Korg Karma

good for all features is marked above

UTILIZATION

I had this machine for a few months, I had the opportunity to see performances she resembles a newt on, or is the triton like him, I know who it is that is out First, to what is karma system, I do not believe it too because I was not crazy I think it's more a matter of marketing.

SOUNDS

for what is sounds, it includes all the sounds of newt, for my part with a little less dynamic because mine was equipped with additional cards, sound seemed less punchy than the triton.

OVERALL OPINION

My opinion is that this machine is on assessing relative to its true capacity, so for me it's still a triton with the brick red color, I even talking about ergonomics and keyboard is the same quality as the triton the.

Those of Triton with 2 card slots and a PCM card slot lafameuse MOSS.
No arp but the KARMA engine that famous team in all of WS as the KORG M3, OASYS, and
KRONOS. Crane 8 knob 2 scenes and 4 programmable pads for agreements.
4 outputs, 3 pm (in out thru) and 3 inputs assignable (switch, damper, pedal)

UTILIZATION

Use once you have taken the time to read is relatively accessible by a doc.
Karma function is a little longer to appréhender.Mais once you understand how
To access parameters assignable to 16 (of 400!) Becomes endless pleasure as changes
sound are great especially if you have installed the MOSS!

SOUNDS

Those of Triton. Map MOSS IS ALMOST MANDATORY if you want to have a range
Sound off. The keyboard is not great but the purpose of this machine is oriented nomadism with
these 10 kgs. Acoustic sounds such as pianos remain however synthetics are all brass and woods
Saxo remain realistic and alive with the MOSS board.

OVERALL OPINION

A machine that is already with its vintage red and KARMA module specific to this machine and despite the quality of the keyboard a bit cheap.
A lightweight and versatile synth that quickly became a source of inspiration with its well thought sequencer.
Store in a bank as set sounds and effects that Karma can control via MIDI another module.

Workstation 61 ... short, it's a base with Triton LE, a guest star that makes the difference, the system invented by Advanced arpeggiation S.Kay (Karma is an acronym) ...
And while standing there, but remember that this monster red (wine) is embarking as the first generation KARMA system (even though he himself called an OS v.2, but is not Karma2, found on more advanced M3/Oasys/Kronos) ...

It is therefore, for his generation, a revolutionary keyboard, which can appear in a still largely set in the middle of the latest bikes, without blushing (this is already done!) The comparison!

The user interface of Karma (switches, crossfader, 12 knobs, 4 pads, joystick can act as pitchbend and more), can also make a particularly formidable twelve o'clock master keyboard (carefully taken into account before embarking on buying a keyboard master mute twelve o'clock!)

UTILIZATION

The black point of the beast, it's obsolete small monochrome screen, which it does not compare with even colorful widescreen touch of newer bikes ... and when we know that in order to customize / deepen the initial contents of the vehicle must navigate screens and multiple sub-screens, it can be daunting one ...

SOUNDS

Two possible uses = either you are a crazy synthesis and programming, and here you have something to do (in the limit of a triton engine noise ... there are some nice additional cards cfm, whose mythical programmable Moss - which costs almost as expensive as the karma-hand!)!

Either way, you want to play without taking the head, and there you must find (or buy) the combis very musical developed by karmalab, kidnepro, panditpress, ProRec, or originally by EJ2: you will have a set as a arranger (sophisticated) with tons of combis (variety of styles / moods music) customizable to infinity: what jammer to life, creating background music (the new age to electro jazz and orchestral classical ...) but never dry.

OVERALL OPINION

6 years and I do not separate even though I also tyros 4 and korg m3 with karma2: with all the resources produced combis since its inception (and re-arranged and custom), I have an expander with dementia sounds, and rhythms that I have not yet found on the M3 ...

For less than 500 euros used, often with add-ons ... Anglo-Saxon as they say, "it's really worth" ... Darken the friends you will not be disappointed, I think!

Sound generation method: Synthesis System HI (Hyper Integrated)
Sampling frequency to 48 kHz PCM for internal
PCM ROM Memory: 32 Mbytes, 425 multi-samples + 413 drum samples.
Polyphony: 62 voices.
Keyboard: 61 notes, velocity sensitive and aftertouch.

I stop here the list of numbers, there are more important things to clarify.
The feature that seems most striking about this keyboard is that it is incomplete sold by Korg: Karma MW software free, you sail in the fog without radar. Indeed, the KARMA function affects more than 400 parameters, but the keyboard as it does not allow you to edit them, or even for the most part, just look! So when you browse the chapters dedicated to the KARMA function in textbooks, it is not uncommon for long explanations are concluded by: "However, the KARMA Workstation does not edit these parameters." Ouch.
KARMA MW software can be downloaded on the website of Karma-Lab, for $ 149.00 (slightly more than € 100.00, depending on the variable exchange rate). This notice does not concern the KARMA keyboard alone, but the duo keyboard + KARMA MW software.
The price is an important factor influencing the opinion that necessarily is a product, I said that I gained the keyboard KARMA Used for € 400.00 in early 2011.
The manufacture, I can compare it to the Workstation KORG i30 I own since 2000. Clearly, the KARMA is not manufactured with the same care as the i30. Some keys to move the location and false contacts. The screen (small and non-touch, I'll come back in the 'USE&#39 provides only low-quality display on a yellow-orange. Adjust the contrast only allows to find a compromise, but not a satisfactory solution. For cons, the color change of the formwork brick of the eternal black plastic.
The touch keyboard is comparable to that of i30: very average.

