Korg Forums

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.

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.

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....)

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.

axxim wrote:

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....)

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.

Yes, my bad.
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".

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?

unfortuantly u can't buy the keyboard alone...!! only the rack can be bought alone or the whole unit ..last week i saw on ebay that some one wanna sell the keyboard unit alone so look for it maybe its still available..