Korg DW-6000: Is It Worth It?

[@ZenMountain]

Beautiful synth. Sounds different from the DW8000/EX8000, a bit grittier and raw, plus it has a great analog chorus. The key bed is way better than DW8000's. Of course, it's not the best option if you only own one synth, but as part of a bigger setup it's a great addition as it has a distinctive sound and an amazing filter. I also own a EX8000, K3M, & ESQ1 and I absolutely love my DW6000 and use it very frequently. Some people really have no idea what they are talking about. Yeah, if you're producing Country, TexMex, Death Metal, Classical or Ranchera, maybe this is not for you, but for anyone producing modern electronic music it's very nice and totally worth a try, especially for the price.

[@iceteazer8028]

Could you give a comparison between the DW-6000, the ESQ-1 and the K3M..? 😅

[@thomasyazvac1219]

Totally agree!

[@infindebula]

I have a 6000 and I like it. The synthesis options are limited, but the waves are unique and it has a surprisingly deep low end. It’s good for deep and dark analog pads, and for bass reinforcement. I think it’s “worth it” because it can be found very cheaply.

[@infindebula]

@Cricket Explained In this era I certainly wouldn’t recommend a DW-6000 (or 8000) as your only synth. But it makes a nice addition to a studio setup, especially while it’s still pretty cheap.

[@infindebula]

@Cricket Explained you can’t go wrong with an Alpha Juno-2 (with programmer) or an older Juno. They are all sweet synths. The DW’s sound lacks animation that you can get from Juno’s PWM.

[@infindebula]

@Cricket Explained ouch! Hopefully you didn’t lose too much. If somebody lists something in working condition, eBay is supposed to protect you!! Most Alpha Junos out there are working fine. In this synth segment (vintage low-cost programmable analog poly) have you considered the JX-3P? It’s rather common, similar (but not identical) to a Juno sonically, and arguably more flexible.

[@dmunz7015]

I see one available for about $450, its worth that easily.

[@Rompler_Rocco]

Weird to hear about the bad Korg chorus, while the chorus is surprisingly excellent on the Casio HT-700 (probably identical on all the hybrid Casio SD synths). The Casio is a ludicrous synth- All the programming is done with a single encoder. The analog filter cutoff has 30 steps of resolution, the resonance has... 4? Even putting it on "1" is like a free hi-pass filter. No saving patches unless you can get some ebayer in France to deal you a RAM Card. Yet that on-board chorus is near Juno-level usable. And for ALL of these reasons, I love it beyond words.

[@gordon2402]

Underrated korgs first hybrid ana/digi synthesizer I sold mine and 2 years later i bought a mint one because i love the simple digital dwgs waveforms and it has some dw‘s the 8000 dont have . 6 voices for a keyboardplayer like me is more than i can handle 😂. A very nice hybrid synth !! 🎹🎶⚙️🤖 No comparison needed because they are different hybrid synths

[@gordon2402]

@ArcaneAudio yeah and with a poly 800ex over midi it is an absolute korg synth monster .love it 🎹🦾🤖

[@michaelshields7777]

This was my very first synthesizer I ever owned, and it had just come out on the market. I liked it, and it was a fun synth to play. I was in my first rock cover band and this was my only synth at the time, but I had a great time using the various features and effects. The helicopter sound effect came in handy on Aldo Nova's "Fantasy," as well.

[@wilsonjaksetic6009]

You should totally cover the Casio HT-3000 and Casio HT-6000! Spectrum Dynamic 8-bit waveforms processed through analog VCFs (the same as used in the Korg Poly800)

[@rachelar]

Yeah, overlooked

[@ace.arsenault]

I recently posted a video demoing this instrument as well. I think its worth owning, since you can get it for pretty cheap when compared to other 80s synthesizers. Used mine for 15 years both in studio and live for a quick go to 80s sound. Best instrument patches are Low String and Bells 2.

