Korg AM8000R

Wie man es von Multieffekt Prozessoren gewohnt ist, muss man sich durch die verschiedenen Effekt-Menu-Ebenen durchscrollen, was jedoch nicht so dramatisch ist. Man findet alles eigentlich sehr rasch, da das Handling ausgesprochen einfach ist. Man kann wirklich viele einstellungen vornehem, manche aber erst weit weit drinnen im Menu (das zahlt sich aber auch aus!!)

Der Sound ist einfach genial! Keine bzw. fast keine Verfalschung des Tons. Das macht jedoch rein gar nix!! Die Effekte sind erste Sahne! Zudem ist alles an Bord was man sich wunschen kann: Phaser,Chorus,Reverb,... . Der REverb und Delay sind eine der besten die ich je gehort habe. In manchen Studios muss man manchmal vergeblich danach suchen, wobei der AM8000r die Losung ware, aber naja! Ich "liebe" den Am 8000r!

Im Rack unverwundbar!! Scheint aber so auch sehr sehr stabil zu sein!

Es gab noch nie Probleme!! (wird auch keine geben, hoffe cih)

Perfekt fur alles!

Ob im Studio oder im Gitarren-Rig! Einfach nur genial. KAufen Kaufen Kaufen!! Ich wurds wieder tun!

it can be a bit daunting at first to get used to the way that you navigate all pages, menus, sub-menus, and data entry with two push-knobs. However, once you get a conceptual idea of the order of the pages, and how each menu opens up, things editing gets easier.
that said, it is also important to consider that this is not a "first call" processor. if you're messing with this thing it's because you want to take advantage of it's open effect-bussing and effect-building architecture, so you should already have an idea of what you want to build in your head.

This box is not for people who want instant gratification. you can enjoy the presets all you want, but the moment you want to tweak things, you really do need to know the conceptual layout of what you're looking at. this requires you to navigate around several pages to check the Sends and Return mixing happening at each block.

one of the major values of this thing is the open routing capabilities it has, so that bears explaining;
conceptually it works like this.
first there is an eq block.
then there are three processing blocks; FX1, FX2, and Delay/reverb.
each of the three blocks can be fed signal "directly" from pre/-post eq.
you can juggle the order of FX2 and the D/V, so while FX one recieves only "direct sound", either subsequent block down the line can be fed signal from any stage upstream (so if you put the D/V as the last block, you can program how much it gets direct, from FX1, and from FX2... make sense?).

what you actually hear is determined by a Mixer section, where you choose the volume of all your "returns".
this thing works with Sends and Returns, so it is conceptually more intuitive for mixing engineers (bussing) than guitarists (series of black-box sections).


Only once the routing/bussing is understood can you really appreciate the SOUND processing.

the two FX blocks have identical processing powers, with chorus/flangers, simple delays, phasers, ring mods, and other special stuff like gates, duckers, and compressors, and an "early reflection" algorithm that is literally just part of a reverb algorithm.

The D/R block has all manner of multitap, ping/pong, and tempo-calulated delays, and 3 simple reverbs (room, plate and hall).

the real magic in this thing happens in the way that you can get INSIDE of algorithms, and even TAKE them apart (such as combining just the "early reflection" section with non-reverb elements), and make novel combinations, and really get inside the interaction IN THERE.

The open system send/return often requires you to have a working idea of what you want, and then once you get the framework built, ...THEN you can go dig up some surprises with tweaking the envelopes, LFO's and such. it's much easier to not-get-lost if you set up your routing first and then tweak your sound, rather than try to set up your effects and then figure out how to route them.

...so if the "ease of use" requires so much explanation, why such a high score?

because this unit is meant to be used by people who know what they're after, and the user interface allows a perfect balance of easy setup and depth (for surprises) for people who know their alchemy.

again, this thing sounds great because you can get so deep into the features.
a lot of garden variety sounds are possible within single comprehensive algorithms that this thing can handle.

let me explain with an example.
chorus and flanging are both just delay-times of shorts delays, modulated by some lfo. the fundamental difference between them is that 5-30 msec delay times create the notch filters of flanging, and 30-100 msec delay time create the "tone/time smear" of chorus. a "vintage chorus" may sound different from a "modern chorus" by just a cut in the high-end to get that "vintage sound"

companies like line6 sell you several different chorus patches, where you just turn the top-level features (speed, depth) to taste.

