Korg DSS-1 (1986)
A polyphonic sampling synthesizer with dual oscillators per voice and built-in effects
Overview
The Korg DSS-1, released in 1986, was Korg's first sampling keyboard. It combines digital sampling with additive synthesis and hand-drawn waveform creation, offering a versatile sound design environment. The instrument features a 61-key keyboard with velocity and aftertouch, an analog filter, and onboard delay/echo effects. It supports up to 8-voice polyphony and includes two oscillators per voice, a noise source, and classic features like the 'Auto Bend' effect.
Specifications
| Polyphony | 8 voices |
| Oscillators | Two per voice |
| Noise Source | Yes |
| Sampling Rate | Up to 48kHz |
| Keyboard | 61 keys with velocity and aftertouch |
| Display | 2 x 20 LCD |
| Memory | 256KB to 2MB (floppy disk storage compatible) |
| Sound Storage | Up to 128 sounds per diskette (four banks: A, B, C, D) |
| MIDI | IN, OUT, THRU |
| Dimensions | 1171 (w) x 436 (h) x 123 (d) mm |
Design
The DSS-1 features an analog filter (VCF) and VCA, combining digital sound generation with analog signal shaping. It supports sampling, additive synthesis, and hand-drawn waveform creation, and includes DWGS synthesizer presets. Effects such as delay/echo and the classic 'Auto Bend' are generated internally.
Context
As Korg's first sampling keyboard, the DSS-1 marked the company's entry into the digital sampling market, offering advanced synthesis and MIDI implementation for its time.
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