[@thomasyazvac1219]

One thing you didn’t show was its lead synth capabilities! In unison mode 6 detuned osc sound great for leads! Just add outboard digital delay!

[@entropybentwhistle]

For what people probably want for used gear from 4 decades ago, you can get a Korg Modwave, it being a modern take on the DWs with way more features and a warranty.

[@h.s.7797]

…with a sound that doesn’t match the original DWs. So, what’s the deal?

[@ZenMountain]

It sounds totally different. Hello???

[@anoniconoclast2030]

He is so right about so many things.

[@cmaynes]

the DW6000 was my first poly synth- it has a more raw tone (as Zach mentioned) than the 8000, and to me it probably was a little closer to some of the sounds you could get from the PPG Wave 2.2 or 2.3 (albeit much simpler sounds and modulation possibilities).

[@Lamster66]

The Kawai K3 blitzes the Korg DW6000 for build Quality and Sound. IMO

[@ZenMountain]

@@Lamster66 They sound very different.

[@Lamster66]

@@ZenMountain No they actually Don't I've got both and have had my K3 from new. The DW6000 was one of those synths that everytime I was going to get one somethng else better came up to spend my money on. I actually got one for nothing a couple of years ago as it was dead. after spending a couple of days chasing all the faults down got it fully working. Although the architecture is different the resulting sound is very similar. The difference is that the DW6000 sounds like a K3 recorded with a damp sock. There isn't much you can do with a DW6000 that you couldn't do with a K3. Yes its not like a DX9 compared to a DX7( got both of those too) where the architecture is the same but one has an extended implementation. So if you load DX9 sounds into a DX7 they will be identicle. what I'm saying is that the difference in sound isn't that big when you consider they come from different manufacturers and employ a different architecture. The OP even says it sounds a bit like a PPG (which I can relte to) It is also pretty much said of the K3 that it's a poor mans PPG. What I'm guessing here is that you either paid too much for you Dw6000 and feel the need to defend it or don't have either and are basing your opinion on watching youtube demos!

[@Astrosynthesist]

Unfortunately I don't think your demo did the synth great justice. I don't know how to critique it outright but I will say that it didn't convey the power I heard when I switched mine on for the first time. It might be worth playing it with a light reverb after some dry sounds to give it space to breathe. Being able to switch between crazy harmonic bell tones and classic brass was really mind blowing to me. This synth is a total 80s swiss army knife and to me is a great choice as a first synth. The editing system works good enough and feels like the programmer knob is "the knob" for whatever setting you choose, at least to me. Not as nice as a knobby interface but also not half bad either

[@anderswikholm957]

The 6000 have much wilder waveforms than the 8000. That's the reason to go for it, Sequential took them all to Prophet VS. They measured the printed overtone series on it to not infringe on copyright. Both the DW:s can be added to a thick mix of analogue and sampling and float over it... not making a mess. The 6000 isn't that fun on it self, but add it to the mix - thats when it shines.

[@RikMaxSpeed]

My personal experience is that the DW8000 sounds really unique, nothing else quite like it. Generating 16 digital wave oscillators was a massive technical feat at the time, no other manufacturer had done so. The DW8000 has twice the number of waves, IMO that’s really worthwhile. Re: chorus vs delay: both are implemented using “analogue” bucket brigade delays and are probably noisy. Caveat emptor: my unit had problems with one of the filters’ cutoff frequency being out of tune, this was not immediately obvious on many patches. Part of the joys and pains of vintage gear.

[@EuroDJ]

"twice the number of waves" - it's not so much ... You can make really more! Search on KZbin: KORG DW-8000 Synthesizer Waveform Expansion Modification

[@infindebula]

The DW8000 delay is digital (with an analog feedback path). I’d characterize it as more “crunchy” than noisy. The DW6000 in contrast has an analog bucket brigade chorus. Analog BBDs degrade over the years - some get really noisy, while on others the output gets low (yielding a less pronounced chorus effect).

