Korg D-1200

I just read the last review by Loren Jeffries, and I wanted to point out that YES!...it *IS* a 12 track. What you want to do is use the "virtual" tracks to mix down to to for CD burning. You don't need to only use 10 tracks and save the final 2 for this purpose.


Please read the manuals before giving these reviews. False or ignorant statements are harmful to the would-be consumer and the manufacturer.

great , once you get used to it

brilliant

Software sometimes fails to load correctly. always second time though

This is a great picece of kit for the way we like to record. It's the usb socket that sold it to me. It means i can record high quality anywhere but then download to cubase for editing and then send it back and use the high quality effects and use real sliders.
The manuals ok but i've managed to accidently recycle mine

Yea the manual is bad. Cant pan so called chanels; 7.8-9.10-11.12.the drums are a nice metronome. Found out that you have to leave 2 channels open to burn a CD so it an't a 12 track it is a sorta ten track. In 24bit it is a 4 track leaving chanels 5 and 6 to dump to the CD burner. SO for the best sound it is best to use the 24 bit not the 16 bit which then makes it just a 4 track and not a REAL 12 track at all. BUT I have a k2000 and a K' sp88 keys and I got some great tracks recorded and got a huge sound.I layed flutes ,strings synth ,drums, 2nd synth ,piano belly synth, more strings ,seperate cymbels ,bass ,synth bass, electric piano. I like the 1200. Great for this Prog Rock keyboardest

I have the D1200MkII.

I've only had the product for a few hours and I've already recorded a chorus to a song with 7 tracks. So it can't be that hard to use!!!

However, judging the levels can be tricky and trying to get a good guitar sound recorded seems to require effort.

I will have a better idea in several months time!

Seems great with synth. Seems quite good on vocals.

Guitar. Hmmn. Not so impressed. I am not that impressed with the REMS modelling. More of a gimmick than a feature so far as I can see. Handy for playing with but that's it. Not a patch on a pedal or effects box.

I have the Boss ME-50 which can produce some great sounds. They sound great through my amp and headphones when I plug them into the ME-50.

So, you can imagine my disappointment when I plug it into the Korg and it comes out sounding horrendous. The Korg kills the sound quality. It becomes really fuzzy and fizzy.

Some effects seem better than others. It's early days yet for me. But the guitar issue seems to stand out a mile.

The ME-50 sounds better recorded on a analogue tape tracker I have.

Errrm. Check back with me in 12 months!

I've made a few technical enquiries to Korg UK, all of which were answered in full and quickly.

I've been playing music for 20 years now. I play guitar and keyboards.

It does the job I need apart from the guitar problem. I cannot record something with the guitar sounds it makes.

For the money, I expected more from straight recording without REMS.

Aside from the guitar issue, I think it's a great unit. Not the most easy-to-use user interface but I've seen worse.

I wish it had flying sliders on the levels though.

All in all, if the unit were lost or stolen, I probably would not get another.

I did compare it to other products but there's only so much you can do in comparing things like this.

this is one of the best products Korg has ever made. you can get good sounds out of it if you know what sounds good. the manual is ok - but you have to know some things about recording, mixing e.t.c. to get the most out of it. i only wish Korg issues some more upgrades. some modelling and mastering effects would be nice.

i use it for demos, scetch mixes, song ideas...but i am sure it can be used in more professional applications. it is noiseless, forget the irritating noise of computer fans and hard disks! the effects are numerous, and if you tweak them enough, you will be surprised by the result. the distortions sound so and so, but this is common ground for digital systems. if you want good distortion, find a nice boutique pedal. also, the mic preamps are a bit weak for my taste. i use some outboard preamps and the digital in to record mics and instruments. and there is always the posibility to export tracks to a computer for editing- the unit's screen is a bit small for editing.

you can depend on it if you take care of it. i use a ups/power contitioner, because digital multitracks are really sensitive.

never dealt with Korg, hopefully did not have to. i only wish they issued some more upgrades. i know a lot of D1200 users want it, too.

i would buy it again if it were stolen or lost. you can not find a decent multitrack in this price range. the Korg D1200 is the best you can buy, if you don't want to worry about computers and noisy fans...

Let me start by saying, until I bought this, I knew virtualy nothing about recording. In fact, when I went into the shop, I had no way of knowing a good recorder from a bad one, and almost picked the one with the most buttons and lights on it. But the guy behind the counter pointed me in the direction of the 1200 and he praised it up so much, I was sold. I ran home and eagerly ripped open the box, opened the manual and went straight into a black depression. One look at that manuel was enough to tell me I had just purchased a peice of equipment one needed a degree to run. I may have well been thrown headfirst into advanced metaphysics, I couldnt make head nor tail of it ! THEN I DISCOVERED WWW.KORGSTUDIOS.COM . This has nothing to do with Korg itself, this is a website set up by korg users for korg users and you can ask them ANYTHING, and they will take you through it step by step if need be. Suddenly, it all began to make some sort of sense, and bit by bit, I began to pick it up. Within a week I had recorded my first song, and I was TOTALLY AMAZED. Even with just the very basics,I had created something I was running around playing to all my friends....and they were amazed !! As a complete novice to the world of recording, I am finding there is so much to learn, yet its within my grasp with a machine like this. The sound you can get from this thing is incredible. Im no real judge on the ease of use because the whole area of recording is new to me, so regardless of the machine, Im still learning all the terms etc, but this machine has opened up possibilties to me I honestly thought could only be acheived by experts !

Im a guitarist, also a keyboard player, and a vocalist. But this machine has virtually turned me into a one man band. I use a wahburn (steve stevens model), A yamaha 12 string, an ibanez bass, a PSR500 Yamaha keyboard and a AKG c1000 condenser mic. I have effects pedals, and a sovtec amp with a peavy 5150 speaker bin, but I only use that for live stuff now. When recording anything, I go straight into the 1200, and it sounds awesome !!! The guitar effects are great, and the reverbs sound very nice indeed. I have recorded friends on this playing their own guitars, tweeked a few things here and there, added a bit of reverb then said " listen to this" and sat back to watch their faces !! The sound quality of this machine amazes everyone who hears it. Now, I am by no means the worlds greatest singer, if you hear me in the shower, you may cringe...BUT WAIT TILL YOU HEAR ME ON THE KORG 1200 !!! This machine has seriously improved my vocals, and I dont mean just a bit, or even a lot... I am talking improved to the point friends have to be convinced for at least an hour before they will believe its actually me. Listen, I can sing a song on my 12 string, play around with it a bit, burn it to cd and put it on the stereo and you would assume you were listening to a cd I had just bought, of some seriously cool sounding rock star !! If I played that same song live, Id be thrown out on the street. This machine works miracles, believe me !!!!!

I have had no troubles at all with it, but if I did, I would simply go to www.korgstudios.com and someone would tell me what to do right away. The machine is that good, and korgstudios is that good !!

I havnt had to contact korg themselves, but with www.korgstudios around, I doubt I ever will. They are all the customer support Im ever likely to need, and are always willing to help.So my rating goes to www.korgstudios and its a big 10

I play two very different types of music, no, you could even say three. Im in a Christian punk band that is very loud and high energy, and we are recording our cd right now with the trusty korg 1200. I have been told we sound pretty good live, but we sound TOTALLY UTTERLY AWESOME on the korg1200 !!!. I also sometimes do some mellower stuff with the 12 string, but my voice is more suited to high volicity screaming and yelling, so Ive never been that successful.....UNTIL NOW !!!! The korg has turned me into the type of singer I will never be in a million years ! When I listen to recordings of myself I JUST WANNA PLAY THEM TO SOMEONE ELSE SO I CAN SHOW OFF ! The other type of music I do is a project called Cellar Uncle, which I have been told sounds like a cross between Marilin Manson and The Residents. Its very strange, intense sort of stuff with quite a gothic feel to it. Now, where as the punk band, and the stuff with the 12 string is possible without the korg, Cellar Uncle is not. Without this machine, Cellar Uncle would cease to exist, in fact, he would never have been born. This machine can turn you into a Moby type, you can do everything yourself, and before you know it, you have a cd in your hand. If it was lost or stolen I would become catatonic and no longer able to function in the real world ! I would become a monk and turn my back on the world that had treated me so cruelly. That is, until I got the cash together to buy another one, which I would most definatley do. Like I say, Im new at this whole recording business, I still dont know what half the terms mean, and I have just a very basic understanding at this early stage. But even with the limited knowledge I have, I have turned out some very cool music. This machine, in the hands of someone like me, who knows next to nothing, is the equilivent of saying "open sesame" at the door of alladins cave, in the hands of someone with more experience, it could do magic. I simply cannot praise this wonderful machine highly enough. If you are like me, just starting out, this is the best machine for you, until you get to the stage where you actually know what you are doing, this machine will enable you to sound like a seasoned veteran of the sound studio. And it just keeps getting better.

