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Here is the Korg DSS-1, an 8-voice, 16-oscillator sampler/synthesizer from the mid-1980s. This is an extremely deep machine – the editing capabilities are endless!
This was a very respectable sampler for the time, and utilized 3.5″ double side/double density floppy disks – like many of its counterparts. The internal memory of the DSS-1 can contain up to 32 patches at once, but there are four “Systems” named A, B, C and D (blocks of 32 patches each) on a disk, so one can save up to 128 patches on one diskette.
The DSS-1 features the typical Korg joystick, perfect for controlling pitch-bend, vibrato, filter modulation and other effects. Keyboard controls include velocity, aftertouch, and key transpose – all programmable. These features add a great level of expressivity to this instrument.
Like for the majority of samplers, it’s possible to assign (and split, layer etc) several individual samples to the keyboard (multi-sampling). The DSS-1 allows a maximum of 16 individual samples (although you can stretch it to 30 splitting the oscillators), and it’s possible to use any sample, at any of the available frequencies, and/or mix and match with the created ones via additive/hand drawn. Korg refers to this as a “multisound”. The DSS-1 can sample at four frequencies: 16kHz, 24kHz, 36kHz, and 48kHz.
Additionally, the DSS-1 can create new waveforms (one full cycle only – turning on the loop on/off parameter is needed to hear anything), in two ways: Additive Synthesis, and “Hand Drawn” (moving slider A to shape the waveform). There are many parameters to shape the newly created waveforms. I am including a few audio examples from both the Additive and Hand-Drawn methods below in the review.
Once a sample/multisound is created, it’s possible to edit many parameters, including very good-sounding VCF and VCA. The effects include equalizer, and two DDLs (Digital Delay Lines). These can be used in a variety of ways, often contributing greatly to the general sound of the DSS-1.
Korg DSS-1 audio demos
Additive Synthesis audio demos:
Hand Drawn audio demos:
Check out the original Korg DSS-1 Sound Library page for more audio demos from this wonderful machine.
Korg Sample Library for the DSS-1 Sampling Synthesizer
This is the original Korg sound library for their DSS-1 Sampling Synthesizer.
It is interesting to note how many of these original samples ended up in the ROM of very famous Korg synthesizers – especially the classic M1. I think many of these samples still hold up very well – after many years.
I recorded a few examples from each diskette. Each diskette has the capabilities of storing up to 128 sounds (four banks (A, B, C, D each containing 32 sounds) The great thing is that all the new samples can be edited and modified via the internal VCF and VCA parameters – so the final result is often of very warm, analog character. Many of these sounds are staples of the mid-late 1980s.
Every floppy also contained a few synth sounds from the DWGS-based synths like the DW-8000 (“DWGS synthesizer presets included in each system”).
Korg DSS-1 Sound Library audio demos
Note: I used a Roland SRV-3030D for light reverb only, on all audio demos. The delay/echo fx comes from the DSS-1 itself.
KSDU-001 Piano
KSDU-002 Brass
KSDU-003 Strings & Choir
KSDU-004 Guitar & Bass
KSDU-005 Japanese Inst
KSDU-006 Indian Inst
KSDU-007 Bass Groups
KSDU-008 Pianos II
KSDU-009 Electric Guitars 1 & 2
KSDU-010 Acoustic Guitar
KSDU-011 Group & Orchestra Hits
KSDU-012 Brass Hits
KSDU-013 Combined Groups
KSDU-014 Sound Effects
KSDU-015 Drums
KSDU-016 Latin Percussion
KSDU-017 Percussion
KSDU-018 Strings
KSDU-019 Voices
KSDU-020 Brass
KSDU-021 Guitars
KSDU-022 Pianos
KSDU-023 Flutes & Harp
KSDU-024 Woodwinds
KSDU-025 Strings
KSDU-026 Harpsichord & Organ
KSDU-027 Brass
KSDU-028 Brass & Sax
KSDU-029 Percussion
KSDU-030 Electric Guitars
KSDU-031 Percussion II
KSDU-032 Orchestral Perc
KSDU-033 Combination Snds
KSDU-034 Woodwinds
KSDU-035 Vibes, Glock, Piano, Clav
KSDU-036 Strings II
KSDU-037 Mixed Percussion
KSDU-038 Voices
KSDU-039 Woodwind & Strng
KSDU-040 Strings
KSDU-041 Wind Instruments
KSDU-042 Brass
KSDU-043 Reeds 1
KSDU-044 Reeds 2
KSDU-045 Guitars (Acoust)
KSDU-046 Guitars (Rock)
KSDU-047 Bass
KSDU-048 Electric Piano 1
KSDU-049 Electric Piano 2
KSDU-050 MIDI Combos
KSDU-051 Japanese Inst 2
KSDU-052 Orchestra & Video Games
KSDU-053 Drums & Effects
KSDU-054 Ethnic Perc
KSDU-055 Voices II
KSDU-056 Performance 1
KSDU-057 Multiple Inst
KSDU-058 Industries
KSDU-059 Synth Bass & Drums
KSDU-060 Metal-Metalism
KSDU-061 Sound Tapestry 1
KSDU-062 Sound Tapestry 2
KSDU-063 Drums III
KSDU-064 Drums IV
KSDU-065 “D”-Synth Sounds
KSDU-066 Performance 2
KSDU-067 Rhythm Section & Guitars
KSDU-068 Drum Kits
KSDU-069 Lore, Comb, FX
KSDU-070 Ambient Drums, Timpani
Each of these floppies also contained “WGS synthesizer presets included in each system”. These are a few audio demos of some of these presets:
