Korg Karma

Ease of Use? Some tools are required - like patience, common sense, etc. Otherwise, it is a fairly simple machine to operate. By simply sitting down with the keyboard, opening up the Basic Guide and Parameters Guide and trying out different aspects of the keyboard you can learn pretty quickly. I've had mine for about a month (as of 7/26/01) and I have pretty much explored most of its capabilities. The sounds are pretty cool. If you're like me you want any and every sound known to man in one keyboard. If it existed, it would cost about $10,000 dollars. This keyboard, for $1800.00 provides more than what I paid for. Editing is fairly simple and strait-forward and even though editing doesn't make a profound difference, it's enough to tweak sounds to fit a song or style. The manuals aren't as bad as I had read about but again it helps to have the keyboard in front of you.

This keyboard has plenty of polyphony, effects, expansion capabilities (like the Triton), midi controls, etc. The sequencer is very easy to use although you have to reassign switches and some controls. Even though I prefer to record directly onto the computer I found the sequencer especially handy for drums - to be more dramatic using more than 1 track and because I have no rythm. I have heard complaints about the key action being to flimsy. Although I can see this point, I prefer the loose key action because it is easier to simulate some instruments with such control.

The expressiveness of the sounds is good, remember - this is an $1800.00 keyboard. Realistically, if you want to access any sound you have to either buy several type of keyboards like Kurzweil, Roland, Yamaha, Korg, etc. or learn to play drums, guitar, bass, sax, etc. However, if you learn to use the controls and apply effects you will find that you will have greater versatility with the keyboard. Also, this is a general instrument in that it can be used for all types of genres from Classical to Metal. Unfortunately, the combinations are geared more towards techno, but again - play with it and you can get some pretty interesting results.

Very dependable and reliable but I don't "gig" and it stays in one place.

Never dealt with Korg, better to get to know your local dealer.

My overall rating is based on two things: 1) the price of this keyboard was ONLY $1800.00. All things considered, it is a good price for this keyboard. The sounds on it are good and will be better once I buy some expansion cards. 2) I bought a piece of equipment that I was looking for - something to provide different types of sounds. It drives my crazy to see reviews by people who complain about the sounds on the Karma - they should have bought something else.

I was looking for a workstation that would provide some sounds for studio work, so I was looking for a wide range of sounds for classical, jazz, funk, blues, rock, metal, r&b, hip-hop, etc. This workstation does the job - along with a guitar, bass-guitar, drums, and other necessities. I won't list any complaints because - once again - I only paid $1800.00 for this very cool keyboard.

v 1.04

It has the Triton soundset, nuff said fred.

Are you kidding? It's great and I also own a Roland XP-80. I bought it mainly as a means to generate cool drum grooves but it does so much more.

I can depend on it to generate the sickest drum grooves and atmospheres imaginable.

Don't know

It the cats meow. Here's the real powerful secret concerning the KARMA function. IT SYNCS TO MIDICLOCK!!! Hello! Serious business. Start with some cool drum waves from your fave drumloop CD. Make sure you have your sequencer set to send midi clock to the Karma. Now play a Karma patch with the Karma engine on and the Karma effect will be in perfect sync with da groove. Believe me, this is HUGE!! You have to hear it to understand the song building capability I'm talking about. Anybody who passes this off as some kind cheap arranger keyboard that does advanced arpeggiation is a freaking moron! Check Steven Kays site www.karma-labs.com and you'll begin to understand how revolutionary this board is. But please, go to your local music store and play around with the combis and tweak da knobs and you will soon see. KARMA engine+Triton sounds=Next Gen songrighting tool!

I'm using software version 1.0.4. Presets sound great, it's hard to look at the manual during your first week, this instrument is a lot of fun! Editing isn't bad the layout is quite easy to figure out, effects, KARMA is all straightforward. The manual is a chore to read and not written well at all. It's seems more of a referance than anything else, there are four books, and one will refer to a page in a different book without mentioning to look in a different book.

Polyphony and keyboard action is just fine, keyboard is velocity sensitive didn't expect that. Effects sound great and are easy to use. The midi side of the board is more advanced than anything out there, a second midi I/O would be nice though. Sequencer is difficult to grasp from the manual and many people have some issues with the Karma function eating all the sequencer space very quickly. Nothing to be concerned about, it's just not finished yet, future OS will resolve these quirks. Typical of most keyboards. External power supply but no wall wart, keeps heat, noise and weight out of the keyboard.

