Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    Well it's been almost two months and nobody has replied to this
    note. Too bad. I was thinking about buying a Korg DSS-1 as my next
    keyboard purchase. 
    
    Reasons: Better sound quality (less noise, aliasing, etc.) than
    the Mirage I have now (I'd definitely keep the Mirage anyway though)
    due to 12-bit samples. Easy (not really cheap) RAM expandability
    for longer sample times. This is something I need and can't get
    for *any* price on the Mirage. Synthesizer on board--more bang for
    the buck. Digital delays on board--a nice touch. Joystick
    controller--my personal favorite for pitch bending etc.
    
    Concerns: Obviously not many people (in this notes file anyway)
    have these compared to the number who own Mirages and other lower
    end samplers. Why???  I have heard that Korg products have had some
    reliability problems (i.e. they break down more frequently than
    other manufacturer's products etc.). Is that true? (Personally,
    I've had some Korg products and never had a problem.) Is the
    synthesizer on board really flexible and good sounding? I've heard
    that it is a quasi-additive method. Can anyone explain this method
    of synthesis to me? I know you can draw your own waveforms etc.
    but are there VCFs or some other mechnanisms to keep the patches
    from sounding too static? How is thw MIDI implementation?
    
    Any help will be greatly appreciated.
    
    Mike D
     
    
    

    
    I used my friends for about 2 weeks. (he bought new and sold it
    about a month later.) The disk loading process is horribly slow
    (1 minute, while the machine is entirely unplayable)
    and the editing process is too awkward (too many toggle switchs
    to page through, although a good computer software package 
    could help that.) On the good side, the sound was great
    the ruggedness of the instrument was great, and once you
    sifted through the toggle switches, the editing capabilties
    seemed powerful. I talked to Korg at the midi expo in NYC
    about my gripes with the box, and they informed me that
    the loading problems were being solved, a 2 meg expansion was
    in the works, and a SCSI hard drive was being developed.
    No news on software though.

    If I had it do do over again (I'd do it all over you).. no, I mean
    I'd take a hard look at the big Korg rack unit, the DSM-1 (?)..
    it uses the same sample library as the DSS, but has more memory
    and 16 voice polyphony.
    
    Of course, I'd be very concerned about the size/cost/availability
    of the factory sample library, unless I was prepared to spend 75%
    of my music time making new samples. I'd rather play !
    
    karl

Well I've had my DSS-1 for a 1.5 years now and love it.  Don't have
a broad knowledge of the competition so comparison migh be unfair.

I think for $1200 you can't beat it.  You get an excellent sampler AND
a good synth with onboard DDLs.  I cerianly agree with some of the
other comments, some of the features seem cumbersome to use.  I can
honestly say that the DSS sounds as good as any unit i've ever heard 
(the hardware I mean: many of the KORG samples are poor, but there
also some excellent ones).   The cumbersome interfaces don't bother
me that much anymore.  I like to play the instrument rather than
spend my time with the creation of sounds.  I sample when I hear
someone elses patches that I like and do a lot of Bass/Piano splits
which are tedious but rewarding.  Splits on the DSS are nice because 
you have all 8 voices available no matter how many times you split
(16 is the max).

There was a comment about load times: about a minute of dead time
while you load from floppy.  This is true but only when you load
an entire "system".  If you organize your disks properly you can
load another 32 programs/patches in 2-3 seconds.  If your gonna
gig, this is one big, heavy sucker and there aren't many stands
that'll hold it safely.

In my opinion, velocity and aftertouch is implemented very well.
I dislike acoustic piano sounds to the point where I don't even 
use them any more.  Nothing to do with the DSS directly, 8 voices
just ain't enough for piano.  It's NOT multitimberal. Not a problem 
for me, but certianly a drawback for some of you midi composers.

There was a comment on the DSM-1 rack mount.  It's tough to compare the DSM to
the DSS.  Ther architectures are entirely different.  The DSM-1 does a lot of
things different than the DSS (not necessarily better).   The DSM has a
compatability mode for playing DSS-1 disks but I'll bet they don't sound the
same.  According to the literature I have for the DSM-1, it has no on board
DDL's which is probably my favorite DSS feature.  I think the DSM is way over
priced.  It cost about 2x the price of a DSS and has some added features but
also lacks DSS features.  And!! you still have to shell out for a good full
function keyboard. 

