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Korg Additive-Sampler Comparisons

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Model Released MSRP Synopsis Ebay Description
DSS-1 1986 Y298,000 ($2895US) 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). 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.
DSM-1 1987 Y348,000 Multitimbral DSS-1 with expanded memory, 2x polyphony (but single osc/voice), and an updated floppy drive, while swapping the hand-draw waveform for preset (ROM) waveforms (including most of the DW waveforms), swapping the effects for individual outputs, and swapping noise for multiple LFO waveforms. While the same filter IC is used, resonance and slope are not editable. The multitimbral "Combination" concept starts with this model, but is made popular by the M1. The Korg DSM-1 is a pressure and velocity sensitive 3U rack (16 voice, 4 channel multitimbral) single oscillator synthesizer, featuring 12 bit sampled (16kHz|24kHz|32kHz|48kHz, 1MW), preset (16), or additive (128 harmonics) waveforms, low pass (24dB) analog filter, dedicated ADBSSR filter and amp envelopes, dedicated pitch and filter LFOs, mix and 16 individual outputs, 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" DSHD). Sample editing includes truncate, reverse, link, mix, loop crossfade or back and forth.
Note: MSRP is the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price when in production (not a current price). For street prices, see Prepal.