Sounds are fantastic. Well rounded for all sorts of music which is just what I needed. Acoustic sounds are very expressive for 16 bit 48 K. Pads, synths and atmospheres are inspiring, I can't decide what style of music to play on it. The sounds and KARMA adapt the board to a style if you tell it to.

It's a korg, I can depend on it. It's not made of plastic like in some reviews, it's aluminum with plastic mouldings on the sides. No problems yet. I would gig it without a backup.

Never dealt with Korg, but Steven Kay has a yahoo group and answers questions every day. Unrivaled support!

It's definatly worth it's price and more. I would buy it again, I wouldn't buy anything else, depending on what Korg develops as their next workstation. It's not perfect, and for writing music you need at least a DAW, but it is fun to use and that should be true of all the gear you buy.

Software version 1.02 . . .
Presets are awesome. Anybody whinging about the piano sounds should get the Piano/Organ board and slot it in. There are some good sounds on here. As good as Triton - I've got both.
Editing is a piece of cak - if you udnerstand what you are doing i nthe first place. The Karma is not (contrary to what some might think) for beginners or amateurs. It is a highly complex instrument which requires a bit of background knowledge.
The manual is typical Korg jargon. Plentiful in content, but not very stimulating to read.

If you run several functions together, the polyphony gets eaten up (sometimes by overspill from previous midi data . . .)
Keyboard action is good. Different to Triton, but not worse or better.
Effects are magic. I would expect to pay #1000 more for this kind of quality.
Expansion capabilities are there, although Korg charge WAY too much for their boards.
Midi capabilities? Do me a favour - this is Karma. There is nothing in the world of midi to touch this beast. It redefines what we should seek in an instrument.
On-board sequencer is the same as the Triton.

Sounds are very good. Yeah, the piano isn't too hot but this is fixed by buying the optional card with piano sounds on. This instrument works well for all music - you can do anything with it.
No quibbles.

I haven't had it long enough to say how reliable it is, but would imagine that it is pretty reliable - Korg stuff usually is.
I wouldn't gig with it, simply because the Karma functionality cannot be accurately monitored.

Korg are good for customer service . . .

I'd buy it again if it was stolen, but I think it is perhaps a little overpriced. Around #1200 would be a fairer price. I have only touched the surface of this beast, but would recommend it to anybody. It's different to the Triton (as an instrument) and in some ways, it is better. If you can get by without the sampler then you are on to a winner with the Karma.
A touchscreen would have been nice, especially as I am used to the Triton and it feels like a step back.
I think that Karma will be the benchmark for future workstations, though as a pure synth, i am sure that there are others out there that easily match it on a sound-for-sound basis . . .

My OS version 1.0.1. My opinion is that if you use it as a simple multitimbral workstation into your computer based seq (I use Logic Audio) this is a very easy of use instrument, such us other Korg workstations like Trinity or Triton (same wavetable on Karma). Instead if your intention is to use Karma presets into your arrangements things dramatically changed and becomes extremely complicated. In my opinion, at actual OS version, Karma presets are interesting only in a live environment, where you can effectively join the incredible power of this algorhithmic-system only by rotate and press live controllers on the surface of this amazing red-coloured keyboard creating real killer loops and sequencing. Manuals are good, especially the reference version.

Poliphony, 61 voices, is sufficient. Such as oher Korg instruments you have the possibility to expand the system by installing optional cards and the MOSS DSP. Effects are decent at all, not impressive; if you have an external device try to use it. Keyboard action is really good. No opinion abuot int seq 'cause I use this Key into my Mac/Logic based setup.

Same wavetable of Triton. This signify high quality in a general wavetable created to satisfy a various range of musical arrangements. In my opinion Karma is perfect for rhythmic and bass presets, where its quality is top-of-the-line.

Before this Key I've used an EX-7 workstation. Presets are really different and the quality of the sounds is not comparable. Yamaha sound is a little bit clean but not aggressive, Karma bass and drums sound are extremely powerful. Acoustic simulation in Karma sounds is not very good.

If you can operation the Triton, So, you still enjoy with this creature!

