The Akai S700 MIDI Digital Sampler, released in 1987, was a compact 2U rack-mounted sampling module designed to deliver powerful features in a streamlined format. Built around 12-bit digital sampling technology, the Akai S700 offered surprisingly high sound quality for its time and proved to be a practical choice for musicians looking to integrate sampling into MIDI-based setups without the bulk of a keyboard.
Its front-loading 2.8-inch disk drive made saving and loading sounds fast and efficient, allowing users to build and manage a personalised sample library with ease. The unit supported up to six simultaneous voices as standard, with optional expansion to 16 voices using the ASK 70 board. A maximum of 32 keygroup combinations could be stored in memory, giving users access to versatile multi-sampling capabilities.
Sampling time was generous for the era, with up to 8 seconds available per voice. The Akai S700 featured a simple yet functional 15-character LCD for navigation and editing, and offered multiple scanning modes including looping, alternating, and reverse playback to help shape expressive, dynamic performances. A standout feature was its auto-loop and splicing system, which could automatically or manually define seamless loop points, an essential tool for smooth sample playback.
Transposition in halftone steps and fine-tuning by ±100 cents allowed precise pitch control. Additional functions included sample overdubbing, vibrato via LFO, and a programmable low-pass filter that responded to velocity, enabling more natural dynamics. A front-panel play button provided easy monitoring without the need for an external controller, and an audio trigger input allowed samples to be triggered by percussive or pulse signals.
Though more limited than Akai’s flagship models, the Akai S700 delivered reliable sampling power in a space-saving rack format, making it a favourite among budget-conscious producers, home studio owners, and live performers during the late 1980s.
Features
- The Akai S700 is an EIA/2U 19-inch rack mountable type sampling sound source module.
- High quality sound using 12-bit digital sampling technology.
- Built-in front loading disk drive for 2.8-inch disks, permitting speedy data file saving and loading so you can create your own sound source library.
- Random key splitting and assigning of a maximum of 6 voices (expandable to 16 voices using the ASK 70 optional board). A maximum of 32 combinations can be stored in the memory, providing limitless multi-sampling power.
- Maximum sampling time of 8 seconds for each voice.
- Easy operation and verification using a 15-character LCD dialogue system.
- Equipped with advanced scanning modes including looping, alternating, and reversing, making it possible to produce natural sound almost identical to the original and to sustain short sampled sounds smoothly.
- Auto-loop/automatic splicing system automatically selects the best splicing point for looping. The splicing point can also be selected by the operator in the manual splice mode.
- Sampled sound playback start and end points can be set at random so unnecessary portions can be cut. Reverse playback of the sampled sound is also possible.
- Transposing in halftone steps and tuning of ±100 cents make it possible to tune any sound to any pitch.
- Function for overdubbing the sampled sound makes it possible to mix multiple sounds.
- LFO for applying vibrato to the sampled sound.
- Programmable low-pass filter for making the sound milder. Furthermore, the low-pass filter effect can be varied according to the velocity, so natural dynamics can be achieved.
- Play button on front panel. Playback and verification of the sampled sound is possible without using a keyboard.
- Audio trigger input. Playback of the sampled sound can be started using such audio signals as pulse sounds or percussion sounds.