Korg Forums

[Kevin Nolan]

Hi -

I own an OASYS and am thinking of buying a Radias. I tried it in a shop and very much liked it. I am however concerned that the control surface looks very busy, a little sloppy and perhaps not intuative to use for its deeper features, and hence fear that I'll end up not using lots of its hidden features that perhaps made it sound good in the shop.

Overall, I'd be grateful for comments on:

- Has the Radias lived up to your hopes/expectations?
- Is it difficult to use - especially its vocoder?
- Is the control surface too busy and complicated?
- How good is it for Step Sequences and Arpeggios?
- Is the module version simply the module on top of the keyboard version
or are the different (I'm thinking of buying the module now and the
keyboard later (if needed)).

Thanks for your time given to these questions.

Kevin

[dr_boehm]

Hi Kevin!

I am using the radias for live playing (as an add on to my motif es) and for sequencing. At the moment i am heavily experimenting with the vocoder. Here are my opinions:

- the radias is much better than i tought when i bought it. I wanted a virtual analog synth with support for some simple sounds like strings. and i wanted some more synthetic sounds. I am so satisfied with this machine, i cannot even find the right word for it!!

- The control surface: For nearly every important function you have you own button or knob. It is a pure pleasure to edit this synth. I used the software editor only for backing my patches up to the computer and for the step sequencer.
- The vocoder is quite easy to use once you understand the different possibilities on signal routing over the internal bus. Then you have a knob for each of the 16 frequency bands to adjust volume and pan.
- Step sequencer and arpeggiators are really good. But i never programmed the step sequences on the machine cause it takes a lot of time to enter all the notes. There is no realtime record. For step sequencing i use my mc-808 groove box.
- The module version and keyboard version are identical execpt the keyboard.

Ciao, Dirk.

[chinard]

[nemmo]

- Has the Radias lived up to your hopes/expectations?

Yes, and even more.

- Is it difficult to use - especially its vocoder?

No, not too much. The vocoder is a little more complex than in other synths, but gives you much more control. Example: routing a rythm into the vocoder.

- Is the control surface too busy and complicated?

Not at all.

- How good is it for Step Sequences and Arpeggios?

Those are awesome and easy to learn. If you like it even simpler, use the PC editor.

- Is the module version simply the module on top of the keyboard version
or are the different (I'm thinking of buying the module now and the
keyboard later (if needed)).

The module is the same thing with or without the keyboard. You can add the keyboard later. Nice move by Korg....

[LEVEL4]

• Has the Radias lived up to your hopes/expectations? Yes.
• Is it difficult to use—especially its vocoder? Don't know. I'm so lame, I've only used the presets.
• Is the control surface too busy and complicated? I like it! The more knobs, the better!
• How good is it for Step Sequences and Arpeggios? Reportedly awesome! But I'm too lame to program them yet!
• Is the module version simply the module on top of the keyboard version
or are the different? Identical.

The Radias is often bashed for its "bright" sound. But I have other VA synths, and now the Radias' "bright" sound really complements my other synths and a really contrasting way. I love it!
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Fantom-G8 | V-Synth GT | VirusTI Polar | Radias

[gdh]

I bought the 1st one to arrive in Canada, still luv it and cannot forsee parting with it. I find it complements my voyager, jd-990, jp-8080 (sold my JP8). It is a great bd. and with the OS upgrade it just gets better. I don't use the vocoder other than to have some fun but do make of the arp/seq. At current prices I think that the Radias is a fantastic bargain. I put it through a Speakeasy Vintage Classic Tube Preamp and this really adds a lot to the sound, programming is a breeze and very intuitive for someone new to synths. I disagree with the notion that all the presets are junk, for someone with little or no programming experience they are a great start and lately I have gone back to have a 2nd listen to many of the presets.

[Kevin Nolan]

Thanks a million for your responses - hugely helpful. The Radias sounded fantastic in the quick demo in a shop; and you definitely indicate here that it holds true in actual use. It actually provides a sound of its own not available on the OASYS but which I am after, so I'm becoming convinced that I'll buy one.

Very much appreciated.

Cheers,
Kevin.
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Kevin Nolan
KNECT
Email: knolan@knect.ie
WWW: www.knect.ie

[babysittatza]

I LOVE MY R3 !
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tza