A wonderful early digital synthesizer. With eight notes of polyphony, two oscillators per voice, a noise source, two multi-stage envelopes, a resonant filter and auto-bend, the DSS-1 has much in common with Korg's previous flagship DW-8000. But it went much further, boasting twin digital delays, oscillator sync, an improved unison mode, a lush analog VCF switchable between 12 and 24dB, and more. Whereas the DW-8000 got its raw material from 16 stored digital waves, the DSS1's oscillators take their source from sampling, additive synthesis, or even hand-drawn waveforms!

It actually had a warm sound and was great for creating pads and textures, as well as deep basses and drones. The synthesis method is based on altering various waveform samples via 2 data sliders. It can sample and then treat the samples as its waveforms - that includes all filtering and envelopes.

The DSM-1 (1987) was the expanded rackmount version.

It was used by Jean Michel Jarre, Joe Zawinul, Michael Cretu of Enigma, Mark Jenkins, Hiro Kawahara, Paul Nagle, Shriekback, and Steve Winwood.

J-106

November 10, 2012 @ 12:59 am

I don't care who you are, that's funny right there!

Alrik Jurgen

October 28, 2012 @ 7:09 pm

@Alim You are totally not factual when you state it is digital with a analogue filter tacked on. Apart from the oscillators and digital delays the signal path of a dss1 is pure analogue.
I'm a synth service engineer and have the schematics for all Korg synths and let me tell you the facts: Filter=analogue,filter envelopes=analogue,amp enevelopes=analog,lfo=analogue...I could go on. These are the facts.

James Hughson

October 28, 2012 @ 2:07 pm

DSS-1 is a synthesizer which happens to have the ability to use a combination of samples, additive synthesis or drawn waveforms as it's oscillators. The 'osc's' can then be passed through a true analog filter which is 24db or 12db resonant and then ontoenvelope generators for filters and amp and then into twin digital delay lines / modulation sources.
@gabos get your facts straight-It is not a true analog poly synth and I don't think it want's to be; It has it's own unique sound that can pull off analog, but also makes unique unworldly sounds that cannot be replicated by anything else.

alim

October 28, 2012 @ 11:47 am

@gabos > obviously you are trying to sell one of these. This is NOT an analog synth don't be stupid. It's DIGITAL with an analog filter tacked on (like the DW-8000). A nice, good, great synth (to some, perhaps) but no way does it compare to a Jupiter 8? get real. This holds no challenge to true analog synths sound, even simpler ones like Polysix with genuine analog stages all the way.

GABOS

October 25, 2012 @ 7:21 pm

When the analogue anorak brigade take their eyes off the usual Moogs and ARPs and discover this analogue monster you will not be able to get hold of one.
My advise? If you have one do not even think about selling it.
At the moment they do not know that what hides beneath that smooth black casing is an analogue poly synth that puts most others to shame....£5000 for a Jupiter 8 LOL do me a favour. Grab a DSS-1 and learn what analogue pads should sound like.
The bass on this and Unison mode would bury a Jupiter 8.
Let the analogue anoraks sleep on this one so the price does not sky rocket.

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