S-900 vs. S-950, Which one is most related to the MPC60 mkI

I want to know, which one of these Akai S-series samplers was most close to the first MPC as far as sampler spec? I know their both 12-bit. and I know the S-900 sampling rate maxed out at 40 KHz, where the MPC60 sample rate was fixed at 40 KHz. But even more Importantly, Which one of these S-series samplers "sounds" most like the MPC60 mkI?

All opinions, ideas, theories and even emotions are welcomed. Even if there a bit off the subject and just feelings as to why one is "better" than the other.

-Kahlil

they should all be the same sample engine. The 900 came out in 86 and the mpc60mk1 came out in 88. The adr-15 (which was what the prototype of the mpc was called) was around in 87. It would suprise me if they didn't share engines. the 950 is just an upgraded version of the 900. either way your good.

I think the sample engines of the 900 and 950 are pretty similar. The 950 has a few more functions and features. Aparently the 900 can get some of these with a software upgrade but the RAM is not upgradeable on a 900

I know the 9's have non-linear sampling whereas the 60 has linear sampling. The 60's sampling is fixed at 12 bit 40 Khz whereas the 9's are variable frequenccies.

I think I can see where you are going with this though - I want the sound of the 60 without buying one?

S900's are so cheap you may as well just buy one and see how you get on with it. If you need more RAM sell it and just upgrade to a S950......

I think I can see where you are going with this though - I want the sound of the 60 without buying one?

Acually, I already have a MPC60 mkI. and at one time in life I've owed a mpc2k. I'm just interested in having the "sound" of the MPC60 yet having loopoints on the samples, (for bass & string sustains) like the 2k.

I posted a tread asking if the MPC60's sample engine would recognize loopoints, and what I got was a resounding NO.

Along with posting these treads to gain information from this vast and very rich community base, I've also have been scouring the net. So far, I'm leaning towards the S-950 because of the crossfade looping & timestreching.
Do the S-900 & S-950 suffer from the infamous "low output" problem like the MPC60? And if so is there a possible modification to remedy this?

Keep the input coming!
-Kahlil

go for the S950 from the jump, it sounds like it has what you're looking for

it is a lot louder than the 60, no problem there

join the S950 group on Yahoo groups and do some searches there, lots of good info

If you can find a 950 with SCSI, then go for that. Other than that I wouldn't sweat it. B/C you ain't gonna find a SCSI kit for the 950... I had a 900 and it was gravy. I'm selling an EMAX which I like the sound better than the 900 and it was faster to sample and map.

Just make sure that you get a 900 with OS 1.2 so you can upgrade it to OS4.0 which is the S950 upgrade.

Another thing I was thinking about recently. The big three sampler manufacturers back in the day (EMU, Ensoniq and Akai) each had a distinct sound. Like to me an EPS sounds similar to an ASR X, just the X sounds clearer and cleaner. Same thing with the S900 and the S1000. They don't sound all that different to me.