r pay more than $400 for one of those, even if I had a lot of disposable income, except maybe to get involved in the trading and speculation to make some money off of foolish people looking for woodgrain and knobs. The DSS1 and similar digital/analog hybrids from the mid 80s suit me just fine for the analog sounds I need to have at my disposal (alongside my digital piano and romplers for more realistic sounds), and in design, reliability and features, are actually quite superior. Knob twiddling during live performance is not my forte, since I need to have both hands on the keyboards at once, so aftertouch is very important for me as a controller - and most vintage pre-MIDI analogs lack this feature. I do need to program new sounds, and the digital one-parameter access system is no problem for me. What counts is what's under the hood, and the DSS1 has a lot going for it. If I do need to get some wild filter sweeps or somesuch, the joystick and data slider do just fine (how many knobs can you twirl at once?) Another thing I need for gigging is reliability and durability, oscillators not drifting out of tune, etc. That's why I'm so happy to finally get the DSS1 for so cheap. As far as I'm concerned the hiking up of prices of the old analogs has worked in my favor; since I don't do electronica, techno or rave (and don't particularly care for that style, which is basically just a form of mind-numbing disco with electronics thrown in), I have no real use for those in my setup other than to impress people visually. If I ever did buy a vintage analog, it would have to be for cheap and then I would sell it right back into the market for more $$ (join the club...)
Anyway, back to the DSS1 - it's a sleek and sexy (and huge!) beast. People are immediately impressed by its enormous size - bigger than a Roland JD800 and almost measures in depth as a Matrix12. Okay, sampler is a chinzy 256k of memory but that's not important as I use a software sampler for that. The DSS1 needed this size and weight because these were a lot of features for 1986 technology. This board alongside my trusty DW8000 give me all the analog sounds I need, and the DSS1 especially does it with style. There is a massive disk library on the internet and you can use a PC program to convert the disk images to 720K floppies for use with your DSS1. I've already collected a slew of Keith Emerson moog sounds this way. I also found one disk that included a string patch so lush I couldn't believe my ears - very Matrix12-like in fact.
The only regrets are: no portamento(!) and no arpeggiator, but that's okay, the DW8000 do those. As for no sequencer, who cares - we all know what crap in-board sequencers are when we get our hands on a good PC-based sequencer. The last thing I need is a "workstation" instead of just a synth. Besides, I don't use a sequencer for live performance (it's cheating!), only for studio work. MIDI specs are good, and it makes for a decent alternate controller (my primary one is an 88-key weighted controller/digital piano). Another down-side is the rather klunky/noisy keyboard (same as on the DW8000) but I've had no problems with it and it works just fine for one-handed leads.
The DSS1 is an awsome feature-packed analog/digital hybrid with sampling and fits just nicely into my setup. And as for its size and weight, as someone else here said, "just be a man and lug it!"
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SP
Sašo Podobnik21 years ago see moreThere's one thing about the DSS-1 that I'll remember until the rest of my days - the SIZE. The pictures just DON'T do it justice, maybe it'll help if I tell you that it's bigger and heavier than my Yamaha DX7 IN A ROADCASE. When I drove it home from where I bought it this March, I had to knock down BOTH back seats in my car, and I still barely got it in. The guy who just picked it up from my house had to do the same in a much bigger car.
The size, however, is absolutely justified for a 1986 machine, for the DSS-1 is was immensely powerful piece of gear back then. A sampler which would treat each sample as an oscillator and could process it the same way that analogue synths process a waveform - through analogue filters, mind you - was something unheard of then and it took a while for dedicated samplers to include this feature.
That's not nearly all, however: the DSS-1 allows you to edit every single frame of the sample or to create a completely new waveform, which you can also draw with a slider. When I first got the synth, I thought this was going to be cooler than it turned out to be. It IS fun, but no matter what I did, I got hollow and/or metallic sounds which got only mildly after having been processed.
Even though the factory sample disks are pretty good, especially the brass and strings, they didn't see much use as I don't use many samples of real instruments in my songs. There was a particular sample disk that I used all the time, however - the orchestra hits. I make 80's pop music and the hits were absolutetly perfect (e-mail me at sartre@siol.net to hear them in action). I wanted to sample my analogue drum machines into the DSS-1 and make sample libraries, but either the sampling on the DSS is a really bothersome thing, or I just wasn't doing it right. The drums lost all their punchiness and there was too much noise because of the 12 bit A/D converters.