with the 8000, the only way to get chorus is to build it from the gound up from the "chorus/flange" algorithm. and then you go beyond "speed and depth" and start tweaking assymetrical waveforms, longer-than typical modulation depth, and then stick another wierd algorithm at after it...
you start to see my point.
but all this just describes "potential".
...the actual SOUND QUALITY sounds impeccable to me, because through and through, the ingrediants you use to build sounds sound good in themselves.

the phasers, flangers, filters, vowels, ring mods, delays, and such all sound great... and this unit is all about how sound quality is linked to editing depth.
sometimes if I'm not happy with my sound ON THIS UNIT, I figure I haven't built a patch right.

strange enough, this thing was sold as an "ambience processor", but in features only 3 vanilla reverbs; room, hall, and plate. well, by themselves these reverbs don't go that far.
if you want great "out-of-the-box" reverbs, go to guitar center and buy a TC or a lexicon.

"ask not what the korg 8000's revebs can do for you.
ask what you can do to it's reverbs."

this one is a mixed bag;
incredibly simmple and brilliant front-end (with huge 3cm text display for all editing and pach info).
simple, clean, rugged looking brushed aluminum chassis.
but the editing push/knobs on the front feel like they could only take so much abuse. (...you won't "play"/man-handle this thing live anyway... you just set up the magic tricks at home, then while you play, you leave it in the rack to let it "play" you...)

the back end has good jacks for ins/outs/foot-controllers. but the external transformer is not very happy. the unit seems to run hot, which is wierd, since it has an external tranformer, and transfromers are usually the chief heat-producers. still, I wish it had a IEC power port with internal transformer. it's something that might leave you SOL if you lose the power adaptor.

very sad.
korg spend all this money doing the R& D on a brilliant product like this.
basically they said, "hey, people really love the FX algorithms and bussing in our TRINITY keyboard, let's sell those effects to people with other keyboards".
but after all the fuss and R&D, guitar players shied away from it, and other keyboardists just continued to buy OTHER, NEWER "all in one"s...

...sigh...
this thing is a lost relic. and sadly, korg doesn't even have the manual for download.
some other reviewer lost the OS... pray to GOD that doesn't happen to them, me, or anyone else again.

I rate this thing high because I got my money's worth and so much more.
I knew what I was after, and this more than fits the bill.
this is not for beginners, or people who want instant gratification or "classic" sounds.
the only people who are gonna appreciate this thing with any depth are the people who, like me, have already collected some "freak boxes"
and want an open system to build their own "freaky patches".
technology that invests in the USER's creativiey will always be a floundering market.
in fact, the only current such HARDWARE products our there are prohibitively expensive studio pieces (TC fireworks, and few others).

I applaud korg for making something so trememdously powerful, useful, and economical as this product in a good old hardware
it is very fair to say that this is a "poor man's Fireworx," and in terms of bang-for-buck-amongst-the-relics, most people in this price demographic are split between this and the Lexicon vortex.
go for this korg am8000 if you want extensive midi control, explicit editing, and have the patience to build things from the ground up.
go for the Lexicon Vortex if you want something with more wierd-potential on the delay side of things, with more freaky self-oscillation potential.

I understand that a lot of people may read about this thing and realize that it doesn't offer any dedicated "wierd" like those that are all the vogue nowadays.
outiside of it's delays, filters, and other "builting blocks", the only uniqe elemnets this thigs singles out are dedicated (read "seperate") horn and rotor algorithms, gates/duckers/etc. and the wierdest "edgy" thing this thing offered was it's ring modulator and an impressive vowel modulator.

no, it doesn't have a bit-reducer/decimator/lo-fi filter or any vinyl-izer granualar algorithms or any of the really wicked shit that you can do with architecture as open as computers.
some people would say "I can get wierder sounds with more flexibilty on on my laptop"...
that may be true; but the gives me something no laptop ever will; HEART.

people using laptops stay hunched over their laptops, and nobody's gonna leap around crazy with their laptop balanced anywhere on stage.

you can batton this bitch down in your rack gear it will be inconspicuous and safe while you jump aound, all the while it beams the patch names at you with bright blue letters that are more glaring than your clock radio.

it never interferes with letting you do your thing.
now THAT's love that no laptop can ever provide.

