The Best 'Budget' Synth You've Never Heard

video upload by Starsky Carr

"The Korg DW-8000 & the Retroaktiv DW-8P mk2 MIDI Controller. The DW-8000 is something of a hidden gem, with a fervent following among its fans for good reason. Released in 1985 it was ahead of its time, coming with 16 digital waveforms and Korgs own gorgeous analog filter it is a lovely sounding hybrid. Add to that it came along with the world's first onboard digital delay and cost less than 20% of a PPG this was truly groundbreaking. The Prophet VS didn't arrive until a year later, and the Waldorf Microwave wasn't released until 1989.

It does suffer from 80s minimal interface syndrome, but luckily we have the Retroaktiv DW-8P mk2 which not only brings all the controls to hand but improves on the mk1 with loads of extras like the assignable mod matrix, dual DIN connections, USB MIDI and power, larger screen, improved interface and graphics.

And most of all it brings out the best in the synth as the mod matrix and hands on control really bring it to life."

0:00 Intro
2:12 Interface and Synth Overview
4:27 Ta Dah... the DW-8P
6:13 ADBSSR Envelopes
7:07 Pitch Ramp
7:28 Digital Delay/Chorus
10:59 A Word on the DW-6000
11:58 Closer Look at Some Waveshapes
13:44 A Patch From Scratch
15:29 Arpeggiator + Voice Modes
16:59 Loading and Storing
17:30 Espen's Patch(es)
19:05 Import from the Synth
20:20 Assign/Mod Matrix
23:22 Chord Mode
25:37 Patch Generator