Korg Unveils New Gear at 2012 NAMM

Korg has been developing electronic music products for over 50 years now – everything from easy-to-use tuners to some of the most advanced keyboard instruments available today. Just announced last week at NAMM, Korg unveiled several new products for musicians and consumers alike - the Kaossilator 2 Dynnamic Phrase Synthesizer, the Mini Kaoss Pad 2 Dynamic Effect Processor and two new pocket-sized analog ribbon synthesizers, the Monotron DUO and Monotron DELAY.

Korg Debuts Kaossilator 2 Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer
This hand-held synthesizer allows you to create and save your own music with just the touch of a button. The Kaossilator 2 features an organic electroluminescent (OEL) display, a built-in microphone, an internal speaker, and runs on battery power. It offers up a number of advancements over the original Kaossilator, including an advanced sound generator and the ability to save audio creations.

The Kaossilator 2 is played by simply sliding or tapping your finger on the X-Y Kaoss touchpad. Moving your finger in one direction controls the pitch and note information; the other direction controls the synthesizer sounds themselves.

The synthesizer section offers 150 sound programs, divided into seven categories (Lead, Bass, Chords, etc.). Of these sounds, 15 are Drum Kits created using PCM samples, and 25 are Rhythm Loops. Setting a few parameters such as the root note (or “key” of the song); selecting a note range, and choosing one of the 35 scales provides a high degree of musical accuracy when performing, and can eliminate any “wrong” notes. The Gate Arpeggiator provides 50 patterns that can help with pattern and song creation.

The Kaossilator 2 also features unlimited loop recording, and includes two loop recording banks. Different sounds and phrases can be recorded onto each of the two loops. The loops can then be cross-faded or muted, or the loop length changed in realtime.

The Kaossilator 2 includes both an internal mic and an auxiliary mic input for loop-recording from either the internal synthesizer or from any external audio source. A microSD card can be used to save loop recorder data. In addition, performances played on the Kaossilator 2 can be recorded using the master recorder, and stored on a card for easy sharing. The Kaossilator 2 also acts as an audio player, and can play back performances created using the master recorder. Also, the audio output (1/8" stereo) can double as a headphone output.

The Kaossilator 2 operates on just two AA batteries and will be available in May 2012 for $220.

Mini Kaoss Pad 2 Dynamic Effect Processor
Next up is the Mini Kaoss Pad 2 Dynamic Effect Processor. Ideal for DJ club performances and for use with a variety of musical instruments, home studio applications and portable audio players, the Mini Kaoss Pad 2 is played by sliding or tapping a finger on the X-Y touchpad, just like the Kaossilator 2. It also features an organic electroluminescent (OEL) display, and has a built-in microphone, an 1/8" stereo input, an internal speaker, battery power and new enhancements including an MP3 player, FX Release, and microSD storage capabilities.

The Mini Kaoss Pad 2 contains 100 ready-to-use effects, including standard effects like Flanger, Filter, Delay, and Reverb; multiple effect programs; cutting edge effects; as well as three new DJ-style effects borrowed from the Kaoss Pad Quad: the powerful Looper, Vinyl Break, and Ducking Compressor.

For live performance, the Mini Kaoss Pad 2 provides three Program Memories for instant recall of any favorite effects. The Hold function freezes the effect parameters at their current location on the touchpad for hands-free operation. Auto BPM detection syncs tempo-based effects to the tempo of the song, and the FX Release automatically adds a delay effect when all fingers leave the touchpad.

The Mini Kaoss Pad 2 also provides an MP3 player that can play back audio data from a microSD card. Songs can be saved on the card, and real time effects can be applied to the song as it plays. The playback speed of the internal MP3 player can be varied using the Value slider. The Mini Kaoss Pad 2 also allows the setting of a cue point specifying where in the song playback will start. In addition, the Value slider can be used as a fader to adjust the volume balance between the external audio input and the MP3 player, allowing the Mini Kaoss Pad 2 to be used as a DJ player or a simple mixer. Also for DJ use, the Mini Kaoss Pad 2’s built-in mic can be used as a "shout" mic during a DJ performance to further energize the crowd; effects can be applied to this mic sound.

The audio output (1/8" stereo) can double as a headphone output. It also runs on just two AA batteries and will be available in May 2012 for $220.

Monotron DUO and Monotron DELAY
Last but not least are the new Monotron DUO and Monotron DELAY analog ribbon synthesizers. Pocket-sized and featuring a built-in speaker and battery power, the Monotrons can be used to make music anywhere.

The front panel provides five knobs and a front-panel switch, for authentic hands-on analog control. The ribbon keyboard can be used for picking out melodies or creating lush-sounding effects. The Monotron Series uses the same VCF circuit as Korg’s classic MS-10 and MS-20 semi modular synthesizers from over 30 years ago. The AUX input jack allows any audio source to be placed into the signal path and processed by this coveted analog filter, adding tone-bending filter effects to any sound or instrument.

The new Monotron DUO includes a second oscillator (VCO) with separate tuning. Tuning the oscillators in unison creates a rich, thick, analog tone; tuning them in intervals is ideal for classic soloing sounds and for generating new effects. The X-MOD (cross modulation) circuit taken from Korg's classic Mono/Poly can introduce a mild or razor-sharp edge to the overall sound; everything from a rich vibrato to extreme metallic sounds reminiscent of an FM synth. The Ribbon keyboard can be set to a Chromatic, Major, or Minor scale for easy playing across a selectable four-octave range. The Monotron DUO is available now for $ 70.00.

The new Monotron DELAY - in addition to its analog oscillator, filter, and LFO - also provides a "Space Delay" effect equipped with Time and Feedback. This delay circuit even reproduces the pitch changes that occur when the delay time is varied, just as on an old-school tape echo. As with the filter, the delay effect can be added to any external sound via the Aux In jack. A trim pot on the back panel can continuously adjust the shape/direction of the LFO's waveshape to deliver even more versatility. Finally, the ribbon keyboard offers a wide, four-octave range, and glows under black light illumination – along with some of the front panel artwork. The Monotron DELAY is available now for $70.

The original Monotron features an analog oscillator (VCO), an analog filter (VCF), and an assignable LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) that can affect either the VCO or the VCF. The ribbon keyboard allows for chromatic playing across a selectable six-octave range. The Monotron Analogue Ribbon Synthesizer is available now for $ 70.

For more information on all of Korg's products, go to www.korg.com.