Korg Forums

Ajbbklyn · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 2:04 am Post subject:

Why does there need to be an argument over "this versus that"? You use different tools for different parts of the job. If you feel obliged to use one solution to the mutual exclusion of the other...well, in either case, you're still presented by an embarrassment of riches.

Is the effects structure of a hardware synthesizer as flexible as a modern DAW? Perhaps not. But, it still beats the living daylights out of anything that was available to the engineers and artists who've made some of the most seminal recordings of our collective musical culture. And, in the right hands, a Korg sequencer is capable of producing some very pleasing results for a final mix...all with the stability and reliability of a purely hardware solution.

On the other hand, the "in the box" method offers complete scalability - from a home/project studio to world-class recording facility. But, it's only as good as its weakest link. As mentioned above, A/D conversion, mics, mic preamps, in-line hardware processing and/or software plug-ins - all play a vital role in determining the quality of the final product. Not to mention the talent of the artist, the producer and the engineer(s).

Just by way of illustration, this is a track that I sequenced in the "lowly" M50 - complete with its compressed samples and maximum 80 voice polyphony. The backing track was mixed completely in the keyboard. The track was then transferred to the computer for the purpose of adding the vocal. Just a bit of EQ on the stereo backing and a dash of iZotope Ozone on the master track.

By the way, this is not an original song, nor do I claim that this is a commercial-quality mix. (It's purely a "home recording")
But, as a demo, I'm sufficiently pleased with the result. The song is from 1966 and was a hit for The Left Banke:

"Pretty Ballerina"

Different tools for different parts of the job. They aren't mutually exclusive. For live performance, I use a mono version of this track minus the piano part which is played live. The mix is hard-panned to the left, the right channel reserved for the click track. Keyboard and computer live happily together.
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nowtime · Full Member Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 216

I am constanly dissappointed by advertised software and hardware. I've learned to expect the least possible workable features. Then I can be happy! Very Happy

I am buying the Kronos for the Set List screen. It is shocking how long it has taken for this most obvious feature to be included in Korg's workstations (not sure how it is for Roland and Yamaha). Organization of vast libraries of presets for players is numero uno!

That's a lot of cash for such a feature, but it's that important. Anything it does over and beyond that will be cherries on top.

MartinHines · Last edited by MartinHines on Tue Feb 15, 2011 3:40 am; edited 3 times in total

Lando

Devnor · Full Member Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Posts: 222

Already have the macbook & great interface & killer synth plugins but still want the synthesizer why? Its the immediacy of going right to sound I want, grab a controller its already setup. I suppose I could recreate all this in Mainstage but who has the time? I don't understand the need for 4 gig 8 layer sounds and I suppose the Kronos/Motif isnt capable enough for some folks - hell I just want to put together some interesting chords.

I bought my Kronos for the setlist mode too (since sold my Motif XF7). All I really wanted to do was seemlessly switch between sounds with a footswitch. That was too big a request for the Yamaha folks to comprehend. Thank you Korg.
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Fantom 7, Kronos 2, V Synth GT, Moog Voyager

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