Korg DRV-2000

I give it a seven because I bought it used w/o a manual, as a result, I do not think that I have exploited its full capabilities yet. That having been said, it is fairly straightforward and I am currently using it to a high degree of satisfaction. I would think that if someone has previous experience with an effects processor, they could master it rather easily. Once you plug it in, it works. You can get great sounds, it will take me a little longer as I have never really used anything before this except for "stomp" boxes.

I am very happy with the sound quality (especially for the price I paid!). I use it mainly in the effects loop of my Fostex 4-track. It enhances my vocals (which, believe me, need enhancing!) and my 1980 Fender Telecaster. I found that there is VERY little noise, which is a big plus. The best effects are its myriad of REVERBS. I have been really pleased with these. They range from small room to garage to stadium and include gated sounds also. Other efffects include several choruses, flangers, echos, delays, ping pongs, etc... Honestly, these are not as good as the reverbs, but workable. I would not use this for a main chorus/flanger effect if that is what you are looking for, but the choruses are definitely better than the one on my amp. And like I said, the mid range chorus is very serviceable. I must add, that I may get more enjoyment out of some of the other effects when I have mastered the controls.

I have only had it for a week? I do not really gig. However, it appears to be very sturdy.

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I started playing over 20 years ago, but only recently picked it up again. My style is eclectic, but mostly on the folk rock - soul side of things. This processor is mainly used in my effects loop on my 4 track. It allows me to practice vocals and guitar through great reverbs. It enhances my sound and recordings. I had been shopping around for a couple of weeks before I bought it. I am really happy with the results. I had looked at an Alesis microverb before and they wanted $150 (used), but honestly I thought the reverbs in that were really bad! When I heard the reverbs on the Korg (DRV-2000), and saw the price ($65), I new I could not go wrong. I think the reverbs on the Korg are way better! I wish the other effects, namely the chorus/flanger were better, but for the price and my purposes, I am very pleased and would definitely purchase this product again. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for quality reverbs at a quality price!

Fairly easy machine to use, manual was good, editing patches are fairly simple. The display on mine has faded somewhat (I've had it for nearly 10 years) which makes it a bit of a pain to read unless you're looking straight at it; however, the display was never the easiest to see in the first place though. Data entry buttons have multiple speeds ranging from very slow to very fast making it a little less of a pain to change parameter numbers. I never have used the MIDI features in this unit so I couldn't comment on them.

Relatively quiet effects processor, especially considering the era it came from. Can do up to 2 FX simultaneously either in stereo or 1-per-channel side. Has reverbs, delays, chorus, flange, phaser, and something call "space panner" which moves a signal in an elliptical manner around the stereo field (definitly has my vote for one of the all time strange FX!). The reverbs are good, but tend to sound metallic with longer decay times and if you thin out the diffusion too much. The delays are fantastic; some of the smoothest I've ever heard; they also have a pleasant warm feel. The aforementioned space panner is useful for spinning stereo FX, and that sorta thing, but I find it useful to slowly (and eerily) pan ominous sounds around the stereo field. The modulation effects plain SUCK... they are set where you can change the frequencies and all that to make anything ranging from flange to chorus to phasing to slap echo, which was a nice touch, but I always found it very funky and metallic sounding in any range or setting. Best avoided if you ask me.

Never have had to call Korg; it powers up faithfully every time.

Never have had to deal with Korg on the phone.

I guess if it were 1987 again I'd still but this processor. At the time it was a very pioneering unit, despite the fact that the modulation is so crappy sounding. The delays on the other hand are stellar, the reverbs are quite useable (and flexible to program). I still use the DRV-2000 for delay and some reverbs, but little else. Considering this is a 10-year old processor, it's still a useful member of my studio.

with anything, you have to balance the input gain and the output levels inorder to minimize the noise level. you can also do a op amp mod......

I'm submitting this basically to inform people of a particular use of this unit. the DRV-2000 was designed to work with the DW-8000/EX-8000 synthesizers, and the midi patch changes seem to complement the factory patches of my EX. Connecting a cable from the midi out on the synth to the midi in on the effect is necessary. A patch change on the EX-8000 sends a midi p.c. message to the DRV and viola! you have an effect customized for each patch on the old Korg synths.
I Think this was patterned after Yamaha released the SPX-90 with the DX-7 original series.

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