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DS-8 by Cluster Sound

APHEX TWINS FAVOURITE SYNTH?

Mix & Match Deal: Add any three or more paid Cluster Sound packs to your cart and get 20% off your order, discount applies automatically at checkout.

DS-8 for Kontakt and Live brings the unique FM synthesis of the 1986 Korg DS-8 to your studio. Known for its analog-like design and sharp, metallic FM sounds, this synth excels in creating electric pianos, clangorous bells, experimental basses, and digital-noised synth leads. A perfect tool for both classic FM sounds and avant-garde sonic exploration.

Kontakt: 
  • Primus synthesizer included
  • 100 selectable waveforms
Ableton Live: 
  • 100 Synth Devices
  • 6 Macro Control Templates
  • Device preview playback
  • Direct install into “Packs” section
Album artwork
Noisesynth Demo
Unknown Artist
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Playlist 3 tracks
1
Noisesynth Demo
Unknown Artist
2
FM Classic Demo
Unknown Artist
3
FM Bass Demo
Unknown Artist

Additional information

Ableton Live Compatibility

Ableton Live 11 Standard, Ableton Live 11 Standard with MaxforLive, Ableton Live 11 Suite, Ableton Live 12 Standard, Ableton Live 12 Standard with MaxforLive, Ableton Live 12 Suite

Min. Requirements

Ableton Live 11 Standard, Kontakt : Version 5.8 or higher

OS

Mac, Windows

PRICE: £25.00

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ds 8 by cluster sound
ds 8 by cluster sound
ds 8 by cluster sound
ds 8 by cluster sound
ds 8 by cluster sound

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DS-8 by Cluster Sound

DS-8 is an extensive multi-sample synth pack based on the vintage Korg DS-8, the hard to find FM synthesizer with a weird analog-like design and a sound ranging from classic FM to digital experimental.

Released in 1986, the DS-8 was the Korg’s attempt to provide an easier way to access FM synthesis, one the most enigmatic synth architecture ever made. The abstract concepts of algorithms, operators, carriers and modulators were therefore translated into more intuitive analog-like parameters to look more meaningful for musicians. This particular design deeply contributed to define the strong character of this synth and made it possible to create interesting FM sounds never heard on the popular DX7.

The alternative FM

Used by Aphex Twin for his album “Syro”, the DS-8 is a flexible FM synthesizer featuring 4-operators per voice, two oscillators with detuning and cross modulation, two 4-stage timbre envelopes and two 4-stage amplitude envelopes. The DS-8 is characterized by the typical sharp, transparent, metallic FM sound and it’s capable of generating tinkling electric pianos, biting clavs, percussive vibes, clangorous bells, warm strings but also aliased synth keys, disharmonic synth leads, digital-noised basses and a wide range of experimental sounds.

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM CLUSTER SOUND –  BASS 100-F | PROJECT 100 | ANALOG BASS | DW 8000 | MODEL D

Formats : KONTAKT + LIVE

Size : 1.5 Gigabytes

6000 WAV Samples (24 Bits / 44.1 Khz)

100 Multi-Sampled Synth Patches

  • One sample per note
  • Seamless loop points
  • No crossfade looping
  • Sampled with Class A gears

The Live version of DS-8 has been designed to perfectly fit into your Ableton Live. All the included devices can be directly installed in your “Packs” section and previewed when selected in the Live browser. They have also been organized in Live standardized categories so that you can find them also in the browser’s “Categories” section. Moreover, all the sounds included in DS-8 have similar perceived volumes and feature 6 macro control templates with volume compensation to avoid unwanted distortions.

The Kontakt version of DS-8 includes PRIMUS, a virtual instrument with an ultra-friendly interface and a solid set of synthesizer parameters. All the sounds included in DS-8 can be easily selected using the Waveform menu and then tweaked using 25 different filters with cutoff and resonance, one multishape LFO assignable to Filter, Volume and Pitch and two envelopes for filter and amplifier. PRIMUS implements also a Glide effect, a Unison with up to 4 stacked voices and a set of built-in effect.

Cluster-Sound-Primus-Kontakt-Instrument

Frequently Asked Questions

A: DS-8 is a multi-sample synth pack for Ableton Live and Kontakt, based on the 1986 Korg DS-8 FM synthesizer. It includes over 100 instruments covering classic and experimental FM tones.

A: No, MaxforLive is not required. DS-8 works with Ableton Live 11 and 12 Standard or Suite.

A: Yes. All included content is royalty-free for use in your original compositions. Redistribution or resale of the raw materials is prohibited.

A: You can explore more of Cluster Sound’s tools and sound packs here: CLUSTER SOUND

Important Information

Initial Release – June 2025

Our Products are generally provided as Zip file downloads which in all cases will need to be extracted and saved to your hard drive prior to installation. Details on the different file type provided and what to do with them are below.

.alp Files – These are Ableton Live Packs and will either install directly into the Packs Section of the browser of Ableton Live or ask you to save them to your hard drive. For packs that install to the library, when you double click on them you will see a pop up window asking you to confirm that installation is ok as the files are described as “Legacy”. This is fine and you are ok to proceed, the packs are created using the format for an earlier version of Live and so remain compatible with the current version.

.amxd files – These are individual MaxforLive Devices and can be stored anywhere on your hard drive. We’d advise creating a folder for them and then adding that folder as a location within the Places section of Lives Browser.

Royalty-Free Preset, Patch & Sample Pack License Agreement

This License Agreement ("Agreement") is made between Isotonik Studios Ltd, a private limited company incorporated in England & Wales (Company No. 10701748), with its registered office at 186 West Street, Dunstable, United Kingdom, LU6 1NX ("Licensor"), and the individual or entity ("Licensee") who purchases, downloads, or otherwise acquires the preset, patch or sample pack (the "Product").

By downloading, installing, or using the Product, the Licensee agrees to the terms set out below. If the Licensee does not agree to these terms, they must not use the Product.

1. Grant of License

The Licensor grants the Licensee a non-exclusive, non-transferable, worldwide, royalty-free license to use the presets, patches, samples, loops, and related content contained in the Product (the "Content") in original musical compositions, performances, and productions for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.

2. Permitted Uses

The Licensee may:

  • Use the Content in combination with other sounds in music productions, including albums, singles, film scores, TV shows, radio broadcasts, podcasts, video games, live performances, and advertising.
  • Modify, process, and combine the Content with other sounds to create derivative works.
  • Distribute such derivative works in physical or digital formats without owing further royalties to the Licensor.

3. Restrictions

The Licensee may not:

  • Resell, redistribute, sublicense, rent, lease, lend, share, or make the raw Content (in whole or in part) available as-is or in isolation, whether for free or for payment, in any way that competes with the original Product.
  • Use the Content in a way that allows others to extract or use the sounds as standalone files (e.g., in sample libraries, preset or patch banks, sound packs, or virtual instruments).
  • Claim ownership of the Content in its unmodified form.

4. Ownership

All rights, title, and interest in and to the Content remain the exclusive property of the Licensor. This Agreement grants a license to use the Content but does not transfer ownership.

5. Termination

This License is effective until terminated. It will terminate automatically if the Licensee breaches any term of this Agreement. Upon termination, the Licensee must cease all use of the Content in new works, but may continue to use works already created in compliance with this Agreement.

6. No Warranty

The Content is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, whether express or implied. The Licensor is not liable for any damages arising from the use or inability to use the Content.

7. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, and any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

© 2025 Isotonik Studios Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

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DS-8 by Cluster Sound
£25.00
Add 3+ Cluster-Sound products for 20% off, applied automatically at checkout