Don't count on those KORG turkeys for the memory upgrade either.  It was
gonna be available in 3 weeks (4 months ago) and it's still not
there!  I found out that the upgrade is going to cost about $550
and think I'd spring for a second DSS before I'd spend $500 for what
the upgrade has to offer.  

There was a question of Korg reliablility.  I have friends, who together,
own about a dozen Korg keyboard products and I know of no failures.
If Korg is what you might be considering, the DSS-1 gets my vote
for cost/performance and sound quality.  

Frank

    RE .4
    
    Frank,
    
    it's funny you would call the DSS-1 heavy! I picked one up once
    at a music store to see how heavy it was, and I thought it was light.
    Not because I'm some macho man weight lifter, but because I'm used
    to carrying a Chroma Polaris around!! That thing is HEAVY!
    
    Mike D

   Re .5

   You're right Mike, heavy is relative.  I was comparing to a
   DX7, DW8000, Poly-800, Casio, etc.  which most of my friends
   seem to own.  They were complaining about the weight more than
   me.  Although they didn't care for the weight, they sure were
   impressed with the sound though!

   Frank
  

    
    
    RE.5
    
    Mike, you actually think this bugger is light?  Frank, maybe he
    picked up one of the display models. Ya know, like the barbell sets
    in the department stores.  The weights are empty (just the plastic
    disc).  Seriously though, the DSS has been a great addition to my
    home studio, and is a slight  inconvenience while playing out.
    For one reason, put it into an anvil case and then tell me if you
    think it is still light.  Every time I pick it up I imagine my
    chiropractor saying to himself, "Another 2 months, another few hundred
    dollars, Go on lift it sucker".  Also, playing out live brings out
    into the open the only other drawback of the DSS.  The disk loading
    time is intolerable.  But like Frank mentioned, its all in the way
    you lay out your disk structure.  You have the choice.  Someone
    asked how the synth section is on the DSS.  I actually spend about
    as much time on the synth section, as I do on the sampler.  I feel
    it is one of the better Analog sounding sound generators on the
    market.  Also a question was asked about modifying the sample with
    the synth.  You can modify a sample utilizing the Korg standard
    synth Architecture.  VCF, ADSR.....and on.  I have an article here
    that Frank gave me speaking straightforward on the DSS.  If anyone
    finds this of some use, let me know.  I will get a copy out pronto.
    
    
    Vinnie
    
    
    P.S  Mike, do you REEEALLLLY think it's light?
                                

    Vinnie,
    
    I didn't mean to mislead anyone. I only think it is light *in
    comparison to* the Chroma Polaris that I own. I don't know how much
    either of these keyboards weighs. I'll check the weight specs on
    the Chroma Polaris (just the unit itself without the case) and post
    them here. See if you can do the same for the DSS-1 (weight of just
    the unit itself). Then we'll know the real story. I have a hardshell
    case for the Polaris, but it isn't an Anvil, so it isn't the same
    comparison if you include the cases we use with our respective
    keyboards. But I've had Anvil cases on lots of keyboards I've owned in 
    the past and I know how heavy they are! When I picked up the DSS-1 and
    thought it was "light" I didn't pick it up in an Anvil case, I was
    only talking about the unit itself. I will stand by my comparison
    however: I think the DSS-1 is MUCH lighter than a Chroma Polaris.
    Once we compare weight specs we'll know if I'm really out to lunch
    on this one. OK? :-)
    
    Mike D
    

    Hi Guys,
    
    	Do you still have your DSS-1 (s) ??
    
    	I put a down payment on a 'floor' model a couple days ago. 
    I should have it in a few weeks.  I was really impressed with its
    capabilities, and the way it sounded.  
    
    	I'm just getting into the MIDI scene, and own a MIDI-Bass and
    TR505 drum machine.  I've got an ATARI 1024ST w 20MEG hard disk.
    I hope to stumble upon a sample editor.  If not, I'm considering
    writing my own.  I wrote a note recently asking if anyone knew
    of one, but haven't got any replies to date.
    
    Counting down the days until the DSS-1 is paid and MINE,
    
    _John_

                        NEED SOME HELP
    
    Can anyone of you experts tell me how I can sample some sounds from
    an audio system and transfer that sound to the keyboard unto the
    disk? Appreciate any info.
    
                                  Ray

    I don't have a DSS1, but the usual way to do it is to:

	- make sure you have a clean source signal (probably use a mic)
	- sample the sound
	- do whatever editing you want
	- use the sampler's "save to disk" function

    I can't help thinking I'm missing something here.  What exactly
    are you trying to do?

