Radias Midi Question
Moderators: Sharp, X-Trade, Pepperpotty, karmathanever
Radias Midi Question
Hi, I want to buy the Korg Radias, but cannot decide between the 49 Key and the module itself. I would prefer to use a different keyboard. Can I use another midi keyboard with the radias or do I have to use the dedicated keyboard. Are there any advantages to using the dedicated keyboard?
You can use a MIDI keyboard. That is the whole point of the module.
The advantage of using the included keyboard is that it will play the currently selected timbre regardless of MIDI channel, whereas a MIDI keyboard will only trigger the timbres that are set to the same MIDI channel - understand this is not typically ever a problem, just a slightly different approach.
Another advantage of the included keyboard is that you can do both! it uses a separate proprietary socket, so whilst it won't work with anything else, you still have the MIDI ports free.
And the keyboard and module are actually separate units. You can buy the keyboard version and detach the rack if you wish.
The advantage of using the included keyboard is that it will play the currently selected timbre regardless of MIDI channel, whereas a MIDI keyboard will only trigger the timbres that are set to the same MIDI channel - understand this is not typically ever a problem, just a slightly different approach.
Another advantage of the included keyboard is that you can do both! it uses a separate proprietary socket, so whilst it won't work with anything else, you still have the MIDI ports free.
And the keyboard and module are actually separate units. You can buy the keyboard version and detach the rack if you wish.
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
Re: Radias Midi Question
wyarosh wrote:Hi, I want to buy the Korg Radias, but cannot decide between the 49 Key and the module itself. I would prefer to use a different keyboard. Can I use another midi keyboard with the radias or do I have to use the dedicated keyboard. Are there any advantages to using the dedicated keyboard?
if u have the m3/73 keys so its better for u to buy the rack only since u can attach it to th keyboard but if u dont have why choose another keyboard.?!it can be connected to other keys but frankly i dont like it ..having the radias with its korg keys is way better than u buy one ...even if u wanna sell if its with korg keys u can sell it in future it will be easier for u if its with the korg keyboard..
There are certain advantages to using an external MIDI controller.
I have used a TR and now a KARMA as my main keyboard which I use to drive the Radias module.
First of all a KORG workstation connected over MIDI gives you the joystick -Y (pull towards you) action as a second controller - cc02 breath by default, which is already assigned as MIDI2 modulation source in the Radias.
Then aftertouch, already assigned as MIDI5 by default.
And you also get the two assignable switches - if they are assigned in the KORG workstation as SW1 and SW1 modulation default, they will automatically match up to MIDI3 and MIDI4! I think I got all of that right anyway.
And then there is extra keys. Personally I don't really enjoy playing on anything with less than 61 keys and aftertouch. Less than that and I feel it is limiting potential and playing skill/style, or not leaving enough space for splitting etc. But equally you could control it from a padKontrol or MIDI guitar.
Anyway, even if you connect it by the propiretary 9-pin connection to an M3 keybed, you don't get the aftertouch and joystick extra axies and switches. I think. You only get that when connected via MIDI, and of course you can reconfigure the 5 MIDIx patch sources to other CCs to work with a master keyboard of your choice.
The included keyboard is only 49 keys, with no aftertouch, and a simple mod and pitch bend wheel (although they are backlit! cool....)
So I absolutely think the included keyboard is worth getting in many situations, but it certainly isn't always the best solution.
I have used a TR and now a KARMA as my main keyboard which I use to drive the Radias module.
First of all a KORG workstation connected over MIDI gives you the joystick -Y (pull towards you) action as a second controller - cc02 breath by default, which is already assigned as MIDI2 modulation source in the Radias.
Then aftertouch, already assigned as MIDI5 by default.
And you also get the two assignable switches - if they are assigned in the KORG workstation as SW1 and SW1 modulation default, they will automatically match up to MIDI3 and MIDI4! I think I got all of that right anyway.
And then there is extra keys. Personally I don't really enjoy playing on anything with less than 61 keys and aftertouch. Less than that and I feel it is limiting potential and playing skill/style, or not leaving enough space for splitting etc. But equally you could control it from a padKontrol or MIDI guitar.
Anyway, even if you connect it by the propiretary 9-pin connection to an M3 keybed, you don't get the aftertouch and joystick extra axies and switches. I think. You only get that when connected via MIDI, and of course you can reconfigure the 5 MIDIx patch sources to other CCs to work with a master keyboard of your choice.
The included keyboard is only 49 keys, with no aftertouch, and a simple mod and pitch bend wheel (although they are backlit! cool....)
So I absolutely think the included keyboard is worth getting in many situations, but it certainly isn't always the best solution.
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
- axxim
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Backlit? Sure? mine isn't backlit. I was wondering that strange milky colour of the modwheels and tought I could backlight them when I get bored.X-Trade wrote:The included keyboard is only 49 keys, with no aftertouch, and a simple mod and pitch bend wheel (although they are backlit! cool....)
_/\_><_><_|_//,_
Only a Radias, VP-770, SP-170S and iPad2
http://www.axxim.de/r3dias
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyi189 ... UTEpsykkIg
Only a Radias, VP-770, SP-170S and iPad2
http://www.axxim.de/r3dias
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyi189 ... UTEpsykkIg
Yes, my bad.axxim wrote:Backlit? Sure? mine isn't backlit. I was wondering that strange milky colour of the modwheels and tought I could backlight them when I get bored.X-Trade wrote:The included keyboard is only 49 keys, with no aftertouch, and a simple mod and pitch bend wheel (although they are backlit! cool....)
I thought I recall them being backlit but the more I think about it the more I think I was just thinking "they should be backlit".

Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
Radias Keyboard
Thanks. I bought the module for right now. Does anyone know a store which is selling the proprietary keyboard as a separate unit if I want to get this at some point?