Korg DW-8000
Released in the mid '80's as an analog synthesizer with 16 digital waveforms (DW being the digital waveforms, 8000 being that it was 8-voice polyphonic - gee, imagine 8000 voice polyphony?). Although analog, does not feature knobs or a multitude of sliders. Actually it only has four sliders, and only one of those is for programming sound (volume, tune and arpeggiator speed being the other 3 sliders). Yes, the DW-8000 was a one parameter at a time data-entry styled programmable synth like most of the other DX7 clones of that time period (although Korg predated the DX7 in this programming method with the Poly-61). Other features include Midi In, Out and Thru; cassette interface; stereo outs; foot switch control for patch changing, portamento and sustain; 64 memories; aftertouch keyboard; arpeggiator and built-in digital delay - a first for synths at the time. With it's 16 waveforms, you could call the DW-8000 the forefather to the multi-sampled waveform synths to follow shortly after (such as Korg's own M1).
Average Advertised Price:$225 to $450
Jetboy's Humble Opinion Of Worth:
$300 is what it's worth in standard condition. I would never pay more than that for one (although I paid $1000 for a new one back in 1986, but that was in a previous life which I don't plan to relive). Keyboard is a bit cheap, you're better off buying an EX-8000 for around the same price
Jetboy's Review - Actually this is a pretty cool synth. I sold mine in 1989 and I never looked back (and never played one since, so I'm relying on memory). Every once in a while I think about it still. Very easy to use, Korg's use of the parameter sheet being printed on the front panel made for no-brainer, if tedious data-entry, programming. I remember it having a big beefy sound, and I few old demo tapes lying around from that time back-up those memories. It could do alot and was quite versitle. I wouldn't mind picking up an EX-8000, the rack-mount version of the DW-8000, as an extra toy. Also, had good organ and cutting lead sounds too. Now that I'm thinking about it, I kinda miss it.
Rik at bratman@pacbell.net sends home the cows: Great screaming raw gritty echoing lead sound! So good, in fact, that I figured out how to get the same lead sound out of my M1,and Poly 800 (no easy feat). Korg said, it was a truely analog Osc/filter with digital controls. Easy to carry, good keyboard feel and worked great with the SQD-1. (Korgs 1st disk based stand alone sequencer, which has some great tricks up its sleeve as well) A single slider can be programed for any function; filter, echo time etc... I also have the MEX 8000 memory expander Korg made to give it 4 banks of 64 extra sounds. Great pads, also.
Karoshi at karoshi@metronet.com writes these words of wisdom: The DW8K is the bully of my rig-I'm always having to fid and excuse to use one of my other analogs or else I'd use the Korg all the time. It sounds extremely "big", and tends to push my Juno and SQ-80 out of the mix. It's very, very versatile, capable of great strings and organs and leads. Basses are good, but the horns a little weak. For some reason, it just sounds larger than my other synths. This is a very under-rated box...
Shai Yallin at yallin@netvision.net.il thinks it's one of the best synths he has ever played: Although its slightly limited features, the DW8000 is superb at what I use it for: Progressive rock analog sounds. I created some very realistic MiniMoog samples: The one Keith Emerson uses and the one Mark Kelly (Marillion) uses. Also has some good organs. You can imitate a Leslie using the Delay (it has modulation freq. and level. You set the time for 0 and you have a chorus. Then you play with it 'till it sounds like a leslie. You can also use an LFO leslie), but it doesn't sound like a Hammond. Not even close. Church organs are pretty good (beefy and rich). It can also produce very rich lead sound: Put both oscillators on Saw. Set cutoff freq to the maximum and set resonance of about 25%. Then set the Delay to time 0, max feedback, max mod intensity and mod freq 1. Make sure that the sound is set to Unison2 and that both envs are straight, and no velocity. You get a fat, beefy sound with a flanger effect that can tear your ears apart.
Tre' at lightson@oio.net serves up the following food for thought on a tray: Hey...if it is good enough for Dream Theatre's keyboard player....it is good enough for me....(closely check out the band's first video which was live in Japan)...there it is, clear as day, most of his leads were done on a DW-8000. And that is all I have to say about that....
(wait a minute, he actually does have more to say........)
Here's the deal...I am have been a guitarist/bassist/drummer for 12 years and I only recently decided to get a synth to add to my music (plus...I just wanted another toy :) Anyway, I did my homework on the net to help me figure out what make and model to go after. To make the story short, I found few other synths that garnered the positive comments like the DW8000 (and none in the 8000's price range). So I bought one and I love it. I have tinkered on newer synths before, so I do have a little experience with them, and I must say, this Korg is very easy to get comfortable with compaired to the newer units I have played. Editing patches is simple, even though it uses outdated LED-numbers to display what you are doing. And the sounds are much better/richer than I expected...I just wish it could better emulate a Leslie (seems to me all it would need is some parameter to increase the depth of the pitch bend between the left and right channels - the tone is there, it j! ust kinda misses the rotating speaker effect. One little trick I have found is that if you select the MG Frequency as the current definable parameter, you can use the 8000's slider to increase/decrease the speed of the Leslie effect in real-time - you probably already knew that though.) Currently, I am trying to eek out tones similar to those used by Steve Walsh on some of Kansas' earlier recordings (KILLER STUFF...check it out!) To sum it up...I would definitely recommend this box to someone just getting into synths.
eric yorke at erikscrape@hotmail.com gets scrappy with it: this was my first synth and still packs a punch. it fits perfectly with the harsh industrial sounds i need to create and fits well in my set up. i wouldn't part with it for anything. it also doubles as a basic but easy to use master controller for all my other synths. if someone has the ex-8000 version for sale please let me know as i am always on the lookout! i bought it in 1993 and the battery has only been changed in 1990. that is almost 10 years on the same battery! there is also, at least to my knowledge, no synth that can stand up to a big bass coming at you in unison mode. it's a beast!
More Reviews
DW8000review: When I got mine, a Roland Super Jupiter owner/freind of mine, kept borrowing my DW8000. That's a statement! When I need fat and gritty or something retro-outerspaceish, I put aside my K2500 and my AKAI VX90 and go for my 8000.
This instrument is a great place to learn how synthesis works. While the feature set is limited, you get a lot of sound variety becuase you have two oscilators per voice with a choice of sixteen different wavforms (which distinguished this machine from other analog hybrids).
Three cheers for a nine year battery life!
name: Robert Pernett
email address: robert_pernett@lotus.com
DW8000review: The DW-8000 is simply one good fat sounding keyboard. Great sounding oscillators (digital) and super built in delay. The only drawback for me was the keyboard feel. I thought it had a lousy feel to it (it seemed kind of mechanically noisey). I did end up selling my DW, but not before getting the EX-8000 for my rack. It's a big heavy box by today's standard, but I don't see myself ever getting rid of it. If you ever run across one, I would pick it up. They are hard to come by. Those fat analog sounds are hard to duplicate. Definately a vintage synth.
name: Russ
DW8000review: Since I bought my DW8000 in 1989 I still use it mainly for organ, bells and string sounds. And for sure that synthe can create incredible lead sounds. It is so easy to program. I have several Korg and Roland synthesizers, but the DW8000 is one of the most used. It covers analogue and digital sounds in one system. Anyway, if somebody has interesting sounds (e.g. similar to MiniMoog) just send me the data.
name: Armin
email address: ArminMader@compuserve.com
email address: moore53@email.com
The Korg EX-8000, the rack-mount version of the DW-8000.
DW-8000 image 2
DW-8000 image 3
EX-8000 image 2
Images from Korg promotional literature.