KORG releases the SQ-1 step sequencer
Korg has introduced the SQ-1 step sequencer, an updated take on the classic Korg SQ-10 step sequencer.
The Korg SQ-1 is a compact step sequencer with 2 x 8 steps. Its wealth of connection jacks allows it to be connected to the MS-20 and a variety of other synthesizers.
Both vintage analog synths and the latest compact synths can be controlled from the SQ-1.
Specifications:
- Sequencer Mode – ALTERNATE, ORDER, PARALLEL TURN, PARALLEL ORDER, CV/DUTY, CV/SLIDE, CV/DUTY RADOM, RANDOM
- Step Mode – GATE ON/OFF, ACTIVE STEP, SLIDE, STEP JUMP
- Sequence Step Resolution – quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes
- CV OUT Pitch – Linear, Minor, Major, Chromatic
- CV OUT Voltage – 1V, 2V, 5V (Oct) 8V (Hz/V)
- GATE OUT Polarity: + (positive polarity), – (negative polarity)
- SYNC IN/OUT Polarity + (rise), – (fall)
- Connectors
- littleBits OUT jack (mini monaural phone jack)
- OUT (MIDI OUT) jack (mini stereo phone jack)
- CV – A OUT – GATE jack (mini monaural phone jack, CV OUT : Output Level 1V, 2V, 5V, 8[Hz/V], GATE OUT: output level 10V)
- CV – BOUT – GATE jack (mini monaural phone jack, CV OUT : Output Level 1V, 2V, 5V, 8[Hz/V], GATE OUT: Output Level 10V)
- – IN – SYNC – OUT jack (mini monaural phone jack, SYNC IN: Max Input Level 20V,
- SYNC OUT: Output Level 5V)
- USB jack (type B, USB MIDI)
- Power Supply – Two AA batteries (alkaline batteries recommended), or USB power
- Battery Life – approximately 5 hours (when using alkaline batteries)
- Dimension (W x D x H) – 93 x 84 x 63 mm/7.60″ x 3.31″ × 2.48″
- Weight – 641 g/1.41 lbs.
- Included Items – Two AA batteries for checking operation, mini plug – DIN cable
- Options – Patch cable MS-CABLE-18
Pricing and availability for the Korg SQ-1 are to be announced.
Korg 2015 Launch Event – KRONOS and ARP
ARP ODYSSEY; Forty Years Later, A Complete Revival
Long stopped, the wheels of history have again begun to move
Anaheim, CA– January 21, 2015- – In conjunction with Arp Instruments Inc., Korg Inc. has revived the legendary analog synthesizer, the ARP ODYSSEY. Originally produced in 1972, the ODYSSEY quickly garnered a faithful following among musicians. Well respected for its high value, ease to play and portability, the ARP ODYSSEY had undergone several improvements during its history and continued to be a long-seller until manufacturing stopped in 1981 due to economic hardships and the digital surge. Loved by a wide range of musicians as a historical classic, its sound can be heard on numerous classic songs.
Now in 2015, Korg has brought back the ARP ODYSSEY for today while preserving the basic design of the original. The new ODYSSEY has a compact body, highly operable sliders, and a 37 note slim keyboard that’s easy to play. In addition, a DRIVE switch (new function) is provided and connectors include MIDI and headphone output as well as Patch cables.
‘Together the engineers at Korg and Arp were able to nail the sound and feel of the original. Under the advisory assistance of David Friend, the co-founder of ARP Instruments, every detail was adjusted to replicate the original unit’s distinctive synthesis,’ shared James Sajeva, Brand Manager for Korg products. ‘Every aspect has been carefully considered to stay true to the quality of the original, down to the sophisticated semi-hard case.’
Korg has completely reproduced the original circuitry for artists looking to recreate classic sounds and explore new ones. The ARP ODYSSEY has been downsized to 86% of the original. Carefully selected parts are used in the familiar slider section, providing an operating feel that’s even smoother than the original.”
KORG Debuts Most Powerful Synthesizer with the New Kronos
Expanded Piano Engine, Improved Touch Panel Navigation, Improved Set List Mode, Search by Song Title Functionality, Redesigned Exterior
Anaheim, CA– January 22, 2015- – KORG USA debuted the new KRONOS, the most powerful version of its flagship synthesizer to date during Winter NAMM. For the first time enthusiast will be able to hear and see the new Kronos in action with live performances and in depth demonstrations by product experts and engineers.
‘The new Kronos features the unrivaled 9-engine structure from previous versions, with numerous improvements to both sound capability and overall functionality. Truly, the most powerful synthesizer on the planet just got more powerful,’ said James Sajeva, Brand Manager for Korg products.