The Newest featured that created by Steven Kay of Korg's, The Karma Realtime Controlers (as you know same as live sequncer), This Karma will be the best for DJs, Electronican, Jazzy Groovy, Dance, Techno, Ethnics and all kinds musicians. Only 62 Polyphony? It doesn't matter for you, because before you used all of this polyphony, maybe yor song be crowded! Don't worry about this thing!

If you looking for acoustic or analog sounding, Karma is not the best choice. Karma it's just enough for me. But, if you loking for digital future souns, here you are The best Keyboard that I ever know!

I use Karma with Triton for Sampling and I used Korg MS2000, Access Virus for my analog, with Kurzweil K2600 for my acoustics. For my expanssion boards, I use EXB-PCM - Piano, Studio Essential, Future Loops.
But, If you prepared and unprepared for play, with Karma, It doesn't matter. Karma Realtime Controller will helps you!

I have a friend In Indonesia, Wiwie GV, He is the one and only Indonesian KORG distributor. He always ready to helps us about KORG using.
If you wanna know who Wiwie is, ask to Steven Kay. Mr. Kay is a friends with Wiwie.

I will buy it Karma again if it stolen or lost! I use Triton for Sampling and I used Korg MS2000, Access Virus for my analog, with Kurzweil K2600 for my acoustics. For my expanssion boards, I use EXB-PCM - Piano, Studio Essential, Future Loops. If I compare Karma with other product I choose Roland XP-series, MC-Groove boxes, VA-series, and I think JP-series (maybe), The best rival still Karma's Brother, Triton. But Karma created for completed the Triton. Deal?

Many of the presets are tryly amazing.
Screens and (their resolution) are aweful.
Editing is difficult.
Manual is quite good for Korg
(well organised into seperate manuals).

Polyphony is not an issue.
Effects are qood - reverbs sound quite natural.
Midi features of course are incredible, due to KARMA.
It would be useful to be able to quickly assidn all parts
of a combi to the same midi channel for playing from a remote
keyboard. this is a feature missing from most synthesizers.

This instrument is not about its samples. I agree, the Piano
is dreadful, but to be honest most of the reviews
I read of sound quality are hype - most are about passible in
a mis but do not stand up alone, hence the amount of dreadful
synthesizer based music around.

Where KARMA is unique is in the provision of styles. Take a
simple drum loop. Until now these have been preset patterns
playing a drum kit, or a sample. With Karma it's a series of
parameters, controllable in realtime by midi. So if you select
an African based rhythm pattern, it's entire embodiment, from
the basic rhythm, to swing, syncopation ro accemts, and voicing
are changable. So you are performing, and the rhythm is truly
only a style, which you can genuinely shape and evolve in a performance,
and record through midi. the risk and uncertainty is that you can't
control exactly what's going on - and as much as I hate to say it
because I like to 'control' what i play and perform (!), the challenge
is to perform well! If you get a good take you had better have a MIDI
sequencer recording it! But this is true of a JAZZ performance.

So KARMA puts electronic instruments into a new dimension -
managing all those parameters in a realtime manner, partly
managable, but depending on your performance. It hints of
a new era in electronics. And it make a style truly that -
a style that you can get infinite patterns from in that style
by turning those knobs.

As I said I dislike not being able to control this thing, and
and hopefully future software upgrades will allo for this, but
it puts music back into the arena of performance. I've never been
able to program good drum loops, and this thing allows me to have
fun with styles, infinitely varying them in realtime, my way,
ahere I just don't feel I'm cheating (doeas a guitarist feel
there cheating on rhythm when they have a good drummer behind
them).

this is why KARMA will add a unique attribute to your music,
because your performance makes it.

No issues yet

-

I wouldn't buy it again - I'd wait for the
next instrument of tis type to come out, because
other synthesizer companies should be very scared
(yet KARMA is an opening of a door, not a complete
solution). I hope other companies are scared and
take all instruments into this dimension
(unless they run scared too much like Yamaha
did witht eh VL1)

Terrible.
Dear Anonimus, who is saying that Karma != Piano.
Let's make it clear- bad PIANO on KArma is a simptome. If a synth
which uses wavetable synthesis, has SUCH a bad piano it can only
mean, that this synth is cheaply designed and uses CHEAP circuits,
cheap samples etc. KORG is no longer
a respectable synthesizer company...