Other than that, I used the DSS-1 as my master keyboard, even though I didn't like the key action very much - way too "clunky" for fast synth solos, if you know what I mean. So after I bought a DX7, it was time for the DSS-1 to go - it was taking up too much space for what it did and I sold it for a fair price. I wasn't particularly sorry about seeing it go, even though it wasn't a bad keyboard. I consider myself very fortunate that nothing broke down during the six months that I had it, especially the disk drive, which is expensive to fix. I'm really happy about all the space I reclaimed in my (bedroom) studio - the next time I buy a keyboard as big as this, it'll be the Alesis Andromeda.
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JA
José António Pereira21 years ago Very competent and sturdy synth/sampler. You can get very synthetic sounds out of it. I'm searching for a PC or Atari software editor for it.
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Metropoj22 years ago I am one of the few lucky ones to own a DSS Expanded with SCSI and 2meg. I've owned this for about 10 years now and some of those sounds just can't be done justice on another axe. For you others out there with an Expanded ( I hear there's about 6 of us according to Korg Canada ) I have the only known drivers for Turtle Beach Sample Vision 2.0 Dos editor. Works great for looping, etc.... Drop me an email if you're interested ...... I am interested who out there has one ..... or if yours is dead and you want to sell it for parts ....
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Matthias Stock22 years ago see moreThe most important thing in rating this instrument is to view it as a synthesizer with endless possibilities to create own waveforms. If you look at it as a sampler its no wonder if you are dissapointed. But as a synthesizer this thing is the most versatile piece of gear I have ever seen. From fat analog to cold digital sounds it is all possible. Especially the hybrid sounds have their own character which remind me on the PPG Wave 2.2 and 2.3. The difficulty with the DSS-1 is that it is not easy to understand and to program. From 1989 to 1996 this was my only synthesizer and so I was forced to get everything
I needed out of this machine. After all those years I can tell you it is possible.A unique features of this machine is to get directly into the sample-ram to edit every single sampleword which is usefull to create one cycle waveforms for subtractive synthesis but which is also a lot of work with over 1000 samplewords. The waveforms on the Korg disks are created with additive synthesis so the classic waveforms like saw, square, triangle are not perfect. With editing every sampleword you can give them a perfect form. Especially the perfect sawtooth sounds much more punchier and fat. If you remind that the original waveforms inside are played with 32KHz samplerate the sampleword editing also allows you to create waveforms with 48 KHz on your own which is also a lot of work but results in a much better sound, especially in the lower octaves.
I can also recommend a usefull modification to get the filter into self-oscillation which expands the sound possibilities very much. For this you have to open the DSS-1 and to recalibrate the trim pots for each of the eight filter modules. This is not very easy and you have to know exactly where you are allowed to recalibrate and where not. If you are interested in this modification please send an email and I can give exact introductions for this operation.
The DSS-1 is a very good synth for all kinds of pads because of its "cheap" filters with a liquid sounding resonance and its VCA section with operates with linear amplification (this means slow attack and decay). Try sampling wavesequences or wavetables from synths like the Korg Wavestation or the Waldorf Microwave and treat it with a filter sweep from the DSS-1 and you have something close to the PPG sound.
Another strong point is the ability to use the DSS-1 as an external digital delay when you give any signal into the sampling input without starting the sampling process. Any parameters of the digital delay you programmed before are kept for your external signal. Also try this with decreasing the bit resolution and a low sample rate of 24 or 16 KHz. The resulting aliasing gives an exciter effect to the sound (but with an interesting lo-fi character).
Even if its a lot of work and patience try to get into the depth of this machine; its worth it.
Don´t judge the DSS-1 as a bad machine before doing so. It belongs to the most underrated synths
ever. -
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Dru22 years ago I don't know why you guys mind the size, this thing is a beast on stage. I use it as a controller sampler and synth. Makes some of the worst, horrifying, disturbing, wretched, car crash noises ever and I love it! Really good for R+B or rap too. I write industrial coldwave stuff and it works fabulous for that too. Get one of these, maybe an external sampler and a rack module and you'll be set AND have a huge twisted beast on stage. Be a man and just lug it. :)
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TV
The violinman22 years ago Heavy 26 kg, raw synthesizer with a great and orginal sound. I love mine DSS-1, but i never use the sampler, i use it for cool raw solo base-sounds. A killer!
