Korg Kaossilator Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer

Korg Kaossilator Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer Review

Korg Kaossilator Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer Feature

• Included Items - Owner's Manual, parameter sheet, four AA "test" batteries
• Programs - 100 including synth basses and leads, natural instruments, chorded sounds and drum sounds
• Outputs - Stereo line out (Dual RCA), mini headphone out with volume control
• Power supply - 4 AA batteries (6V) Approx 5 hours battery life (with alkaline batteries) Optional AC adapter-ready (DC4.5V available from Korg)

Meet your new musical addiction: the KAOSSILATOR from Korg. Play it alone or add it to your rig for over-the-top, music-making mayhem. The KAOSSILATOR's user-friendly touch-pad lets you create musical and rhythmic phrases using any of its 100 synth programs, such as leads, basses, realistic instrument sounds, playable drums and drum patterns. Each time you add a phrase, KAOSSILATOR stacks it on top of the previous phrases you created. The results are as simple--or complex--as you desire. Choose from the 31 available scales, and play in any key. Lay down your groove with any 50 gate-arpeggiator patterns for even more KAOSS! The portable, travel-friendly KAOSSILATOR runs on batteries or a 4.5v adapter. Use the it as a multi-instrumental musical instrument, sample source, live rig addition, or just a fun way to get your groove on!

Meet your new musical addiction. Click to enlarge.

Innovative touch-pad control controls separate parameters along X and Y axes.

Features stereo RCA output and headphone jack.

100 Playable Synth Programs
The KAOSSILATOR offers 100 unique patches for you to play, from nautral instruments to synth basses and leads, including ten drum patterns and 31 musical patterns. Sounds include:

• Preset drum/bass grooves with flexible effects
• Fat synth lead sounds
• Acoustic instruments like trumpet, digeridoo, sitar, and more
• Tap-able drum voices
• Extra thick and juicy basses
• Complete chords with filters and other effects
• Space-age sound effects to send your loop beyond the cosmos

Innovative Touch-Pad Control
This is what defines Korg's entire KAOSS PAD/KAOSSILATOR series, and what made 'em such a hit. You play the KAOSSILATOR by moving your finger around on (or tapping on) the touchpad, thereby controlling the sound. The parameters controlled by the X axis and Y axis depend on the preset (for example, a bass synth might feature pitch along the X axis and filter resonance along the Y axis).

Scale/Key Controls
It may not have keys, but the Kaossilator can still play a hook. It lets you control a full two octaves of notes just by touching the pad. To make sure you're playing in the same mode as everyone else, you can choose what kind of scale to use, from 31 different options. You can also set the root note, including flats and sharps, so you're always in tune no matter how wacked out you get on the effects.

Adjustable BPM and Gated Arpeggiator
To get the beat to your desired BPM, you can select a normal MIDI tempo or enter a tap tempo with your finger. The built-in Gate Arpeggiator repeatedly triggers sounds in sync with the tempo. The slider controls either the gate time or gate speed. 50 different gated arpeggiator types are included.

Loop (Phrase) Recording
The KAOSSILATOR can record and playback phrases and patterns that you play on the touch pad--loop style. During playback, you can play along. You can even add another layer to the loop recording. This process can be repeated, adding several new layers. Recorded phrases can be up to 8 beats (2 bars of 4/4) in length.

Portable KAOSS
Create some chaos anywhere you go. The KAOSSILATOR is eminently portable, weighing in at 5.43 oz without batteries, and with dimensions of 4.17 x 5.08 x 1.14 inches. It's powered with four AA batteries, for up to about five hours of operation. You can also snag an optional AC adapter for plugging it in.

RCA/Headphone Outputs
The KAOSSILATOR features a dual RCA stereo line out, for quick connection to mixers or interfaces, and a mini headphone out, for using on the go.

What's in the Box
Owner's Manual, parameter sheet, four AA "test" batteries