KORG DS-8
Related Models

KORG's digital synths

After producing the digital/analog hybrid synth DW-8000, KORG experienced financial hardship.
With YAMAHA's support, they hurried to turn to a fully Digital Synthesizer - DS-8. KORG added their own characteristic features to YAMAHA's chip - easier interface and a better effect.

KORG 707 is the 49-keys version of DS-8. It has no effect. There were 4 color variations.
KORG PSS60 is an auto-accompaniment machine that integrates YAMAHA's FM synth engine and a PCM drum machine that may be related to KORG DDD-1. Unfortunately, PSS60's FM synth is not editable.


KORG 707
KORG 707 (1987)

KORG PSS60
KORG PSS60 (1987)


In 1988, the best-seller KORG M1 appeared and revived KORG at once. M1's prototype was called 731.
DS-8 rather looks like DW-8000, and 707 looks more like M1. Perhaps KORG's design policy changed when they produced 707 and 731.

YAMAHA FM Synths

YAMAHA FB-01 is the basis of KORG DS-8 and 707. It uses 4-operator sine-wave FM synthesis engine. YAMAHA produced various versions using this engine.

YAMAHA had released SFG-01 / SFG-05 FM synthesiser unit around 1984. It's an optional module for YAMAHA's MSX computers CX5, CX11 and CX7.
SFG can be seen as a predecessor of FB-01, as it's the first multi-timbral 4-OP FM synthesizer. But the parameters are slightly different.

YAMAHA DX21 is the keyboard version. It's bi-timbral and has an analog chorus within. DX27 and DX100 are versions without multi-timbrality, effects and pitch envelope.
Their keyboard had no velocity nor aftertouch.

YAMAHA FB-01
YAMAHA FB-01 (1985)

YAMAHA DX21
YAMAHA DX21 (1985)

Other FM synths

ELKA, the former company of GEM - Generalmusic produced several FM synths about the same time: EM44 and EK44. They are DX21/DX27 compatible synths.

Comment

Indeed DS-8 has a unique interface, and better features than YAMAHA DX21 - multi-FX and larger backlit LCD. But it was not very successful commercially.
I wish KORG had added one more YM2164 chip to gain 16-polyphony. Or it could be better if KORG added POLY-800's analog filter chip to make an analog/digital hybrid architecture. Analog chorus and EQ would be useful to improve the digital feel of FM.
I'm not sure these could have led to a better sales - maybe it wouldn't help - but the result could have been an interesting little synth with little extra cost.



Back DS-8

Deep Synthesis: Home

5. 4. 2004
Update: 7. 4. 2005