PAY ATTENTION TO THIS - ITS CRITICAL !
What if I told you, "Man, I know this Korg D1200 like I made the thing, if you have any questions, anything you dont understand how to do, anything you'd like me to teach you that you may not even know to ask, just let me know." Would you buy it if it was a great product too?
Well listen to this, this is what sold me. I went to Korgboards, it's a place online where users gather, share what they know, answer questions and teach you stuff you didnt even know it could do. I watched, waited and learned all about the D1200 before I even bought it. Dont worry about "Ease of Use" comments others have made. Just go to www.korgboards.com and take a look at the D1200 user forum. You'll understand what I'm talking about. There is no question that's stupid. There is no one saying "YOU'RE an idiot!" These guys WANT to help, they WANT to teach you, THEY LOVE IT ! If they didnt even make a manual for the thing, korgboards could help you out, THIS is why I give it a 10. You wont find that with any other recorder you buy.
I'm not just an owner, I'm also a user. Phoneguy44

I've had 2 digital recorders before I bought this one. I loved both and both had excellent sound quality. But as you know, technology advances and soon as you walk out the door with it. So I searched, like your doing now. After hearing the D1200 for myself, in the store before purchasing and going to Korgboards and listening to others music made with the D1200, I knew I was getting it.
I've made only 1 cd so far (Hey, I'm not a pro - I dont have 5 albums) and my friends are amazed, they cant believe that I did it myself.

I've had no problems at all.

Have'nt needed them.

Things you want to know:
1. This machine will do it all, and help you sound like a million bucks doing it.
2. There is a learning curve but dont let that scare you. It's because this thing will do everything you need. Unless your a professional, uhhh you're going to have to be taught this masterbuilt machine. Korgboards will help TREMENDOUSLY !
3. Go to www.Korgboards.com, sit back and watch, see if what I say isn't true. You can even listen to others music that they've recorded WITH the D1200, go listen for yourself and see what the korg D1200 will do.

Last but not least, I've been using a digital recorder since they first came out. Yes, there are others that are better than the D1200, but your going to pay thousands more for them. For a thousand bucks, you cant beat the D1200, you cant. I gave the catagories all a 10 because of this. I use it, use it everyday! I am so pleased with my purchase that you can bet your life when Korg comes out with a more advanced one, and I can afford it, I'm gettin it. If you can find one on ebay, get it, get it for less, go to korgboards, someone will get a manual in your hands if thats what you worried about.

This is a very easy machine to understand and to get some great sounds out of them. And I reliazed this when I was in the store to buy this product!! But, don't think you can be getting a good sound in 2 seconds. YOU MUST KNOW THE BASICS OF USING A MULTITRACK. Like that kid in the first post he left. He said he spent 9 hours tring to get it to work. You must know the basics first. If you know the basics, all you need the manual for is to see what special things this digital workstation gives you.

OKay... here we go...

this goes out to everyone that thinks they are going to buy a digital multitrack and thinks they are going to get a good sound afterwards. I DONT THINK SO. You need equipment with it. I have a great set up. But here is what you need to start.

- Monitors (speakers)
- Headphones
- For high Quality sound use Condenser Mics. This digital workstation has phantom power to work your mics.
- I have guitar pedals to get my own sound. (Although the guitar effects in this machine are nice)

This product has very pro. pre amps and it is noiseless! The effects are great... it sounds so pro. Take the advantage and use them. The sound you get for the guitar effects depend on what guitar you have. I have an I8 Brian Moore. That guitar was $1000. It sounds GREAT. You need expensive stuff to run expensive multitracks!!

I can def. depend on this product. It does almost everything. I have a band and it can record my whole band.

never dealt with the company

I have a band and we play Alternative Rock. we are a 4 piece band and we get this stuff down good!! All you need is mics for the drumset. We have 2 condensers for cymbals and toms, one bass mic, and one snare mic. EVERYTHING SOUNDS GREAT. If this product was stolen or lost, I would first try to find it, if i cant i would buy another one. I have compared this to a lot of other products.... this product is the most affordabe one with the most features.

