Korg's new Kaossilator Pro.

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:19 pm

Another thing: I see you still have to hold down the record button when bangin' out tunes. This is very annoying I think. Why isn't it just possible to hit record once and then be free to use both thumbs? This has always bugged me with the original Kaossilator.

SMK · Post by **SMK** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 12:34 am

This is great news! Finally a synth device to work with our KP3 and the price $399 is really reasonable (unlike the laughable price for microSampler). In fact I think it's cheaper than when the KP3 first came out. You get so much bang for your buck with Kaoss or Electribe. I cant think of one feature missing here and basically keeping the design form and function to match that of our timeless KP3 was a real winner. I don't to feel like that there should have been an "All-in-Wonder" Kaoss pad. This will look great with my KP3 set up. It's like the ultimate synth. Great job Korg!

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:47 am

@ SMK:
The 'ultimate synth' when it can barely be called a synth at all?

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:17 am

Hugo wrote:@ SMK:
The 'ultimate synth' when it can barely be called a synth at all?

Well is certainly is the 'ultimate instrument', maybe not a 'synth' though.

It would be nice to see something take this even further like a microKorg style thing maybe looking like the M3 or Moog Voyager - with the touch pad in the middle surrounded by knobs. Basically an MS2000 without pads.

The Kaossilator thing is a great idea and I have a feeling they could take this a lot further than this.

I disagree with the suggestion about a step sequencer. You could make one in software to work with the Kaossilator Pro or KP3 that uses the pad, but the looper kinda replaces the sequencer idea. Although obviously this doesn't work for MIDI. Maybe they should have a MIDI looper function in MIDI mode? that would be cool.

Also, some people complained about the lack of effects, or expected it to have effects. I think we have to consider though that this isn't a higher level product to the KP3, it is a parallel product of the same range. It is supposed to sit aside the KP3, not replace it.

I have a feeling I'll be getting one..... It looks better as a Synth/Instrument, whereas I actually prefer the look and functionality of the Mini-KP for effects. I don't need sampling anyway. And I can afford to get several mini-KPs instead of a KP3.

salamanderanagram · Post by **salamanderanagram** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 1:36 am

i'm wondering how complete the recycling of hardware is here...
if i got my hands on the hex code for the firmware and uploaded it to a kp3 would i have a kaossilator pro?

LiqMat · Post by **LiqMat** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 6:05 pm

salamanderanagram wrote:i'm wondering how complete the recycling of hardware is here...
if i got my hands on the hex code for the firmware and uploaded it to a kp3 would i have a kaossilator pro?

Mmmm... Interesting indeed!

salamanderanagram · Post by **salamanderanagram** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 6:40 pm

if so, i guess i'd be mad at korg for doing that much of a recycling job... yet i'd also enthused at having a whole new way to use my kp3.... mixed feelings!

supermel74 · Post by **supermel74** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 10:23 pm

RichF wrote:The display can scroll plenty of text, like the KP3... and generally, you can add/subtract modulation and effects right on the pad idself.

Generally? Honestly, the delays and such rendered the synth sounds completely useless on the KP3. How could anybody in charge release the KP3 in that crippled state unless it was done intentionally.
I see it as similar to how software companies will include a crippled version of their software with a midi controller or what not. I'm pretty sure this is fact unless someone at Korg can offer a better explanation which they have yet to do.

supermel74 · Post by **supermel74** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 10:30 pm

Hugo wrote:
I would like to see a unit with the same size as the original, a usb port, and a computer editor. For me it seems a much better choice to go for the KP3 instead.

They're 2 completely different units though functionally. I think the Kaossilator Pro and KP3 would make a great combo.

SMK · Post by **SMK** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 1:22 am

Hugo wrote:@ SMK:
The 'ultimate synth' when it can barely be called a synth at all?

OK, well I was thinking more in terms of the it being set up with the KP3. Whatever. I think the style of playing keys this way as oppose to keyboard is pretty revolutionary.

But if we must be detailed then yes, the kaossilator pro has miles to go before being a solid synth. There are no VC or oscillator controls it is more like a keyboard with vst instruments/sounds programed into it. Now if you want the Kaoss style synth playing then you want a Korg DS-10 Plus. You get that software for your nintendo DSi but even better you get the DSi XL which is a large size version of the DS. I think by then you'll have made your self a Korg DS-10 plus pro (in looks at least).

Anyhow I'm looking forward to this new Kaoss. I'm so glad I held off from buying a Kaossilator.

jrizzo · Post by **jrizzo** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 2:15 pm

I run a Kaossilator through a KP3. Using them that way gives me MIDI sync and 4 tracks for looping. That's 90% of what the Pro offers. The only new ideas here are more sounds (meh), a slider on the gate arp (meh), and a vocoder (robot voices - meh). That's not much of a trade for the KP3's effects.

If you already own the old hardware, it's the Pink Kaossilator all over again. Yawn.

disc-chord · Post by **disc-chord** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 2:40 pm

jrizzo wrote: If you already own the old hardware, it's the Pink Kaossilator all over again. Yawn.

Hey! Watch it, buddy. The Pink Kaossilator is badass!

radiatesky · Post by **radiatesky** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:31 am

Seems the reviews here could be summed up as "meh." As a huge fan of the KP3 and some of the effects on the KP2, I will echo the "meh." I don't even know if "meh" is a real word. Trust me, I was excited at first, but...

The only way to save this one for me is to make it a midi note controller, so I can breathe new life into my other synths, especially by using the pad motion button. But I asked for this feature about 2 years ago for the KP3, so I would be super angry (if they even made this idea a reality) about not including it in a software update for the KP3. Speaking of updates: future ProK owners... Korg may have USB in the back, but they are not showing any signs of updating software on these devices... consider this. Korg, prove me wrong.

aether generator
www.coloringpad.blogspot.com

Randy|Kaoss · Post by **Randy|Kaoss** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:20 pm

£355 in the UK! (That's equivalent to approx $570 in the US).

Good luck with that. No one in their right mind will pay that, especially if they already own a Kaossilator and a KP3.

It should be £250 in the UK, max.

mindgames · Post by **mindgames** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:25 pm

Randy|Kaoss wrote:£355 in the UK! (That's equivalent to approx $570 in the US).

Good luck with that. No one in their right mind will pay that, especially if they already own a Kaossilator and a KP3.

It should be £250 in the UK, max.

Where did you get that price? I know a couple of online places have it down at that but I'd be very surprised if that's the final price when it's actually released.

Korg Forums

Korg's new Kaossilator Pro.

so far?