Akai X7000


The Akai X7000 is a 61 key sampling keyboard from Akai. It was released in 1986 and one of the first major samplers released by Akai. It was a 12 bit sampler, that featured truncating, reverse and looping functions and tuning. Its timbrality is 6. The backlit LCD display screen features 16 x 2 lines. The unit features both microphone and line inputs.

Sample Rate

12 Bit, 4 kHz - 40 kHz sample rate. The maximum sample time is 8 seconds. The sample rate can be lowered to increase the sampling time.

Enhanced editing

Editing of the samples can be done via the LCD menu, the modes are one-shot, looping, alternating and drum trigger. The device can also be connected to an AX73 for further processing.

Expandability

Expandable to 16 sounds using the ASK70 optional board. An Expansion Memory PCB was also available at the time and retailed for £149.

S-700

A rack-mount version was released in 1987 called the S-700. The specifications were similar to the X7000 and used the same 2.8 inch disk drive too. Its 6 voices could be upgraded to 16 with the optional ASK70 expansion board.

Notable users