Korg Forums

I've just now decided to get into making music and have settled on the Kaossilator as my first instrument. If you have any suggestions for how I might learn more about things like scales and all that to get the most out of it, I would appreciate the input.

There's a Music Theory course at the community college I go to here in Seattle so I'm thinking of starting there.

I assumed the Kaossilator was great for loops, pops and bangs, but not the instrument of choice to learn music. I'd suggest buying a small beginner's synth, like the Korg R3, Alesis Ion, or Roland SH-201.

That way you actually have real keys to play with....your music theory course will make more sense.

I guess I just wanted a strange instrument to work with but that's definitely sensible advice.

I was considering a theremin originally but that might have been a nightmare not knowing anything about notes and that sort of thing.

You'd suggest an R3 over a microKORG then?

I would personally suggest at least 61keys (though, 88 keys would be best). Remember, you want to learn music - why limit yourself to a small keyboard that won't let you go beyond one or two octaves without having to learn to be a technician too. Music is about creating - not scientifically disecting!!!

The tiny keys on the MicroKorg are not the best for developing good fingering technique. I used to own a Casio CZ-101 which had small keys.......didn't keep it very long.

Buy a keyboard with full-sized keys at least.

RVNOak wrote:I would personally suggest at least 61keys (though, 88 keys would be best). Remember, you want to learn music - why limit yourself to a small keyboard that won't let you go beyond one or two octaves without having to learn to be a technician too. Music is about creating - not scientifically disecting!!!

Is there a synth you would recommend that has that many keys? The R3 is already breaking the bank at $450 from craigslist.

Synthoid wrote:The tiny keys on the MicroKorg are not the best for developing good fingering technique. I used to own a Casio CZ-101 which had small keys.......didn't keep it very long.

Buy a keyboard with full-sized keys at least.

I'm worried the R3 doesn't have the same "rawness" of sound many users have attributed to the microKORG. Do you have any experience with the difference of sound between the two and do you think I could tweak the R3 to get that same harsh sound?

I'm looking to make very lo-fi, crunchy music and I know there are bands out there that make do just fine with a microKORG. Do you think the R3 will really benefit me much more in what it can do?

I'm open to buying the R3: I just don't want to regret it later if I find it doesn't have that "pushiness" the microKORG does.

I've only heard the MicroKorg, so I can't speak for the R3. But you can get a raw sound out of any synth, it just depends on your programming skills and the effects you use.

Try out both if you can....then make a decision.

You should just try to find a Triton Classic there around $500.00 -600.00