Siel DK70

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

DK70 by Siel
Synthesis type: Digital Subtractive
Polyphony: 8 voice
Timbrality: Monotimbral
Oscillators: 8 DCOs with square and sawtooth
waveforms (not independently configurable).
Filter: 1 resonant 4 pole VCF
Attenuator: ADSR envelope, triggered by
gate or LFO
LFO: 1 LFO
Keyboard: 49-note
Left hand control: Optional "stage set" Keytar grip that allows for
pitch bend, program change and modulation
Velocity sensitive: {{{velocity}}}
Aftertouch: {{{aftertouch}}}
External control: MIDI
Memory: 2 track Polyphonic sequencer
Onboard effects: Chorus
Produced: Late 80s

The DK70 is a synthesizer produced in the late 1980s by Siel.

[edit] Description

It is very similar to a Roland Alpha Juno, in that it operates like an analog synth, but it's oscillators, filter, LFO and envelope generator are all digital. The oscillators are called "DCOs", and the envelope generated called a DEG (for Digital Envelope Generator). Digital components were much cheaper at the time and this allowed the DK70 to approximate the sound of an analog synth, but have 8 note polyphony without being cost prohibitve to the average user.

A unique feature of the DK70 is that, while it appears to have the form factor of a standard synth, it has guitar strap pegs and can be used as a keytar. An accessory called the "Stage Set" can be attached to the left side to provide a grip (similar to that of the SH-101), where the player may manipulate a ribbon-style pitch bender, as well as have access to buttons that change patches, change octaves and engage the LFO modulation.

It stores 50 patches, 10 of which are user assignable. A cartridge port accepted a cartridge which could store an additional 50 patches. All programming is done via pushbuttons, somewhat limiting it's "tweakability" for live performances.

It also has an onboard two-track sequencer, which can be programmed by setting the tempo and recording a performance (unlike a step sequencer, where notes were entered in sequential order and played back at fixed durations). The performance would then loop when played back.

[edit] External links