OASYS = scary! :-)

[TonyGen]

Isn't the same with O?

Sorry, Cello, but not as far as I'm concerned.

If I (like you) had bought my Oasys a few weeks ago at a much reduced price with the full knowledge that there was no further support expected, I would (like you) be unreservedly delighted with my purchase.

However, I paid full whack (undiscounted) and, only when my money was nestling in Korg's bank account, promises of future-proofness were broken.

I doubt Korg would be impressed if I had paid them in post-dated cheques and then cancelled the last £2,000 in payments. They would be taking me to court. What Korg have done is tantamount to the same thing.

Enjoy you're Oasys Cello. You are fully entitled to. I love and enjoy my Oasys too. I have said on several occasions it is the best keyboard I have ever owned. I mean that. But I reserve the right to feel short-changed.

Tony.

[cello]

See where you're coming from Tony and can't argue with you. I see your point entirely.

Hopefully (although maybe I'm dreaming here!), Korg will learn from their experience with how the O was handled. I hope too that there may be some crumbs from their table for us O users in time (not in anywhere near the scale of what was originally promise, granted). It can't cost them that much to do that!

That said, Korg seems to be more focussed on low cost, high production models these days - nano this, micro that. Nothing wrong with that - brings lots of new people into the Korg sound production family - but it's all re-use of existing development. You would think they can only make money out of old rope for so long before having to come up with something new... Who knows? That might be when they start looking again at the platforms out there... ie OASYS/M3.

Thanks Tony, for your comments and views which I'm not trying to change - I now understand much better thanks to the considered way you've shared your thoughts/experience.

[Charlie]

Tony: I understand you completely. I'm a 'full price guy' too. As I stated above the early stop of further developments is one of my Oasys downsides. And there are several more.
I know this is personal ... but I simply prefer to move on, accept things that have already happened (esp. when I've almost no influence on changing them) and try making the best out of it. That is enjoying the upsides and find work arounds for the downsides actually hindering me.
That doesn't mean I'll forget broken promises. I'll be quite cautious once anybody promises 'further updates for years to come' or an 'open system' again. Esp. when spending that much money on a single system!
But at the same time I feel I got a really cool Synth with tons of great stuff and possibilities inside. That makes it fairly easy for me to enjoy my decision after all. Of course, getting all that for half the price is even nicer - but it seems I was not patient enough for that.

@Cello: thanx for your words on understanding. It can be a bit frustrating if one spends time on reading and honest replying ... just to find out the original posts weren't meant the way you understood them. That's feels like having believed in "years to come"!

Und ein spezieller Gruß an die deutschsprachigen Mitleser hier!

[Akos Janca]

Akos, I admire your patience.

Thanks - no problem, I'm a father of three.

I dislike buttons having to be pressed with more strength than others...

Some years ago I bought a Mercedes C-class…

The Mercedes story is surprising and rankling. I won' buy one soon. Did you know (cello) that I had to replace some buttons in my OASYS? See the whole topic but especially this post.

...So let's say that maybe even 50 OASYS owners share their view on these boards... what about the other 2,950 (or so) - what do they think? Who are they? Statistically, it means none of the views on these boards represent the majority of users.

It's an interesting thought. We discussed about how useful the forum could be for Korg already in other threads. I'm sure our opinion is important for them but maybe not as much as we think. Besides this forum I don't know how they can get detailed valuable feedback from customers. I haven't seen a questionnaire yet, for example.

...Understanding first. Help second. Share, third. Enjoy and respect being able to do these things - ALWAYS.

This is pure and perfect way of thinking that worths following.

I went totally crazy this year and bought even a second OASYS-88 on the secondhand market for an incredible low price and in absolutely mint condition.

I wish I could do that. And to buy other gear also from other manufacturers.

Not to thread hi-jack, but you sir are awesome. I particularly enjoyed the nanoROCK!!!

Thank you very much, I apprecate it. I enjoyed making it, too. First I was asked to create a demonstration using the nano controllers and the Korg virtual synths - so I made the other video. After I just got the idea to use only the nanoKEY - without the Korg virtual synths - and GarageBand. I tried it and the resulted "nanoROCK" was surprising for me, too. It worked! However I prefer working with full-size keyboards.

I don't know: have Korg officially declared that surely nothing will be released for OASYS anymore?

Please Dan or Jerry help and answer this question. I'm not asking you to disclose secrets, only would like to know if - besides hardware production - the SOFTWARE development has also stopped for OASYS for ever. Thank you.

[cello]

Please Dan or Jerry help and answer this question. I'm not asking you to disclose secrets, only would like to know if - besides hardware production - the SOFTWARE development has also stopped for OASYS forever. Thank you.

What a wonderful question and very fairly asked I think - on behalf of all your OASYS customers, a lot of whom feel badly let down, please Korg, just let us know.

[kenackr]

Akos & Cello,

I certainly understand why the question got asked, I think all the owners would like to hear some positive word, me included. But alas, I must confess that only an answer of "we can't tell you" or "no" will probably come back.

