DW-6000 History — Korg

DW-6000

The Korg DW-6000 is a six-voice polyphonic hybrid digital-analog synthesizer released in 1985. It blends digital waveforms with analog filters and amplifiers, and has a chorus effect to create a richer sound. The DW-6000 was quickly succeeded by the DW-8000. The DW-6000 is a six-voice hybrid digital-analog synthesizer with a five-octave keyboard, memory for 64 presets, a joystick and MIDI implementation. The front panel has two buttons for program and parameter selection, numeric keys for choosing program and parameter numbers, and a data slider with +/— buttons for more precise parameter editing, echoing the design used on the Korg Poly-61, Korg's first synthesizer with digital controls.

OverviewThe Korg DW-6000, introduced in 1985, combined digital waveforms with analog filters in an affordable hybrid architecture. This six-voice polyphonic synthesizer offered single-cycle digital waveforms processed through analog voltage-controlled filters, delivering warmth and character at a budget-friendly price.
The instrument featured six digital waveforms per oscillator, a resonant low-pass filter, and comprehensive modulation capabilities. The 61-key velocity-sensitive keyboard and built-in chorus effect enhanced playability. The DW-6000 provided an entry point into hybrid synthesis for musicians unable to afford more expensive instruments.
Korg's DW series demonstrated that combining digital and analog technologies could deliver professional sounds at accessible prices, influencing the company's subsequent synthesizer designs.