I HAVE JUST BOUGHT THIS UNIT AND BEING AN OWNER OF A ROLAND VS840 I WANTED THE ABILITY TO DOWN LOAD DIRECTLY TO THE CD BURNER.I AM KEEPING A TIME SHEET ON HOW MUCH TIME I SPEND LERNING TO DO BASICRECORDINGS.SO FAR I HAVE SPENT 9 HOURS IN COMBINATION OF READING THE MANUAL AND PHYSICALY PROGRAMING THIS UNIT.MY BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THE ADJUSTMENT ON THE MODELING MODE. I CANT SEEM TO EASILY GET A CLEAN SOUD FOR THE ACUSTIC GUITAR.SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO NAVIGATE TO DIFERENT ARES TO SET UP RECORDINGS.I KNOW THERE IS A LERNING CURVE BUT WHY CANT THE PROGRAMING BE MORE LOGICAL AND USER FRIENDLY.

IT COULD BE SIMPLER TO USE. THE MANUAL SUCKS. WHO MAKES UP THIS CRAZY FORMAT. I SUGEST THAT YOU GET WITH A PERSON WHO IS NOT A COMPUTER GEEK OR ADIO SCIENTIST AND LET THE NORMAL EVERY DAY MUSITION PLAN A USABLE FORMAT THAT THE AVERAGE GUY CAN USE. THEN DESIGN IT.YOU WOULD SELL ALL YOU COULD MAKE

I found it very easy to get an inspiring sound! That Modeling Mode feature Rocks!! It's great because it takes care of the set up process by arming the first two two tracks for recording . The amp models combined with the right cabinet's sound great. I learned a lot from an article on Korg's websight about getting guitar sounds and it helped !! Editing is a peice of cake especially in Modeling mode because the top three knobs are dedicated to real time controle ,and as you change amps or cabinets the icons change with you. The manuel is thorough and pretty easy to understand. I downloaded the "easy start " from Korg's web sight which helped a lot. I think that with in an hour of opening my D1200 out of the box I had recorded 2 tracks and was jamming to a drum track!!

I'm using a Les Paul and a Fender Strat and a Marshall TSL100.
I miked up some crunchy guitar's the other day using the XLR mic pre's along with an SM 57 added some master effect reverb and it sounded totally pro!! I also like using the Modeling mode amp models and cabinet models as well . It's cool because you can save your modeling mode sound ias an insert effect , add master effects as well and then save that in a scene which will isure that your modeling mode effect and master effet are recalled together, nice feature!! Iv'e been able to get many different guitar sounds using theeffects. From Stevie ray to Van Halen to Prince. The reverbs are especially nice.

So far I've had my D1200 for 5 months and no problems at all.
I would definately bring it to use for a live recording . the fact that it has a USB is awesome!! I can transfer tracks as Wave files into Pro Tools or logic.

NA

I play all different styles but especially love the D1200 for writing and recording pop songs. I've been playing for 20 years and have owned many tape 4 tracks ,an Otari 8 track 1/2 inch reel to reel. Protools LE,etc.. For Pop the D1200 is great because the Drum patterns sound great and are very usable, the built in effects are easy to use and sound killer making the creative process very enjoyable and effort less!! Plus it has USB,full digital editing capabilities , 8 virtual tracks per track a 40 gig hard drive!! I mean what else could you get for that price that has all of these feature!! I looked at the BR 1180 but was sold on the D1200 after a salesman showed me the Modeling mode. It's a guitar players dream!!

Just purchased the Korg 1200 yesterday. I have spent 5 to 6 hours with it. I would say it is moderately easy to get going and start recording. I didn't even crack the manual and was modeling and recording. However, I own a Roland 1680. The manual is average at best, but I will submit another review after a month or so. (if I do not return it)

I need to get some monitors. I am running this through a subwoofer and satellite system that I use with my keyboard. If I had some nice monitors I'm sure it would sound better. I have tried headphones. To me, it sounds a little bassy, but overall the sound quality is good. The modeling is not bad. I own a POD and also use the VS-1680 modeling and use a GT-3. If you tweak the sounds you can get very useable guitar sounds out of the modeler.

