Official statement on the status and future of the OASYS

[Davidb]

While it surely could be improved, the sequencer is hardly "crippled".

True, mate.

Kudos to Roland, though! I love the sequencer on my old Fantom (which I finally got back, from Arizona) and I think the G is a huge step in the right direction. It sends a clear signal that the sequencer is the centerpiece of a workstation. Even Korg got that message, judging by their quick reaction with the M3.

Yeah, I´m agree.
If you read my previous comments, I think along those lines as well.

Certainly the angry posts are about the sequencer.

Yes, and thats because it is the weakest part of the OASYS, in its conception as a workstation.
But it still has, as you mention, a lot of potential on it, to become the best sequencer ever in a WS, with its interface, control surface, the fantastic FX routing, and the 16 direct HDR tracks. etc.

It just needs more tools to edit the data recorded, like the M3 eXpanded ones and some others, and more flexibility to edit sounds in seq mode.

Just with that, and it would blown away any other internal sequencer on a workstation, IMHO, Fantom G included.

[bbendorf]

I just purchased one and love it! I am lucky.
Will korg add more sounds and a Firewire to the unit?

1. New Harp
2. New Strings
3. New Marktree's
4. Cymbol Mallet rolls
5. Orchestral Percussion
6. New Timpani
7. New Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Flute, Pic, Bass Flute
8. Middle Eastern Instruments

If you added those you would have sold so many more units as Film Composers need the basics to use on a synth orchestral store. Film Composers have the money to keep buying the high ends of Korg, but If Korg does not include the basic colors needed for the artist then the Devise will fail. It seems Marketing was going after the RAP, DJ, Funk, Pop Composers. They were after the market but no one in the industry could afford a Oasys in those professions but the elite succesfull. So now they discontinue the Device. Sad, such a powerful great instrument.
I sure hope Korg adds those simple sounds to complete the Device! If they did they would have a entire new market. Virtual Instruments are great, but the sound of a REAL Korg Oasys will not be matched in a VST ever, just like my Moog, and EMU EIII.

Please pass on to Marketing! more Polyphony, and NEW Orchestral sounds and you will have a masterpiece.

Kurzweil is releasing the PC3Rx in August with Total 256 Poly upgrade with Synth engine, loops, complete Orchestral Pallet for around $1900. To bad.

Kind Regards,
Barend

[kenackr]

Congratulations on your purchase! and welcome to the forum.

Please note that this forum has NO affiliation with Korg. The owners are Sharp and Daz.

More sounds may be purchased from other sound developers like: Sharp, Karo, KARMA Lab, these include more samples.

Additional sounds are also available from Korg on korguser.net including Brass and Woodwinds and other sounds.

Korg has said other sounds may come from them in the future but these will only be announced when they are ready for distribution.

Ken

[Daz]

Will korg add more sounds and a Firewire to the unit?

Sounds maybe, Firewire probably not.

Korg have mentioned that they will release a second volume of sounds derived from the M3 soundset. No other upgrades to the soundware, software or hardware are expected.

[Daz]

No other upgrades to the soundware, software or hardware are expected.

It's worth saying that the statement from Korg Inc. at the top of this thread supercedes what you may you may read on Korg's various websites (e.g. Korg UK suggests quite the opposite).

[danatkorg]

No other upgrades to the soundware, software or hardware are expected.

It's worth saying that the statement from Korg Inc. at the top of this thread supercedes what you may you may read on Korg's various websites (e.g. Korg UK suggests quite the opposite).

What are you referring to? I know that the various distributors have worked to revise the OASYS text on their sites, and it looks like Korg UK has done the same. I looked and found one un-edited heading, and let them know about it (the "Multiple Synthesis types" link on the left-hand side still reads "with more to come," although the body text has been edited). If there are others, please let me know.

[Daz]

the "Multiple Synthesis types" link on the left-hand side still reads "with more to come,"

That's the one I was thinking of and also "OASYS is not only an entirely new instrument, but a completely new platform to support Korg innovation for years to come." on Korg USA's site. Although the latter could have a number of meanings, I personally feel that it suggests something that is no longer true. I was never really clear whether that meant Korg would use it as a platform for your own future innovations (as you did the original Oasys technology) or whether this third Oasys incarnation itself would receive many innovations. It has, for sure, but won't be continuing to do so.

[danatkorg]

I had thought that the sites had been edited already; I'll look into this with my contacts there.

[Davidb]

No other upgrades to the soundware, software or hardware are expected.

It's worth saying that the statement from Korg Inc. at the top of this thread supercedes what you may you may read on Korg's various websites (e.g. Korg UK suggests quite the opposite).

What are you referring to? I know that the various distributors have worked to revise the OASYS text on their sites, and it looks like Korg UK has done the same.

In fact I think bbendorf as well as other members, maybe myself included, had misunderstood the official statement itself.

It is maybe because the sentence :

"We constantly get ideas/suggestions/requests for more features for the OASYS, but we cannot promise that any of these can be delivered."

