Rackears IconRackears.io
Korg DW-6000 - Image 1

Korg DW-6000

KeyboardHybridPolyphonic

Back in 1985, this synth kicked off Korg's bold hybrid era, blending crisp digital waveforms with the soulful bite of analog filters—think of it as the bridge between old-school warmth and the digital dawn.

At its core, dual DCOs per voice draw from 8 distinct 8-bit waveforms like brass, strings, piano, sax, and bells, plus noise, all shaped by a resonant 24dB/oct lowpass analog filter. Two ADBSSR envelopes—one for filter, one for amp—pair with a single LFO for modulation, while a programmable joystick handles pitch bend and MG control. Built around a 61-key synth-action keyboard with aftertouch, it offers 6-voice polyphony (or stacked mono mode), 64 editable patches saved via MIDI or tape, built-in chorus, stereo outs, and extras like portamento and sustain pedal input. Measuring 998 x 338 x 101 mm and weighing 9.3 kg, its compact panel centers on data sliders and switches for hands-on tweaking.

Players love its fat basses, swirling pads, and nasal leads that cut through mixes, earning a cult following for 80s retro vibes despite some aliasing on higher notes. The mono stack mode delivers thick, phasing textures perfect for dramatic solos, though its 6-voice limit can feel tight today.

Released

1985

Status

Discontinued

Synthesizer
Format
Keyboard
Type
Digital, Subtractive
Internal Battery
No
Voice
A/D
Hybrid
Polyphony
Polyphonic
Oscillators
2
Oscillator Type
DCO (Digitally Controlled)
Voices
6
Filter
Lowpass, 24dB/oct (4-pole), Resonant
Envelopes
2
LFO
1
Effects
Chorus
Expression
Aftertouch
-
Velocity
Yes
MPE
No
Additional
-
Software
-
I/O
Audio In
-
Audio Out
1 stereo
Headphone
-
MIDI
In, Out, Thru
MIDI Type
DIN (5-pin)
Ports
Tape Interface, Sustain Pedal
Wi-Fi
No
Workflow
Arpeggiator
No
Sequencer
No
Mod Matrix
No
Memory
64 patches
Measurements
Dimensions
998 x 338 x 101 mm
Weight
9.3 kg
Last updated Feb 27, 2026