Keys, Synths & Samplers

[tvirostek]

The problem with the low Bb key is most likely a broken wire on the key contact, or the contact itself is bent. There are two metal strips that make contact when the key is pressed down. The aftertouch is a separate sensor which is why it still works. There are six screws to get the DSS-1 open, a further six to take out the keybed. The procedure is detailed in the installation manual for the kit. You can download the preliminary version here: http://files.me.com/tomvirostek/a2n0mp If you end up sending me the DSS-1 for modification I'd be able to fix it for you.

[tvirostek]

I forgot to add that the floppy drive housing must be removed to take out the keybed. It has seven screws on the underside (also shown in the manual).

[jbabb]

I tried setting the unison mode to two voices and detune to minimum and there´s a lot of cancellation between the oscillators/voices, so I can confirm that that´s not the same as a traditional monophonic mode...:cry:

I looked into this a little more, and the CPU takes some time after setting up (and starting) the first voice, then tests for unison mode, then sets up the rest of the voices. So, even though the 2 oscillators are exactly synced timing wise, they are out of phase with each other. I could probably re-arrange the code to get everything set up first, then start all the oscillators together, but I decided that it was easier to just give you what you really wanted.
I added another Key Assign Mode. Now, in addition to Poly-1, Poly-2, and Unison, there is a forth mode called Mono.

This is implemented in version 3.97, which I just emailed to Tom.

-Jim

[McHale]

In case nobody's told you lately... Jim, you're awesome. The DSS-1 is exciting again! Thanks for all of your hard work. If you ever get to Chicago-land, you'll eat and drink for free my friend. -Mc

[jbabb]

In case nobody's told you lately...

Jim, you're awesome. The DSS-1 is exciting again! Thanks for all of your hard work. If you ever get to Chicago-land, you'll eat and drink for free my friend.

-Mc

Wow, thank you very much! That is very kind. You just made my whole weekend! hil:

-Jim

[juno6]

I looked into this a little more, and the CPU takes some time after setting up (and starting) the first voice, then tests for unison mode, then sets up the rest of the voices. So, even though the 2 oscillators are exactly synced timing wise, they are out of phase with each other. I could probably re-arrange the code to get everything set up first, then start all the oscillators together, but I decided that it was easier to just give you what you really wanted.
I added another Key Assign Mode. Now, in addition to Poly-1, Poly-2, and Unison, there is a forth mode called Mono.

This is implemented in version 3.97, which I just emailed to Tom.

-Jim

Wow, excellent! I can´t wait to sell my 01R/W to buy this.
If you ever go to Argentina, you'll eat and drink for free my friend.
:love:

Cheers,

JZ:

[tvirostek]

I've listed one of the upgraded DSS-1's on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/KORG-DSS-1-Sampling-Synthesizer-UPGRADED_W0QQitemZ260511469927QQcmdZViewItemQQpt...

[McHale]

OK, that USB floppy combo drive was a nice touch. I'm gonna have to do that to mine when I get mine upgraded... -Mc p.s. that starting price is a steal!

[jbabb]

OK, that USB floppy combo drive was a nice touch. I'm gonna have to do that to mine when I get mine upgraded...

-Mc

p.s. that starting price is a steal!

The nice thing about that combo drive is that the Vinculum module will recognize any of the various memory cards that it will accept, just so long as you only insert one card at a time.
That means that you can use those CF cards that you just got.

-Jim

[ChipCurtis]

There´s no "save program" function... you can save all programs, or a single multisample, or load a program, but not SAVE a single program, which for me is strange.

This isn't true. Of course you can save a single program. I think it's function 00, 01, or 02 under Program Parameters. It always asks you if you want to rename the patch before saving.

[juno6]

This isn't true. Of course you can save a single program. I think it's function 00, 01, or 02 under Program Parameters. It always asks you if you want to rename the patch before saving.

I´m talking about saving a single program to disk, of course.

[ChipCurtis]

I´m talking about saving a single program to disk, of course.

That's not what you said, though. :facepalm: or it wouldn't have been obvious it's what you meant.

Not that much of a hassle, though, if you work within the DSS-1 structural logic -- namely, you could go through a session saving individual patches, and then at end of session, save the whole bank of patches to disk before shutting down. One 5-second disk access to save the whole thing at the end, not a huge problem.

[juno6]

That's not what you said, though. :facepalm: or it wouldn't have been obvious it's what you meant.