[@infindebula]

I think there are internal trimmers to tune the cutoff on each voice.

[@pizzagogo6151]

Never played a 6000, but I believe the other difference is it has a built in BBD chorus ( that may sound nice?) compared to the 8000 digital delay. If you ever get them together maybe you can compare the inbuilt “effects”.

[@infindebula]

12:03 that bass sound has a really nice growl!

[@rolfjohansen5376]

will DW-6000 be a price runner in the future ?

[@WarriorPoet01]

My first synth (I had to have it because I saw it in a Korg poster with Nick Rhodes - lol). I still have it in my little guest room studio 😁

[@BrianMarshall1]

The only reason I think your want a 6000 instead of the 8000 is reliability. The keybed in the 8000 is not great and while it does have velocity that's often the part that breaks and they become really inconsistent.

[@Cefshah]

Nice video!! :) I had a DW-8000. It complimented my Yamaha DX-7 nicely!! :)

[@Lamster66]

I've just finished repairing a DW6000 I was given so the cost of a couple of ICs and a couple of hours of my time going through the service manual an setting everything up was worth it. Wouldn't pay the asking prices currently online. I think the Akai AX80 is an earlier Hybrid and is wrongly described as an Analogue synth. The AX73 which I also got cheap requiring repair and AX60 are however analogue under digital control like the Juno and the Poly 61 which again I purchased 2 broken ones for less than $100 repaired both and sold 1 for $450. Also the Korg Poly800 certainly is a hybrid as the Oscilators are digital although not Wave tabled like the K3 that I also still have or the PPG wave

[@MrMe4444444]

I have the flagship dss1. Love it.

[@torbenanschau6641]

I'm pretty sure the very first hybrid synths were all by PPG. There were Models even before the wave in the 70s.

[@asoundlab]

Yes, this is the first budget hybrid :)

[@madness8556]

The DW6000 is more or less an expanded Poly 61 with DWGS waveforms. I taught at a school that had a DW6000 and I found it to be very underwhelming compared to the DW8000 that I owned at the time. The 8000 has 2 more notes of polyphony, 16 DWGS waveforms, velocity and aftertouch sensitive keyboard, arpeggiator and programmable digital delay.

[@PracticalCat]

Speaking of early hybrid synths I'm looking forward to a review of the ppg wave!......if you can find one:p

[@michaelpierce3264]

well if you can get it cheap and have room it does have a great analog filter wondering if it could be control in real time with a knob box?

[@infindebula]

It can. There are programmers available. Also, I made an iPad programmer using Lemur.

[@TheTomthemagic]

Got this synth locally for 90 $ I think is not a bad synth for this price :)

[@wilsonjaksetic6009]

The real 6000 you want is the Casio HT-6000

[@EuroDJ]

very raw .... 8000 better .. and I really like his digital delay prcessor - unique warm character ... I tried to find a similar character in Korg SDD-1000 etc ->> unsuccessfully.

[@atozee1500]

Hands hands hands waving all over the place 😵‍💫

[@TheToughBaby]

Here's a MUCH BETTER overview of the amazing and super-fun DW-6000! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpS2ZIukhMp8esk

[@danielrobinson9679]

I bought a DW6000 for $100 a couple of months ago. I've owned almost every other polysynth Korg sold in the 80s and I would say the 6000 is by far the weakest synth engine.... that doesn't mean you can't do some solid sounds with it! There is no way I would spend the cash some are going for...

[@viol8r]

What are you playing at around 9:50???Sounds beautiful.

[@naneek2]

I keep hearing conflicting information about the poly-800 saying it is also a hybrid, but as far as I know it's a simple analog synth with a square wave oscillator. am I correct that the poly 800 could only be considered a hybrid in that it is an analog synth with digital controls and patch memory?

[@PyroPolo]

Does anyone know why the presets listed on the front panel don't match the ones in the manual? The ones on the front panel don't match the sounds.

