Oberheim DPX-1

I have OS 2.2. You can get OS2.2 here: http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2006/09/oberheim-dpx-1-os-v22.html. But you will have to burn the Eprom yourself.

It doesn't have presets and to edit the unit you will need an other sampler like the Emulator II, Sequential Prophet 2000/2002, Ensoniq Mirage, and the Akai S900. So the difficulty of editing depends on these machines. I used to have a Prophet 2000 witch sucks in that department, I sold that once I had the DPX-1. Now I have a S900 witch is ok for editing.
The DPX-1 also supports SDS midi dumps, this can be handy to import and export samples from and to the unit.
As it is just a sample player the rest is extremely simple.
Ease of use with a S900 to do editing:

Polyphonics is 8
It has an analog synth inside with VCF, VCA and LFO.
Mine has the extra 8 voice output card with the CDROM and HDX-20 interface. These extra outputs make it a great drummachine, its a very usefull option.
The DPX1 will respond to midi controllers such as pitch bend, vibrato, volume, sustain and pressure. Filter cutoff can be changed by midi CC.
Because sample memory is limited, so only a few sounds can be held in the unit.
Its an old thing so it doesn't have much features.

This is where this unit shines and the reason I bought it. It sounds great, even better than my old Prophet 2000. The sounds are very warm and have that old analog feel to them. So soundwise its up there with the best of the best.
As it is a 12 bit sampler coupled to an analog synth path, it can be used for just about any type of sound.

It hasn't failed in all these years, but it is an old thing now. So I don't know if it will be rock solid in the future.
I use it as drum machine in my life acid set.

Oberheim is gone, so no support.

Its a great unit that does exactly what it is designed for. once you have made your samples on a S900 (or one of the other samplers that it can read), its just a breeze to use. I think its worth every penny I paid for it, and wonder why its not used more by vintage synth people.
I have been playing electronic instruments for about 15 years, and have a large collection of vintage and modern gear: DPX-1, S900, MPC1000, 2x TB-303, TR-909, TR808, DR-55, DR-110, SR-88, Doepfer A-100/AS RS integrator (4 cases), Korg 800DV, Minikorg 700, Andromeda A6, System 100, Juno-60, Poly-800, Simmons SDS8, Trixer, Bohm digital drum, Hohner drum performer, Clavia Micro modulair, Acidlab Bombass, and some more stuff.

I own 2 of these, although both seem to be ver. 1.1. I wish I had one of the custom ones with 8 audio outputs and SCSI drive... however even the basic, earliest DPX-1 still does the job. To get a sound out of this thing, you will need to find sample disks (it is compatible with Ensoniq Mirage, Sequential Prophet 2000/2002, E-Mu Emulator II, and Akai S900 formats. As this thing is a "sample player" so there is no editing of the sounds at all, however the disk is set up, that's how it will sound. period.

Even without a manual and no knowledge of disk based samplers, I got sound out of these as soon as I found some sample disks. A little midi knowledge is reccomened.

The best use for this thing would be as an expander for a sampler who's format it does support (then you can make your own disks and use it with the sampler to make a "layered" sound) or, to do what my band does and controll these modules with midi sequencers. Either way, the DPX-1 is a cheap way of expanding your sound...

The unit has Eight voice polyphony but I believe the formatting of the discs can lower this. It has a built-in filter (which isn't very powerfull but helps de-digitalize the sound just a bit, and helps it to emulate some of the samplers that had on board filters a little better) and built in fine tune.

Certain expanded units were released with 8 1/4" audio outputs as opposed to just 1 (great for drums!) and an SCSI port which accepted a CD-rom drive and possibly other devices.

It can recieve on any midi channel and also features a strange effect called midi echo where it recieves audio data from the midi channel or something like that - I can't seem to get a big difference in sound when it's on, so I'm not sure what this really does. It can recieve Octave Up/Down, Pitch Bend, Modulation, and Bank/Sound switch through midi (this will depend on the format of your disks). No velocity, pressure sensitivity, aftertouch, or any of that jazz, wether the disk allows it or not. That is really the only midi feature it lacks

Seeing as it can't make its own sounds, not much to comment on here.