Will give a more in depth review after 1 month or so. So far out of the box, after installing the CD burner, no problems.

Have not used.

I play Rock, blues and some top 40. I purchased this unit because I wanted something smaller and more compact than my Roland 1680. Since this unit comes with a burner and a 40 gig hard drive, 4 recording tracks at once, it should suffice for live gigs, practice and scratch pad recording. For the price, you can't ask for much more. Think about it, you can pay this much for a couple of good mic's and a preamp, more.....This is a good value in my opinion. I have owned a Roland 880 and currently use a Roland 1680 in my studio.
I wanted: 24bit processing, 40gig HD for long sessions, 4 tracks at once recording and a burner for under a grand and this unit makes it possible. With the added drum machine and modeling (features that are not that powerful but could be useful in a scratch pad or practice sense)this recorder is one of the best values out there.

The sound is great. If you play around with it for a few days, eventually you'll be able to do some basic recording. But unfortunately, the manuel is as weak as the machine is strong. Korg probably spent hundreds of thousands of dollars developing this recorder, but obviously didn't put as much care into the manuel. The manuel has errors in it, and it reads like it was written by someone who didn't know his audience was mainly musicians, not computer/sound geeks. Basically, the manuel is as clearly written as an IRS booklet.

Sound quality overall is great. Some of the effects are worthless, but overall the sound saves this machine.

So far I've had no problems with the stuff I've been able to figure out how to operate.

Here is where Korg utterly fails. First, they bury their contact info on their website, as if they really don't want to hear from you. Then it turns out you can only call b/w 10:00 and 5:00 -- when most of us are working are other jobs. So I tried e-mailing them; they never even acknowledged my query. Basically, you are on your own if you have a question about their poorly written manuel.

I love this machine, but writer of this manuel violated the first rule of writing: know thy audience. And Korg's customer support is really minimal, and it seems that way by design.

Overall though I'm giving the Korg D1200 a high rating because I love the sound and all the options -- but it would have been an absolute grand slam of a product if Korg didn't basically quit and forget about the customer after they produced the machine.

The user interfae of the D1200 is very user friendly, and built up logically.
I love the way all proccesses in the recording are visualized on the front of this small,incredible machine!
navigating is quite easy although a mouse wuld have probably made things even more easy, but no complaints here!!
The built in effects are great and easy to use, the modelling mode is very easy to use with three assigned knobs especially for that purpose.

The manual is good, a bit extensive though, but then again this unit has so many features.

This is where the unit really shines! even in the 16 bit mode the sound quality is VERY proffesional adn clear.
The 24 bit mode is beyond belief!! only problem you van only playback 6 tracks in 24 bit mode.

The unit is very silent although this also depends on what mics you're using.

I use a RODE NT-1 and a Shure condener mic andthe quality (especially of the RODE) is excellent!!

The internal modelling mode is good, but of course a real amp and effectys are far better, but they are very useable if you want to record on your own!

The built in mastereffects and mic modelling mode are the best available in this price range!

This unit sounds like a pro studio, and that is no bull$hit!!!

Only had it for a month or so, never experienced problems, i installed the optional CDRW-1 myself and this was a piece of cake.
In fact you only had to shove it in and power the unit up, VERY easy!!!


This thing looks very solid and stylish!!

never had to deal with customer support!

This unit Rox, I chosse it over the yamaha AW16 G and Tascam 788, ad I don't regret it!

If you are considdering to buy a portable digital recording unit, give this one a try it ROX!!!

The ease of use is good, but as so many have mentioned, the manual and customer service suck....actually, they are useless. But hey, we all know some things anyway and figuring it out is kinda part of the fun. I am surprised about the little easy things, like how uncomplicated the tempo unit is, it's a GREAT template so that you do not need to worry about drum machine/acid loops, ETC when just comming up with ideas. Undo is excellent and it is really easy to pan, do master/final effects, and eq too.
I did the upgrade, it was easy.