‘Our SGX piano engine, already revered for its German and Japanese grands, now also includes a 9GB Berlin grand with dedicated una corda (soft pedal) samples, plus sympathetic string resonance that works on all the SGX pianos” he continued. “It’s truly an amazing piano experience. There are new banks of sounds based on famous song titles for our cover players and those looking for ‘that’ sound for their recordings, plus a ‘best of’ bank from KaPro, who has created numerous libraries for the Kronos line.’
Other new features include system-wide Touch/Drag via the Kronos’ huge color TouchView™ screen; allowing the user to edit onscreen parameters faster and more naturally than ever.
An evolved Set List mode provides the capability to resize their custom text per set list entry, and enter text via either an onscreen QWERTY or external USB ASCII keyboard. Entries can also be color-coded for better organization and visibility, and users can even decide how many set list entries appear on the screen at time, allowing for more (and larger) onscreen text to remind you of lyrics, changes, or other notes.
An improved search function helps users to find the perfect sound faster than ever. Other improvements include onscreen metering in Combination and Sequencer modes, along with the ability to edit Programs within a Combination to hear the edits in context with other parts.
The improvements don’t end with the software, either; the new Kronos also boasts a new look, including natural wood side panels, easier-to-read silkscreened text, a sophisticated – and functional – vented back panel, and gold-plated audio I/O jacks.”
——-
ARP Odyssey Specifications
Keyboard:
37-note (Slimkey, No velocity sensitivity, No aftertouch)
Maximum Polyphony:
2 voices for duophonic; normally monophonic
Controllers:
Transpose Positions: 2 octaves down, normal, 2 octave up
Proportional Pitch Control:
b (Pitch down) Pad: about -2 / 3 octave – (Modulation) Pad
# (Pitch-up) Pad: about +2 / 3 octave
Noise Generator:
Noise Spectrum Types (white and pink)
Portamento:
Maximum Speed: about 0.01 msec./oct
Minimum Speed: about 1.5 sec./oct
VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator):
Waveforms: Sawtooth, Square, Pluse (Dynamic Pluse)
Frequency Range: VCO-1 in low freq. mode, 0.2 Hz – 20 Hz: VCO-1 and VCO-2 (audio range) about 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Warm Up Drift: 1/30 semitone from turn on max
Pulse Width: 50 % – 5 %
Pulse Width Modulation: ADSR, +45 %; LFO, +15 %
Voltage Controlled Response: 1 V/oct
Maximum Frequency Shifts: LFO sin wave, +1/2 oct.; LFO square wave, +1.5 oct.; ADSR, +9 oct.; S/H, +2 oct.
* VCO-1 is low note priority, VCO-2 is high note priority.
VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter):
Types: Low pass (I: 12 dB/oct., II III: 24 dB/oct.)
Frequency Range: 16 Hz – 16 kHz
Maximum Usable Q: 30
Resonance: 1/2 – self oscillate
Voltage Controlled Response: C3 key (left edge): 0 V, C6 key (right edge) 3 V
VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier):
Dynamic Range: 80 dB
Ring Modulator:
Type: Digital
Input Signal: VCO-1, VCO-2 (square wave)
Sample & Hold:
Command Sources: Keyboard or LFO trigger
Sampled Signals: VCO-1 sawtooth wave and square wave, VCO-2 square wave and pink noise
ADSR Envelope Generator:
Attack Time: 5 msec. – 5 sec.
Decay Time: 10 msec. – 8 sec.
Sustain Level: 0 – 100 % or Peak
Release Time: 15 msec. – 10 sec.
AR Envelope Generator:
Attack Time: 5 msec. – 5 sec.
Release Time: 10 msec. – 8 sec.
Control Input Jacks:
Pedal: φ6.3 mm monaural phone jack
Portamento Foot Switch: φ6.3 mm monaural phone jack
Audio Output Jacks:
LOW:
Connector: φ6.3 mm monaural phone jack
Maximum Output Level: -20 dBu@ 10 kΩ load
Output Impedance: 10 kΩ
HIGH:
Connector: XLR connector
Maximum Output Level: +4 dBu@ 1 kΩ load
Output Impedance: 330 Ω
Headphones Jack:
Connector: φ6.3 mm stereo phone jack
Maximum Output Level: 50 mW + 50 mW@ 33 Ω load
Output Impedance: 10 Ω
* Controllable by volume knob.
External Audio Input (Ext Audio Input) Jack:
Connector: φ6.3 mm monaural phone jack
Maximum Input Level: -10 dBu
Input Impedance: 22 kΩ
MIDI Connector:
IN
USB Connector:
Type B
CV IN/OUT Jacks:
Keyboard CV (IN/OUT): 1 V/oct.
