RetroSound Studio Tour: Vintage Digital Synthesizers

video upload by RetroSound

"RetroSound Studio Tour:
Legendary Vintage Digital & Hybrid Synthesizers of the 80s and early 90s

In this episode of RetroSound Studio, I explore classic digital synthesizers that revolutionized electronic music production during the 80s and early 90s. From FM synthesis and wavetable synthesis to vector synthesis, PD synthesis, vitual analog and Roland’s LA synthesis, these instruments introduced a new generation of sound design and defined the sonic identity of an era.

The Yamaha DX7 became one of the best-selling synthesizers of all time, defining FM electric pianos and metallic digital textures. The PPG Wave pioneered wavetable synthesis, laying the foundation for modern digital sound engines. The Sequential Prophet VS introduced vector synthesis, allowing dynamic blending between digital waveforms. The Roland D-50 shaped late-80s pop and film scoring with its LA synthesis architecture, while the Roland JD-800 brought hands-on control back to digital synthesis in the 1990s.

These digital synthesizers shaped genres such as synth-pop, new wave, ambient, house, techno, trance, and film music. Today, they remain highly sought after by producers, collectors, and sound designers researching vintage digital synthesizers, 80s keyboard sounds, virtual analog, classic FM synthesis, and wavetable history."

The Digital & Hybrid Synths:
0:07 Sequential Prophet VS
4:39 PPG wave 2.2
10:36 Yamaha DX7 II FD
14:56 Yamaha DX11
16:39 Casio CZ-101
19:29 Casio VZ-1
21:21 Roland JD-800
26:40 Roland D-50 / D-550
28:00 Korg Wavestation EX / SR
31:24 Korg DW-8000 / EX-8000
32:42 Roland M-VS1
35:57 Kawai K5000R
38:57 Waldorf Microwave
39:44 Waldorf Microwave II XT
41:15 Clavia Nord Modular
41:59 Yamaha AN1x
44:36 Roland JV-1080
45:33 Ensoniq SQ-80
46:23 Quasimidi Raven Max
47:42 Korg Z1

Full Studio Tour playlist:

Korg DW-8000 Digital Waveform Synthesizer Keyboard

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

CLICK FOR MORE »

Matt Barber - 80's in 80 seconds

video upload by Matt Barber - Sounds from The Sandbox

"Just thought I would try a little something fun...the title says it all. 0 to 80's in 80 seconds. Enjoy. Certified AI free and no traces of softsynths!

Drums - Oberheim DX Stretch, Korg DDD-1 - just a snare on 2 and 4 with mostly just the reverb return from a Roland SDE-330 non-lin setting, Roland TR8S - some perc and a ghost snare from the 707 kit.

Oberheim OB-8

Korg DW-8000

Bass - Roland D-50 patch also triggering a Roland JX8P and Korg Polysix to fatten and double it

Ensoniq ESQ - A nice PPG Wave patch from a sound cartridge I have for it.

Sequential Rev 2 also triggering a bell patch on the Yamaha TG33

Yamaha DX7iiD - nice dual patch one a rhodes type and the other a tine from the many banks on the Hypersynth card to finish it off and play out on."

Matt Barber - 80's in 80 seconds - Episode 2

video upload by Matt Barber - Sounds from The Sandbox

"80's in 80 Seconds Episode 2 has landed! The first one was a bit fun so let's keep the theme going. This one starts off with a nice "groove" and builds with some synths spanning the decade. If you listen past the 80 seconds the Arp Odyssey briefly shows off its duo-phonic capabilities with a few 2 note chords that almost have a vocoder like effect with the phaser on it just after the 2 minute mark.
The following instruments were used and recorded as a 2 track with no editing or overdubs with each part being played into a pair of Arturia Keystep Pro sequencers. As always, AI free and made with real ingredients. Thanks for watching!

