it's not there Korg DDD-1

Korg DDD-1





The classic (!) DDD-1 (or DDD1 / DDD 1) from Korg - it was their top-of-the-line drumbox back in the mid/late 80's offering large poly (at the time) cards could be added with drum (and bass) sounds etc.
I used to won one - Released in around 1986 the DDD-1 is a big bugger, coming in at the size of a hefty laptop - I never fully exploited it, but it had multiple outs, clock & midi connectors. It could take cards for extra sounds and the sounds are sorta typical for that 12bit period not too 'phat' or biting but with some character (bucket like toms etc).

The DDD-1 has 14 assignable velocity-sensitive pads & a memory of 100 patterns which could be stringed-together into 10 songs with a max 9999 patterns each - The DDD-1 had adjustable sound/pad parameters such as pitch, dynamics, decay and more, with additional roll and flam buttons for use when programming. The unit ca,e with 18 sampled percussion sounds as standard, consisting of 2 kik, 2 snare, 3 toms, rimshot, 2 closed Hi-Hats, 2 open Hi-hats, ride, crash, claps, cowbell, tambourine, and cabasa.

More sounds can be added via plugin ROM cards, with up to 4 available at any one time expanding the number of sounds available to 38) - Plus there was an optional sampling card!!.. aha!

Played the Forum in London with this once too - the sounds blasting thru the PA sounded great actualy - pads are very big and sounds can be tuned - I had one pattern with a slap-bass pull-off sample playing from a card inserted in it but cant remember much about the sequencer because I really used this as a module mostly being triggered from a Yamaha QX5.

Still, a classic old-skool box of this variety although frankly it doesnt touch the Roland R8... however, the DDD-1 could sample sounds!! - Yup it allowed a (trying to remember) 1 second or slightly over sampling time, and pretty much no editing, but you could get some sounds into it of your own - I think I remember all the tech guys down in Denmark street banging on about how you could sample the snare drum from 'GO WEST' (de-rigour at the time apparently) and use that for your snare, and how great it was etc - oh the fun we had! *cough* - Not that that in ANY way swayed me to buy it - Frankly I can't even remember where I did buy it from now it comes to it... Oh well.

Also, the DDD-1 is generaly idiosyncratic and if you see one cheap they are fun to own because patterns made with it dont sound the same created with samples garnered from the same instrument & triggered by another sequencer - the sequencer I remember does steer you to create patterns you wouldn't have come up with using a different outboard sequencer to trigger the beastie with.

A robust retro worth-having item for the collector or those who like to use a more eclectic mix of gear to stimulate ideas and sounds. - The kiks are a bit weak tho.

Factory reset: HOLD YES AND NO, THEN POWER ON.







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Currently: 84%
Total Stars: 76
Total Votes: 18


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Added: 13 January 2004
New price: settled at around 350 quid street (discontinued)
S/H price: cheap - 100 quid or less
Company:  Korg UK

Resources

Korg DDD-1 sample set
Korg DDD-1 electronic card sample set
Korg DDD-1 electronic card sample set
16 Behringer links
Behringer TD-3 audio examples
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Comments

Mick

24-Sep-09

Hi, I have just got the Korg DDD-1 and was wondering if they are any good if there is no ram and rom cards at all.
Help anyone please!

Cheers...


James

02-Oct-09

Weblink: link

up until last year, i had that machine and used it. very good for programming beats. personally, i wouldn't worry about ROM cards. i'd hook it up to your computer and use it as a midi controller for drum modules like Battery 3. but that's just me


DAVID SILLIMAN

21-Nov-10

Weblink: link

[quote] Mick wrote: Hi, I have just got the Korg DDD-1 and was wondering if they are any good if
there is no ram and rom cards at all.Help anyone please!Cheers... [/quote]

@James - I've just pulled mine out again. Can't find my manual (or online). How do you save a pattern?
Can't remember and can't figure it out.


lance

18-Dec-10

need this one


xler8ed

24-Feb-11

I think you have a typo there "Korg DDD-1I used to won one - ..."
didn't you mean "you used to own one"
You guys who need schematics FOR THIS KORG DDD DRUM BOX you can try "analogue heaven dot com"...if not try Monty Allums he may not/
xler8ed "old drum machines make me wonder how electronic music and MIDI ever made it to 2011"

If you want to see a real modern take on the drum machine (not this DDD specifically,duh) check out the...............................................................
BANGIN' BANGIN' * TEMPEST * TEMPEST * TEMPEST * BANGIN' BANGIN'
************************** DSI TEMPEST *******its a whole new analog rythmn machine with a 6 voice analog synth! and I can't wait to own one 2k. Try .......dave smith instruments dot com/ tempest... look at this! debut is set for 06/2011 or before.

ooooo.....This machine in the review looks very cool for its age, I missed this entirely, but Korg was not known for their drum machines in the 1980's...they were hardly known at all(for their synths) back then.





Last added comment


silvano

12-Jan-14

You must change a battery ,its not complicated (Cr 032) than You can save it


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