... means for many that:
"Ok, theres nothing to come right now, but the door for the OASYS is not closed forever",

instead of a polite insinuation from Korg near to something like:
"You can keep asking, yeah, but that´s all, folks. Its over".

Now, its time to guess which is the correct meaning of it.

Guess, not wish.

[weymouthfox]

Your probably right David.

I desperately hope Korg offer us a free or pre-paid sequencer update.

You would think that Korg would want to do it for themselves considering how many years and money they have invested in this product, let alone how much money customers have spent on their product that was marketed to have an "open" and exciting future.

In 2005, many music magazines reviews (SOS and others) slated the sequencer but said that Korg were working on dramatically improving it???

Surely this would be a fairly easy update for them to implement considering their expertise and what else they have achieved on the Oasys and M3.

Its a fabulous keyboard/ synth but it now needs that extra 5% to be a fabulous workstation which we were all led to believe would happen when we spent £5200/ $8000.

[OysterPearl]

It's a waste of time to discuss anything on this thread. KORG folks do not care to respond to this critical user request which have been floating around over years - personally I don't need a sequencer update but this discussion and KORG's non-disclosure strategy has pissed me off. Also this high priced "Flagship / Future-state product over years to come" has been discontinued within just 4 years since launch - even Triton series lived much longer!!

Had KORG announced the fact of discontinuation in time, I would NOT have purchased Oasys - period. They strategically made sure that the news was not publicized till most of their demo units got sold - ridiculous!! When I purchased Oasys, I read a clear statement on KORG's website that this is a FLAGSHIP product for YEARS to come etc etc all crap. This is so rude, KORG should have restructured the message on their site at least to make it legally correct - e.g. it being their "Current" flagship product and ZERO text for future platform etc so that users know what they are buying.

As being an Oasys owner, I expect all Oasys updates are made available FREE of charge unless substantial value can be demonstrated to the end users. Also I expect that Oays users get a cost discount for all future KORG purchases as a "damage premium" to the investment / drop of its market value.

[Trommis]

As being an Oasys owner, I expect all Oasys updates are made available FREE of charge unless substantial value can be demonstrated to the end users. Also I expect that Oays users get a cost discount for all future KORG purchases as a "damage premium" to the investment / drop of its market value.

In your dreams!
(They still demand full price even for the MOD-7, PolysixEX and MS-20EX.)

I also purcased a new OASYS 88 (at a slightly lower price than retail.) A month later the retail price here in Norway was dropped by 65 %!
Now I can't even sell it for half the price I payed for it.......

New "machine" in the house: Kurzweil PC3X. Better than the OASYS in most ways, great support, and 1/4 of the price!
Korg... Never again!

[danatkorg]

I also purcased a new OASYS 88 (at a slightly lower price than retail.) A month later the retail price here in Norway was dropped by 65 %!
Now I can't even sell it for half the price I payed for it.......

New "machine" in the house: Kurzweil PC3X. Better than the OASYS in most ways, great support, and 1/4 of the price!
Korg... Never again!

This sounds somewhat different from what you posted a month ago:

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... ht=#283753

I have just joined "the club of OASYS owners". Expecting deliverance this week. (And, Yes I knew the production was ended when I ordered it.)
The price for an 88 was reduced by nearly 50%, and I relly wanted one.

In any case, here is my question:

Is there anyone here on the forum (or at Korg) that can give the exact number of units produced? -And are the 88 and the 76 numbered in the same series? The highest number I've seen here on the forum was in the 2100's.

OASYS 76 ?
OASYS 88 ?

[Trommis]

As I said: I knew that production of OASYS was over when I purchased it.
Nothing new here....
What I also was told, was that I've got a very good price, and that there would not to be a "dumping sale" of the OASYS here in Norway (or the rest of the world for that matter).

The retail price of the OASYS 88 was Nkr. 89.990,-
I got it for Nkr. 47.000,- Now they sell what's left of them for Nkr. 34.000,- (And even at this price, no one seems to buy.)
I'll report back if they start giving it away for free.....
Under these circomstances, there is no way I will pay another Nkr. 5.000,- for a licence to authorize the "Legacy pack" or the "Mod-7".

I am still in the opinion that the OASYS has it's good points (also when compared to the PC3X), but not enough to jusify the price-tag. The user interface in the OASYS is second to none, and very easy to fall in love with. Most of the sounds (exluding the Hammonds and some brass) are better in the PC3X.

As for the quality of the OASYS, I have no regrets so far. I only wonder how many years I will be able to get service if something goes "pear-shaped" with it ????? I do not think Korg will ever match the support Kurzweil is offering these days. They really listen to their customers! They just have to, becauce they are a small company compared to Korg.
Korg is perhaps too big (world wide) to care about the individual customer, and the need for quality service and reliable information?

[craig1928]

Now they sell what's left of them for Nkr. 34.000,- (And even at this price, no one seems to buy.)

retail,online,where?

I've never saw them at this price