I think the old Emulator II disks sound the best when I compare them to all the other formats available for the DPX-1, with perhaps the S900 or Prophet 2000 coming in at second(I have them all save for the cd-rom ones). Of course compared to the original samplers the Oberheim is really close to getting the sound down, but lacks the editability so can't really sound as good as them. The fact still remains that the door is very wide open for you with this device, and if used properly, can do some incredible things! Especially if you have an old sampler to make new disks with!

The only shortcoming is it's single 1/4" output. It's seems low quality with some sound degredation. I would prefer high quality stereo outputs.

Built like a tank, and seems to weigh A LOT for something that only takes up 2 rack units. The only problems I've ever had were disk read errors, which can easily be fixed by holding down the load button for a few seconds when loading a disk instead of just tapping it.

Oberheim won't help you here.

If you need disks you can find them from companies like Wine Country, Northstar Productions, Kid Nepro, etc. just search for them on the web.

I personally think the DPX-1 is dy-no-mite, I allready own 2 and hope to get as many more as I can. Great for anyone who uses midi, it can really expand your sonic palette. great for layering and sequencing!

The unit has OS 1.1 in it, so it's a bit basic and slow.
I've used its original SSM2045 chips to repair my EMULATOR2 and put second hand chips in this one.

The unit has basic MIDI, fast enough to keep up with other gear of it's days.
I like the ability to play S900 disks, it's a plus to the otherwise limited use of only Emulator disks.

It's a great unit if used as an expander for the Emulator 2, but not for drums or percussion, because it doesn't have individual outputs like the Emulator.

So, a "synthetic" polyphonic sound is the best, because the unit sounds best using it's SSM filters.

I think it's a reliable piece, i've seen the interior, easily serviceable and good build quality, also a good power supply.

The only minus is the jack output, only soldered to the mainboard, which could lead to erratic audio output.

None needed...

I love the vintage sound of the DPX. And it's a great backup unit in case the Emulator fails.
I consider buying another one to give me a bunch of backup chips for the Emulator and my current DPX.

A thing to note is that all SSM chips are not the same.
The Motorola versions have a tighter filter sensitivity giving a little lower cutoff frequency on your presets and sounds a little more powerful in comparison with the original SSM's.

This is about as easy as a "Sampler Player" can get. You do not need the manual for this one. The one thing that you "DO" need are "Sample Disks" before this beast will make the first noise. I currently own one that is Version 1.1. I will be receiving a Version 2.2 in about a week. The difference is that the 2.2 can make its' own "Backup Disks", the 1.1 cannot. This was a wonderful idea when it came out back in 1986.

It is an 8-Voice polyphonic "Sampler Player" ... Not a "Sampler"!
No "built-in" effects... It is a "Sampler Player"!
No on-board sequencer... It is a "Sampler Player"!
Basic MIDI "Transmit & Receive"...Did I mention that this is a "Sampler Player"? Expansion possibilities are long-since-gone.
OMNI ON (poly) & OMNI OFF (poly).

This "Unit" is good for any kind of music... It all depends on what "Sample Disks" you have.

Very, Very dependable. Easy loading. Have never used it out on a "Gig", but I would not be afraid to do so. It has a metal exterior and is built like a tank.

N/A - Oberheim is now located in Italy... I have never had to deal with them.

I like them so much that I'm buying a second one. Both 3.5 and 5.25 "Sample Disks" are available through "Northstar Productions" and they are very helpful. Good weapon for most any type of music... It just depends on your "Disks". It is one-of-a-kind because it can play up to "4" different manufacturers data disks. It saves you money in this fact along.

The presets sounds clear for a Sample Player, it has a filter which can be turnrd on or off, you can't edit patches, it uses disk from the Prophet 2000 sampler series or Akai S900 or Emulator II or the Ensoniq (8 bit samper, don't know the name right now)

It has 8 voices Pressure Sensetive, Pitch Bend

Realistic enoug.. it's a sample player It respons quite well.. if put in front of a midi chain (it has no keyboard it's a module)

Very good (using it for 7 years now)

Oberheim doesn't exist any more

It's worth what i paid but i won't buy it again... it's a little bit outdated now