What exactly is the purpose of a S5000, S6000?

I went to a friend's studio this weekend. He had a great set up. He had a MPC2000XL, a Korg Keyboard (can't remember which one) a Fantom XR rack, Triton TR rack, Mo'Phatt rack, and a S5000. Now I tried hard to understand the purpose behind having a S5000 when you have a MPC.

From what I understand, the S5000 is pretty much a replacement for all those zip disks of samples. It also allows you to do certain things to the sample. You can also put the samples on a keyboard and play with them like that. Can somebody help me understand the main purpose behind one, because if it's for what I think it's for.....I'd really like to get one.

Thanks in advance

OK The AKAI S5000 or S6000

Max polyphony 128 (WOW)

256Mb of RAM max fitted (that's over 25 min of full stereo sampling)

2 Drive Bays 1 Removadle and 1 Fixed etc.(S6000 i think)

Direct Recording To The Hardisk (mpc can't do it at least 2000's)

26 Resonant Filter types

Up to 16 Outputs

Dual Adat interface (Optional)

A Bunch of FX (EB20 effects Option)

A PS/2 port 4 standard computer keyboards, allowing sounds n pgms to be named easily.

Samples can be auditioned direct from disk or ROM without loadin' them

Sample rates 44.1kHz n 48kHz

2 control LFOs, mod n bend wheels, aftertouch, keyboard tracking n velocity


There is a few more those are the main standouts

GOOD STUFF ............. But Judge 4 Ur' Self if ya need it

OH, Sorry

the main utility would be Multi-Sampling ETC.


MPC are Originally Purposed 4 one Shots (But I Didn't get the memo)