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nomad22 years ago the DSS-1 is huge & heavy, but still one of my favorites.
the one that guy had must have been broken....the filters are wonderful,
and you get 12 and 24db modes. they're both useful.it's basically a souped-up DW8000 with sampling. Special features include
sync (which works OK, but how often do you see sync on a sampler? i did
get half-decent sync leads out of it with just squarewaves....), DUAL independent
delays.they call the LFOs MGs (mod generators) which is probably why that guy got confused.
pretty obvious when you use them though.wish it had some multitimbrality & more outs, actually i wish the DSM-1 was REALLY
a rackmount DSS1 (with at least the filters??) but oh well. I still think the dss-1 is
a bargain for the cheap prices they are fetching nowadays. i love the raw sound
of it. 12 bits isn't really a detriment, i've heard it said that this (at 12 bit) sounds
better than an akai s1000 (at 16 bits). -
EL
Eric Lake22 years ago I love mine and would pay 650 guilders (approx 300$) for it again if it broke down or got stolen.
However,I still haven't located a manual so if someone can help me out it would be much appreciated. -
KP
killa_cuts productions24 years ago Very cool lo fi instrument. Great for lofi breakbeat type stuff, and I love the synthesis ability. drawing waveforms is fun and exciting. Only had it for a few hours and already getting interesting sounds out of it. The short sample memory doesn't bother me, the point of sampling is chopping and rearranging to make new stuff, not to sample a whole song and add vocals to it.
interface was pretty easy to pick up, but I wonder if anyone has the manual so I could get deep into this thing. If you find one of these snatch it up... -
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Bazz24 years ago I have had one a few years back and there was one feature that i have never seen on any other sampler; with a slider you could change the sample playback from 12 BITS TO 2 BITS!!!!!!!!!
Filter were good too!
....but it was too big .... -
K
kk24 years ago I have a love-hate relationship with this instrument. I love it for its dark and organic but still lush sound. The other way around i hate it for its teadious interface, slow diskdrive and not to mention its size!! I'll never get rid of it though, I know i would miss it right away...
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RF
Rocco Flores Oneto24 years ago I can't forget how difficult it was to carry my DSS-1. At the shop they told me it was a great sampler. 1Meg of Ram they said. At the time I thought that ammount of memory would suffice.
But Oh Surprise there was not technical info about the real capabilities of this beast.
It doesn't took me long to realize that memory was only 375Kb and that it was incredibly difficult to operate as a sampler. I was very dissapointed indeed.
The next day I decided to use the DSS-1 for a song I was writing. I struggled to to put a couple of 4/4 loops and a now memorable synth lead.
Using MIDI program changes...remember there's no multitimbral option for the DSS-1. Just Set your recieve channel and play... I was able to play with different sounds along the song.
The synt lead with the help of the built in double delay and basic EQ was a real hit. Using the joystick for VCF (yeah! VCF) modulation gave also brilliant results.
In my opinion the DSS-1 is really poor as a sampler (12bit, reasonalbe 48Khz, magre 375Kb RAM) but come to its own when used a synth. Great personality, real VCFs, VCAs and LFOs and almost 20Kgs. of weight makes it a heave choice... even today... -
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tinee24 years ago Yeah, the disk drive is slow, but this machine is the bomb. Mad phat when it comes to sampling. 16-48k sampling rates. I don't even have the manual yet and have been able to pretty much figure it out. Haven't stopped playing with it since I got it. Now building my studio and for $250, couldn't go wrong.
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DJ
David Johnson25 years ago http://www.retrosynth.com/f...
Here you will find the files that corley brigman and others have assembled of DSS-1 sample disks. Go wild with that copyqm program. You'll be glad you did.
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Miraz25 years ago I have two of these beasts. and they rule. sampling is easy and making loops is a snap. it does drum loops really good!. Then go back and resynthesize them. Awesome. Yes some of the Library sound are not good specially basses. (remember the 80's samplers were mainly used for creating "money" sounds not imaginary. but I redid all of them to MY taste and they rock. the synch is loud and ripping. CONS: as mentioned: slow disk drive,small RAM, no SCSI. I would like to get the SCSI kit and whatever upgrades KORG had to offer. If I could get those I would definetly buy the rack mount I spied the other day. I love this machine and I have the Emulator 3. and I dont use it as much because the korg just rocks and you can monitor you sampling process. The E3 cannot!
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JS
John Sunter25 years ago I bought this monster in 1986 and have used it constantly both in the studio and on gigs. I am still amazed at the sounds that can be extracted from it and of course, having had it for so long, I find it fairly easy to programme.
