Test report of KARO's KFM-1, KFM-2, KGS1 @ AMAZONA.de

[PeterJung-IKT]

Dear all,

We are glad to let you know that there has been a recent independent test report of our three FM libs, KFM-1, KFM-2 and KGS1. You can find the original German version of the test report at
http://www.amazona.de/index.php?page=26 ... page_num=1

We take the liberty to present a translation of some parts in what follows. Hope you like it.

Best wishes,
The KARO Team

KARO has done it again!

It’s amazing that a German sound development team has been the only third party supplier for the KORG OASYS. And, amazingly, KARO further extends their portfolio of professional sound libraries, although KORG shocked the OASYS users when announcing the discontinuation of the KORG OASYS. (…) It has been the small company KARO from Germany to perfectly comfort the maltreated souls of many disappointed KORG OASYS users. After releasing the highly praised electric/electronic pianos and acoustic pianos collections, now, KARO surprises the OASYS fan club with three sound sets which are dedicated to the FM synthesis, MOD-7 in the KORG OASYS terminology. In order to be able to play these sound sets, the optional EXi MOD-7 must be activated. All who have not yet done this are most cordially encouraged to do so, transforming their KORG OASYS into the most flexible hardware FM synthesizer ever.

KARO FM-1

KFM-1 is devoted to the classic YAMAHA TX-816 synthesizer. The TX-816 synthesizer (cf. e.g. http://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/tx816.php) contained eight DX-7 modules in the rack format, termed TF-1. (…) The price for as much FM multi-mode power was close to 10,000 German marks in the 1980s. (…) That was a long time ago.
Now, KARO revives this FM monster synthesizer, presenting eight banks containing 32 programs, each for a single TF-1 module. The 256 programs are used as a basis for 128 combinations reviving the true sound power of the vintage TX-816. Typical strings, brass and DX synth sounds come to life with enourmous pressure and expression. Above all, many programs and combinations use the foot controller introducing the dynamic range of the TX-816 synthesizer to the KORG OASYS MOD-7. Terrific! All sounds benefit from a tasteful use of the KORG OASYS onboard DSP effects.
The design goal, to emulate the YAMAHA TX-816 synthesizer, has been achieved to perfection. (…) However, there will be many FM friends and lovers of old school sounds who will enjoy this sound set.

KARO FM-2

The first YAMAHA DX7 served as the model for the second sound set, KFM-2. Our of the most well-known DX7 sounds, 256 programs were carefully selected and polished to form the KFM-2. Numerous variations of FM electronic pianos, DX7 strings and the well-known DX7 brass can be found. Combinations cannot be found, clearly, because the DX7 was never capable of producing layers and splits. (…) Although KARO call KFM-2 a meaningful extension to KFM-1, I did not have a compelling feeling while playing the sounds. (…) Of course, also many new sounds can be found in the KFM-2 sound set, but a BEST OF collection from KFM-1 and the present KFM-2 would have been more meaningful for me personally. (…)

KARO GS-1

This sound set, KGS1, is made to emulate the Yamaha classic synthesizers GS-1 (2 x 4 operators) and GS-2 (4 operators). In 1981, two years before YAMAHA introduced the DX7, starting a new era in digital sound synthesis the GS-1 appeared at a price of well beyond 30,000 German marks(…).KARO’s Peter Jung, also the master mind of KFM-1 and KFM-2, created 128 typical GS-1 sounds, all being based on the same, rather rigid FM algorithm which operated in the FM ancestor. It’s amazing what sound magic can be done with it. A comeback of good memories of pop music ballads of the 1980's which were shaped by the sound of the GS-1. (…) All sounds are beyond any criticism, for sure, if one looks for exactly for this kind of sounds (" Tänzerin" lets greet again once). However: Is this still so exciting? (…)

Alternatives

The best alternative to KFM-1, KFM-2 and KGS1 is also presented by KARO. Who searches FM in fresh packing, I can fully recommend KARO’s TOTAL CONTROL, KTC. A further test report will follows surely soon. However, those who look for DX and GS in purity cannot go past the three packages, KFM-1, KFM-2, and KGS1, definitely.

Result

KFM-1, KFM-2 and KGS1 are outstandingly well programmed sound collections of classical FM sounds. Lovers of these old school FM sounds will appreciate the selection and will be pleased that now the TX-816, the DX7 and the GS-1 are available one to one in the KORG OASYS. But even then one should consider that with the purchase of all three sound sets some overlap will occur. (…)

Plus
+++ outstandingly programmed FM sounds of the classical ancestors TX816, DX7 and GS-1
+++ very good conversion and playability with the KORG OASYS

Minus
-- moldy sound character