News
NAMM 2010: Korg unveils raft of new product
Andy Barrett Jan 16 2010, 5:11pm
Kaoss pad series grows and new recorder and digital piano lead the pack
Korg has used the Winter NAMM show to release at least three key new products for 2010, as well as a selection of new tuners, with pride of place going to the new Kaossilator Pro.
The latest in the series of Kaoss pads, the Kaossilator Pro works as a track-making tool, as well as a powerful live performance unit. As a trailblazer among the instrumental gadgets that allowed anyone to create melodies and phrases easily, the Kaossilator gained a strong and dedicated user base, even among those without any performing experience.
At the centre of the unit, of course, is the XY control pad for real-time manipulation and two hundred sound programs, covering synths, drums, and acoustic instruments. Thirty-one scale types cover a range from chromatic scales to major, minor, blues and more. By specifying a scale and key, players 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, playing phrases that have a distinctive atmosphere. Another boost in expressive power is provided by the new Note Range function, which lets users specify the range of pitches available on the touchpad.
The Kaossilator Pro features a mic input jack and fifteen types of vocoder programs, making it easy to achieve unique sound effects and robot voices among others.
On top of this there is the usual raft of arpeggiators, rhythm sounds and presets, loops, loop recording and full MIDI and USB connectivity.
Also of note from Korg is the new Sound on Sound unlimited track recorder. This allows an unlimited number of overdubs in a pocket-sized, battery-powered unit, with a built in mic and speaker, 100 on-board effects and all of the recording functions one could expect from a full-blown computer based system, including unlimited undo/redo, loop recording, and sound stretch.
Maintaining its foothold in the digital piano market, Korg has launched the new SP-170, a 'pure and simple' digital piano in the budget price range (around £585 is the anticipated price) that offers al lof the Korg piano sounds from more expensive models, as well as a chic appearance that is bound to make it a popular instrument.
As the world's leading digital tuner manufacturer, Korg is constantly upgrading its ranges and this year sees the arrival of the Wi-Tune WR-01 Advanced wireless chromatic. Simply attach the clip-on transmitter module to your instrument and turn it on. The Wi-Tune will pick up the signal and show your current tuning in the large, backlit display. The Wi-Tune can also be used as a traditional tuner using the built-in microphone. In addition to tuning visually, the Wi-Tune can generate reference tones for tuning by ear.
Rounding everything off, there are the AW-2WH and AW-2GWH tuners, definitive clip-type tuners that fit any instrument and guarantee ideal tuning.
