karma triton

[mezzojammer]

have been thinking for some time of buying this. just wondered have any extreme owners got it and what do they think, how does it compare to actually owning a karma keyboard? Does anyone have any of the extra sound packs aswell Eg re-incarnation etc
My main worry for getting this is, I already have a relatively complex midi rig involving 7 rack synths/keyboards integrated in a motu mid express 128 interface. How will I integrate karma triton software when Im already using the out and In from my master keyboard triton extreme.
Anyone else successfully using karma triton with several other outboard devices already connected?

[szurcio]

Yeah, I was thinking about the Karma software myself. What I would be interested to know is whether you can use Karma to control external synths through Triton and your computer.

[dswtan]

just wondered have any extreme owners got it and what do they think, how does it compare to actually owning a karma keyboard?

I have the KARMA Triton Software for my TEX88 and a number of the sound packs (Karma Labs' sets and EJ2's sets before he joined KL). I also use a MOTU MIDI Express 128 routing a handful of other synths, and have a Behringer BCF2000 for additional control (originally specifically for the KARMA software).

I haven't found a convenient configuration where I can just swap in my KARMA-fied Triton and swap it back out again -- I have to make an effort. I find it's worth the effort (I like using it), but it's a pain not being more seamlessly integrated with the rest of my studio. I find I want to use my TEX88 without KARMA most of the time (personal preference), so I have to go through this mode-swapping ritual each time I want to use it.

The main challenges (YMMV):
- I have to run the SW on my Windows XP laptop; no Vista and no OS X.
- You have to reconfigure a few MIDI parameters on the Triton each time.
- You may have to load the KARMA-fied PCGs into the Triton each time.

All this means I use it less than I'd like. But when I get around to using it, I do find it quite inspirational in the studio -- the main reason I have any of my diverse equipment. Note I have no talent and little musical skill , so what KARMA is doing is substituting for that! If you have both talent and skill, maybe you'll find it less useful...

I've been tempted to get a dedicated KARMA keyboard to save some of the hassle, but it seems better to go straight to an M3 (or M50; Oasys is out of the question due to cost). Money, time and space are stopping me.

Bottom line, I found the KARMA Triton Software taught me that I really quite like the KARMA technology (at least for my level of ability), but I learned it is much easier, in my case, to get a dedicated workstation with it built-in.

BTW, for specific questions you might get a better response at the Karma Lab forums -- Stephen Kay is incredibly accessible there. Amazing.

http://www.karma-lab.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=170
http://www.karma-lab.com/kt/karma-triton.html#KTFAQs

[mezzojammer]

just wondered have any extreme owners got it and what do they think, how does it compare to actually owning a karma keyboard?

I have the KARMA Triton Software for my TEX88 and a number of the sound packs (Karma Labs' sets and EJ2's sets before he joined KL). I also use a MOTU MIDI Express 128 routing a handful of other synths, and have a Behringer BCF2000 for additional control (originally specifically for the KARMA software).

I haven't found a convenient configuration where I can just swap in my KARMA-fied Triton and swap it back out again -- I have to make an effort. I find it's worth the effort (I like using it), but it's a pain not being more seamlessly integrated with the rest of my studio. I find I want to use my TEX88 without KARMA most of the time (personal preference), so I have to go through this mode-swapping ritual each time I want to use it.

The main challenges (YMMV):
- I have to run the SW on my Windows XP laptop; no Vista and no OS X.
- You have to reconfigure a few MIDI parameters on the Triton each time.
- You may have to load the KARMA-fied PCGs into the Triton each time.

All this means I use it less than I'd like. But when I get around to using it, I do find it quite inspirational in the studio -- the main reason I have any of my diverse equipment. Note I have no talent and little musical skill , so what KARMA is doing is substituting for that! If you have both talent and skill, maybe you'll find it less useful...

I've been tempted to get a dedicated KARMA keyboard to save some of the hassle, but it seems better to go straight to an M3 (or M50; Oasys is out of the question due to cost). Money, time and space are stopping me.

Bottom line, I found the KARMA Triton Software taught me that I really quite like the KARMA technology (at least for my level of ability), but I learned it is much easier, in my case, to get a dedicated workstation with it built-in.

BTW, for specific questions you might get a better response at the Karma Lab forums -- Stephen Kay is incredibly accessible there. Amazing.

http://www.karma-lab.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=170
http://www.karma-lab.com/kt/karma-triton.html#KTFAQs

thanks for your response. this has somewhat put me off from wanting to buy Karmatriton. I dont like complex and I certainly dont want to have to keep altering settings between two different set ups everytime I want to use karma or not.I think I may look into buying a korg karma at some point (will need to flog some gear as I dont have room or inputs left on my mixer). Ive seen 2nd hand korg karmas (not many available) going for £600 Uk sterling which seems very expensive and I certainly dont want to pay that! Its a pity there isnt a cheaper karma rack available, I wonder why a rack version wasnt made?
By the way what other equipment/synths have you got in your set up and why did you need an additional behringer BCF 2000?

[dswtan]

I think I may look into buying a korg karma at some point ...

As you say, they are quite expensive. And dated (without being vintage). It is probably better to save up for an M50...

By the way what other equipment/synths have you got in your set up and why did you need an additional behringer BCF 2000?

If you look at the real-time control window in the Karma software, you'll see it has far more controls than are directly controllable by the rather limited number of controls on the TEX (one of my few complaints with the TEX). I prefer physical controls rather than mousing around, hence the BCF, which works well. See: http://www.karma-lab.com/karma/screens/RTControls.html

As for other equipment, I have a bunch. Too much. GAS problem.

[Sparker]

I find controlling the Karma software via the usb port to be the best way of intergrating the Extreme to the KarmaKT programme.

It's easy to change from my studio DAW to my laptop if I'm taking the TEx elsewhere.
You can get extra passkeys from Stephen Kay so that your Triton will work with different PC's/laptops.
I have no problems running 4 or 5 midi devices simultaneously - and I'm using a soundcard with only one MIDI in-out though a 1-4 midi splitter (plus chaining midi using midi thru).

You can also fairly easily cut an' shut between the programmes - that is; you can take single programme modules and combine them together or break down multi modules and recombine.

I've had this software about a year now and I'm still getting a huge amount of soundcrafting out of the basic package along with the extra add on packs. Karma is great for jamming along with a mate while working on bigger band sounds - you've a four/five piece band playing the basic backing track while you work on specific lead/melody lines or drum fills or key comps or whatever you're into.

I certainly find the PC software interface a breeze to use - especially having read the Karma keyboard operating manual - this is one occassion where I do prefer the software interface to the hardware screen runaround.

Yes the interface and the deep level manipulation of sounds can take a bit of time to learn, but anything as complex as deep level midi programming inevitably takes work - the rewards are huge - once mastered.


Sparky