Learning music to make the most out of the Kaossilator

taohansen · Post by **taohansen** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:31 pm

I've just now decided to get into making music and have settled on the Kaossilator as my first instrument. If you have any suggestions for how I might learn more about things like scales and all that to get the most out of it, I would appreciate the input.

There's a Music Theory course at the community college I go to here in Seattle so I'm thinking of starting there.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:43 pm

I assumed the Kaossilator was great for loops, pops and bangs, but not the instrument of choice to learn music. I'd suggest buying a small beginner's synth, like the Korg R3, Alesis Ion, or Roland SH-201.

That way you actually have real keys to play with....your music theory course will make more sense.

taohansen · Post by **taohansen** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:52 pm

I guess I just wanted a strange instrument to work with but that's definitely sensible advice.

I was considering a theremin originally but that might have been a nightmare not knowing anything about notes and that sort of thing.

taohansen · Post by **taohansen** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:56 pm

You'd suggest an R3 over a microKORG then?

RVNOak · Post by **RVNOak** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:27 pm

I would personally suggest at least 61keys (though, 88 keys would be best). Remember, you want to learn music - why limit yourself to a small keyboard that won't let you go beyond one or two octaves without having to learn to be a technician too. Music is about creating - not scientifically disecting!!!

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:37 pm

The tiny keys on the MicroKorg are not the best for developing good fingering technique. I used to own a Casio CZ-101 which had small keys.......didn't keep it very long.

Buy a keyboard with full-sized keys at least.

taohansen · Post by **taohansen** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:03 am

RVNOak wrote:I would personally suggest at least 61keys (though, 88 keys would be best). Remember, you want to learn music - why limit yourself to a small keyboard that won't let you go beyond one or two octaves without having to learn to be a technician too. Music is about creating - not scientifically disecting!!!

Is there a synth you would recommend that has that many keys? The R3 is already breaking the bank at $450 from craigslist.

taohansen · Post by **taohansen** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:20 am

Synthoid wrote:The tiny keys on the MicroKorg are not the best for developing good fingering technique. I used to own a Casio CZ-101 which had small keys.......didn't keep it very long.

Buy a keyboard with full-sized keys at least.

I'm worried the R3 doesn't have the same "rawness" of sound many users have attributed to the microKORG. Do you have any experience with the difference of sound between the two and do you think I could tweak the R3 to get that same harsh sound?

I'm looking to make very lo-fi, crunchy music and I know there are bands out there that make do just fine with a microKORG. Do you think the R3 will really benefit me much more in what it can do?

I'm open to buying the R3: I just don't want to regret it later if I find it doesn't have that "pushiness" the microKORG does.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:48 pm

I've only heard the MicroKorg, so I can't speak for the R3. But you can get a raw sound out of any synth, it just depends on your programming skills and the effects you use.

Try out both if you can....then make a decision.

Head_SLAMMER · Post by **Head_SLAMMER** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 4:59 am

You should just try to find a Triton Classic there around $500.00 -600.00