Korg Kaossilator Pro makes its NAMM debut
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted January 14th 2010 4:53PM
posted January 14th 2010 4:53PM
Since the original Kaoss pad was released in 1999, Korg has been steadily improving the thing, adding crazier effects, more features, and earning the undying love of Brian Eno in the process. The Kaossilator, released a few years later, took the same X-Y controls and wide array of effects and added a synthesizer. What's this, then? Just in time for NAMM 2010, the Kaossilator Pro features 200 sound banks, a vocoder, loop recording with four loop banks, gate arpeggiator, the ability to limit the X-Y pad's note range to certain keys / scales, Librarian Editor software for managing samples on your Mac or PC, and more. Look for it for £355 (approximately $575) this March. PR after the break.
Update: US product page is up, and lo and behold, this beaut's only $399 stateside.
[Thanks, Nick!]
Update: US product page is up, and lo and behold, this beaut's only $399 stateside.
[Thanks, Nick!]
Announcing the KAOSSILATOR PRO – a powered-up version of the palm-sized KAOSSILATOR, reborn as a powerful track-making tool and loaded with live performance power.
As a trailblazer among the "instrumental gadgets" that allowed anyone to easily create melodies and phrases, the KAOSSILATOR gained a strong and dedicated user base, even among those without any performing experience. Today, the KAOSSILATOR continues to be enormously popular. Retaining these revolutionary features – while adding a wide variety of new ones as well – the KAOSSILATOR is now reborn as the new KAOSSILATOR PRO. With 200 sound programs, a new Electribe-inspired gate arpeggiator, and four loop recording banks that can even record external audio sources, the KAOSSILATOR PRO is packed with features that make it ideal for live performance. In addition, USB connectivity with your computer and SD card memory storage allow the KAOSSILATOR PRO to be used not just for improvised performances, but also as a superbly intuitive, track-making music production tool.
Intuitive X-Y touchpad lets you perform complex phrases with one finger
Using touchpad is highly intuitive – simply rub, stroke, or tap it to instantly create gestures that were difficult to produce on synthesizers of the past. Horizontal motions control the pitch, while the vertical axis can control tone parameters such as cutoff, feedback, or modulation depth. This makes it easy for anyone to create entirely original sounds and musical phrases.
Two hundred exciting sound programs covering synths, drums, and acoustic instruments
The Korg synthesizer technology acclaimed by top musicians around the world has been carefully distilled into the KAOSSILATOR PRO. The versatile array of pro-level sounds covers all styles of dance music including techno, house, breaks, hip hop, R&B, reggae, and electro. There are also numerous acoustic instruments such as piano, trumpet, and guitar, providing a further boost to your expressive resources. You can assign your favorite programs to the eight Program Memory buttons for instant recall, ensuring that your live performances will be smooth.
Extensively enhanced drum sounds
Rhythm can be the most important element when creating a phrase. In addition to the modeling synthesis borrowed from the original KAOSSILATOR, the KAOSSILATOR PRO provides a new PCM sound generator as well, allowing even more realistic drum sounds. There are twenty different one-shot sounds for kick, snare, and hi-hat etc., as well as twenty-five rhythm loop patterns that will be immediately useful in dance music styles.
Vocoder programs for creative audio effects
The KAOSSILATOR PRO features a mic input jack and fifteen types of vocoder programs, making it easy to achieve unique sound effects, create robot voices and unique more.
Thirty-one scales for musical expressiveness
The thirty-one types cover a range from chromatic scales to major, minor, blues and beyond. By specifying a scale and key, you can use a single finger to play perfect melodies and phrases that would be difficult to play even on a keyboard. There are also special scales such as Spanish, Ryukyu, and Raga, letting you play phrases that have a distinctive atmosphere. Another boost in expressive power is provided by the new Note Range function, which lets you specify the range of pitches available on the touchpad.
Gate Arpeggiator provides tightly sync'ed grooves
Inspired by the EMX-1 and ESX-1 Electribes, the new Gate Arpeggiator allows you to play a pattern of sounds that are always in sync with the tempo, generating phrases that defy imagination. The KAOSSILATOR PRO's slider can control the gate time or gate speed, allowing even more complex phrases to be produced. Tempos can be set manually, or on the fly using the Tap Tempo function.
Loop Recording with unlimited overdubbing
Loop Recording can be set for up to four measures /16 beats. Your KAOSSILATOR PRO musical performances can be recorded into one of the Loop Recorder Banks. By adding (overdubbing) additional sounds one at a time, you can create amazing loop phrases by repeating the cycle of selecting a sound, playing a phrase, and recording the sound over and over again.
Four Loop Recording Banks allow DJ-style performances
The KAOSSILATOR PRO provides four Loop Recording Banks. These banks can be combined for virtually infinite performance possibilities. Each of the four loop banks can be muted or un-muted, its volume adjusted, and its loop length changed, making live performance easy for anyone. An unneeded loop can be erased during playback, and a new one recorded, so there's no need to stop the performance.