-b

    If you already have the sounds you want in your sound system, go
    for a direct line hookup to your sampler instead of using a mic.
    Don't know what kind of inputs your sampler has, but there may be
    low- and a high-impedance hookups.  Line level stuff (like an output
    for a tape recorder) would tend to go to a high-impedance input.
    A microphone would tend to go to a low-impedance input.  You may
    need to make yourself a little patch cord, mabe with parts from
    Rat Shack.
    
    Steve

    Hi,
    
    	I've had a DSS1 for 6 months, and have done MUCHO samplin'...
    
    	My DTN is 297-7122.  I figure it would be quicker to talk...
    
    _JOhn_

    
    
    Is it possible to do 2 things at once on the DSS1. What I mean is!
    If I had a sampled disk that had paino for instance. And once that
    is completed I have a paino sound across the whole keyboard. But can
    I also add another sampled sound along with the paino sound. If this
    can be done, can anyone explain to me how it is to be done. Thanks!
    
                                      Ray

    Ray, I don't own a DSS1, but an EMAX.  On the EMAX, I wouldn't sample
    two things at once... let's say, like your example, I have a series
    of piano samples that span the keyboard.  And I want to also hear
    strings when I play.  So I would load or sample the strings into
    a separate 'preset' (sample-to-key# assignments), and then import
    the string preset into the piano preset as a second layer.. without
    robbing polyphony, as the same DAC plays both the piano and string
    sound for each note played.
    
    So if the DSS1 allows multiple playback layers, you're covered.
    This should be mentioned prominently in its documentation.
    
    karl

Some samplers also allow you to "merge" wave samples into a new wave sample.
This could perhaps help you.  Chek in your manual for something along that
line.  Multi-layer as Karl said seems preferable.

Chad

    Are we talking MIX or SPLIT ? 
    
    1.  If you want to MIX the samples you simply assign the first to
        OSCA and the 2nd to OSCB (or vica versa).  There are parameters
        to control the static mix ratio and also have the ratio switch
        based on velocity.
    
    2.  If your talking about splitting the the samples across the
        keyboard, you'll have to -
        
        a. break each of the multisounds into its component sample
        b. merge the pieces back into a new multisound making the
           keyboard assignments as you go.
    
        This is a tedious process but often worthwhile.  You can
        do up to 16 splits this way and the nice thing is that when
        your done, the result is a single multisound wich still leaves
        a free OSC for another MIX.   
    
        IMO splits are the most frustrating thing to do on the DSS.
        Very tedious, and time consuming.
    
    Good luck!
    Frank
    

    Hi Ray,
    
    
    	Are you the guy that was looking for accordian samples for the
    DSS-1?  I've never come across any, but there's some adds in the
    Kayboard magazine classifieds offering several sounds disks.
    
    	They may have an accordian sample.  I think these guys make
    money by transporting samples across different hardware (samplers)
    and re-selling them...
    
    _John_

>< Note 1257.18 by MRSVAX::MISKINIS >
>                  -< Were YOU looking for accoridian sounds? >-

I was looking for accordian sounds, but for the 
Kurzweil 1000 PX--not for DSS-1. 

By the way, has anyone seen a DSS-1 used these days? where? for how much?

Mike D

   
    They've been asking $800-$1200 in the want advertiser.  I haven't
    looked at a want advertiser in over a month so I don't know if 
    there are any in there currently.
    
    Frank
    

Does the DSS-1 transmit/receive aftertouch ??

Mike D

    YES, the DSS1 transmits/receives the following:
    
    		(excluding system exclusive!)
    
    Note On/Off				
    OSC Modulation
    VCF Modulation
    Damper Off/On
    Program Change
    Channel Pressure (aftertouch)
    Pitch Bender Change
      
Note that some *real* expensive synths have Key pressure, ass opposed
    to channel pressure.  This allows each key to send different pressure
    values simutaneously (sort of).
    
    _John_    

    Hi y'all
    
    Its been a long time since anyone has 'noted' on this topic,
    but if any of you people with DSS1's would like to do some
    disk exchanging, I'd like to hear from you. Ive got about
    30 Korg disks and 20 of my own, but Im getting bored with them
    and want some new sounds to play with. Send an E-mail or call
    me anytime with what youve got. 
    
    bye now ...dom
    
    p.s. Im in the UK so any disks will come through internal post.

    I'm an avid DSS1 user, but I don't have too many disks...
    
    I will send you a list of you're interested, and look forward to
    seeing what you've got...
    
    _John_