Very intuitive menus. In comparison with other racks like alesis and Digitech, the parameters are more easy to edit.

Uau!!!! Excelent sounds! I have other multi-efects and AM8000 has more definition and variations. Chorus are fantastic. Other efects like Trinity are amazing. Low noise. I love it!

Huummm... here is the problem. I bought it used. The operating system was lost!!! I was to pay about US$ 70,00 to recover it. Very strange. but now, all ok.

I don't know. This product is out of production and in Korg site the operating system isn't available... argghhhhh...

Very good efects. I use it with guitar, in send and return of my amp (Classic 30 - Peavey). For guitar this unit ads excelent possibilies that you can't find in conventional processors like Alesis or Digitech. I play 80s brit pop like Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, Siousxie, Cult, Cure etc. I strogly recomend this unit for guitar players. Please, visite our website www.evidenciasdofim.com.br

It's easy to use but require a little of practise otherwise you can be lost in menus..

Amazing! This box has the same engine of the korg trinity synth (which has shitty samples but niiiiiiiice effects :).
Modulation effects are nice, and quite different from other generic effect dsps.. I mean, they can make a sound -bigger than life- (in korg way). Verbs are complete zero anyway (get a lexicon)

Ehm, sometime mine fails. Output is mute.. i don't know why..

Korg support is nice

It's not perfect but for the price it's a 9; It's like having all korg synths in a box. Very underrated module

Well they call this the poormans eventide or fireworx and despite the fact i had the fireworx i bought this just to see.Its a piece of cake to use , very flexible.

Its sounds quite unique , as all different makes and models of effect rack do.I use on synths and samples / drums etc.Its a very cool sound when you get it right.Controllable with lfo's and 8 cc midi controlleres can be asigned to parameters for real time control
and this is what makes it similiar to the fireworx.Its not a bad pitchshifter for weirdness and can be very lush sounding, some nice gates / tremelo's and phasers and stuff and a real bargain for the money .Its age defines it as having a good quality unlike some rather plastic newer rack effects.This was a high end unit when it appeared(korgs top multi fx)

Rock solid

?

Well , if you are lucky enough to see one and wnat one then buy as i waited 2 years it see one for sale or manage to snap one up.They seem scarce ?and go quickly.Its a very good and cheaper alternative to the fireworx, and does indeed have a certain eventide nice when you set up pitchshifting and phase and stuff all at once.Worth a try.has a lovely voice modulator / vowelizer worth the money alone...

Ce multieffet est relativement simple d'utilisation du fait de son ergonomie, des boutons en facade et des potentioetres sans fin.
L'edition est aisee.
Le manuel est....merdique !

Je l'utilise au milieu d'autres effets dans mon homestudio (TCelectronic, lexicon, digitech...) et je l'apprecie particulierement pour les traitements de synthes car je ne suis pas reellement convaincu du realisme des reverbs....
Le son est tres correct, avec une belle dynamique et exempt de souffle (sauf peut etre sur le filtre resonnant...).

En france, l'importateur reste accessible dans l'ensemble mais le chef de produits connait mal son materiel exceptes les synthes...

A little bit confusing when it comes to editing at first, but you'll learn in time... then it's dead simple.
The manual isn't so deep on the issues... just describe what each parameter affect... no tips or tricks.
So if you wanna check out if that weirdo sound you've got inside your head is possible to bring out from this box, just sit down and start programming... it will takes some time!
(depending on how weird sound you're actually after)

It is just only as noisy as you want it to be... sure you can do all the normal choruses, flangers, phasers... and also wah-wah, filters, delays (except as in the delay/reverb block).
It's more fun to make your algorithms almost self-oscillating but don't make a to hot signal inside since it will clip internal...

Have managed to program a sound that is a sweeping Filter/Wah on delay taps (only on the delay signal leaving my dry signal "clean").
A very beautiful sound indeed!

Have even managed to make a sound that resonate some harmonies of the chords when I'm playing... giving me feedback tones that fades out while I have already changed and are playing the new chords...
It sounds like there's someone else standing and just doing feedback harmonies (like the usual fifths/octaves)on my chords. It's just perfect with the delay I got on it too, a very dreaming ambience sound!

