Publisher: UVI
Website: UVI Digital Synsations Vol 2
Format: SOUNDBANK
Quality: 24 bit 44.1 kHz stereo
Description: The first significant digital synths Roland JD-800 + rack module
Roland JD-800 + Roland JD-990 (super JD) rack module – in the library this is called DS-890
Ensoniq Fizmo – called DZmo in the library
Kawai K5000S – called DK5S in the library
– not to be confused with the Kawai K5m (04 K5) rack module, which is available in UVI – KAWAI Vintage Legacy – these are different libraries.
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw enormous technological change. The advent of the digital age has truly opened the door to new and exciting opportunities. Over the years, a number of digital synthesizers have emerged around the world, challenging the very notion of what these instruments are capable of. With new synthesis techniques, these machines forever changed our soundscape and paved the way for modern instruments and effects. The second volume of Digital Synsations marks a new step in our process of rediscovering and preserving these revolutionary machines. This collection explores the capabilities and uniqueness of three legendary digital synthesizers of the 90s.
The emergence of new synthesis methods has made it possible to create a large number of unusual synthesizers. There were so many instruments released in such a short time that many of these keyboard instruments went unnoticed. Reviving and exploring these gems is our passion: each instrument has a completely unique signature, and many are now forgotten. We are proud to share these sonic treasures with you to give you the opportunity to discover or rediscover them and thus infuse modern music with these legendary sounds.
Our sound engineers have intimate knowledge of the exceptional qualities of these machines, both in terms of synthesis techniques and signal routing. In this way, they were able to recreate the sonic characteristics of each synth and develop patches that revealed the soul of each instrument. Over 20,000 sound samples were recorded and used to create 500 presets that recreate the vintage sound and character of these synths with perfect authenticity. Today you can explore, manipulate and edit these classic synths with all the comfort of a modern virtual instrument.
DS-890 (Roland JD-800 + Roland JD-990)
Here we have actually combined two famous Japanese machines of the 90s, taking the best of both worlds, using the keyboard of one and the module of the other. These synthesizers have been adopted by artists such as Emerson Lake & Palmer, Depeche Mode, Laurent Garnier, Prodigy and others… The original model was one of the very first digital synthesizers to reuse multi-mode filters, and thanks to the ability to layer and manipulate patches and sound samples, these machines offered a degree of flexibility rarely seen. Capturing the warmth and richness of these two monsters, the DS-890 recreates the legend and offers a palette of astounding sounds.
DZmo (Ensoniq Fizmo)
This synthesizer, comparable to a true thoroughbred, exclusively used so-called “transwave” synthesis. With this model, the know-how of its creators reached its apogee – in fact, it was their last project before the American company closed its doors. Although it was heavily criticized upon release and its obvious shortcomings left it far behind its competitors, it was adopted by a small group of power users. And since the initial production was less than 2,000 units, this synthesizer became the subject of something of a cult. For DZmo we have pushed the boundaries of the tool’s capabilities. We extracted deep and very specific tones and took it even further with the UVI Engine, creating hypnotic and electrifying patches. Here you will find the soul of the original car.
DK5S (Kawai K5000S)
One of the very few machines of the era that used additive synthesis and combined it with PCM sounds. This synthesizer was and remains to this day a unique instrument. Unfortunately, this synthesizer had a limited production run before being discontinued by Japanese manufacturers, likely because the latter emphasized its workstation capabilities over luxurious sound quality. By examining the digital engine of this machine in detail, we were able to create extraordinary tones.