The reality is that the economy hasn't really turned around yet and I fear Korg must keep their noses to the grindstone to come through it. I honestly don't know how either Dan or Jerry could answer that at this point in time. When I try to put myself in their shoes, I find it mighty hard to develop anything positive to say, other than " you never know" and even that could be considered as a veiled yes.

In short, IMO the question could possibly put them on the spot and made to feel uncomfortable. And in that way, maybe even hurt the chances of something positive happening in the future.

My take on it would be that it would be best not to rock the boat just now and to be patient. After all, all of us have a great instrument that has no equal at this time.

Put another way, "if you can't stand the answer - don't ask the question".
Just like a woman asking; "Honey does this make my butt look bigger?" What does she say if he gets pissed that she always asks that, and he up & says, "I'm afraid so dear."?

Just my 2 cents.

Ken

[Synergy]

Put another way, "if you can't stand the answer - don't ask the question".
Just like a woman asking; "Honey does this make my butt look bigger?" What does she say if he gets pissed that she always asks that, and he up & says, "I'm afraid so dear."?

Rather, I'm afraid we have Sir Mix-a-Lot and he's got sistas.

[Akos Janca]

Thanks, Ken. Some guys were complaining here because of "unfulfilled promises" in Korg OASYS ad. They have almost hijacked this thread. I'm thinking differently.

I hope my original question (let's see then "have Korg officially declared that surely nothing will be released for OASYS anymore") - which is already also an answer itself for the complainers - will not hurt the chances of something positive happening in the future. Certainly, Korg like the OASYS project very much. I think this forum's positive or negative opinions will not probably influence their decisions.

I prefer honest questions and answers. I think I would tell the woman that the other clothes fit better.

[TonyGen]

The reality is that the economy hasn't really turned around yet and I fear Korg must keep their noses to the grindstone to come through it. I honestly don't know how either Dan or Jerry could answer that at this point in time. When I try to put myself in their shoes, I find it mighty hard to develop anything positive to say, other than " you never know" and even that could be considered as a veiled yes.

In short, IMO the question could possibly put them on the spot and made to feel uncomfortable. And in that way, maybe even hurt the chances of something positive happening in the future.

My take on it would be that it would be best not to rock the boat just now and to be patient. After all, all of us have a great instrument that has no equal at this time.

Korg have had plenty of opportunity to discount Oasys add-ons such as LAC-1 and MOD-7 but have chosen not to do so. That on it's own would be some kind of very small olive branch to Korg's high end equipment users.

But no discounting - as there was no discounting when the Oasys was marketed. Would Korg seriously lose money by selling me MOD-7 at half price? I think not.

Nothing will happen, regardless of whether I and others keep our mouths closed. Much better to complain long and hard (I think) and let Korg know they risk losing valuable customers than just sit back and wait. Korg have our money and will use it to develop other equipment and make a profit from it. Good luck to them. But as things stand Korg won't be getting any more of my money.....once bitten twice shy.

Anyway, If you guys don't want to complain on the Forum, no worries. I'll do it for you

[kenackr]

Akos,

You are probably right that what we say may not influence Korg (as a company) in the future. Like any company employee, neither Dan nor Jerry would be wise to make statements about the future when they do not have direct control of the company's future. It may jeopardize either their employment or their career capabilities. That's all I'm really trying to say.

I also prefer honest questions & answers, but have learned the hard way that sometimes discretion is the better part of valor. Also, that everyone has feelings and when you put them between a rock and a hard place, they are less likely to go the extra mile for you when & if the time comes.

TonyGen,

It is of course, your "right" to feel any way you want and further to complain about it in this forum. Business decisions are just that - all business. Sometimes a business must do things they may not like, but know that the survival of the company comes first. Discontinuing Oasys manufacturing was one of those decisions.

From a conceptual point of view, you are correct that Korg would not go belly-up if they were to sell you (or everyone else) the EXi's of your choice at a discounted rate. So, survival is not the reason for the policy to hold the line on price for EXi's.

Managing customer expectations is, however, a very powerful reason to decide in favor of holding price. If one lays down and opens their legs for the next "John" at a reduced price, what will previous long term customers who paid full price think about that? Word gets around fast & expectations get warped at warp speed. Once a whore, always a whore.

Any business is entitled to sell it's products at a price it thinks is fair to recoup all costs and make a profit. If it doesn't, the end is near. When I consider that I get a new "instrument section" complete with excellent samples for $150 for EXs3 for example, I consider that a bargain.

Having purchased Mod-7 & LAC-1 each for $250 I consider those also a bargain for what you get. Mod 7 is almost limitless in capability and with LAC-1 you get 2 very good synths with new Oasys capabilties to boot. When was the last time you bought a good synth at $125?

Complain all you like, as Akos points out, more than likely Korg will not change it's position on pricing or anything else because of it.

I don't expect that anything said here will change your thoughts and that is not my intention by replying. It is just to confirm there are other views.

