The DSX Digital Polyphonic Sequencer is a computer peripheral for Oberheim Polyphonic Synthesizers that stores and recalls notes and patch changes in a manner not unlike a digital multi-track tape recorder. The Oberheim OB8, OB-Xa, OB-SX, and OB-X Polyphonic Synthesizers can interface to the DSX with a single multipin cable. Recordings can be made in real time from the synthe sizer keyboard, so the DSX can really achieve the feel that was previously only attainable by playing live. Se quences can be of any length or time signature, so you're only limited by your imagination, and not by the machine. The DSX can store up to 6000 notes.
These 6000 notes can be recorded in any of 10 sequences, each of which contains 10 polyphonic tracks. Each sequence also stores patch changes, splits and doubles, plus tempo. The tracks can be recorded, played, overdubbed, and erased, the same as on a multi-track tape recorder; only there's no tape, because all of the information is stored in the DSX's computer mem ory. You can choose which voice or voices you wish to record on. And since there are so many tracks, you can record the left hand first and then the right; or the chords first, then the bass, then the solo, all the while hearing all of the parts that you have recorded previously. You can do sev eral takes of one part with the same voices but on different tracks, and then play back any of them, or none of them, just like a multi-track. But there are a few things the DSX can do that no tape recorder can do, like correcting sloppy playing and changing the sounds after the notes have been recorded. The DSX can also loop, transpose, and merge se quences into larger compositions so that you don't have to play the same lines over and over every time they appear in a composition.
The DSX can repeat a sequence and each time play a different set of tracks, so you can bring parts in and out; combining this feature with the ability to program different sequences to repeat and al ternate with each other makes for a compositional tool of unprecedented magnitude . Besides interfacing with the Ober heim OB-Xa, OB-SX, and OB-X, the DSX features eight individual sets of Control Voltage and Gate outputs which can control eight other synthe sizers to provide a total of sixteen in dependent voice polyphony. The DSX can be synchronized to the DMX Programmable Digital Drum
