Korg Karma

dont know the software. the presets sound good. a lot of them can sound better. patch editor is good, and yes it does make a diff. the manual is very detailed and complicating at first but as you mess with the machine a little bit you start to understand the general idea.

the keyboard action is great but the keys feel a bit light. the built in effects are necessary. i personally havent learned all of the tweaks and things you can take advantage of but the ones that i have figured out help the sounds out alot. you know that it expands already. they should have def. put a sampler in it because without one, it is limited. midi capable. pressure sen. keys is good. sequencer is the best part for me cuz i have nothing to lay the track down on. its basically everything you need to create any type of music. good for serious beginners. very easy to make good music.

gotta take the good with the bad man. life has good things and bad things. this board is like life. again you can make any type of music. you can create your own music. fx are standard. a little static. one sound can be mediocre and one can sound hot but if you put the right noises together, this machine will make it sound magnificant.

you can definetly use this board without a live band. all you need is speakers. so far so good on dependance but it seems a little fragile

im about to call korg about the sound prob. with the karma so we'll see.

if it was stolen id smash out whoever took it then i would rob him or her and buy me a triton. i'm a natural musician. no experience needed. i own a microphone and the karma. what i love about this board is that the quality is industry standard. i feel that as of now korg has this keyboard business on lock. i tried other boards and the sounds on those are either more acoustic than karma/triton (neither good nor bad) or they are just so complicating that i dont even want to make music. so ill stick with karma for now, but next year it'll be another new revelation so dont get too attached. the only thing id switch this machine for would be triton. its basically the same except for the sampler and the touch screen. if your into the now generation music, you gotta have a sampler. akai is industry standard for samplers. if you got the money buy the triton if your 500 dollars short buy the karma.

This is my final review update. It is now 3/23/01 and I have just spoken with my "friends" at Korg and they have informed me that the Karma "noise" issue is now officially being handled by Korg service centers. They had acknowledged the problem weeks ago and are now ready (and have the parts) to fix it. All you need to do is take the board to a local authorized service center (or send it to Korg) and they will replace the fauly IC's. They said the downtime should be minimal. While I understand that it is no fun to give your new board back for a few days, I love my Karma and had faith in Korg. I think it has paid off, as once I have it back I can finally master all of the work I have done on it! Long live Karma!

Operating system 1.02

I bought the Karma after returning a Korg Triton because I'm blind and could not use the touch screen on the Triton. I have been able to figure out much of the sequencer in the two weeks I have owned the Karma. This is also true for program editing. I have not done much with combi mode or Karma function yet. I upgraded from the Korg 01W wich I have had for 6 years and will have for ever.

This keyboard has a number of features which makes it the best in it's price range. The 62-voice polifony is more than adequate for most uses. The 16-track sequencer is better than the 01W's sequencer, and that says it all. it's a 200,000 event sequencer with the ability to have 5 insert effects, 2 master effects, and an EQ. Although a sampler would make this keyboard complete, the Karma function certainly adds a lot to it and places it above all other keyboards in it's price range. In time, the Karma may replace my 01W and my Yamaha PSR-630 which I use mostly because of it's accompaniment styles.

The Karma comes with great sounds right out of the box. The acoustic sounds are very good, except for the Piano. But even the piano is good for fast, short-notes music such as salsa and merengue. The guitar (A005, and E005), accordion (B060), strings, saxophones (A029 and B029), trombones (A089 and B089) and drums are simply great. The slap bass is also great, but the regular bass (A118) is a little weak on the low end. This keyboard can be used for every style of music, but it really shines on dance, rock, jazz, pop, and latin rhythms. Those drums are excellent. The keyboard feels kind of springey, but I'm getting used to it. It also has nice pad and synth sounds. The only reason I'm not giving it a 10 is because Korg should have done better on the piano sounds. Electric pianos are good though. Take a listen to A017 and B017.

I haven't used this keyboard long enough to say about it's reliability, but Korg is pretty good about that. My 01W has taken all the abuse a keyboard can take, and it's still going strong. The Karma seems a little weaker, but I have great expectations. It could do without the plastic parts, but then it would be heavier.

I think this keyboard is certainly worth it's price. If it were lost or stolen I would cry for a while, and then cry some more. I've been playing music for about 15 years. I use keyboards such as the 01W, Karma and Yamaha PSR-630 for life performance and studio recording since I have a home recording studio. When shopping for it, I compared it to the Yamaha PSR-9000 and 9000 pro. Also to the Kurzweil K2600, and to som
e emsonic models. The Yamaha did not have as good of a sequencer, and is just too big; the Kurzweil was good, but too costl. No other keyboard came close, except of course the Triton. I had in fact purchased a Triton and would have kept it if it didn't have the touch screen. However, I didn't know the Karma existed at that time. I think that for $500.00 less, I would still take the Karma over the Triton. It's the same sounds and sequencer, and they can share data and sequences. The only thing that kills the Karma is the external power supply. I was very disappointed when I saw it after having purchased the piano. I didn't even check for that at the store because I did not think they used external power supplies for pro keyboards. I wander why they did that!!!.

