Korg Forums

metallo · Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 4:42 pm Post subject: KORG RK-100S-RD SYNTH Keytar

http://www.ekomusicgroup.com/viewdoc.asp?co_id=95813

mmmmm

brooster · Joined: 13 Mar 2004 Posts: 28 Location: East Tennessee

http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/namm-2014-korg-announces-rk-100s-keytar-591651

Akos Janca · Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:07 pm Post subject:

I admit, I always liked keytars. I used a Poly-800 on shoulders in the eighties. Embarassed

For this I have a suggestion: try the excellent wireless MIDI solution called midiBeam from pandaMidi.com. It's developed by the famous inventor András Szalay (see Muzix, Shadow, Wersi, Axon, Akai, Fishman).
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Kevin Nolan · Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:07 pm Post subject:

Love it - and will get one !!

Beautiful. Just beautiful!

Synthesizerplayer · Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:21 pm Post subject:

Hi

Yes it looks nice, in black and white too

Hope it is wireless

Regards
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www.youtube.com/synthesizerplayer

splinters · Senior Member Joined: 14 May 2011 Posts: 312

Lovely, and made of wood too!

Akos Janca · Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:23 pm Post subject:

Jan1 · Platinum Member Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 765

According to SonicState it has a '37-note slim keyboard (as featured on the Korg MS-20 Mini)'.
I don't know what possessed KORG... Sad

Bad move for a relatively expensive keytar.

Kevin Nolan · Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 11:40 am Post subject:

You mean they are not full sized keys??

Bachus · Platinum Member Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 3126

Kevin Nolan · Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 12:46 pm Post subject:

Disappointing - but not a disaster by any means.

I own a Yamaha CS01 II with the strap to play it like a keytar and it has smaller keys. It takes a little getting used to - but actually - for Keytar type playing it can be argued to be a blessing - because it means less arm movement and more finger movement on gentler keys - good for lead / solo work. So I'd give this a chance - certainly - try it and you might be pleasantly surprised. I like the extension arm on it; that ribbon controller looks tasty.

So by no means write this off - smaller keys on a keytar are a valid proposition.

Jan1 · Platinum Member Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 765

I don't think smaller keys are a valid alternative.
There is such a thing as muscle memory, and while smaller keys are no problem when it comes to playing easy parts, for difficult parts which contain leaps it becomes problematical because the muscle memory tends to stand in the way.
Unless of course you start rehearsing the difficult parts on smaller keys, which is not something I am going to do any time soon.
So this keytar is definitely not for me.

Kevin Nolan · Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:26 pm Post subject:

Well I have a Performance Diploma in Piano, and dozens of synthesizers with full keys, and I don't see the CS01 II as a fundamentally problematic instrument. I'm no lead virtuosos but it is very playable.

I take your point and there is total validity in wanting a full sized keyboard, but you do get used to the smaller keys, in the Ketar format, fairly quickly.

And it does offer different types of performance possibilities not possible with full sized keys - as well as far faster pseudo-glissando effects (for synthesis / sound design), intriguing playing effects if in monophonic mode and so on.

No argument that a full sized keybed would be great too - but - if you come across it, try it - you will be presently surprised.

Kevin Nolan · Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:30 pm Post subject:

And actually - I've just checked - these are bigger than the CS01 / DX100 / Microkorg keys - they are about 2/3rds size.

Seriously - that's a VERY nice size for keytar format. Are the KX5 keys any bigger (if so, I'd say marginally) .

Jan1 · Platinum Member Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 765

You haven't convinced me, Kevin. Smile

The mini-key version is a big NO for me, and I think it's a pity that KORG made this decision.
SonicState made this video about the Keytar, and it only reinforces my objections.