i heard this thing can pitch a sample chromatically across all the pads, something like the mpc's 16 lvl function, cant find anything in the manual about it and id'e greatly appreciate any advice, thanks!

hi there is an interesting thread about this in "other machines" section (or other intruments? ok the one at bottom of the main page)..
anyway i got the akai remix16 wich is pretty the same machine (the remix16 is more dj oriented:it got crossfader and 2 pitch/scratch faders to tweak)...
the s20/remix16 doesn't have a 16levels function (i had an mpc1000/500), but you can easly copy samples between pads and then find yourself the pitch you want for every single pads...

you mean like (boss) resampling? to my knowledge the s20 can't copy samples or anything like that, but i would just resample 202 style through a 4track. i had that method in mind as a 16 lvl workaround but with the limited space on the s20 it would be nice if it only took up one pad like the mpc 16 level. maybe i'm just being greedy tho, this sampler sounds awesome, as simple as it is. i'll check out that thread too !

just to clarify:on the akai relatively old samplers (remix16/s20/2000/2000xl) the therm resample meant to reasample just the bits of a single sample (not even a pad performance):32bits,16bit,8bit or 4bit; it's cool for giving a sample a lofi carachter...
you can ,as on the remix16, copy samples between pads (a pad it's called bank on the akai manual of the time) http://www.scribd.com/doc/18849192/akai-s20-sampler-manual scroll on this online version until page 27, it's an "hidden" feature , a submenu feature those samplers got...

YES, THANK YOU!! i completely overlooked this little trick! as far as resampling goes on the s20 it only affects the sample rate not bit, much like the lo-fi setting on boss samplers, except it can go 4khz for some ultra jank lofi action!

yes, sometimes i confuse bit with rate, sorry

lol no sweat, thanks for all your help!!