Loop Recording using an external source
The KAOSSILATOR PRO provides line inputs and a mic input, allowing loop recording using an external audio source. This makes it easy to add a rap, vocal, or audio from an external device to any loop phrase created on the KAOSSILATOR PRO.
USB MIDI provides versatility and compatibility
The KAOSSILATOR PRO offers standard MIDI IN/OUT connectors. I addition, the USB connector lets you use your computer to back up the loop recording data, and use the KAOSSILATOR PRO to control your software applications or an external MIDI device. The KAOSSILATOR PRO can send or receive MIDI clock.
Convenient SD Card* data storage
The KAOSSILATOR PRO provides an SD card slot for storing loop data and user settings such as program memories. Favorite phrases can be saved to build up a collection of loop data that will inspire your musical arrangements. SD Card storage also allows you to create the same show with the same loops, night after night. You can also swap loops with other KAOSSILATOR PRO users, or use your data in multiple units.
* not compatible with SDHC cards and SDXC cards.
Dedicated Editor / Librarian Software
KAOSSILATOR PRO Editor is a dedicated software program for managing your recorded loop data, as well as MIDI assignment editor functionality that lets you transform the KAOSSILATOR PRO into a powerful MIDI controller that's set up just the way you want. KAOSSILATOR PRO Editor can be downloaded free of charge from the Korg website.
* Runs on Microsoft Windows XP (SP3 or later) / Vista (SP2 or later) / 7,
and on Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
PRICE: £355 SSP inc VAT (Tentative Price)
AVAILABLE: March 2010
As a trailblazer among the "instrumental gadgets" that allowed anyone to easily create melodies and phrases, the KAOSSILATOR gained a strong and dedicated user base, even among those without any performing experience. Today, the KAOSSILATOR continues to be enormously popular. Retaining these revolutionary features – while adding a wide variety of new ones as well – the KAOSSILATOR is now reborn as the new KAOSSILATOR PRO. With 200 sound programs, a new Electribe-inspired gate arpeggiator, and four loop recording banks that can even record external audio sources, the KAOSSILATOR PRO is packed with features that make it ideal for live performance. In addition, USB connectivity with your computer and SD card memory storage allow the KAOSSILATOR PRO to be used not just for improvised performances, but also as a superbly intuitive, track-making music production tool.
Intuitive X-Y touchpad lets you perform complex phrases with one finger
Using touchpad is highly intuitive – simply rub, stroke, or tap it to instantly create gestures that were difficult to produce on synthesizers of the past. Horizontal motions control the pitch, while the vertical axis can control tone parameters such as cutoff, feedback, or modulation depth. This makes it easy for anyone to create entirely original sounds and musical phrases.
Two hundred exciting sound programs covering synths, drums, and acoustic instruments
The Korg synthesizer technology acclaimed by top musicians around the world has been carefully distilled into the KAOSSILATOR PRO. The versatile array of pro-level sounds covers all styles of dance music including techno, house, breaks, hip hop, R&B, reggae, and electro. There are also numerous acoustic instruments such as piano, trumpet, and guitar, providing a further boost to your expressive resources. You can assign your favorite programs to the eight Program Memory buttons for instant recall, ensuring that your live performances will be smooth.
Extensively enhanced drum sounds
Rhythm can be the most important element when creating a phrase. In addition to the modeling synthesis borrowed from the original KAOSSILATOR, the KAOSSILATOR PRO provides a new PCM sound generator as well, allowing even more realistic drum sounds. There are twenty different one-shot sounds for kick, snare, and hi-hat etc., as well as twenty-five rhythm loop patterns that will be immediately useful in dance music styles.
Vocoder programs for creative audio effects
The KAOSSILATOR PRO features a mic input jack and fifteen types of vocoder programs, making it easy to achieve unique sound effects, create robot voices and unique more.
Thirty-one scales for musical expressiveness
The thirty-one types cover a range from chromatic scales to major, minor, blues and beyond. By specifying a scale and key, you can use a single finger to play perfect melodies and phrases that would be difficult to play even on a keyboard. There are also special scales such as Spanish, Ryukyu, and Raga, letting you play phrases that have a distinctive atmosphere. Another boost in expressive power is provided by the new Note Range function, which lets you specify the range of pitches available on the touchpad.
Gate Arpeggiator provides tightly sync'ed grooves
Inspired by the EMX-1 and ESX-1 Electribes, the new Gate Arpeggiator allows you to play a pattern of sounds that are always in sync with the tempo, generating phrases that defy imagination. The KAOSSILATOR PRO's slider can control the gate time or gate speed, allowing even more complex phrases to be produced. Tempos can be set manually, or on the fly using the Tap Tempo function.
Loop Recording with unlimited overdubbing
Loop Recording can be set for up to four measures /16 beats. Your KAOSSILATOR PRO musical performances can be recorded into one of the Loop Recorder Banks. By adding (overdubbing) additional sounds one at a time, you can create amazing loop phrases by repeating the cycle of selecting a sound, playing a phrase, and recording the sound over and over again.
