Would this be the correct equipment?

C3NZO · Post by **C3NZO** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 10:55 pm

Hi guys, I've been doing a bit of research and the sound I'd be trying to achieve would be somewhat like such groups as The Bloody Beetroots/Hadouken have. I was thinking a solid combo would be the Korg KP3 Kaos pad and the Microkorg XL synthesizer - can I grab any thoughts? Thanks!

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 11:45 pm

The MicroKorg XL is a cool little synth, however it has a number of painful limitations.
For the money, the R3 isn't much more and has a lot more features. I'd get the R3 if you can afford it.

The only thing about the XL is it has a really rubbish piano (this being a plus compared to the R3 which has no piano sample) and it is very portable. If you don't need these things and would rather have the extra FX slots, extra FX processes in general - reverb for example which the XL lacks, a few more hands on controls, etc, then the R3 is definitely a smart buy compared to the XL. It is the same synth and is capable of more or less the same sounds (aside from the piano), just better.

Aside from that, you've said what sound you want to achieve, but that isn't as important as what you actually expect to do. Are you going to be recording tracks? sequencing them with MIDI? or playing live in a band? or even playing live on your own?

C3NZO · Post by **C3NZO** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 11:47 pm

Thanks for the reply! I'd be purely practicing on my own as a hobby but I would wish to record tracks etc and then mesh them together on my computer to create a proper song. I'm strictly a beginner also so any advice is appreciated

(if anything I'd most likely perform on my own or live in a band later on)

C3NZO · Post by **C3NZO** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 2:05 am

Also would I be better off with a Korg KP3 or Kaossilator?

tpantano · Post by **tpantano** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 2:22 am

C3NZO wrote:Also would I be better off with a Korg KP3 or Kaossilator?

it depends what you want to use it for.

want another instrument played in a unique way? kaossilator.
want to edit and tweak sound samples like a DJ would live? KP3.

C3NZO · Post by **C3NZO** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 2:27 am

So for a beat on the KP3, I'd load a sample and loop it then just use the KP3 to distort it and what not?

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 7:37 am

On the KP3 you can load up a sample and loop it, and you can apply effects such as distortion, pitch shifting, etc.

However you can only apply effects to the whole thing. So that includes any audio you are putting through it.

If you want something specifically to do drums and such, I think an electribe would be a better investment. If money is a barrier, perhaps a second hand ES-1 which you can get for about half the price of a KP3.

C3NZO · Post by **C3NZO** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 2:23 pm

Thanks for the replies. I did a bit more research and think I've settled on the Korg R3 + Korg KP3

Just got to hunt down a deal! We pay double what the US guys do so I'll most likely order from overseas.

If the Korg R3 turns out to be too pricey I might drop down to the Microkorg XL but they do seem to be priced within $150 of each other.

C3NZO · Post by **C3NZO** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 10:20 pm

One more question guys is the R3 generally alot better than the Microkorg XL? I read somewhere the R3 is more its big brother

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 10:49 pm

It has the same sound engine (same parameters, same sound character). The main difference is in the effects where it has many more effects slots and more actual effect types - it has I think all of the effects that are found in the Radias, whereas the XL only has basic effects like delays and chorus and such - no reverb even!

You also get more hands on controls which would be a bit more expressive and easier to use, and also full size keys which is certainly more professional. It's definately worth more than the price difference between them so offers better 'value for money'.