Connector: φ3.5 mm monaural phone jack
GATE IN/OUT Jacks:
GATE IN: +3 V (minimum)
GATE OUT: +10 V, key down; 0 V all keys up
Connector: φ3.5 mm monaural phone jack
TRIG IN/OUT Jacks:
TRIG IN: +3 V pulse min., 10 μsec. Duration minimum
TRIG OUT: +10 V pulse on key depression, 10 μsec. Duration
Connector: φ3.5 mm monaural phone jack
Power Supply:
AC adapter jack (DC 9 V)
Power Consumption:
6.5 W
Dimensions (W x D x H):
502 x 380 x 120 mm / 19.76″ x 14.96″ x 4.72″
Weight:
5 kg / 11.02 lbs
Accessories:
AC adapter, phone cable, mini-phone cable, owner’s manual, dedicated semi-hard case
Options:
VP-10 Volume Pedal, PS-1/PS-3 Pedal Switch”
KORG unveils ARP Odyssey Analog Synthesizer
Originally produced in 1972, the ARP Odyssey was updated with several improvements throughout its history and was manufactured until 1981, due to economic hardships and the rise of cheap polyphonic digital keyboards.
The new Korg Odyssey has a compact body, highly operable sliders, and a 37 note slim keyboard. In addition, a new ‘DRIVE’ switch is provided and connectors include MIDI and headphone output as well as Patch cables have been added.
According to the company, “Korg has brought back the ARP Odyssey for today, while preserving the basic design of the original”.
The New ARP Odyssey
“Together the engineers at Korg and Arp were able to nail the sound and feel of the original. Under the advisory assistance of David Friend, the co-founder of ARP Instruments, every detail was adjusted to replicate the original unit’s distinctive synthesis,” says James Sajeva, Brand Manager for Korg products. “Every aspect has been carefully considered to stay true to the quality of the original, down to the sophisticated semi-hard case.”
Korg has completely reproduced the original circuitry for artists looking to recreate classic sounds and explore new ones. The ARP Odyssey has been downsized to 86% of the original. Carefully selected parts are used in the familiar slider section, providing an operating feel that’s even smoother than the original.
Product Specifications:
- Keyboard: 37-note (Slimkey, No velocity sensitivity, No aftertouch)
- Maximum Polyphony: 2 voices for duophonic; normally monophonic
- Controllers: Transpose Positions: 2 octaves down, normal, 2 octave up
- Proportional Pitch Control: b (Pitch down) Pad: about -2 / 3 octave – (Modulation) Pad
# (Pitch-up) Pad: about +2 / 3 octave - Noise Generator: Noise Spectrum Types (white and pink)
- Portamento: Maximum Speed: about 0.01 msec./oct
Minimum Speed: about 1.5 sec./oct - VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator): Waveforms: Sawtooth, Square, Pluse (Dynamic Pluse)
Frequency Range: VCO-1 in low freq. mode, 0.2 Hz – 20 Hz: VCO-1 and VCO-2 (audio range) about 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Warm Up Drift: 1/30 semitone from turn on max
Pulse Width: 50 % – 5 %
Pulse Width Modulation: ADSR, +45 %; LFO, +15 %
Voltage Controlled Response: 1 V/oct
Maximum Frequency Shifts: LFO sin wave, +1/2 oct.; LFO square wave, +1.5 oct.; ADSR, +9 oct.; S/H, +2 oct.
* VCO-1 is low note priority, VCO-2 is high note priority. - VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter): Types: Low pass (I: 12 dB/oct., II III: 24 dB/oct.)
Frequency Range: 16 Hz – 16 kHz
Maximum Usable Q: 30
Resonance: 1/2 – self oscillate
Voltage Controlled Response: C3 key (left edge): 0 V, C6 key (right edge) 3 V - VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier): Dynamic Range: 80 dB
- Ring Modulator:
Type: Digital
Input Signal: VCO-1, VCO-2 (square wave) - Sample & Hold:
Command Sources: Keyboard or LFO trigger
Sampled Signals: VCO-1 sawtooth wave and square wave, VCO-2 square wave and pink noise - ADSR Envelope Generator:
Attack Time: 5 msec. – 5 sec.
Decay Time: 10 msec. – 8 sec.
Sustain Level: 0 – 100 % or Peak
Release Time: 15 msec. – 10 sec. - AR Envelope Generator:
Attack Time: 5 msec. – 5 sec.