Oberheim DX Stretch - main drums
Korg DDD-1 - perc
Roland TR8-S - additional high hats, rim shot, crash
Berhinger - Model D - Bass
Roland Jupiter 4 - Arp
Korg PolySix - Synth Brass Pad 1
Roland Jupiter 6 - Synth layer 2
Yamaha DX7II - Bell 1
Roland D-50 - Bell 2
Arp Solina - Strings
Arp Odyssey Mkii 2810 - Lead"

Matt Barber - 80's in 80 seconds - Episode 3

video upload by Matt Barber - Sounds from The Sandbox

"80's in 80 seconds episode 3 is here to start of the New Year! I thought something "new" should be in 'order' after the busy holiday period. Several familiar sounds in this one that can most likely been dialed in on many synths of the era but this one builds with the hardware listed below. All natural...Certified AI and VST free. Thanks for listening!

Drums -
Korg DDD-1 to start with the first hi-hat
Oberhiem DX Stretch - Main kick, beat kick, snare, additional hi-hat, clap, and rim shot
Roland TR-8S - a little kick for attack, snare ghost notes, and high hat movement

Pad 1 - Oberheim OB-8

BASS - Berhinger Pro 1 and Poly D played with the arpeggio on on the Keystep Pro

Pad 2 - Roland D50 layered with Roland JX-8P and Korg DW8000

Bell - DX 7 ....of course it is!

ARP Chords - Roland Jupiter 4."

A Blockbuster Theme Made with Vintage Synth Gear | Christmas Edition

video upload by Espen Kraft

"The Forrest Gump theme (Feather Song) made with vintage gear:

Roland R-8 drums (SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC Card)
Roland S-10 sampler
Korg DW-8000
Emax
Emax II"

Old school Italo Disco with octave bass | And beautiful mellow melody

video upload by Espen Kraft

"Doing old school Italo Disco with octave bass and haunting melody line.
Synths used: Korg DW-8000 (bass), Roland Alpha Juno-2 (bell melody), Roland JX-8P (pads) and drums from Akai S1000 triggered by patterns from the Roland TR-626 drum machine.
The DAW is providing sync for drums and DW-8000 arpeggio which is the octave bass.
The pad part I'm not playing live is overdubbed later.

Short edit of a longer video from several years ago."

Castlevania 3 NES Synth Cover - Korg DW-8000

video upload by Retroaktiv Synthesizers

"This is a cover of the song 'Anxiety' from the Castlevania III OST on NES. I'm just using a Korg DW-8000 and an LM-DRUM. The DW-8000 sounds are all from my DW-8P Vol 1 Patch Bank."

Welcome Back! Live DAWless Synth Jam - Oberheim OB-8, Jupiter 6, Juno 6, ESQ1, DW-8000

video upload by Matt Barber - Sounds from The Sandbox

"As I get things back together in the studio and try some different layouts here is a quick live jam of a little funky riff I was playing around with. I ended up playing a similar lead part on the Oberheim OB-8, then the Roland Jupiter 6, and then the Roland VK-7 combo organ over a bass line I forgot to lay down towards the beginning. Kinda fun and chill, definitely some retro 80's sounds....enjoy!

Other gear used.
Drums: Oberhiem DX Stretch, Roland TR-8S, Korg DDD-1
Arps: Korg PolySix, Roland Jupiter 4, Access Virus TI
Plucks and Bell like tones: Ensoniq ESQ-1, Korg DW-8000, Roland Juno 6, Sequential Prophet Rev 2
Bass: Berhinger Poly D, Pro 1, Korg Volca Bass
Voice Pad - Roland D50
Various Delays and Reverbs"

Korg Modwave Module with Keystage Controller - All Playing, No Talking

video upload by Kraft Music

"Great bundle deals on Korg Modwave module here:
https://kraftmusic.com/collections/mo...

Great bundle deals on Korg Keystage controller here:
https://kraftmusic.com/collections/ko...

