Korg announces Kaossilator dynamic phrase synthesizer

When I first saw this bright yellow pocket-sized gizmo, I thought it was for use on a building site or for measuring distances or heights, but no — it’s Korg’s Kaossilator.

According to Sonic State, it’s a battery-powered pocket-sized instrument featuring Korg synth sounds alongside innovative performance features.

It features a touch pad (doesn’t everything these days?) and Korg reckon anyone can play musical phrases by simply tapping or sliding their finger across it.

Read on for Korg’s press release:
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Korg debuts C-720 digital concert piano

Korg have unveiled the latest addition to their range of digital concert pianos, with the C-720.

It uses a proprietary Piano eXperience technology to provide greater realism and feel. Using cutting edge stereo sampling techniques it conveys natural imaging and nuances of a concert grand piano using multi-layer PCM sampling.

Nuances such as the sound of the key being released, the hammer returning, and even sympathetic damper resonance of the strings, are included. Impressive.

In terms of feel, it features Korg’s RH3 real weighted hammer action keyboard. For added realism, keys further towards the upper end of the keyboard have a lighter touch than those at the lower end. There are seven velocity curves so there should be a setting to suit everyone’s playing style.

The C-720 comes with 40 different instrument sounds including a number of acoustic pianos and other keyboard instruments including harpsichord, clavinet, organ, electric piano, plus a number of stringed instrument samples.

Two sounds can be split or layered across the keyboard, and there are a number of effects including reverb and chorus to add depth to the sounds.

When it comes to pedalling, the Korg C-720 supports half-pedalling for the damper and soft pedals, plus a sostenuto pedal.

Other features include transposition, fine tuning, 37 metronome drum patterns, dual headphone outputs, different tuning temperaments, and 20 demo songs plus 185 classical piano pieces.

The C-720 has four speakers housed in an internal bass reflex chamber, powered by two stereo 90W amplifiers.

It looks and sounds like a very capable instrument on a par with some of the Yamaha contemporary digital pianos. At the end of the day, if you’re a keen pianist, it’s going to come down to the feel of the keyboard and pedals, and sound of the piano samples. The extra features are nice but don’t set it apart from competitors offerings.

It will be available this month for a RRP of $4900.

Korg

Korg Concert Series Digital Pianos C-320, C-520 and C-720

Korg has introduced three new concert series digital pianos to its range. Features include:

• Korg’s proprietary “Piano eXperience” technology that delivers richly expressive piano sounds.
• High quality PCM multi dynamic level samples including string resonance and damper noise samples.
• Up to 62 note polyphony.
• Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 (RH3) keyboard.
• Up to eight velocity curves, plus fixed.
• Internal stereo sound system, enhanced four-speaker system, true bi-amplification.
• 30 or 40 realistic sounds, including 7 acoustic pianos, 8 electric pianos, harpsichords, clavichords, vibraphones, acoustic guitar, jazz and church organs, choirs, basses, marimba.
• Multi-effects including reverbs, chorus, tremolo, delay, rotary speaker, equalizer).
• Up to 10 alternate scale tunings.
• Damper pedal includes half-pedalling support; soft pedal; sostenuto.
• Piano lesson function.
• Two-part recorder.
• Metronome.
• USB connector.
• Amplification: Up to 2 z 35W + 2 x 12W

More details available in this press release or at the Korg website.

Korg’s TR family expands with 88 note keyboard

Korg’s TR family of keyboards has increased as they add an 88-note model with ‘authentic weighted action’.

The TR family features Hyper Integrated (HI) technology as found on the acclaimed TRITON synths.

It comes with 64MB of PCM ROM, containing 470 multisamples and 518 drum samples.

It contains a new stereo-sampled, velocity-switched acoustic piano as well as ample sounds suited to dance music, with a plethora of real-world instruments in between.

It has a 16-track sequencer on board that can store up to 200,000 notes and 200 songs.

The TR features dual polyphonic arpeggiators, whilst Korg’s Realtime Pattern Play/Recording (RPPR) function allows sequenced patterns to be triggered from individual keys.

Sampling capabilities are an optional extra.

• Visit the official Korg website for specifications, pictures and audio demos.

Korg X50 synthesizer introduced

Korg introduced their new 61-key X50 synthesizer at the NAMM 2006 show.

It delivers high-quality sounds, a user friendly interface and computer connectivity, all in a streamlined package designed for performing and computer-based musicians.

It features the Hyper Integrated (HI) synthesis as found on TRITON and TR series synths.