Software Version: 1.02

The presets sound absolutely incredible. It just blows me away, every time I play it. I love the sounds that come out of this machine so much, that I spent about 1/3 of the money in my bank account to buy one. (I'm only 16, so it's not like I have to worry about putting food on the table, hah)

Editing patches isn't too hard. For the combinations, it's actually fun, with fading splits, and varying velocity zones. This is my first real high-end synth, so these features are probably nothing special, but I'm amazed anyway. Editing the individual programs is something I haven't tried just yet. I'd like to, when I learn a little more about it.

The manual's pretty informative, but it took a few reads for me to understand the KARMA feature, and I still don't understand all of the Karma parameters.

The polyphony is 62 note, I believe. I could be wrong. The keyboard action isn't weighted, but it doesn't feel bad like most non-weighted keyboards I've played. I'm actually using it to play piano music in a wedding, so it must feel pretty good.

The Karma effect is INCREDIBLE. It generates counter-melodies and backup effects on the fly, and it generates them as MIDI as well, so it'll show up in sequencing. It's easy to choose good Karma presets for the different voices, and you can create your own which is pretty complex. Editing the presets makes it easy to get what you want though, which is accomplished through a few knobs and two menus.

There's an expansion bay that accepts two Triton-compatible boards, which is great because I love the Triton sounds.

Basically, everything you play gets sent to MIDI. Velocity, aftertouch, damper pedal, joystick movements, and even the generated KARMA parts get sent. It's incredible.

The on-board sequencer is pretty nice. I've messed with Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 some, and Midisoft Studio 4 before that, so I know my way around a MIDI sequencer. I especially like the fact that step recording can be humanized, making it sound less like a machine and more like a real person. I've tried my hand at sequencing two covers with it (both NIN songs) and gotten amazing results.

Some of the instruments don't sound so great, but most of them are absolutely incredible. I'd use it for absolutely any type of music. I play it in my industrial/rock band often, and I'm also playing it in a wedding on March 31st. The types of samples are so varied, that anyone could easily find one that fits what they're looking for.

The KARMA effect is absolutely incredible, and something that every synth should have. Those who've called it an overrated arpeggiator have no clue what they're talking about.

This thing reacts to your playing like crazy. It'll adjust lip pressure on a saxophone based on velocity, and on an orchestra combination, if you press hard down in the lower octaves, you'll even get timpani sounds, etc. Don't forget that KARMA generates MIDI content based on what you're playing, how hard you're playing it, how fast you're playing it, and what style of music you've set it to.

I've used it on a gig already, with wonderful results. I absolutely depend on it. It's got some plastic parts, instead of being 100% aluminum, but I suppose it's just as good. The thing's not very heavy, either, which makes it good for gigging.

I've not dealt with Korg yet.

If I lost my Karma, I'd probably cry for months at a time. Then I'd hunt down the bastard who took it and beat him to death with a Les Paul guitar. (That's gotta be heavy enough to kill someone.)

I've been playing piano/keyboards for nine years, but this is my first real synth. I have a crappy Casio "synth" (if you could call it that) that does MIDI, and Cakewalk Pro Audio 9, so I've dealt with MIDI sequencing before. I also play the guitar, and am a pretty good singer too.

I love absolutely everything about this keyboard. It absolutely makes music a bit easier, if you understand it. Obviously, someone who's never played a keyboard before isn't going to be able to make beautiful music on this thing, but someone who just knows chords could, thanks to KARMA. (Although they'd really be wasting their money.)

If you have the money, BUY IT NOW!

Easy.
But, as for every complcated device, don't expect
it to do all you want at once, unless you
_REALLY STUDIED_ the unit.

Nice features, but

1) No full-blown sampler
2) No arranger

Personally I think that any good synth should have it in future :)

Keyboard action- IT'S A KORG, guys! Means, cheap and unnatural.
Lightweighted spring suspention, etc, etc. Try ROLAND XP series
for WAY BETTER action. And sound (hint, hint)

Here it sucks...
I don't understand, why Korg has chosen the policy to place
Millions and millions of mediocre samples instead of couple
hundred of good ones?