Adam B. from Kraft Music plays the Korg Modwave module (with Keystage controller), showing a variety of sounds. Korg Modwave builds on the legacy of the cult-favorite DW-8000 digital wavetable synth from 1985 and transforms it into a modern monster synth. Incredibly deep wavetable oscillators, gorgeous filters, wildly flexible modulation, unmatched polyphony, comprehensive pattern sequencing, and immediately satisfying hands-on control allow Modwave to deliver unique, powerful, and easily customizable sounds and phrases. Modwave also includes two unique tools for creating dynamic motion: Kaoss Physics, which combines an x/y Kaoss pad with modulatable game physics to create a responsive, interactive controller, and Motion Sequencing 2.0, which brings the organic, continuously evolving patterns of the Wavestate's Wave Sequencing 2.0 into the world of motion sequencing to create complex and evolving phrases.

Korg Keystage is the ultimate MIDI keyboard solution for producers and stage performers, putting unparalleled integration and control at your fingertips. Featuring a keybed with outstanding touch response, Polyphonic/Channel Aftertouch and MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) compatibility, Keystage offers hands-on control and instant visual feedback through its parameter-dedicated OLED screens.

Get more for your money with an exclusive Korg Modwave wavetable synthesizer bundle from Kraft Music. These package deals include the accessories you'll need to get the most out of your new synth, all for one low price. If you have any questions, please contact us. Our knowledgeable Sales Advisors will be happy to assist in choosing the bundle that's right for you!"

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

A custom OS for the Korg DW-8000

video upload by tubesockor

"I reverse engineered the OS (firmware) of the Korg DW-8000 from 1985, and have started to add some new features. Bringing some new life to a 40 year old synth!

First up, as a proof-of-concept, is an additional waveform for the LFO.

I'll add more features, so if you have a DW-8000 and are wishing for things, let me know in the comments!"

KAWAI K3 - Synthesizer Review, Sounds & Demo

video upload by synth4ever

"The Kawai K3 is a 6-voice digital analog hybrid synthesizer. It has 33 waveforms, including one additive waveform that can be edited and saved. It also features 2 oscillators, noise, an SSM filter and envelope, VCA and envelope, an LFO with multiple waveshapes (routable to oscillator, filter or VCA) and it has a velocity and aftertouch sensitive keyboard. It unfortunately does not have oscillator sync, PWM, ring modulation or a mod wheel.

The Kawai K3 synth has 7 different types of effects (6 chorus, 1 delay), keyboard tracking, portamento, mono mode (unison), and MIDI in/out/thru. Despite the membrane panel buttons, it is fairly quick to edit with the jogwheel. The build quality is substantial thanks to the metal frame.

The Kawai K3 is somewhat obscure and is great for dark pads, icy tones, PPG-style timbres, bell sounds, basses and related wavetable types of sounds. It was competing with the Korg DW-8000 but also other synths including the Yamaha DX7, Roland Alpha Juno and Roland JX-8P. It has its own distinct sonic character and can also be expanded up to 12 voices by poly-chaining it to the K3M rack (spillover mode).

The Kawai K3 is a great 80s hybrid synthesizer and can still be found on the 2nd hand market. With more recent 3rd party controllers, you can also add knobs to the synth for enhanced real-time control. If you have the chance to try a Kawai K3 I would recommend it, especially if you like PPG Wave types of sounds."

----

00:00 - Intro
00:42 - Overview
03:24 - Oscillators
06:28 - Portamento
06:49 - Mono / Unison
07:04 - Filter
08:17 - VCA
08:43 - LFO
11:11 - Touch Sensitivity
12:46 - Chorus / Delay
15:03 - Additive Waveform
15:36 - Sound Profile
16:30 - Sounds & Patches
29:58 - Likes
33:20 - Dislikes
35:53 - Final Thoughts

Korg's strangest synths: “We think there were probably less than 50 of these ever produced”

video upload by MusicRadar Tech

Also see: The history of Korg in 21 synths: Inside the new Korg Gallery

"Korg has recently launched its new permanent Korg Gallery exhibit at London's Musical Museum, housing synths, keyboards and drum machines from across the company's history. We asked Korg's Luke Edwards to talk us through a selection of the more unusual and experimental additions to the lineup.

