Korg DSS-1 -1986 DSM-1 -1987    Weight = 39.5 Lbs. Number mfg.= ? MRP=$2600


User Manual: DSS-1 or DSM-1
Reset Proceedures: N/A
Operating System code: N/A
MIDI or other control protocol:See manuals
Software related Links:Rescue Disk, is a CD from Larry Hendry with everything for the DSM-1 plus all DSS-1 Disk images** sample vision is included but this site has a lot of details on it.
Patches or knob settings: factorylib+
Circuit Overview: below
Scematics/Service Manual: Manual Manor DSS-1
Service images:Hendry
Common Service Issues/Tips: below
Parts Sources: Keys Disk Drives semiconductors misc
Uncommon chips/modules used: NJM2069 Filter chips common to Poly800 and the DW series, NJU7304 8ch mux w/ s+H
Modifications: A SCSI kit was available at one time but no more. Here is some info though.
General Info Links: Vintage Synth Explorer or Glen StegnerK for a LOT of really useful info including sound demos and much of the info above!

**Sadly Larry Hendry was killed in an auto accident in Oct. 2005, and therefore I don't know if any products are still available. The hendryfamily.com page is all I know of for details.





     The DSS-1 machines have a large number of chips since the things being done were still fairly new. But basically you have a computer running a sampling interface, 256Kwords of RAM for data and filters when the signal reaches the analog domain and a digital delay of course. Very challenging machines to low level troubleshoot in the digital domain. And really attainable at too low of a cost to spend much time going beyond this I think. :-) The DSM-1 is also inexpensive now but uses a better HD diskette drive but lacks the digital delay and no resonance control on filters, though they put 16 of them. However you cannot mix two sources/voice as you could on DSS-1. Thus to truly get the same sound it can be difficult to impossible if delay is used or resonance.

     Floppy drives commonly fail in DSS-1, see link above. NOTE these are double sided double density drives. If you don't use the right kinds of disk, they won't work also. Attain software above to create disk images on unformatted DSDD diskettes. I tried to troubleshoot one with some bad signal distortion from the digital domain. Gave up and got one to swap boards out of with a bad floppy on ebay for 50 bucks or so. Amazing bang/buck machines these days!

Parts:
I have a scrap unit and odds are any of the parts are probably good. Let me know if you need anything!