This is where the KORG goes above the yamaha or the boss IF you are using outboard effects. I personally did not want the burner, I have a kickbutt computer, so the USB is VERY cool. Acid loops, etc simple to use and the quality is great. The midi works well too, my BR 770 just synced right up.
I love the 16 or 24 bit, it is handy when swapping tracks with others, but the 16 is really good enough anyway. The reverbs are REALLY great and work well since there are two mastering options at one time.
The 40 gig hard drive lays waist to the 20 in the yamaha or boss. I think that is a big selling point.
I do agree though about the onboard effects. For acoustic, mic or some bass, it's ok, but the electric guitar stuff is pretty thin. I'm thinking maybe ditch that and put some other kind of functionality?????
But I love it, I tried about 6 different units, this one is a bit more professional and tastful if you you live without the cd burner

It's been fine but I have only had it for about 2 months, so time will tell

I have to say that even though this is a new item with not allot of "goodies" out there yet, it's not too bad. I would not recommend keeping windows 98 in sync, not too good. But XP works really well. All the downloads for xp have been fine. I think maybe the unit is good enough that it doesn't need too many upgrades, but we'll see.
But as I mentioned earlier, the manual just flat stinks. Come on (all manufactuers except line 6)....let's make some decent manuals! :)

I play all styles, acoustic guitar and electric bass/guitar. Work really well but I use a GNX for all the electric processing, that is the one thing I don't like about the 1200. but it's no biggy.
I'd definatly buy another one, I did allot of homework/research.
It does make music making easier, that was the whole point of me forkin' out for it.
Do your homework though, all machines in this price range are not alike! Lot's of trade-offs between the models.....

I spent a few hours with this unit in the shop, but here are some of my impressions. The shop assistants couldn't get the thing set up so I could simply try all the effects. Their mistake was trying to follow the manual. In the end I just did it myself.
Whoever wrote the manual needs help. The quick start was actually misleading. All I wanted to do was play with the effects, no recording. The quick start manual neglected to say that I had to assign a particular input to a particular channel. Now this is simple to do, but why waste everyone's time by simply omitting it from the quick start guide. It seems fairly obvious that one of the very first things you are going to want to try out is the effects. Attention to detail in the manual is not good.
Apart from that the unit seems fairly intuitive, if a little cumbersome.

Very good in terms of the recording. The effects are not good when compared to PODs etc., but that would be expecting too much. Headphone out seemed reasonable clear when compared to BR1180 which is startling poor in this regard.

Looks much better in the flesh, unlike the BR1180 which looks great on paper and a little bit tacky for real (not that I mean to trash the BR1180, it has many great qualities). The tilting LCD is small but useable and looks built to last. The screen does scratch up easily though.
Runs a little hot, which may be of concern to some.

...

I actually didn't buy it in the end, but I might... still looking.
It seems petty to keep moaning on about the manual, but if they can't get that right it leaves a nagging feeling in the back of the brain.

I love my D1200. When it comes to musical instruments, I am a jack of all trades and master of none. Yet, the D1200 allows me to create really professional sounding music. I write a lot more, higher quality arrangements since I got the D1200. The manual is, well, your typical barely adequate manual. Fortunately, I haven't had a problem figuring out how to do whatever I needed to do. The first week I got it, I figured I would try all the really dangerous stuff first before I collected a lot of songs I couldn't afford to lose. So, I erased songs, copied songs, copied tracks, copied to and from my PC from the USB drive, and even pulled down the latest OS from Korg's site and upgraded to v1.02. No problemo.

I don't use the built-in guitar effects, as they don't even come close to what I can get out of my Boss GT-3. The rhythm patterns are decent enough. But, once again, I would rather use external rhythm machines such as my DR-5, my ER-1 Electribe, or my SPD-6 Percussion Pad. I tend to just use the D1200 for what it does best, that being to record, mix, and master flawless music.

I recently received the optional CDRW-1 drive and the D1200 isn't recognizing it at all.

I checked both Korg's web site and the D1200's manual. No tech support access info anywhere. I hate that! They could learn a lot from Alesis. I emailed Alesis with a technical question on my QS6.1 once and got an answer back within the hour.

I compose a lot of different styles of music, from neo soul to hip hop to jazz to poetry. I wish I could have had the opportunity to record my stuff on the D1200 for the past 20 years, instead of just the past few weeks. I would have rated the D1200 a 9, if it wasn't for the defective CDRW drive and Korg's duck and hide approach to technical support.I can use the USB interface to copy songs to my PC and burn CDs from the PC. But, still the CDRW-1 drive should work, you know.