UTILIZATION

If I understand what I've read and heard about this Workstation, it seems to drag a reputation as a highly complex instrument to use. For me it's wrong (I recall that I consider the KARMA MW software as required). It's just very dense. Of course, you need a confirmed level: we can not possibly work to control the KARMA without a strong background in music theory and sound synthesis. But it's like any learning, there are steps: first get the basics, then put them into practice. Over the discovery of the KARMA function, many questions arise, but all eventually find an answer. It's just a very powerful tool, with its corollary of menus and submenus.
on the other hand, what heresy not give such a monster as a small screen, non-touch and more! The i30 was, however, a large touchscreen that has never shown the slightest sign of weakness in 12 years of almost daily use. Ditto for my digital studio D1600 mkII. This technology is controlled by KORG, but absent here. Regrettable.
Fortunately, the menu pages are organized logically, create a sound 'from scratch' in the Program mode is not a problem. It is spoiled a bit for the function Combi (which allows to combine eight Programs), where information is necessarily somewhat compacted. As for the sequencer, so far I have not let go of the i30, in whose favor the touch screen is a clincher.
Configure the KARMA function directly on the keyboard? Do not even think. Everything happens in the KARMA MW software, and when the manufacturer recommends a minimum 17-inch screen, it's not for nothing! I will of course not fully explain the KARMA function, because there is more than just a book it would write opinion! Know that you have more than 400 parameters that you can edit at leisure. The result will be a continuous stream of MIDI messages sent to the synthesis engine of karma. Much more powerful than a arpeggiator, a much more versatile arranger keyboard, you program a support base and you can then bring him all the necessary changes in real time while you play.


SOUNDS

At this writing, the Korg KRONOS is happening in the store with her 9 synthesis engines on board. Glups! Now, integrate the huge difference in budget, and 10 years of age KARMA: for € 400.00 (argus at + or - 10% for now) was more than enough to have fun. My little 5-inch speakers Yamaha galèrent lot to try to make the sound delivered by the HI synthesis. If we manage to get an overall view of the possibilities offered by the synthesizer, combined with modulations generated by the KARMA function, we arrive at the results frankly stunning.
The big downside is the lack of a piano sound available. Again, a regression compared to i30: it is certainly not a digital piano, but still, we would expect a piano sound correct, at least for the models.
I think the key is to acquire sufficient flight hours to achieve considering the creation of sound "traditional," common to all the synths in this range, AND KARMA function as a whole, to have an overview , knowing when the selection of basic multisample how we will program the KARMA function. Come on, I dare a metaphor as you put them end to end components, considering the KARMA function as a part added, a sort of backbone, you play with Lego, but when you design your sound from the start by integrating the capabilities of the KARMA function, you sculpt a block of marble. Yes, karma is the ability to move from LEGOVille to the Rue de Varenne. Class!

OVERALL OPINION

Throughout the hours spent trying to tame the beast, several factors constantly remind ourselves that the business slowly but surely nibbling of space in the manufacture of synths: limited screen size and not touch, no ribbon controller, touch bad software sold in the supplement when it is needed, expansion cards for multi-samples sold separately, overall strength questionable ... For practicing ENSONIQ SD1, we feel that at one time manufacturers were full of inventiveness and trying to provide maximum opportunities for their clients, but were limited by technology. Today it seems that the technology is deliberately limited, or sold in kit form, to increase margins. (Small aside: before I talk about controlling manufacturing costs, find out about the introductory price of KARMA)
However, it is gradually drawn into the creative possibilities that seem endless. Stephen Kay (creator of the KARMA function) argues that a theoretical calculation of all possible combinations of parameters leads to a result is hundreds of billions. It is believed readily. Nothing but the creation of a single module with one KARMA his work far beyond the range of possibilities, so when we think we can run four KARMA modules spread over eight sounds, and all this will modulate in real time!
While my opinion recites many negative points, I regard this as exceptional Workstation. But I hate the mentality of fanboy. Some see contradictions in my mind, or at least an imbalance, but it's just that I can not help but think what would have been if the KARMA out in a period of "race to arming "between manufacturers, with today's technology.
What I can guarantee you that if you skip the step and that you adhere to the concept KARMA, you take off over the keyboard for several years.

PS: I am open to any discussion of KARMA, my email AudioFanzine is here for.