Akai S20 (1997)
Compact stereo phrase sampler designed for DJs and home studios, featuring resampling, beat looping, and floppy-based storage.
Overview
The Akai S20 is a stereo phrase sampler produced in 1997, built as a repackaged hybrid of the mono Akai S01 with added features from the Akai Remix16 DJ sampler. It was positioned as an affordable, good-quality budget sampler targeting DJs and home project studios. The unit includes a 16-pad interface, a real-time sequencer with 30,000-note capacity across four tracks, and a built-in 3.5-inch high-density floppy disk drive for sample and sequence storage. It supports resampling and offers intuitive loop functions including Beat, Sample Tempo, New Tempo, and Master Tempo, allowing tempo-matched playback across loops.
Specifications
| Polyphony | 8 voices |
| Bit Depth | 16-bit linear encoding |
| Channels | Stereo |
| Standard RAM | 1MB |
| Expandable RAM | Accepts 4MB or 16MB 72-pin SIMM |
| Maximum RAM (installed) | 17MB |
| Sampling Time (standard RAM, mono, 32kHz) | 14 seconds |
| Sampling Time (max RAM, stereo, 32kHz) | 131 seconds |
| Sampling Time (max RAM, mono, 4kHz) | over 17 minutes |
| Sample Rates | 4kHz, 8kHz, 16kHz, 32kHz |
| Sample Banks | 16 (each contains one sample and a VCA) |
| Effects | None |
| LFO | None |
| VCF | None |
| VCA | Level and release controllable |
| ADC | 4th order delta/sigma 64x oversampling |
| DAC | 4th order delta/sigma 64x, 8x interpolation filter |
| Sequencer Capacity | 30,000 notes across four tracks |
| Keyboard | 16 pads (not velocity sensitive) |
| MIDI | 16 channels, 2x IN, 1x OUT/THRU |
| Onboard Storage | 3.5 inch high density floppy disk drive |
| Inputs | 2 x RCA pin jack (line-level) |
| Outputs | 2 x RCA pin jack |
| Headphone Output | 1 x 1/4 inch stereo phone jack |
| Power Supply | 12V DC unit |
| Dimensions W x H x D | 300 x 86.9 (108 max.) x 323.9 (329.5 max.) mm |
| Weight | 6.0 kg |
| Original UK Price (1997) | £499 |
Design
The Akai S20 uses an edit matrix interface with two rows of LEDs, printed columns, four cursor buttons, a large 4-digit display, and +/- buttons for parameter entry. Front panel controls include Rec, Erase, Hold/Loop, Stop, All Stop, Reverse, Seq, Edit, a large Tap button, and 16 Bank buttons. The unit features stereo I/O via RCA jacks, a 72-pin SIMM slot for memory expansion, and a built-in floppy drive with a data cable soldered directly to the board. The Beat Loop function matches loops of different BPMs by adjusting playback speed and automatically calculates BPM, with beat count ranging from 1 to 64. Master Tempo shifts the tempo of all loops while keeping them synchronized.
Context
The S20 was based on the table-top Akai S01 but added stereo I/O, greater memory expansion, and a sequencer. It shares design elements with the closely related Akai Remix16. Marketed as a budget sampler in 1997, it offered excellent value for DJs and home studio users seeking an easy-to-use, portable sampling solution.
Market
The Akai S20 had a historical market price between 2004–2008 of under $120, sometimes around $80. Common issues include floppy disk errors ("ERRD") and overheating of the power transformer when left plugged in. The service manual is difficult to find, and the unit lacks a SCSI port.
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