By the way, the rest sounds on Karma can be beaten by any Yamaha
above 1000$, Any Roland above 800$.

If you are a novice in keyboards: try Roland XV or XP series and
see, what a mistake you could make buyng a Korg. I hate I did
that mistake.

Have had the KARMA for a week. So far very pleased. I have a pretty extensive home recording studio that contains lots of gear, the KARMA being the latest addition. Regarding ease of use, this is a mixed bag...you can turn it on and use the presets, just pressing buttons to tweak KARMA functionality and make some pretty descent music. A friend of mine, a drummer, who doesn't really play keyboards but tries, loves this board exactly for that reason. It empowers him to make some incredible music while I jam over the top of it. However, if you dive in an want to program this thing...you can very easily go extremely deep. Kinda like the ocean...you can wade near the shore and have a lot of fun throwing beachballs around, or you can scuba dive and explore the fascinating world far beneath the surface.

By now you know the features so no sense in going into them here. However, I would say that the feature set on this instrument is pretty good. Definitely a synth that you can use for live performance or studio work. Also a good companion when going to the beach or mountains and you want to compose. Built-in sequencer is handy. The only thing missing would be a SCSI connection for digital audio recording. If it had that it would be pretty close to the ultimate workstation given the polyphony and sound choices. I wish it also had a riboon like the Trinity, but alas. At least it has the good joystick.

Great sounds. Remember, this is NOT a piano so if you buy it and complain about how the piano doesn't sound like a piano, you're an idiot. KARMA != PIANO

I don't like the keyboard feel. Korg has a great keyboard on the Trinity and Z1 but this keyboard is somewhere between and Alesis and a Roland variety. The aftertouch action is very Alesis. I would have liked the Trinity keyboard on the instrument but it's easy enough to get used to. It seems to me that it would be road-worthy.

Korg has always been good to me.

So far so good...if you're looking for a good all-around synth that has the Triton sounds for less $, this may be for you. That was my justification and so far I'm very pleased with the purchase.

Initial Reaction is WOW! - just turn it on and hit on/off, latch, and any key.. BANG! the opening voice is extremely cool and really blows you away.. (I have a special preference for the guitar sound on 014 Magic Flute - beatiful and realistic). So far, easy to use

Keyboard action is a bit "light".. Built in effects are crazy to the point of overkill - BUT the sounds you can get, after effects and just the sheer polophony (is this a word? :-) - of the layered sounds that arpegiate and repeat over each other is just amazing!
- Yes, Midi compatible, although my Logic Audio Platinum makes a huge buzzing sound! (one of the pitfalls of setting up Pro-audio)..
- Good to have expansions, although I'm looking forward to hooking up the Roland XV 3080 and trigggering THOSE sounds..

Expressiveness is a 10,, just because you can do things musically that would take forever and a day trying to MIDI sequence each note.. Very inituitive, and responsive to what you are doing..
-- BUT -- For some reason, the...forgive me if I say this wrong..speaking as a layman..CONTROL over what is actually going is LOST to me.. Sure you can play without the KARMA modeler doing its "thing" , but when it is on, some of the notes are dropped, eliminating the full expanse of notes in a given song.. In other words, seems the engine that powers the KARMA, is not strong enough to support extra notes.. There is a better way to say that, but there you go.. END RESULT: Cool sounds, but little control over specific parameters. It has "life of its own".. 9 for expansive sound creation (ambient, sweeping pads) - BY THE WAY: I make music :

Listen to me at www.mp3.com/ambientrip.

Soon, I will be using the FULL capabilities of this machine.. Inspiration is at all time high: JUst bought it last night and created an entire CD in one night..
- not to rant: but the end result was really great sounds, that sounded very "jumbled" together.. the KARMA seems to muddy up the works a bit, like a wave the ebbs and flows.. not a constant volume level, but a constantly shifting algorythm, that is cool at first but annoying as hell when it comes to specific control over individual notes.. I'm sure MIDI would shed a new light on this aspect..

Yes, from what I have read, Korg is strong, but I prefer Roland samples..
Have not had long enough to make a relaible guess on lasting ability.

Overall, I like it.. but I just need to dive into the manual and really find what these knobs REALLY do..

Next up: A virus B for fat analog synths ..

LAST SHAMELESS PLUG: www.mp3.com/ambientrip

Peace,
Michael