Korg Forums

Because I like weird noises, I was thinking of buying a Kaossillator + Monotron. On Youtube videos though, the Kaosillator is used mostly for dance music and the like. Now I'd like to fiddle with that, but in the end the only kind of electronic music I really like is stuff like ambient and idm. I'm not sure if the Kaossilator is the right choice. I do, however, have a whole pedalboard (I'm a guitar player originally) with reverb, two delays, phaser, fuzz etc. so that could help.
If even with effects the Kaossilator isn't for me, are there any other hardware synths more capable of idm-sounds for under 200 bucks? Thank you.

Hmm, I don't think the Kaossilator is what you'd want, as you are stuck with presets. There are probably plenty of modules you could get second hand, which would give you much better synth tweaking options. Don't know how much you have to pay, but if you can spend some more money, Waldorf's Blofeld is an awesome and easy to use synth. Maybe also a second hand Novation Nova could fit the bill, or any of the following: Roland mc 307, Yamaha dx200, Yamaha an200, any of the Korg Electribe series etc

The Waldorf Blofeld seems pretty cool, I might put aside some more money for it.
EDIT: Actually, not so much. It seems I would need to buy a keyboard for it to (total synth noob)? I don't really like the sounds either. Let's say I wanted to make stuff like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2RdMlwx8ck.

Shawbrook,

One thing I can say about the kaossilator is this, it will definitely unleash your creativity. The ability to play rhythmic phrases and layer them on top of each other as much as you want is unparalleled, i think.

But on the bad side, if you're going for accuracy, good luck. Playing on the pad is much like playing a fretless instrument - it will take you much time and practice to learn the placement of notes (not to mention this changes in accordance with the scale you select, ie. pentatonic has wider note spaces than, say, a minor scale)
Second, you might get bored of the presets. Some of them are pretty limited. I think the kaossilators really need to be used with with their effects based counterparts, the mini-kp and KP3.

But you mentioned you have a whole slew of guitar pedals. that can make for some interesting results. I once daisyed my ds-10+ to a mini-kp to a Zoom guitar box and got some really dark stuff going.

I think if you can afford it, try to get the Ko1 (its the yellow Kaossilator, cheaper than the KPro) plus another hardware synth. The greatest strength of the K01, imo, is the wonderful arp you get with it.


***
Alternatively, I just realized something: Why not purchase the iKaossilator, if you have an ipod touch/iphone/ipad? Its very, very affordable, and you can still use it with your guitar pedals. Much more limited than the hardware versions, of course, but it has some new features that korg has implemented that the others don't have.

I disagree -- I think the Kaossilator will do just fine for ambient/IDM, especially if you have some external effects to shape the sound the way you want to.

It all depends on how you play the instrument... the Kaossilator can't do everything, but it's flexible enough that you're not limited to dance music (and besides, if you want an instrument that will do everything, you'd buy a Kronos instead).

It does take a little time to learn the finger-skills, but it's not nearly as difficult as learning to play the guitar.

Could this be done with my guitar effects? Could you give some examples maybe? I'm still considering buying it but I need to be convinced.

Hi,
Listening to the link on youtube you supplied i would have thought an Korg ESX would be a good choice.
I fear its more than your suggested budget, but feel it would happily produce the genre you like.
I own the EMX and would happily add an ESX to my set-up. (If only i had some cash!!!!).
Check out some videos on YT .
Try this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdxqkuuQZeE
OR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPB37PZg ... re=related

It might sound silly but watching these two vid's has reminded me how good the ESX is. (as a Sample based Workstation)
S**t now i know i'm going to buy one

Big thank you to YT.

Hope this helps , sorry it not a Kaoss product but

Regards

Eat-Static.

This might be what I'm looking for, indeed. I'll have to save up quite some money though, but oh well. I'm getting quite a bonus this month (we have a weird custom here in Holland where, in the last week of the year, you give money to the kids that deliver the free papers - I can easily get 200 euros in one week!).

By the way, what's the difference between the ESX and EMX?

EDIT: I just found a used ESX for 300 euros! I'll go watching some videos and reading some reviews this week and then I'll maybe consider buying it. Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone.

EDIT2: So, the ESX is a sampler. Okay. I'm a complete noob though, how would I go about to make a song like the one in the link I gave? Wouldn't I need other hardware to make the samples themselves first? Or can they be bended and changed so dramatically that I could just use my guitar and make it sound like any other electronic sound?

Shawbrook wrote:I'll go watching some videos and reading some reviews

Good move.

With regards to samples there are literally millions available on the internet.

Sites like http://www.freesound.org/browse/ also using programs like Audicity on your PC to cut and edit samples.

But yes you can create them yourself but it will require addition hardware.

Shawbrook wrote: (we have a weird custom here in Holland where, in the last week of the year, you give money to the kids that deliver the free papers - I can easily get 200 euros in one week!).

Many moons ago (about 24) I recieved about £55 in tips on my paper round. The good old days

Cheers

Eat Static.