Not that much of a hassle, though, if you work within the DSS-1 structural logic -- namely, you could go through a session saving individual patches, and then at end of session, save the whole bank of patches to disk before shutting down. One 5-second disk access to save the whole thing at the end, not a huge problem.

If you read what I said in a context, that is saying that you could save all programs, etc, it may have been clear. Also, I don´t know any programmable synth that doesn´t let you save a patch on it´s own memory...:facepalm:

Anyway, to me it would be practical to be able to save a program without having to wait till the end of the session, because I also may have modified other programs and I don´t want to save those, just one. If you can save a multisample, why it wouldn´t be great to save a single program. And what if I did a new program with one bank loaded and want to save it in another bank? Of course it´s possible, but it takes much more than 5 seconds.

[ChipCurtis]

If you read what I said in a context, that is saying that you could save all programs, etc, it may have been clear. Also, I don´t know any programmable synth that doesn´t let you save a patch on it´s own memory...:facepalm:

Anyway, to me it would be practical to be able to save a program without having to wait till the end of the session, because I also may have modified other programs and I don´t want to save those, just one. If you can save a multisample, why it wouldn´t be great to save a single program. And what if I did a new program with one bank loaded and want to save it in another bank? Of course it´s possible, but it takes much more than 5 seconds.

You should take up these issues with they guy doing the new upgrade kit, if these inconveniences mean that much to you.

Yet, some of what you complain about is simple misunderstanding of exactly what you're doing on the unit, and your interpretation/misunderstanding of Korg's concepts.

Despite your constantly repeating it, YOU CAN SAVE A PATCH TO PATCH MEMORY on a DSS-1, simple as that.

Patch memory is not the same thing as disk memory, at least in DSS-1 terminology.

You are leaving out the fact that the stock DSS-1 by its very nature has VOLATILE RAM, so that anything you do with any aspect of a system (alter one of its samples, make patch memory changes. whatever) must also be saved to disk before shutting down, because of the volatile RAM. All of these changes are saved as you go along, working within a system, but to recall them after shutting the unit down requires a system save to disk, that's all.

If you want to save a single patch and not affect others, the way you go about it would not be any different than any other synth with memory. In fact the DSS-1 gives you the added option of OPTING OUT of a whole set of patch memory changes by NOT SAVING TO DISK; other synths, you make a patch memory change and regret it, you have to resort to getting them back thru SYSEX or from another bank.

[juno6]

Patch memory is not the same thing as disk memory, at least in DSS-1 terminology.

You are leaving out the fact that the stock DSS-1 by its very nature has VOLATILE RAM, so that anything you do with any aspect of a system (alter one of its samples, make patch memory changes. whatever) must also be saved to disk before shutting down, because of the volatile RAM. All of these changes are saved as you go along, working within a system, but to recall them after shutting the unit down requires a system save to disk, that's all.

If you want to save a single patch and not affect others, the way you go about it would not be any different than any other synth with memory. In fact the DSS-1 gives you the added option of OPTING OUT of a whole set of patch memory changes by NOT SAVING TO DISK; other synths, you make a patch memory change and regret it, you have to resort to getting them back thru SYSEX or from another bank.

No, my friend, as I explained before, if you don´t save a program, the program is gone, so you should have the posibility to save it to disk as quickly and as painless as possible, as any other sampler will do.
Peace.

[McHale]

One of the biggest failures in the design of the DSS-1 IMHO was the fact that when you powered it on, it didn't have a default set of waveforms and a program loaded. The one thing I'd like to see in this upgrade process is to be able to turn it on to a bank of my choice preloaded with the needed waveforms. My preference would be all 16 DW-8000 waveforms. Yes, I know how volatile RAM works, but with the ability to use a USB drive or that nifty combo floppy drive with media slots, this is now doable. -Mc

[juno6]

One of the biggest failures in the design of the DSS-1 IMHO was the fact that when you powered it on, it didn't have a default set of waveforms and a program loaded. The one thing I'd like to see in this upgrade process is to be able to turn it on to a bank of my choice preloaded with the needed waveforms.

My preference would be all 16 DW-8000 waveforms.

Yes, I know how volatile RAM works, but with the ability to use a USB drive or that nifty combo floppy drive with media slots, this is now doable.

-Mc

AFAIK that is already possible! You have to name the system you want with a certain name, and the DSS will load it when you turn it on.:love:

[McHale]

ooooooh, sweet. When I talked to Tom a while ago, it wasn't in there yet. Now the tricky part, where do we get the 16 DW-8000 waveforms? -Mc

[OPEN OCEAN]

damn sold mine like an idiot a few months back...what a lovely board...