The Akai S6000 represented an important evolution again in Akai's revered sampler lineup, featuring new hardware, completely redesigned user interface and powerful new capabilities while maintaining the company's reputation for industry-standard sampling technology. Housed in Akai's familiar gray&beige rackmount case, the S6000 is physically imposing and would require careful handling when mounting in a rack.

Design and Interface

The S6000's most notable exterior innovation is its removable front panel with a large 320 x 240-pixel backlit LCD display that offers remote editing capabilities. This revolutionary interface operates much like a modern computer environment, drastically reducing the menu navigation tedium associated with previous samplers. The display is complemented by 16 function buttons (eight down each side of the screen) that relate to onscreen functions, allowing instant access rather than searching through menu lists.

The main control panel includes eight mode buttons (Multi, FX, Edit Sample, Edit Program, Record, Utilities, Save and Load), data entry wheel, cursor buttons, numeric keypad, and dedicated function buttons. Three user-assignable keys provide quick access to frequently used screens. A PS/2 port allows connection of a standard computer keyboard for easier sample and program naming.

Despite the completely redesigned interface, the operating system philosophy remains familiar enough that existing Akai users can adapt quickly. The folder structure organization system helps keep track of samples and programs on the hard drive, similar to computer filing systems.

Sampling Capabilities

The S6000 can record high-quality samples at both 44.1kHz and 48kHz, with 18-bit A/D converters featuring 64x oversampling. Samples can be recorded to RAM (up to 256MB, providing over 25 minutes of full-bandwidth stereo sampling) or directly to hard disk for longer recordings. These "virtual samples" appear just like regular RAM samples and can be processed with filters, envelopes, and LFOs in the same way.

The sampler operates with a generous 128-voice polyphony as standard, allowing for complex, detailed arrangements without voice stealing. Sample recording can be initiated automatically (via threshold), manually, or via MIDI note trigger, with input options including mic, line, or digital sources.

Sound Processing

The S6000 features 26 different resonant filter types for extensive sound shaping. The familiar keygroup architecture allows up to four samples per keygroup that can be layered, cross-switched, or crossfaded (usually via velocity). Each sample can be processed through comprehensive envelope generators and two LFOs.

A powerful controller routing system called Assignable Program Modulation (APM) allows any of 128 possible MIDI controllers, LFOs, or envelopes to be routed to pitch, filter, amplitude, pan, or back to the LFOs. This enables treating samples like oscillators in a conventional synthesizer, capable of producing radically transformed sounds.

The time-stretch algorithms, borrowed from Akai's DD1500 workstation, are more sophisticated than previous versions, providing high-quality results for moderate amounts of time manipulation (50% to 200% range).

Effects and I/O

The S6000 includes 20-bit internal effects via the EB20 effects board (standard on the S6000, optional on the S5000). The effects section comprises two multi-effects blocks and two dedicated reverbs. A multi can use up to four different effects, with each part assignable to any effect channel at a user-adjustable level.

Connectivity is extensive with balanced stereo XLR inputs and outputs, 16 individual unbalanced outputs on jacks (usable as mono or stereo pairs), digital I/O with both AES-EBU and S/PDIF formats (available via balanced jacks or optical connectors), word clock input, and dual MIDI I/O for 32-part multitimbral operation. Dual SCSI ports with a termination switch eliminate the need for a separate terminator. An optional ADAT interface provides 16 digital outputs and one stereo digital input.

File Compatibility

The S6000 has adopted the PC WAV file format as the standard for storing samples and disk recordings, making it compatible with computer-based editing systems like Sound Forge or Wavelab. It maintains backward compatibility with S1000 and S3000 format samples, automatically converting them to WAV during loading. Hard drives use the FAT32 format for storage, removing previous restrictions on partition size.

The system includes a floppy drive with a second bay for an additional drive. While no internal hard drive is included as standard (allowing users to install their own as prices continue to fall), the S6000 can accept an optional internal 1GB Jaz drive. No CD-ROM drive is fitted, though the sampler works well with external SCSI CD-ROM drives.

Akai S6000 Technical Specifications

Control Panel

• Removable front panel with 320 x 240-pixel backlit LCD display
• PS/2 keyboard input
• Eight mode buttons: Multi, FX, Edit Sample, Edit Program, Record, Utilities, Save, Load
• Data entry wheel and cursor buttons
• Three user-assignable keys for quick access to commonly used screens

Memory and Polyphony

• 128 voices polyphony as standard (64x2 voice cards)
• 8MB base memory, expandable to 256MB via four standard SIMM slots
• Over 25 minutes of full-bandwidth stereo sampling at maximum memory

Sampling

• Sample rates: 44.1kHz and 48kHz
• 18-bit A/D converters with 64x oversampling (Delta Sigma)
• 20-bit D/A converters with 128x oversampling (Delta Sigma)
• RAM sampling and direct-to-disk recording capabilities
• Sample formats: PC WAV (native), compatible with S1000 and S3000 formats

Audio Processing

• 26 different resonant filter types
• Two LFOs with nine waveform options
• Two ADSR generators (including multi-stage auxiliary envelope generator)
• APM (Assignable Program Modulation) system for flexible routing
• Phase-coherent time-stretch algorithms (range 50%-200%)

Effects

• EB20 effects board built-in (four effect channels)
• Two multi-effects blocks and two dedicated reverbs
• Effects stored as part of multis

Connectivity

• 16 assignable outputs on unbalanced jacks (usable as mono or stereo pairs)
• Balanced stereo inputs and outputs on XLRs
• Digital I/O: S/PDIF and AES-EBU (both balanced jack and optical connectors)
• Word clock input on BNC socket
• Optional ADAT interface (16 digital outputs, one stereo digital input)
• Two sets of MIDI In, Out, and Thru
• 32-part multitimbral capability
• Two SCSI ports (50-pin miniature) with termination switch

Drive Options

• Floppy drive standard
• Second drive bay for additional drives
• Optional internal 1GB Jaz drive
• Support for external SCSI hard drives and CD-ROM drives

Multitimbral Capability

• Up to 32 parts per multi
• Up to 128 multis storable in memory simultaneously

System Features

• Flash ROM-based operating system for easy upgrades
• Folder structure for organizing samples and programs
• Sample auditioning direct from hard disk or CD-ROM
• Standard MIDI File playback capability
• PC FAT32 format for hard disk storage

The Akai S6000 represented in its time a huge advancement in sampling technology, combining a revolutionary user interface with expanded memory, powerful sound processing, and extensive connectivity. Basically, the S6000 was something like ultimatum to newborn DAWs, being basically a disguised computer itself. While maintaining the familiar Akai workflow philosophy that made its predecessors industry standards, the S6000 introduced innovations like direct-to-disk sampling, WAV file compatibility, and a computer-like operating environment. Despite a few teething troubles with the initial operating system (most of which were quickly addressed in the v1.01 update), the S6000 delivered an impressive package of features at an attractive price point that solidified Akai's continued leadership in the professional sampling market.

However, fate takes a different turn.