Let’s continue our deep dive into analogue drums with a look at something even earlier – the Korg KR-55. This is a preset drum machine from 1979. It uses a Read-Only Memory (ROM) to store patterns, but it has no processor, unlike the Boss Dr. Rhythm we looked at. Consequently the digital side of this […]
This article is a look at sub-oscillators, a common tactic for fattening up the bottom end, particularly in synths with only one oscillator, or only one oscillator per voice. Classic examples include the Roland Juno 106 and SH101, and the Korg Polysix. More recently, sub-oscs turn up on a lot of modern analog synths since […]
This page is a look at how various synths implemented the SSM2044 filter, with the datasheet design as a reference standard. I’ve redrawn all the schematics to make comparisons very easy. First, the datasheet design. The datasheet suggests using the two differential inputs (+audio and -audio) as individual oscillator inputs for a two-oscillator synth […]
This page is an overview of two techniques for creating wavetable oscillators. Contents DDS – Korg DW series and similar Variable sample rate – PPG Wave and similar DDS – Korg DW series and similar The Korg DW series use a DDS oscillator scheme. Korg called it ‘DWGS’ for ‘Digital Waveform Generator System’ in the 80’s style […]
