Akai S1000PB (1988)

Name: Akai S1000PB
Brand: Akai

16-bit stereo sample player with 16-voice polyphony and 8MB expandable memory, made in Japan.

Overview

The Akai S1000PB is a playback-only 16-bit stereo sample player introduced in 1988 as a stripped-down version of the Akai S1000. It lacks sampling inputs and uses arrow keys for navigation instead of rotary encoders. Internally identical to the S1000 except for the missing sampling circuitry, it was designed for users relying on pre-recorded sample libraries. Marketed as a successor to the S900, it offered professional-grade playback with flexible output routing and multitimbral capabilities.

Specifications

Year introduced	1988
Bit depth	16-bit
Standard sampling memory	2 Megabytes (2MB) onboard RAM
Memory expandable	in 2MB steps to a maximum of 8MB
Polyphony	16-voice
Sampling rates	44.1 kHz and 22.05 kHz (switchable)
Outputs	Stereo mix outputs, eight individual audio outputs, stereo headphone output
MIDI	In, Out, Thru
Disk drive	3.5" floppy disk drive, supports 2DD and 2HD
Disk compatibility	Can read and write S1000 and S900 disks
Expansion slots	Slot for SCSI (or Atari/Supra) hard-disk interface card; slot for AES/EBU digital audio interface card
Format	3U-high 19" rack-mounting
Weight	9.5 kilograms
Display	320-character (8x40) backlit LCD
Operating System	Latest OS 4.4 (as cited in listing)

Design

The S1000PB features fixed-rate sample playback with interpolation for pitch transposition, crossfade looping, and the ability to splice and crossfade samples. Sample tuning is adjustable in semitones and cents. Its sound architecture organizes samples into keygroups (up to 4 per keygroup), then into programs (up to 100), with keygroups controlling filter, amplitude envelopes, and velocity crossfades. Each voice includes two digital ADSR envelope generators (for filter/pitch and amplitude) and one LFO for pitch modulation. The unit uses Akai’s proprietary floppy disk format and is commonly modified with upgraded power supplies, LED backlights, and Gotek floppy replacements due to aging hardware.

Context

Introduced in 1988, the S1000PB was part of the S1000 series and positioned as a playback-only alternative to the full S1000 sampler. It served users who relied on pre-recorded libraries and offered compatibility with S900 and S1000 disks. The series was superseded by the S3000 series in 1993.

Market

Common issues include failing original power supplies, worn buttons, and aging floppy drives. Well-maintained units often feature upgraded PSUs, solid-state storage, and LED backlights. Original UK pricing in October 1988 was £2899 for the S1000; a full 8MB system with cards cost £5194. Today, the S1000PB typically sells on the used market for a few hundred dollars.