AKAI S-950 The TimeStretching Killer Machine

AKAI S-950
ROLAND JV-1010
ATARI 1040 STe
STEINBERG CUBASE 3.01

Time for some more breaks that I just ran through my trusty old hardware sampler! But first, a bit of history on timestretching on the s950.

The Akai s950 was one of the first samplers available that had the ability to timestretch a sample without affecting it's pitch in any way shape or form. It allowed you to stretch a sample up to ten times the length of the source material, although with the maximum memory being 2.25 megs, that wasn't saying very much! Either way, the s950 had a very unique sound, and many dance music producers used this machine to sample drums and breaks in the early 90s before running them through the timestretcher- you can hear the effects of this sampler in tons of early jungle especially! Many argue that the s950's timestretching has yet to be duplicated with good results with any current software programs, let alone many of Akai's other vintage hardware samplers. One trick in timestretching is to play with the D-time value on the timestretch display window. D-time controls the way in which the s950 interpolates a sample once it is stretched; a lower value will insert less content and yield a more metallic sound, while a higher value can sound more realistic and even have a tremolo effect. Extreme values can definitely give way to creative results.

So without further ado, here's a couple things I recorded tonight (I played the sample at different keys on my Roland, all you need to do is chop the breaks or hits you want to use). I promise I will upload more samples soon that I'll run through the timestretcher to demonstrate it's effects!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• AKAI
• S-950
• timestretching
• SP1200
• ATARI
• 1040
• STe
• HIPHOP
• LIVE
• BEATMAKING

[xlmidi]

definately one of the most important samplers in the history of hip hop music. i love that gritty 12-bit sound!

[davethedoobie]

RESPECT! How old is this video - it reminds me of yesteryear when making music was fun.

[finimo]

Feelin' this immensly. Old technology is still the Business!

[clubhappybest]

you're not exactly Goldie heheh but this video is awesome -- is it just me but nobody uses mute buttons in their production anymore. there's nothing more satisfying than cutting those breaks in and out with a solid button push. I want a 950 so bad....and a 303...and a 909.. and a 101... and an ST.... wont even bother thinkin about an 808 since i'm not a millionaire

[hallowedsound]

S-950 & Atari - my first 'proper' setup ... a lot of good things happened:-) Cool vid man

[Rhymesmart1]

I like this - I like the sounds you made use of on this one.

You're headed in the righ' direction. Keep goin'

[thearchiveable]

Hey, i got the same battery operated commodore keyboard.. Find it very practical. :)

[laughorgomad]

6:42 I WANT that on my Ipod

[plasmaforce11]

nice fx :P

[pierlooqup]

more!

[goongod]

nice s20

[LOOPWHOLEBEATS]

fly