Four Loop Recording Banks allow DJ-style performances
The KAOSSILATOR PRO provides four Loop Recording Banks. These banks can be combined for virtually infinite performance possibilities. Each of the four loop banks can be muted or un-muted, its volume adjusted, and its loop length changed, making live performance easy for anyone. An unneeded loop can be erased during playback, and a new one recorded, so there's no need to stop the performance.
Loop Recording using an external source
The KAOSSILATOR PRO provides line inputs and a mic input, allowing loop recording using an external audio source. This makes it easy to add a rap, vocal, or audio from an external device to any loop phrase created on the KAOSSILATOR PRO.
USB MIDI provides versatility and compatibility
The KAOSSILATOR PRO offers standard MIDI IN/OUT connectors. I addition, the USB connector lets you use your computer to back up the loop recording data, and use the KAOSSILATOR PRO to control your software applications or an external MIDI device. The KAOSSILATOR PRO can send or receive MIDI clock.
Convenient SD Card* data storage
The KAOSSILATOR PRO provides an SD card slot for storing loop data and user settings such as program memories. Favorite phrases can be saved to build up a collection of loop data that will inspire your musical arrangements. SD Card storage also allows you to create the same show with the same loops, night after night. You can also swap loops with other KAOSSILATOR PRO users, or use your data in multiple units.
* not compatible with SDHC cards and SDXC cards.
Dedicated Editor / Librarian Software
KAOSSILATOR PRO Editor is a dedicated software program for managing your recorded loop data, as well as MIDI assignment editor functionality that lets you transform the KAOSSILATOR PRO into a powerful MIDI controller that's set up just the way you want. KAOSSILATOR PRO Editor can be downloaded free of charge from the Korg website.
* Runs on Microsoft Windows XP (SP3 or later) / Vista (SP2 or later) / 7,
and on Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
PRICE: £355 SSP inc VAT (Tentative Price)
AVAILABLE: March 2010
I've owned both the original Kaoss pad and the Kaoss Pad 2.
both are great pieces of gear except that the original Kaoss paf decided to stop working for no reason at all even though it was well cared for an never abused.
@logicbombde
"Grid.... D..... Four!"
O.O
"You sank my Battleship!"
@logicbombde
Well i had the kp2 forever and finally it broke, after i took it apart to see what was up, you could tell it was made from some pretty cheap components. just got the Kp3 that we just got, is Extremely solid. you can tell they just used the exact same hardware case, and every button is the exact same. but they were definitly going for more of the SYNTH than the effects. i mean the KP# and this are pretty much the exact same minus a hand full of presets.
@vitamindevo
This thing is mega cool but it's a lot of money for what I would use as a toy.
@Cant Think Of A Good Long Name T
Including make you look like a tool. Congrats.
The Korg KP3 is a great product, and I would love to see it updated. This looks pretty good though. I wish they would have done something w/ the screen, but it's nice that they have added Midi-USB implementation.
@doug parks It is essentially a KP3, it has all it's features
@(Unverified) Not really. It's missing some of the sampling/effects capability. It can be likened to a stripped down KP3, but it's definitely not a full-on replacement.
thwack thwack thwack thwack thwack thwack thwack
nrrrw POOSH bang bang bang
"MARINES WE ARE LEAVING!!"
thwack thwack thwack thwack thwack thwack thwack
Do want! now what do i buy, Ableton/Serato Bridge or the Kaossilator Pro? hmmmmmm
The price is high as giraffes pussy.
@martid4 people actually say that?
@Blackwheel I hope somewhere they do
Readers interested in seeing a master at work with the original Kaos Pads should check out Beardyman on Yourtube... this is one of my favorites from him, but there are a ton more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwweTmR3ZoU
@sonicspectrum
That guy is the reason why I own a KP3. Might buy a second.
As for this product, it looks exactly the same, and seems rather overpriced. I bought my KP3 for $300 brand new.
I'm a big fan of pretty much all korg stuff.. looks pretty cool.
If you have an iPhone, my app bleep!Synth is somewhat similar to this.
So it this essentially a Kaossilator and a Kaossi pad in one package?
Why is it nearly identical to the KP3? Unless the KP4 is about to come out... seems a bad idea to make two products so similar - they even look the same!
Back in the day I had a EA, an ER, and an original Kaoss pad. Then I picked up an ESX. Unfortunately I was stupid all those years ago and sold them.
I picked up a Kaossilator and a KP3 last year and have had a lot of fun messing around with them. From the description it looks like this is just the two pieces of kit I have rolled into one.
The draw on this for me would be the arpeggiator if you can use it to arpeggiate a sample, not just an internal synth sound, then it may be worth the switch. Still couldn't get rid of the kaossilator though. Too easy to slip in a backpack and carry it with you.