How many have you tried?

Find out more about the Korg Gallery: https://www.korg.co.uk/pages/korg-gal...

In this video:
00:29 – Super Drums, Super Percussion & Super Section
01:35 – MS-20 Blackboard
02:13 – Sigma, Lambda & Delta
03:03 – DW 6000 & DW 8000"

Korg DW-8000 1980s Digital Analog Synthesizer

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

Additional Tone Tweakers Listings

CLICK FOR MORE »

Korg EX-8000 Programmable Polyphonic Synth with Retroaktiv DW-8P w/ Original Box

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

CLICK FOR MORE »

Korg DW-8000 Polyphonic Hybrid Digital-Analog Synthesizer SN 005781

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

Additional SYNTH CITY Listings

"Classic hybrid analog-digital synthesizer: internal wavetable waveforms are digital while filter and envelope stages are analog."

You can find demos of the DW-8000 in previous posts here.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Korg DSS 1 Jam 1

video upload by Ross Totino and Fans of Collision

"Korg DSS 1 Jam 1 using this web app https://modernretro.epizy.com/dss1wave/ to load a Korg DW 6000/8000 waveform into a Korg DSS-1, creating a preset, which I did not save, being processed through an Eventide H9."

Korg DW-8000 Demo | No Talking |

video upload by DKS SYNTH LAB

Timeline
0:00 Intro
0:10 Brass Delay
1:22 Bells SE 1
1:52 Chorused E. Piano
3:17 Strings 1
4:06 Low Strings
6:01 Voice
6:35 Crescendo Brass
7:10 5th Brass
7:50 Harp
8:26 Unison Lead
9:12 Touch Synth
9:42 LFO Mod
10:10 Auto-Pulse

A great free Korg DW-8000 emulation AND controller/programmer

video upload by Espen Kraft

"Free, very useful and with more than a couple of extra tricks up its sleeve. What's not to like?
It sounds very close to the original synth.
All my patch banks for the DW-8000 can be loaded into the FB-7999.

Get it here:
https://www.fullbucket.de/music/fb799...

Find my music here:
Bandcamp: https://espenkraft.bandcamp.com/"

Korg DW-8000 Ambient Patches

video upload by Espen Kraft

"Korg DW-8000 Ice Cold Ambient Patches from Espen Kraft.
64 brand new patches meant for ambient soundtracks, soundscapes and everywhere you want some moods going. Floaty, airy, frosty and ethereal movements. Strings, pads, bells and leads meant to be drenched in delay and reverb. Initial release price is $15USD or €15Euros if you're in Europe.

This is my third Korg DW-8000 patch bank and if you want a nice bundled price for 2 or 3 banks in one go, just contact me on email and I'll take care of you. Buying directly from me will always be your best option in terms of price. I can give you a discount every time.

Apart from that, the patches can be found here as well:
https://thepatchbay.io/product/korg-d...

Patches come as sysex, but I've also included a fully compatible FB-7999 bank as well, so if you don't own the hardware you can use this excellent emulation of the real thing instead and still enjoy my patches. Visit Full Bucket's site to download the FB-7999 emulation.

Drums in the demo video are from 'Triaz', a plugin drum machine from Wave Alchemy. A video about it is on my channel. https://www.wavealchemy.co.uk/product...

These patches are not "bread and butter" patches and almost all of these are made to be used with delays, reverbs and full-on effects. Then they come alive. Many of the patches have "dips" in them, or LFOs making the sound start slow, or doing strange things during its key-on. Used totally dry might not be the best way to harvest their potential."

Korg DW-8000 soundscape III - Distant memories

video upload by MIDERA

"Another DW-8000 soundscape.

Eventide Blackhole VST for reverb

Recorded June 22nd, 2024"