Korg DS-8

• Polyphony : 8 voices (4 FM-operators per voice)
  
• Oscillators : 2 OSCs (Saw - Square - Bright Saw - Bright Square - Xmod)
  
• LFO : 1 LFO: saw / triangle / square / sample & hold
  
• VCA : 4 DCA (1 per operator)
  
• Keyboard : 61 keys with velocity & aftertouch
  
• Memory : 100 user, 10 multi patches, external card slot
  
• Effects : 1 unit effect (delay, chorus, flanger, double)
  
• Control : MIDI (8-parts)
  

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What : Released by Korg in the 1987, the DS-8 is a digital FM synthesizer with 4-operators per voice, 8 voices of polyphony and 8 parts multitimbrality.

Sound : the DS-8 can generate a very wide sound palette ranging from classic FM (bells, percussions, electric pianos, clavi, funky guitars..) to analog-like tunes (strings, pads, basses and synth leads). The organs sound also very good and if you are into experimentation you will actually love the beautiful aliasing noise on the very high frequency spectrum. It's a digital FM synth but the overall sound is far warmer and bigger than other FM instruments.

Usability : unlike other FM synthesizers, the DS-8 is very easy to use. If you are familiar with the Roland XP/JV series or, more generally, with standard menu selectors used in all modern devices, you will just need 10 minutes to modify and save your first patch.

Extras : the DS-8 can be also managed thorough editors/librarians. I've used a free one called CTRLR and it works fine. But I still prefer the hardware interface.

Condition : the synth is in excellent cosmetic conditions and it works perfectly. The machine has been recently serviced, the battery has been replaced and will work for the next 30 years. Printed user manual included.