image courtesy of Akai

The S1000 was one of the most affordable, and therefore, one of the most popular 16-bit 44.1kHz stereo samplers of it's time. It features 16-voices, up to 32MG of RAM, and 24-bit internal processing wherein samples can be processed through a set of analog-like (although digital) modifiers, including a digital filter (18dB/octave), an LFO, and two ADSR envelope generators (one for amplitude and one for the filter). The S1000 also offered up to 8 different loop points. Additional functions included Autolooping, Crossfade Looping, Loop in Release (cycles through the loop as the sounds decay), Loop Until Release (cycles through the loop until the note begins its decay), and Reverse. The operating system is stored on ROM. However, upgrades can be loaded from a disk. Time Stretch function was available on version 1.3 and higher.

The S1000 came standard with a set of XLR and a set of 1/4" inputs on the front panel for sampling with an knob and switch for gain adjustment. On the back panel is a stereo out and 8 assignable outputs, along with effects send (mono) and return (stereo), a footswitch input, and the usual MIDI connectors (IN, OUT, THRU). Available options included expanded memory (up to 32MB with Akai's own memory boards), Atari Hard Disk Interface Board, Digital Audio Interface Board, and SCSI Interface Board.