Ken

[TonyGen]

Complain all you like, as Akos points out, more than likely Korg will not change it's position on pricing or anything else because of it.

Precisley. But I think Korg are equally unlikely to change their position if I/we say nothing. All that does it make life easier for them.

I'm not prepared to play that game with a Company that has renegued on promises.

I understand you and others have a different view. Ken. I respect that. I just don't think being a good boy and saying nothing so as not to upset Korg will make a difference as some seem to think.

Anyway, leave me alone. I'm only happy when I'm complaining

[Akos Janca]

I certainly would be glad to have the chance to buy the extras at a discounted price. From their full price we can (?) also conclude that all is not over regarding OASYS.

I think Ken is right in many respects.

I think I've really told all that I wanted or could. I hope you also understood me better. To make the long story short: As nobody clarified the situation or answered the opposite I've included a positive statement to my signature to give hope for all of us - see below. (Please correct my grammar if needed.)

Best regards,
Akos

[cello]

I'm with you Akos - have changed my sig; for all of the O owners, new or used, past-present-future.

Having been loyal to Korg since 1981 with brand new equipment every time - except my OASYS, (I counted up - I've spent somewhere about £18,000 over the years supporting Korg), I'll be interested to see what loyalty that buys me from them, but still - [Korg's] (my) OASYS is fabulously brilliant!

[jonnyj]

My advice to cello from the last 5 years nearly of owning mine would be:

Enjoy, play, learn, play, stop look at it, learn, play around with it, discoveries will be made, and there will be days no matter how fancy smancy the thing sounds you yourself will lack inspiration and need rest from it. There are many weeks where my OASYS never gets turned on. Partly out of lack of real time to spend with it. Also possibly a little undertanding of how all this gear operates and computer systems architecture just in case you find yourself in a go it alone or else situation. I understand though that not all people are willing to fix stuff like that but in my own situation it's DIY or don't get to use it many times.

The only things that were/are scary about the OASYS for me was breaking a knob, button, or worse major part that I couldn't fix myself. Another scary thing with that was though I got the two year warranty for registering it online with Korg is if it actually had to be taken into a shop for repair. Most shops from my observation respect taking care of gear when I have watched them work. But still the huge price tag and large form factor would keep me awake at least in the beginning til I got it back working.

Another scary thing related to above. One day turning the power on and either it not coming on at all or the hard drive or some other feature breaking down. My gripe with the OASYS these days now that I undertsand how it works and operates is wanting to have a backup hard drive with the software ready to boot into my unit just in case. They should have made it easier to access being an expensive piece of gear that potentially may be sold in areas where a user may not have the ability or luxury of getting it to a shop. There is now a short cut to get to the drive and replace and copy your own to a new one but it involves some careful steps and actually mildly bending a part to get to it. I am unwilling either way to try the official way eiother too much labor that I would lose more hair over. Totally understand why they would want to bury the hard drive deep inside but with the encryption on it their software would seem to me safe from would be hackers and crackers? Though they will try probably.

More frightening things. Not enough time in a lifetime to just play and create with it. Too much time spent on it and not doing anything else is also a bad thing for the spirit despite how good you think your music is and how the World should hear it.

A little history of my O experience

Me buying the OASYS was a once in a lifetime opportunity I found myself in a situation where I could buy anything I wanted to. I tried several synths out and couldn't get stoked about any of them even the OASYS didn't fancy me as much as I wanted it too. And I favored Korg synths for many years and hadn't made a major synth purchase brand new like this for nearly a decade. I had a small laundry lsit of must have check outs like the Voyager, the V-Synth, as well as a huge Modular, but ultimately went with the OASYS at least for the new Karma 2.0 which was a big deal breaker for all the synths I wanted. I had to have Karma this time round. It was not until i got the OASYS home and booted that I really got my excitement going. Sometimes a crowded house any synth will not get heard.

I still think it's a fabulous synth in a world full of fabulous synths that offer different things. Some the same, some not so same. Yes I too was a full price buyer. Well over $10,000 invested in the instrument but I don't feel abandoned. With the Korg architecture I knew what I was getting into and preferred to stick with that architecture even the sequencer I figured still kinda sucky but could be worse but it is functional. I'm not real big on relying on company support for anything but want it if the situation arises. Many times it doesn't it once you understand things. I Paid $7599.99 for the 76 key model. The sales guy without asking took $500 off his commission to be nice. It was a week before Christmas after all. Then I spent $400 plus on a really nice road ready case that has been sitting in storage since I bought it with the exception of the O resting deep six in it for three months during a basement remodel. The there were the EXi's $250 for the Legacy (not to mention I l aready bought both versions of the Legacy software) The MOD7 another $250, oh yeah bought the Karma OASYS. Only thing I have not bought was the Brass thing. But after all this I have gripes about the sequencer yes and I hope maybe we will see something someday. Can't count on it and Korg have said perhaps one day but don't wait and have demonstrated the revisitation of productions old and new.


-J