First time I used my AM8000R it where behaving strange on the left channel (output)... suddenly it just died, I played again (hard!)and it came back in... thought some solder point were loose... but kept on playing/programming and after some time this problem totally disappeared to never come back again... probably some condense.

Never dealt with the company... however I've been in touch with their dealer here in Sweden about buying an manual for... 'cause it came none with mine... (bought it used).
A week later I had a full page A4 copy of it!
Great!

My bands style is somewhat similar to U2, Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam... rock/pop.
This thing is an underated cult-box... it has some "negative" aspects but those can almost be seen as features on this box somehow... a little bit strange actually... I usually don't do that when it comes to FX-processors but this box always gets forgiven for it inconvienance.
A really interesting sound tool.

Quite easy to use, usable presets, they show what this unit is capable of. Manual shows the basic principles of operating the device. I learned the basic concepts in one evening.

People have given here lots of information about this unit, so i'll just tell the best things i've found so far (got the unit yesterday)

- Architecture: pre-eq (low, hi, swept mid) -> fx1 -> fx2 -> rev/dly, of course you can feed the pre-eq directly at fx2 etc.

- Any of the fx on the list can be assigned to fx1/ fx2, then comes the rev/dly block..

-Midi controllable ring modulator, lowpass, hipass, bandpass filter - you can assign for example to mod wheel the frequency.. cool! lots of more modulation routings possible.

- Saturation fx, compressor/limiter(!), loudness fx, tape sim, stereo phasers etc. lots of stuff found on Trinity, though not found resonator fx / sonic deciminator fx present on Trinity.

I give sound quality 9, although reverb fx (room/plate/hall) on this unit are not so great. I route this unit through Behringer Virtualizer, which has better reverbs when programmed slighty. Just a little reverb on top of am8000 and sounds great.

Not used this enought long to judge reliability. seems like the WARP knob is somewhat strange.. I think it would be the first thing to break.

Not needed yet..

I make ambient/ambient house kind of music. Think this unit is great for stuff like that. I have been playing synths for about a decade now, a little more.

If this unit got stolen I would get a new one.

For a fx unit, this thing is unbelievable. I think it will take some months to prove its value, but I give it 9 for now..

A cinch. Two knobs, which double as push switches and that's it. Turn the knob; press it and enter into the sub menu. Screen is a good enough size for anything you need to do and you can see what its doing from a mile away... or across the studio at least.

I use this on the aux loop from a Mackie 32ch 8 bus with average quality cables and will be getting a second to patch directly across a pair of outs on the sampler. If you find these things cheap it'd do to have a couple.

Very versatile effects BUT bear in mind that as a sound enhancer, it ain't the greatest. Get an Alesis for those kind of jobs! On the other hand - if you want your sounds & patches twisted out of all proportions; this is your box. It will make the most mundane of samples alive & kicking. As far as I have found [no manual in the box!] it doesn't respond to MIDI sync/clock; but as most effects can be set up to a bpm; this has not been a problem so far.

As for transient noise; it is super quiet. No hum, no hiss, no clicks.

Dependable? Yes. Inspirational? Yes. Reliable? Yes. I don't gig anymore but would recommend it.

Korg are generally quite helpful (forget about ever seeing the MS2000 manual online though!). Better than Roland; not as good as Akai.

Here at Loopmusic Studios we knock out breakbeat, house & dnb both as original releases and remixes. This box will fit nicely into any experimental or harder edged rig.

Would definitely buy another one soon. Also; I think this will most likely be an obscure classic that junkies will hunt for in 10 years time :)

A PC editor (like the Zoom RFX2000) would be a real treat; but I'm not sure if one is available.

certainly do able if you're at least a moderate tweaker

very good except for reverbs, see below

the knob reading sometimes glitches back one click, nonphysically, but no real problem really

Just submitting this to add to the other previous comments. It is a cool box, great parameter control via midi, nice rich chorusing. Just one obviously lame thing, the reverbs are practically unusable if you have the choice. There are only 3 types and they all have this annoying high-mid metallicish resonance. I have a Lexicon Reflex and its reverb sounds tremendously much better.