DW-8000 History — Korg

DW-8000

1985–1987

TheKorg DW-8000is ananalog synthesizerreleased in 1985. It blends sampled waveforms with an analog filter and amplifier, followed by a digital delay for adding echo effects. It boasts eight-note polyphony and its keyboard is equipped with velocity sensitivity and aftertouch. The DW-8000 was released shortly after Korg's previous polysynth, theDW-6000, and built upon its predecessor's sound engine by enhancing it with velocity sensitivity, a digital delay effect, and expanded eight-voice polyphony. It also introduced 16 digital waveforms, doubling the DW-6000's eight, along with an arpeggiator, an additional key assign mode, additional modulation waveforms, and an "auto-bend" feature.

OverviewKorg's DW-8000, released in 1985, expanded the DW-6000 concept into a more powerful eight-voice instrument. This hybrid synthesizer combined digital waveforms with analog filters, offering 16 digital waveforms per oscillator and a sophisticated digital delay section. The DW-8000 became one of the most popular hybrid synthesizers of the 1980s.
The instrument featured velocity and aftertouch sensitivity, comprehensive modulation routing, and a distinctive digital delay that could be modulated for ensemble effects. The 61-key keyboard and extensive MIDI implementation made it suitable for professional use.
The DW-8000 appeared on countless 1980s recordings, its distinctive combination of digital clarity and analog warmth proving versatile across genres. The instrument remains popular among vintage synthesizer enthusiasts for its unique character and affordability.