to the Akai S3000 and S3000XL, the Akai S2000 retained nearly all of their core functionality while introducing a streamlined interface. With a simplified 2 x 16 character LCD and condensed front panel layout, the Akai S2000 was engineered for users who wanted high performance in a compact rack-mounted format without sacrificing power or flexibility.
Internally, the Akai S2000 offered 32-voice polyphony, expandable memory, and comprehensive DSP functions. Its powerful synthesis capabilities included resonant low-pass filters, multiple LFOs, envelope generators, and deep modulation routing, allowing the Akai S2000 to perform double duty as a sampler and a fully capable digital synthesiser.
One of the most notable advancements was the introduction of a new MULTI mode, simplifying multi-timbral sequencing and layering for complex arrangements. Optional hardware expansions took the system even further, with a four-channel multi-effects processor offering distortion, EQ, ring modulation, chorus, flanging, pitch shifting, auto-panning, rotary speaker emulation, delay, and reverb.
Additionally, two extra channels of reverb brought the total to four. The system could also be upgraded with eight individual outputs, digital I/O, and a second set of resonant multi-mode filters—making it adaptable for a wide range of studio configurations.
Bundled with the Akai S2000 was a Macintosh software editor that gave users large-screen control for waveform editing, program management, and integration with computer-based sequencing. The unit was fully compatible with the extensive Akai sample library developed for the Akai S900, S950, S1000, S1100, and S3000 series, as well as certain third-party CD-ROM libraries, giving users access to a vast library of professional sounds.
The Akai S2000 Stereo Digital Sampler became a popular choice for producers and musicians seeking a high-quality, expandable, and computer-integrated sampling solution, offering much of the power of flagship models at a breakthrough price point.
Features
- Polyphony 32 voices
- A-D conversion 16-bit stereo with 64-times oversampling
- Internal processing 28-bit accumulation
- D-A conversion 18-bit with 8-times oversampling
- Sampling rates 44.1kHz / 22.050kHz
- Stereo sampling Phase-locked stereo sampling and playback
- Internal memory 2MB standard, expandable to 32MB using SIMMs
- Sampling times 22.28 seconds mono @ 44.1kHz (2MB) / 5.94 minutes mono @ 44.1kHz (32MB)
- Inputs L/Mono and R jack inputs
- Outputs L/R stereo jack outputs, 8 assignable individual outputs (optional), stereo headphone jack output
- Display 2 x 16 character LCD
- Digital I/O Optional SPDIF digital audio input/output on RCA phonos
- Effects Optional 4-channel EB16 multi-effects processor with distortion, EQ, ring modulation, chorus, flanging, pitch shift, autopan, rotary speaker, stereo delay and reverb (4 reverb processors in total)
- Filters 2-pole (12dB/octave) resonant low-pass per voice, optional second bank with multi-mode (HP, BP, LP, EQ) filters and tone control
- Envelopes 1 x ADSR and 1 x multi-stage envelope generator (additional envelope with 2nd filter bank)
- LFOs 2 x multi-wave low frequency oscillators (triangle, square, sawtooth, random)
- Legato mode Single trigger playback for monophonic synth/single instrument emulation
- Portamento Polyphonic and monophonic portamento
- Sound library Fully compatible with Akai S900, S950, S1000, S1100, S2800, S3000, S3200, S3000XL, S3200XL; also reads CD-ROMs from certain other manufacturers