DSS-1

Korg DSS-1

Released: 1986

MSRP: Y298,000 ($2895US)

Synopsis:

Similar to a DW-8000 with the wave memory replaced by a sampler or additive synthesizer, an additional delay, dedicated LFOs, and additional velocity destinations. Sound Logic provided a SCSI retrofit and expanded memory (8x max). Architecture Class: Additive-Sampler.

Ebay Description:

The Korg DSS-1 is a pressure and velocity sensitive 61 key (8 voice, monotimbral) dual-oscillator synthesizer, featuring 12 bit sampled (16kHz|24kHz|32kHz|48kHz, 256kW), drawn, or additive (128 harmonics) waveforms (and noise), resonant low pass (12 or 24dB) analog filter, dedicated ADBSSR filter and amp envelopes, dedicated pitch and filter LFOs, dual digital delays, low/high band shelving EQs, auto-bend, portamento, mono (1/4" TS) sample input, and MIDI. The 32 user editable presets can be saved via MIDI SysEx or disk (3.5" DSDD). Sample editing includes truncate, reverse, link, mix, loop crossfade or back and forth.

Physical

Form Factor	Dimensions	Weight	Audio Input	Audio Output	Communication Port	Control Input	Control Output	Switch Input	Power
61 keys	W:1171mm D:436mm H:123mm	18.5kg	sample	stereo	MIDI:In/Out/Thru	MIDI	MIDI	program+ sustain	AC 31W

Interface

Compatibility	Multitimbral Memory	Program Memory	External Storage	External Programming	UI Input	UI Output
DSS-1 DSM-1	None	32 disk:128	MIDI flopppy:3.5"(DSDD)	MIDI	parameter based	LCD display

Architecture

Multitimbral	Polyphony	Unison	Architecture
no	8	4	[DO1+DO2+noise]->VCF->VCA

Output

Effects	Pan Modulator	Volume Modulator	Headphone
low/high band shelving EQ, 2x digital delay (0-500ms, 10Hz? max LFO with invert, serial or parallel)	no	aftertouch MIDI-CC7 VCA-EG	yes

Control

Arpeggiator	Arpeggiator External	Sequencer	Sequencer Memory	Sequencer External	Continuous	Program Change
no	N/A	no	N/A	N/A	joystick MIDI-Bend MIDI-CC1	pedal MIDI

Keyboard

Key Pressure	Chord Memory	External Control	External Sustain	Key Scaling	Velocity Curves
yes	no	MIDI	pedal MIDI	yes	no

Sample

Stereo	Sample Depth	Sample Rate	Sample RAM	Sample ROM	Sample Points	Sample Trigger	Sample Loop	Sample Edit
no	12 bit	16kHz 24kHz 32kHz 48kHz	256kW	no		input-level	crossfade	truncate reverse link mix

Source

Name	Signal Class	Waveform	Octave Range	Amplitude Modulator	Harmonics Modulator	Pitch Modulator	Wave Assign Modulator
DO1	digital	(D/A 6-12 bits) sample draw additive (harmonics:128)	4' 8' 16'	no	no	auto-bend joystick DCO-MG MIDI-Bend portamento	velocity
DO2	digital	(D/A 6-12 bits) sample draw additive (harmonics:128)	4' 8' 16'	no	sync:DCO1	auto-bend joystick DCO-MG MIDI-Bend portamento	velocity
Noise	analog	noise:white	-	no	no	no	no

Filter

Name	Signal Class	IC	Resonant	Shape	Frequency Modulator	Resonance Modulator	Shape Modulator
VCF	analog	2069	yes	12\|24dB low pass	aftertouch VCF-EG joystick key VCF-MG MIDI-CC2 velocity	no	no

Envelope

Name	Level	Rate	Loop	Polarity	Trigger	Level Modulator	Rate Modulator
VCF-EG	break sustain	attack decay slope release	no	yes	no	velocity	attack:velocity decay:velocity slope:velocity
VCA-EG	break sustain	attack decay slope release	no	no	no	velocity	attack:velocity decay:velocity/key slope:velocity
Auto-Bend	initial	attack	no	no	no	velocity	no

LFO

Name	Waveform	Delay	Polarity	Sync	Delay Modulator	Level Modulator	Rate Modulator
VCF-MG	sine?	yes	no	no	no	joystick MIDI-CC1	no
DCO-MG	sine?	yes	no	no	no	aftertouch	no

Additive-Sampler Models

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