Akai S5000 (1998)

Name: Akai S5000
Brand: Akai

Professional 16-bit digital sampler with 320x240 LCD and expandable memory, released in October 1998.

Overview

The Akai S5000 is a MIDI stereo digital sampler made by Akai Professional and released in October 1998. It succeeded the S3000 series and shares a product line with the S6000. The architecture is different from its predecessors. The 320 x 240 pixel backlit LCD has eight dedicated function keys on both sides and individual control keys around the screen, and parameters are edited with on-screen graphics. It runs from upgradable flash ROM and has a 'QUICKLOAD' function for loading programs directly into parts. The workflow covers multis, programs and samples, and stereo WAV files can be treated as single samples. It can load up to 128 multi programs into RAM at once. You can record samples straight to RAM or hard disk, and playback from either is transparent.

Specifications

Form Factor	3-space rack unit
Dimensions	483 mm x 410 mm x 133 mm
Weight	8.9 kg
Standard Sample Memory	8 MB
Max Sample Memory	256 MB (via 4x 72-pin SIMM slots, 64 MB each)
Bit Depth	16-bit
Sample Rate	44.1 kHz to 48 kHz
Maximum Polyphony	64 (expandable to 128 with VOX64 Voice Expansion Board)
Multitimbral Parts	32
Screen	320 x 240 pixel backlit LCD
Power Consumption	28 watts
Converters	18-bit A-D with 64x oversampling (5th Order Delta Sigma), 20-bit D-A with 128x oversampling (Delta Sigma), 8x digital filter on all outputs
Filters	Resonant, 26 types
LFOs	2, with 9 different waveforms
Connectors	8x Audio Out, 2x Audio In, 2x MIDI In, 2x MIDI Out, 2x 50-pin SCSI, Wordclock I/O, Stereo digital I/O
Analog Outputs	Eight individual analog outputs (upgradable to 16), stereo master analog output
Storage	Standard 3.5" floppy drive, replaceable with optional internal Zip(TM) drive; supports DOS (FAT32) disk format
Native Sample Format	.WAV
Sample Storage Capacity	Up to 8GB
Effects	SampleVerbII (EB20) 20-bit 4-channel multi-effects processor (upgrade)
Compatibility	Reads Akai S1000 and S3000 series sound libraries
Control	MIDI, including MIDI clock, MIDI sync, and MIDI control
Keyboard	None
Editing Tools	Waveform editor, loop editor, pitch editor
Features	Built-in sequencer, APM (Assignable Program Modulation) with flexible envelope generators, LFOs, and filters

Design

The front panel has a large 320 x 240 LCD graphic display, eight dedicated function keys on each side, and individual keys around the screen for fast navigation. Graphical parameter editing happens in the center of the display. The architecture differs from the S3000 series and is considered more sophisticated than earlier Akai samplers. It has Akai's APM system for deep modulation routing, and the flash ROM-based operating system makes updates easy. Samples can be recorded directly to disk or RAM, and playback works from either source.

Context

The Akai S5000 followed the S3000 series, which was introduced in 1993 and offered optional CD-ROM support. It belongs to a series that includes the S6000, and both models share one operator's manual. It was designed for studio use, with expanded memory, improved file handling and modern connectivity.

Market

Used units were available for about $300 as of January 2019, though listing prices vary widely. Common problems are power supply failures, such as popped capacitors near the PSU, and backlight or encoder failures. Replacement parts include the PSU and transformer interface board, backlight LEDs, encoder, main board, LCD inverter PCB, and rack ears. Upgrades include USB floppy emulators, ZuluSCSI drives, and OS update disks. Damaged units may still have salvageable components like the VOX64 board, USB board, or internal effects modules.