Yes, it is very slow and you are limited to only so many sounds, as you can only access sounds that are on a floppy disk.
Does any one know if there is an editor available anywhere?
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JM
John Metropolyt25 years ago I have owned two of these DSS-1's for about seven years and I realy like them ! Nice fat sounding pads are the main draw for me. The DDL's really add depth. REAL VCA's VCF's are nice and I consider the sampler part to basically make this a versatile analog synth because you can use ANY waveform as your basis for synthesis. Most old Analog at it's time only had saw, square, and pulse. Here is a kicker for you. My one DSS-1 is one of SIX known in CANADA with 2 meg of memory and SCSI support ! You can imagine the pros that that added. Also has the upgraded 50% faster drive, backlit display as well. I just have too many synths .... may have to sell one ! ..... It was my favorite axe for years but I really like the newer stuff too.... Definately a worth while button. Stay away from factory disks, they give you a rash ......
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AL
Adam Libigs25 years ago Excellent synth , havent had any of the drive problems I am hearing about . I have run into keyboard triggering problems , but its nothing that cant be taken care of with a screwdriver and 15 minutes of time . Wouldn't trade it for anything ,because I haven't heard any other synths that offer its characteristic unison thickness . I'm actually searching for another with the ram upgrade and the scsi port (if it exists)
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TQ
Tom Quinn25 years ago I tend to agree with the other reviews. It can make some cool synth sounds,
it's not at all user-friendly. Brass:good Strings:ok Bass:fair piano:fair
If anyone is interested, I'm considering selling mine. It's mint cond.Includes several disks by New Age Software. Some good sounds.
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RP
Richard Perdriau25 years ago I LOVE this synth. Don't consider it as a sampler, but as a real, fantastic
synth with (limited) additive and (wonderful) substractive synthesis. I find it
very easy to program, and I made analog string sounds which can easily remind of
CS-80 ones ... The reasons ? A very nice 12/24 dB filter, a pretty oscillator
sync, 2 usable built-in digital delays. The cons : no pitch envelope, no PWM.
But if you want a cheap, very interesting synth (and if you have enough physical
strength ...), consider buying this one.
Best synth sounds : strings, fat sync solo sounds, brass
A bit lousy : basses, thin solo sounds
Crappy : sampling part ...
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AB
Adam Brinkmann25 years ago Killer unit- had it since 1986. Yeah the drive is SLOW, limited memory, and you need to be a weight-lifter to lug the beast around, but sounds smooth and fat. I'd be using mine more but the original floppy drive has been out for almost a year. Anyone know how to fix it CHEAP?
I notice that several individuals seek copies of the manual. I've got the user manual, but it is VERY long and would be a real pain to photocopy. I suppose if enough people were interested it could be scanned or something. Feel free to e-mail me if interested. -
K
Kevin25 years ago I have been using my Dss1 for about 5 years now, I am looking to finally sell it regretably, it is in Good condition with no internal or mechanical problems whatsoever the machine works like a horse and it has some of the best sounds that I've heard for the money,(the #1 button is missing on the front panel,however you can steal program by either replacing it or use the tip of a pencil like I do)
I will sell it to an interested person for 350.00 firm; plus shipping and handling.
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Henry25 years ago The DSS-1 was an excellent synthesizer. I find its sampling less than optimal,
but far from useless- as I usethe sampling section as a way to acquire waveforms
for the more than adequate subtractive synthesis system built into it. The additive
synth section is weak. Being able to draw your own waveforms is fun, if less
useful than one might imagine. The built in digital delays provide some fine
chorusing and delay effects. I have two of them and have them sample each other.
This results in some remarkable sounds. I am pleased with my DSS-1. I just wish
it had a SCSI out and more RAM....
If anyone reading this knows how I can acquire a SCSI port or more RAM for thistank of a synth (it's made out of particle board, metal and plastic!) please
let me know!
HW -
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Derek25 years ago There doesn't seem to be anything this machine can't do ! It's a limited sampler by todays standards but it's still great for sampling most short duration things
and then you can synthesize the sample and layer it with whatever you want. As a synth alone it's great ! Buy one if you can! By the way, without a manual this thing is very hard to use -( I've got a third party "bible" thats about 200 pages long ! I don't have the factory manual for it so I can't help you guys out who are looking for one. :-( ) I paid $500 for mine at a music store in Regina on the last tour.
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nomad25 years ago for some sample disks, try:
http://www.geocities.com/su...
most of the factory library is there, as well
