What to look for when buying 2nd hand radias ?

X10CIV · Post by **X10CIV** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 6:41 am

1st of all.....what a great source of knowledge and helpful people here! I am about to purchase a korg radias [keyboard version ] and was just wondering of there is anything obvious to check when I collect? Is there a self test or any pointers to check please? I cant afford to buy a bad one....Thanks in advance.

DaniH · Post by **DaniH** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 3:58 am

Vague answer but read up a bit before purchasing it. Learn how to select and use the different midi and audio ins and outs. Be as thorough you can be and take as much time as you can.

How are you purchasing it?? Website or meet and greet??

Tom 62 · Post by **Tom 62** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 9:44 am

Because the Radias has a lot of electromechanical components, I would take enough time to do check the following things:

Does all the keys, knobs and buttons response correctly?
Is the display okay? Are all the leds okay?
And, of course, a sound check (after the synth has warmed up for 10 minutes or so): Are there clicks or distortion audible while playing the synth?

X10CIV wrote:1st of all.....what a great source of knowledge and helpful people here! I am about to purchase a korg radias [keyboard version ] and was just wondering of there is anything obvious to check when I collect? Is there a self test or any pointers to check please? I cant afford to buy a bad one....Thanks in advance.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 6:01 pm

Tom 62 wrote:Does all the keys, knobs and buttons response correctly?
Is the display okay? Are all the leds okay?
And, of course, a sound check (after the synth has warmed up for 10 minutes or so): Are there clicks or distortion audible while playing the synth?

All of the above. Plus with the keyboard version... make sure the din connections are tight, especially in the back of the module. (The din cable connects the keyboard to the module). Over time this can become a problem if the keyboard has been gigged with extensively and the plug has been bumped or jarred.

The din cord is inexpensive to replace, but the plug in the back of the Radias module may have beome damaged if the plug is bent or loose.

X10CIV · Post by **X10CIV** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 7:04 pm

Thanks a bunch for all your answers and suggestions. It is a meet and greet - and if I am not happy I can walk away. I will do some more reading on this forum. Thanks again!

acemonvw · Post by **acemonvw** » Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:02 am

I'd also make sure to twist the knobs while you're playing to make sure you don't get any audible fuzz from bad connections. People often don't mention it, but those things annoy the crap out of me.

Twist the alpha knob a lot to make sure it doesn't change values improperly (i.e., moving it clockwise and having a value go down, or vice versa).

X10CIV · Post by **X10CIV** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:39 am

Thanks for all the hints. Just wondering - is the year of manufacture on the back - or can I tell from the serial number ?

Edit: It is this Saturday that I go and check out the Radias - so does anyone know how to check the year of manufature pretty please ?

acemonvw · Post by **acemonvw** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 6:06 am

Sorry, I didn't know the answer anyway. Did you end up picking one up?

X10CIV · Post by **X10CIV** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 9:29 pm

thanks for your reply acemonvw
Yes indeed. I purchased the Radias c/w with keyboard. Had the original cd, gooseneck mic, original psu and keyboard lead and a couple of pieces of paper. but no manual. Physically it was in very good condition - the connections on the back of the unit were tight and all the pots seemed fine.... however I noted that some are easier to rotate than others ?

I have purchased this synth - so I can learn V.A - which I guess is a long road...
I only have Cubase and now this synth so I need to get some leads or something so I listen to the sounds of the Radias...

acemonvw · Post by **acemonvw** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 3:56 pm

Excellent! Enjoy. I really do like the Radias. I was always a bit saddened that you couldn't chain patterns together (it has sequencing, but isn't the most complex sequencer). However, I really enjoy mine.

Definitely check out the tips and tricks section, there's a ton of useful advice there!

mikefellh · Post by **mikefellh** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 3:37 am

I realize I'm a newb in terms of the forum, but on the used one I bought the white data value knob skips...if you turn it too fast it can actualy go backwards.

axxim · Post by **axxim** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 6:16 am

mikefellh wrote:I realize I'm a newb in terms of the forum, but on the used one I bought the white data value knob skips...if you turn it too fast it can actualy go backwards.

This is relatively common on such type of encoders. With each predefined angular movement they send a pulse. Depending on its resolution (pulses per turn) a fast movement may generate a pulse train that must be decoded by the controller. Depending on how much time the controller has left to react to each pulse (which in the Radias would be not too much considering what it has to do) it happens that the controller can't attend them fast enough and it interprets the wrong direction. This is also a kind of aliasing. It is the same you can observe on that classical western movies where the wheels of the caravans seem to rotate in the oposite direction at some speeds.

janke · Post by **janke** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 6:24 pm

1000 dollar is that ok price for a korg radias?

janke · Post by **janke** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 6:26 pm

1000 dollar is that ok price for a korg radias?

Vlad_77 · Post by **Vlad_77** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:14 am

janke wrote:1000 dollar is that ok price for a korg radias?

It's an okay price for a Radias with the keyboard; there is one on Ebay for 990 USD with keyboard. But too high for just the rack version. I see the racks usually going for around 600 USD and the keyboard adds an extra 200 USD. The reason I say it's "okay" is because while the price is a bit high, you are getting a really nice VA. Radias is a blast to work with. If you get one, don't be afraid to tweak and to roll your own; the factory patches do not do the instrument justice at all.

That said, if you can talk the seller down, try to do so. I just picked up a Roland V-Synth 2.0 for 650 Euros which is roughly what these are selling for on Ebay. V-Synth and Radias are INSANE together BTW

(Assuming you are talking about US dollars here). I got my rack version from Zzounds in December of 2011 for 600 USD including shipping.

EDIT: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Korg-Radias-Syn ... 4ac9939281

This one is listed from Switzerland and the current bid is 600 USD WITH the keyboard.

Best,
Vlad

PS: Go on YouTube and look for Radias demos by Vanderson. You will be amazed at what he does with Radias; Korg should have hired him!

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