It has 64MB of PCM ROM, and includes a stereo-sampled, velocity-switched acoustic piano, strings, guitar, and synth sounds.

The X50 has dual polyphonic arpeggiators that come with 5 basic preset patterns plus 251 patterns that cover everything from simple riffs to complex polyphonic phrases and drum grooves.

The X50 has a built-in USB interface for connection to a computer.

Unusual for its class, it also features separate audio outputs.

• Visit the official Korg website for product details, images and audio demos

Korg Radias “every synthesist’s dream”

Korg used the NAMM 2006 show to unveil its new RADIAS synthesizer/vocoder.

With a bold new approach that is at once both daring and familiar, RADIAS exceeds common analog expectations and rapidly takes off for uncharted territories.

says the official website.

SonicState calls it a sexy looking synth:

Korg have pulled another winning product from their deep hat with the Radias. It combines traditional digital synthesis with new modelling techniques. Good looks add to its impressive technical capabilities. It comes in 2 versions: one with a keyboard and one without. They are priced at $1999 and $1899 respectively

Press Release

Korg’s press release reads:

Korg unveils cutting-edge RADIAS synthesizer

WINTER NAMM SHOW, ANAHEIM, CA, January 19, 2006 — Korg introduces the RADIAS synthesizer, a new instrument that combines traditional and forward-thinking concepts in both synthesis and physical design. Based on Korg’s proprietary MMT™ (Multi Modeling Technology) engine, this 24-voice synthesizer offers a variety of synthesis algorithms together with multiple effects, new comb filter and wave shaping features, modulation sequencing, as well as new formant-motion vocoding. RADIAS offers an innovative design that can be custom configured to suit your set-up. The sound module can be used independently or teamed with the unique dedicated keyboard, creating a seamlessly integrated instrument.

Each of the 256 onboard Programs is comprised of up to four timbres, which can be split, layered or operate independently on separate MIDI channels, allowing the RADIAS to function as a powerful performance system or multitimbral sound generator.

Each Timbre provides two oscillators, which share the low-aliasing design of Korg’s flagship OASYS. They deliver modeled analog, formant and Korg’s classic DWGS waveforms, PCM playback, as well as ring modulation and sync. The voice architecture provides dual multimode filters; three envelopes; two LFOs; three modulation sequencers; six virtual patches (for freely connecting any of 11 modulation sources to any of 15 destinations); two-band EQ; Drive; 11 types of Wave Shaping; and Punch (which emphasizes the attack portion of the sound).

Each Program contains an arpeggiator with six pattern types and two Step Sequencers, each supporting 32 steps with 8-note polyphony and adjustable gate time, velocity and on/off status per step. To speed up the sound creation processing, RADIAS includes templates for 128 synth timbres, 128 Insert Effects and 128 Master Effects.

One Timbre in each Program can be assigned to a Drum Kit. Each editable Kit contains 16 PCM waveform-based instruments, and there are 32 preloaded drum kits.

The Vocoder section features 16 bands, each with individual level and pan controls. Korg’s new proprietary Formant Motion function records up to 7.5 seconds of incoming formant information per Program (spoken words, scat singing or any sound), so users can recreate vocoder effects even when no microphone is present. Sixteen sets of Formant Motion information can be stored in internal memory and instantly recalled. As a bonus, a headset microphone is included, for instant vocoding right out of the box.

Two insert effects are available for each timbre, plus a program-wide master effect. The 30 included effects types range from delay, chorus and reverb, to compressor and talking modulator. Any effect parameter can be assigned to the front panel knobs for instant control, providing further versatility in sound design.

Two models are offered: RADIAS consists of the sound module section plus a dedicated 49-note, velocity-sensing keyboard with traditional Pitch and Mod wheels. The panel layout features a full complement of knobs and buttons, letting users enjoy the same intuitive feel and hands-on control as on an analog synthesizer. A unique mounting rail design allows the control module to pivot up or down, and even slide over to one side to accommodate a laptop computer, Korg ELECTRIBE, KAOSS Pad or other audio unit. The RADIAS•R is the dedicated sound module alone, and it can be used either as a rackmount or tabletop synthesizer.

Free RADIAS Sound Editor editor/librarian software allows for editing, managing and archiving RADIAS settings on a Mac or Windows PC using a simple USB connection for quick and easy data transfers.

• Visit the official site for detailed specifications and audio demos.
• Read more about the Korg RADIAS at SonicState.