Korg DW-6000 User manual

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PROGRAMMABLE
DIGITAL WAVEFORM
SYNTHESIZER
OWNER'S MANUAL
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m°mmiKORG
PROGRAMMABLE DIGrXAL WAVEFORM SYNTHESIZER
Thank you and congratulations on your choice of
the Korg DW-6000. To obtain optimum perfomi-
ance from this advanced digital synthesizer,
please read this manual carefully before using.
IHas two Digital Oscillators per voice. Each
.oscillator has eight digitally encoded wave-
forms stored in two 256 l<ilobit ROM chips.
Unlike the simple sawtooth and pulse waver
forms of other synths, the DW-6000's w^vr'
forms are digitally encoded samples of ictu-
al acoustic instruments, to enable mora con-
vincing, realistic sound synthesis.
Anew kind of 6-voice programmable poly-
phonic synthesizer featuring an advanced
Digital Waveform Generator System (DWGS)
for sonic richness, plus powerful VCF, VGA
and EG modules, for excellent control and
flexibility.
'The DW-6000 features analog processing via
VCF and VGA modules, for ease of operati^
You enjoy the uniqueness of digital sou™
plus the fat sounds and ease of use of analog
control. ;

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mFEATURES OF THE KORG DW-6000
More flexible dynamic controi, witli two 6-
'parameter "ADBSSR" digital envelope gener-
ators per voice, one each for the VGA and
VCF, respectively.
7Programnnable Key assign nnode lets you se-
lect unison and polyphonic modes so you
can use the DW-6000 asaversatile mono-
phonic soloing or polyphonic synthesizer.
'64 different programs can be stored and ac-
^cessed by fingertip control. Afootswitch can
be used to advance the program number, for
on-stage convenience. 14 Rapid second
tape interface permits unlimited storage and
rapid reloading of program libraries.
Polyphonic Portamento, controllable by foot
(switch. Its setting can be stored for each pro-
grammed sound.
'MIDI equipped for full interfacing with other
MIDI equipped devices, including synthesiz-
ers, sequencers, remote (keyboards, expander
modules, rhythm machines, and personal
computers.
Noise generator Included for special effects.
i
Built-in stereo chorus for spacid'us stereo re-
production.

IMPORTANT ^AFFTY PRFrAIITinN^ ^
Please read and observe the following "J^^^^^'^^,, ,. ^,,,. ., .,,
^To avoid malfunction do not use this unit in the
precautions to assure reliability and safety. fonowmg locations tor long periods of time:
•In direct sunligfit.
•Exposed to extremes of temperature or humidity.
•In sandy or dusty places.
POWER SUPPLY
•Use only with rated AC voltage. If you will be using
this unit in acountry having adifferent voltage, be
sure to obtain the proper transformer to convert to
rated voltage.
•To help prevent noise and degraded sound quality,
avoid using the same outlet as other equipment or
branching off extension cords shared by other
equipment.
INPUT/OUTPUT JACKS AND CONNECTIO
CORDS
Be sure to use standard "guitar" cables with phone
plugs, such as the cable supplied with this instru-
ment, for input and output connections to the rear
panel of the DW-6000. Never insert any other l<ind of
plug into these jacks.
PREVENTING ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE
As amicroprocessor based device, the DW-6000 is
extremely flexible in operation, yet may possibly
perform erratically if exposed to electrical in-
terference from other electrical devices and fluores-
cent lamps. Avoid operating the DW-6000 near pos-
sible sources of interference. If something seems to
be wrong, try turning off the power, waiting about
ten seconds, the turning it back on. This resets the
computer circuits to their initial state so perform-
ance should return to normal.
HANDLE GENTLY
Knobs and switches are designed to provide pc^*^
five operation with alight touch. Excessive force
may cause damage.
MAINTENANCE
Wipe the exterior with asoft, dry cloth. Never use
paint thinner, benzene or other solvents.
KEEP THIS MANUAL
Store this manual in asafe place for future refer-
ence.
MEMORY BACKUP
•To protect your programmed memory contents,
the DW-6000 utilizes abuilt-in rechargeable back-
up battery power supply. Battery life is rated at five
years or more, so replacement is recommended
after five years. Contact your Korg dealer or autho-
rized service center at that time.
•For maximum security, save your sound programs
on tape, using the built-in tape interface systap^
Then if memory contents are accidentally eras"--
or altered, you can simply load the data back into
DW-6000 internal memory in seconds!

CONTENTS

FRONT PANEL LAYOUT
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REAR PANEL LAYOUT
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MIDI equippea syn-
thesizers, sequencers, or
computers.
Computer
Tape decks, radio-
cassette recorders, or
tape recorders.
(WEth recording and
playback functions)
Footswitch
m.
{:j_GND type footswitch)
Mixers, arnplifiers, or
stereo systems.

DW-6000 OVERVIEW
The DW-6000 uses anew digital method of sound generation called "Digital
Wavefornn Generator System" or DWGS. Korg developed DWGS to provide ahigher
level of realism and richness together with the ease of operation of conventional
analog processing.
What is DWGS?
Conventional synthesizers use VCOs or DCOs whicii pro-
duce simple waveforms such as the typical sawtooth,
triangle, pulse, square, etc., found on normal synthesiz-
ers. However, to obtain the richness of real instrument
sounds, you need amore complex harmonic structure
than these conventional waveforms provide. Korg's
-S^GS uses eight digitally encoded waveforms having
we complex harmonic structures required for profes-
sional music. These waveforms are based on actual
samples of real musical instrument sounds (violin,
acoustic piano, electric piano, saxophone, etc.),
recreated by additive harmonic synthesis.
The DW-6000 uses two DWGS oscillators per voice so
you can mix different waveforms in variable proportions
to create even more complex and unusual sounds.
What's more, the DW-6000 uses analog VGA and VCF
modules so you retain the familiar operation of conven-
tional synths. You get fast, predictable results without
the programming and control difficulties of "digital"
systems. On the DW-6000, synthesis is straightforward,
following basic synthesizer theory of pitch, timbre, and
volume parameters.
DW-6000
Basic Functions
This manual covers the followmg basic functions.
$oiin£l Creation
How to create and alter
sound.
Writing Proflfams
How to store sounds in
the DW-6000's program
memory.
Selecting Programs
How to call up your
stored sounds.
Peirformance Effects
How to use effects
such as Pitch bend,
modulation and porta-
mento wtiile playing.
rOscillator Section (Digital)
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OUT
PUT

1. BASIC SETUP
Before using the DW-6000, fallow these steps.
[IIMake sure the power switch is off.
(The power switch is on the left side of the rear panel,
as seen from the rear.)
r-'
[•Ul POWER
mPlug the AC cord into awall socket.
Attached power cord Rear view
13] Turn down amplifier volume and connect the DW-6000
OUTPUT jack{s) to the amplifier or mixer input jack(s).
Set the LOW/HIGH switch according to the kind of amp
or mixer input used.
•ID •@@© @» 7
To amp or mixer
Type of input
HFor operation without an amp or mixer, plug standard
stereo headphone into the PHONES jack on the rear
panel.
Use L/MONO for
connection to asin^f~~~^.
gle amp or mixen
channel.
Switch position
Audio amp (AUX IN)