Despite the fact it hasn’t been the 1980s now for 25 years, the keytar remains strangely fashionable. Of course it’s had a serious makeover since, with the latest synth technology crammed into its mobile guitar-esque body.
Alongside Roland’s AX Synth and Lucina AX-09 comes Korg’s RX-100S Keytar.
The original RK-100 appeared 30 years ago (1984), and according to Korg “broke the chains of keyboardists, setting them free to perform as they liked. With a stylish body available in four colors, it allowed the keyboard player to challenge the vocalist or guitarist for the main role on stage.”
The new incarnation – the RK-100S – is more lightweight, smaller, with some curves and a built-in analog modelling sound generator. It also boasts some of the latest controller tech including two ribbon controllers, an arpeggiator, and a vocoder.
Here’s Korg’s full spec sheet:
Color Variations: Red (RK-100S-RD), White (RK-100S-WH), Black (RK-100S-BK)
Keyboard: 37-key (Slimkey, velocity sensitive, no after touch)
Sound Generation System: MMT (Multiple Modeling Technology)
Program:
Number of timbres: Maximum 2 (when using Layer, Split, or Multi)
Polyphony: Maximum 8 voices (Maximum 4 voices when the vocoder is selected)
Synth: 2 oscillator + noise generator
Oscillator 1:
Waveform: SAW, PULSE, TRIANGLE, SINE, FORMANT, NOISE, PCM/DWGS, AUDIO IN
Modulation: WAVEFORM, CROSS, UNISON, VPM
Modulation: WAVEFORM, CROSS, UNISON, VPM
Oscillator 2:
Waveform: SAW, PULSE, TRIANGLE, SINE
Modulation: RING, SYNC, RING+SYNC
Wave shaping: WS type: DRIVE, DECIMATOR, HARDCLIP, OCT SAW, MULTI TRI, MULTI SIN, SUB OSC SAW, SUB OSC SQU, SUB OSC TRI, SUB OSC SIN, LEVEL BOOST
Multi-mode filters: Filter 1: -24 dB/oct LPF ~ -12 dB/oct LPF ~ HPF ~ BPF ~ Thru Filter 2: LPF, HPF, BPF F
Vocoder: 16-band vocoder, adjustable level and pan for each band, Formant Shift function, Formant Hold function
Effects:
Timbre: 2-band EQ
Master effects x 2: 17 effect algorithm
Arpeggiator: UP, DOWN, ALT1/2, Random, Trigger (6 types), Step Arpeggiator function
Programs: 200 programs
Audio Input/Output:
Input: Input jack
Maximum input level: -34 dBu @ Input select switch (Mic-Hi / Mic-Lo / Line)
Imput impedance: 14k?
Connector Type: mono mini jack
Output:
Output jack (Headphone, Stereo, Line out)
Maximum output level:+4dBu@10k? load
Output impedance: 1k?
Connector type:?6.3 mm, stereo phone jack
MIDI: OUT
USB: Type B
Display: 7-segment LEDs, 3 digits
Power Supply: Six AA batteries (alkaline or nickel-metal hydride), or Optional AC adapter (DC 9 V)
Battery Life: Approx. 4 hours
Dimensions: (W) x (D) x (H): 830 x 262 x 71 mm/32.68 x 10.32 x 2.80 inches
Weight: 3.4 kg/ 7.50 lbs. (included batteries)
Accessories:
Manual
Strap
Soft Case
AA alkaline Batteries x6 (for verifying operation)
Options: AC adapter