[@JamesDiamondDurant]

No way, the Poly-800 is still analog with DCO's( digital controlled oscillators). DWGS is the system for the DW series. The DW series has digital waveforms as the building block. The Poly is analog sawtooth, square and sine waves digitally controlled, making the more satble in the tuning.

[@marguskiis7711]

So, the analogue answer to DX7?

[@pauljeavons8878]

The DW series although had semi analog path really sound dated now. Roland d50 overshadowed these completely and korg lost alot of sales. The d50 just sounded alot better.

[@thomasyazvac1219]

The D50 was great for pads but the DW 8000 was better for lead synth playing! Just ask Jordan Rudhis

[@jeffevansmusic]

The DW8000 is superior. The DW8000 despite its digital oscillators sounds incredibly analog. It is capable of a wider range of sounds compared to analog synths due to the oscillator waveforms. It is not dated and can sound incredible. There are new sound banks for it now which take it into new territory. The sounds it makes depends on the programming. That Retroaktiv controller would be fantastic.

[@infindebula]

It’s not capable of a wide range of sounds compared to synths with analog oscillators because the only modulatable timbre changes in the DW come from the filter. There is no pulse width modulation, no syncable oscillators, no cross-mod/FM, and no envelope or LFO control of the oscillator mixer section. In other words, the oscillator waves in DW synths can’t be animated like most decent analogs.

[@jeffevansmusic]

@@infindebula It does not matter. Creative programming still produces creative results. For example the Retroaktiv controller allows you to assign many parameters to a single knob movement. (Even that is crazy) Switching the digital waveforms is one such parameter. Its still unique because when you do program a more digital or complex sound it still always sounds warm and fat. Basically its one of the warmest and fattest digital sounding synths out there.

[@infindebula]

@@jeffevansmusic Not disagreeing with you there - it is a lovely synth, and sounds beautiful.

[@michaelpierce3264]

no dude the ppg goes back to the late 70’s

[@asoundlab]

But they weren’t budget - these were the first budget hybrid synths…the ppg were more cutting edge tech and super expensive…the budget hybrids were all attempts to make an alternative to the dx7 dominance…it’s a minor distinction but I think interesting to look at from that angle

[@user-lw8dr6xx8i]

DW 8000 is more worth it than DW 6000

[@Stemma3]

This sounds worse than the famous wavetable midi from Windows 95. It's terrible.

[@Stemma3]

@@sheateeley1 my bad. I thought it was some vintage synth, a new one. I'm horrible with the models' names or numbers. I know what a Yamaha P45 is because I own one, beyond that I'm an ignorant

[@TheToughBaby]

@@sheateeley1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpS2ZIukhMp8esk No, it's not "atrocious"... It's actually extremely powerful in capable hands.

[@TheToughBaby]

Ok, you make this entire video and then just demo the stock patches? Stock patches on 80s synths are always garbage. Spend some time learning the synth and then programming it properly before making a review video! No offense, I just don't get the point of review videos like this where the reviewer knows so little about the thing he's reviewing. Sorry!

[@jelledom7770]

This, have the 6k for years now and stock presets are just eh, theyre just there to overwrite lol This thing needs a nice reverb and is able to make nice fuzzy organic pad sounds i dont hear from any other synth. Last week i sampled a bass note into an s750 and playing it back i instantly heard the fc kahuna bassline from Hayling. Anyway, very uninspired approach to review a synth, creative people put more effort in making patches, imo, the reviewer is looking for a xv5080 or any other rompler.

[@amplifier2]

Ir‘s not worth the space it needs. The DW8000 is a whole other story - if you‘re into this kind of sound at all.

[@ZenMountain]

No, no, YOU are not worth the space you need.

[@somedood6621]

13:47

[@peterstar2023]

I had one and I think it's useless. I didn't even like it when I was 10 years old.

[@falangistavaleroso9689]

The worst synth featured here.