Korg DW-8000 - Changing presets?

Hey all.

I've checked quite a few of the posts about changing the presets for the Korg DW-8000. I've found software and patches, but no detailed explaination of what I need to do.

I really need a step-by-step kind of description. I don't even know what I need to connect my DW-8000 to my computer. Sorry if I'm ignorant, but I suppose I have to start somewhere!

I find the DW-8000 fairly easy to program though, so I'm not completely stupid.

Help me get more out of this synth!

Thanks for any help guys.

I'll give this thread just one more chance...

This place gives a brief description:

http://www.pallium.com/bryan/dwpatches.php

Cool underrated synth btw

Yeah, it really is! I wanted an inexpensive programmable synth with a decent size keyboard, and the DW-8000 seemed to fit that description.

My presets are kind of messed up, though. It's like I've got two of each sound.

The description on that website includes just about everything but how to connect it to the computer. Maybe it's such a common thing that everyone assumes I should already know. I really hope it is simple, because I really want to try out all these patches!

You need a Midi interface for your PC (if you dont already have one), and a Sysex utility or program to transfer the data via the midi cable linked from the DW to the computer.

That site has a sysex utility program you can download to perform the procedure.

Hey, thanks!

Stupid question - do I need a MIDI to USB cable of some sort to connect my Korg to my computer?

Hey, the DW-8000 was my first ever synth. I really like some of the sounds I got from it. It actually came with a tape for sending and receiving patches and reseting the default bank I think. Do you have that?. Anyway, I actually regret selling it now.

DW8000 was also my first synth, bought it brand new in '86. Looking back, I think I made an excellent choice. I liked its sound better than the Junos and the Yamaha DX synths. I've been a big Korg fan since before they became one of the 'big 3'. Great synth!.

I sold mine off last year 'cause my DSS-1 had most of that sonic territory covered (and then some). I've done a lot of programming work for both of those synths, including making parameter maps for both DW and DSS for various controllers like the Control Freak and PC-1600. I've also programmed tons of patches on both. I love the sound of the analog filter on them. One of Korg's best analog filters, actually.

Wow, I feel dumb.

The MIDI interface IS what connects the two. ::shame::

Anyway, I'm going to get the Edirol (by Roland). It's only $40, and should work just fine.

But yeah, I have the tape backup. Seems like a big pain in the ass to use, but that's all there was back in the day. I also have a book "DW-8000 Working With the Workhorse" or something, which is fairly well written. Also, it came with a leather bag! It was only $200 on eBay.

When it was shipped, it arrived with one key broken. I saw that it was a little lower than the other keys, so I tugged on it, barely. Came right out. $90 in repairs later, which UPS paid for through their insurance claim process (that took forever) and it's working fine. The tech got me a new key and also cleaned all the contacts. Those contacts seem to get dirty fast, though, so I bought a dust cover for it.

Once I get the interface I'll be able to get a lot more sounds. Plus, I'm going to get an Alesis Nanopiano so I can have some decent piano sounds, and I'll use the DW-8000 as the controller for that module. It should be a fun setup for little money.

I still want a Roland JP-8000 or Alesis Micron, but I think once I delve into my DW-8000, I'll be having too much fun to even care about those anymore.

Oh, and I agree - the DW sounds MUCH better than the DX series. Can't comment on how it compares to the various Juno models, though.

I've thought about getting the EW-8000, the rack version, from time to time. I heard a demo of it somewhere and thought it sounded pretty good for the current price.

Good luck with it.

I've thought about getting the EW-8000, the rack version, from time to time. I heard a demo of it somewhere and thought it sounded pretty good for the current price.

Good luck with it.

what a synth...

one of my favorite lethal combos was the DW8000 into a crapy distortion pedal I had fed into an Alesis Quadraverb for Delay. unison mode + arpeggiator...

even the guitarist in my band almost sh*t his pants when I played that

The 8000 is a good old board. Never should have sold mine...

Tip: if one powers up with '8008' instead of '8000', it has the Angel City add-on board. This added several new synth parameters, and eight more patch banks, along with split and layer options.

I enjoyed cranking the onboard delay feedback close to 100%, then sustaining chords while working the filter with the joystick. Fun!

You can also switch from mono mode to poly while playing. First, you turn on portamento, pick mono mode, play a note, and hold down the sustain pedal. Next, hold down a very spread out chord, and quickly tap poly. The notes will all spread out from the mono note, creating something similar to the 'THX Sound'. That sound has 200+ oscillators, but eight doesn't sound bad at all. Funky tricks like that don't work on newer boards...