Release Time: 10 msec. – 8 sec. - Control Input Jacks:
Pedal: ?6.3 mm monaural phone jack
Portamento Foot Switch: ?6.3 mm monaural phone jack - Audio Output Jacks:
- LOW:
Connector: ?6.3 mm monaural phone jack
Maximum Output Level: -20 dBu@ 10 k? load
Output Impedance: 10 k? - HIGH:
Connector: XLR connector
Maximum Output Level: +4 dBu@ 1 k? load
Output Impedance: 330 ?
- LOW:
- Headphones Jack:
Connector: ?6.3 mm stereo phone jack
Maximum Output Level: 50 mW + 50 mW@ 33 ? load
Output Impedance: 10 ?
* Controllable by volume knob. - External Audio Input (Ext Audio Input) Jack:
Connector: ?6.3 mm monaural phone jack
Maximum Input Level: -10 dBu
Input Impedance: 22 k? - MIDI Connector:
IN - USB Connector:
Type B - CV IN/OUT Jacks:
Keyboard CV (IN/OUT): 1 V/oct.
Connector: ?3.5 mm monaural phone jack - GATE IN/OUT Jacks:
GATE IN: +3 V (minimum)
GATE OUT: +10 V, key down; 0 V all keys up
Connector: ?3.5 mm monaural phone jack - TRIG IN/OUT Jacks:
TRIG IN: +3 V pulse min., 10 ?sec. Duration minimum
TRIG OUT: +10 V pulse on key depression, 10 ?sec. Duration
Connector: ?3.5 mm monaural phone jack - Power Supply: AC adapter jack (DC 9 V)
- Power Consumption: 6.5 W
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 502 x 380 x 120 mm / 19.76″ x 14.96″ x 4.72″
- Weight: 5 kg / 11.02 lbs
- Accessories:
AC adapter, phone cable, mini-phone cable, owner’s manual, dedicated semi-hard case - Options:
VP-10 Volume Pedal, PS-1/PS-3 Pedal Switch
Pricing and Availability.
The new Korg ARP Odyssey has an MSRP $1400. Availability is TBA.
KORG S3 Rhythm Workstation
This is probably KORG’s best drum machine and though it has a heap of features that most drum machines don’t have, it doesn’t reach the heights or quality of a Roland TR-707 or Yamaha RX5. The claps are dreadful and on-board ram is almost non-existent for anything serious. As you can see from the demo songs, it is still a capable machine with careful programming. I think I like one kick. Nice effects though and almost worth the effort to learn this beast. Has 4 multi outs and 2 MIDI outs and a LOAD of other features. Love it or loathe it! Better than a Yamaha RX7 (nah!) or just piping the Alesis HR16 for build quality.
KORG/ARP Odyssey NAMM Teaser
Korg today shared this teaser on Facebook for a Korg/ARP NAMM Preview:
Korg invites you to be a part of our exclusive Pre-NAMM show experience.
We will be unveiling the industry’s most highly anticipated products with artist performances and featured guest speakers.
New Korg Electribe Demo: The Basics
This video demonstrates the features of the new Korg Electribe music production station.
The new Electribe features sixteen back-lit Trigger pads, an X/Y Touch pad, and is more mobile than ever, because it can run on battery power (an optional AC adapter is available).
KORG volca – TONGPOO
volca arranged by BakaOscillator.
volca でYMOの東風を試みる。
The new beginning
Headphones highly recomended
An afternoon improvisation.
Gear used: Waldorf Blofeld and MicroQ, Arturia Microbrute through Eventide H9, Elektron Machinedrum, Akai mpc500 as main sequencer, Korg Ms2000, Clavia Nord Modular G2 and DSI Tetr4. Hardwire DL7 and RV8 were used on the Tetra.
Teaser pictures of the new Korg Odyssey
Korg has shared this teaser image for the new ARP Odyssey, saying only “Be prepared for a new evolution 1-22-15″. Jan 22 is the opening of the 2015 NAMM Show, so we can assume that the new Korg ARP Odyssey will make its official debut at the event.
Korg announced plans in February that it plans to reissue the ARP Odyssey. At the time, Korg also announced that ARP co-founder David Friend was joining Korg as their chief advisor on the Odyssey.
With Behringer also getting into the game, as announced some days ago, we may have an interesting NAMM show ahead of us 
New ELECTRIBE Review! Part – A Unboxing Day and first Tracks!
Background video description:
This is what we’ve been waiting for – ELECTRIBE 2 arrives in the USA! Here is my unboxing and the first part of my review – more video soon. Subscribe, ask questions and make requests.
All music featured in this video is my original composition, played with the synthesizer I am reviewing.
DATAMASKIN
