The Akai S5000 represented in the end of 90s a revolutionary advancement in sampler technology, distinguished by its innovative design and comprehensive feature set. The sampler's user interface leverages intuitive icons, graphics, pop-up windows, and drag-down menus to enable rapid and effortless navigation. Basically, the S5000 is a computer unit using the embedded i386 processor and computer interfaces and standards. 

Key Technical Specifications

Voices architecture

• 64 voices for the base model, 128 voices with the VOX64 expansion card
• 32 parts

Filtering Capabilities

• Extensive filtering functions providing 26 types of resonant filters
• 4-pole and 2-pole configurations
• Lowpass, bandpass, and highpass filter types

ADC/ DAC Conversion Parameters

• 18-bit A-D converters with 64x oversampling 5th order Delta Sigma
• 20-bit D-A converters with 128x oversampling Delta Sigma across all outputs

Advanced Audio Processing

• Stereo, phase coherent time-stretch algorithms derived from Akai's DD1500 DAW
  - Enables precise pitch shifting
  - Supports tempo matching
• 3-band digital off-line EQ
  - Variable gain
  - Adjustable frequency
  - Configurable Q for each band

Sample Management and Performance

• 'Quickload' functionality for rapid multitimbral setup
• 'Virtual Sampling' enables direct playback of long samples from disk
• 64- or 128-voice polyphony supporting complex multi-timbral operations and layering

Connectivity and Compatibility

• DOS disk format support
• Folder-based disk organization
• .WAV and AKAI S1000, S3000 sample format compatibility
• Direct PC hard drive connectivity for extensive sound library access
• Configurable outputs:
  - Stereo pairs
  - Individual mono outputs (8 or 16)
  - Flexible combination configurations
• 2x MIDI IN, THRU, OUT
• Digital IN/ OUT (coaxial, optical)
• Wordclock connector
• ADAT
• 2 SCSI ports

User Interface

• 16 function keys for rapid parameter access
  - Faster than touchscreen interfaces
  - Provides reliable tactile feedback
• 'Window' key for managing secondary functions
  - Keeps screens uncluttered
  - Provides additional editing capabilities
• Direct hard disk sample auditioning

The AKAI S5000 base model comes standard with with 64 voices and 8 outputs. The S5000 Studio is fitted with the VOX64 and IB-S508P 8-Output Expansion Board.

Expansion options

• Up to 256MB of RAM using standard off-the-shelf SIMMs
• SampleVerbII (EB20) 20-bit 4-Channel Multi-effects Processor
• VOX64 Voice Expansion Board
• IB-S508P 8-Output Expansion Board
• IB-1616A ADAT optical I/O