Remember, that the sample memory is limited on synth.
Hence to add every new sound, factory has to
use less memory for the rest sounds. This means, that
incorporation of "scratch number 20" or "noise nuber smth."
decreases quality of piano, guitar, drums, etc.
DA Converters are also a little chesy. It looks, that
after 01W some smart ass found how to make Korg cheaper.
No good DA converters can be found on Korgs since then.

And if you, guys, don't hear, how bad the sound on Tritons
or Karma, or other recent "1000" instrument Korgs is,
do not bother to look for Roland XP or XV
series, or EMU samplers, or Kurzweils.
Karma is oriented for you.

Korg is oriented for people, who would prefer "1000 cheesy"
rather than "10 quality" sounds.

This is an update to my earlier review, as well as a response to the "anonymous" user below who thinks he knows something he doesn't.
I work at a Korg Dealer (we sell marshall amps, which are distributed by korg but we are not a keyboard dealer) and I have had several discussions with the folks at Korg, they are awesome. The conversations have all centered around the issues of noise in the drum kit samples, especially the toms in the tricky kit mentioned in my earlier review. Well, I am sure Mr. Anonymous will be extremely distraught to know that he is not the smartest coward (put your name there smart guy) in the universe... Korg has told me that they have found that "MANY KARMAS" have this problem... All of the affected units are from the initial production run, and some units do not have the problem... This problem has nothing to do with the decimator or analog record effects that are in some patches applied to these samples, but rather a defective IC on the board. I love my Karma and have been assured by Korg that as soon as they have a strategy to fix the problem that I will be contacted with instructions on how to have my board fixed. Because of Korg's great support I am keeping the board fully confident that I will be satisfied when they figure out what they want to do... So in response to the "experienced" Triton user who is "awfully sick" over people complaining about noise in some patches... Get well soon... Jerk.

This is my first Keyboard and the only problem I have encountered was routing the effects properly when bring over programs, other then that Very Easy.

Seems like plenty for now I seem to have been biten by this seq.,Groove thing... tons of fun!!!

I have played a Triton and the sounds seem the same to me and thats Fantastic

So Far So Good

I called to get help with the routing of effects and had an answer that night...

Ive played Guitar for ever and just started with keyboards to record make demo's practice Ect...And Me thinks me got a winner This thing makes it too easy to sound like you know what your doing Its Just Great!!!!!

I bought the Karma the day it came out. I've had it for about a week now. The user interface is decent, setting up the karma function is little difficult at first. The manuals are average (though a heck of a lot better than Roland's)

The Karma function is a 4X arpeggiator that allows you to modify each and every one of it's atributes in realtime. The effects are good, though i wish you could apply more than 5 insert FX and 2 master FX.
I also wish there were more than 2 EXB slots. At least triton had a sampler so you'd never run out of new programs. Being used to the old school analog SEQ of the Roland MC-505 it's gonna take a little time getting used to making songs onboard.

Very good strings, basses and guitars. The Karma function can push out some very nice riffs for electronica composers, as well as complex rythms. There are too many cheesy drum samples, like in the percussion and Orch. kits, as well as your typical vocal scats and whack hits. The Keyboard action is alright.

I use it to produce Electronica in my project studio. So I wouldn't need to depend on it as far as gigs go.

Never had to contact them.

I tried the triton and would have bought that if I had an extra $600.
Because of the built in sampler and nifty touch screen. I'd say for the most part I am satisfied with my purchase. Combined with a software SEQ/24 track it should do the job.

Just for the record: I'm an experienced Triton owner who is _awfully_ sick of hearing people complain about the 'noise' they hear on certain patches. There are a few R&B/pseudo-hip hop patches, combinations and drum kits that use the "Stereo Analog Record" and "Stereo Decimator" effects to introduce noise. These can be turned off very easily.. if you've got half a brain!

Also, I believe Tricky Kit uses some distortion... but, heck, you can turn that off too..

Current software: 1.01.
The presets sound fantastic. I heard it at NAMM and then I bought one when I saw it at the local shop. Everything is extremely expressive. It does have some of the fake sounding and less useful sounds built in (like most sequencers, if you listen to a Samba rhythm that's pre-programmed, it typically sounds like cheese.) I have noticed some noise on some sounds, just as the previous review mentioned. I have heard it on some patches where it could be a serious problem. In fact, though I am thrilled with the functionality of the unit, and the quality of the sounds, this is the kind of bug that WILL make me return the unit if it isn't resolved. I still have some checking to do to verify that it's not something on my end causing the noise.

62 note polyphony. TONS of effects, and very easy to call up and play with. 2 expansion slots, as well as a spot for the MOSS expansion. It has all of the standard features for midi control, minus a ribbon controller. 16 track sequencer, that I have not figured out yet. I can't rate that function, because I'm new to the machine, and am not used to sequencing onboard.

MANY realistic instruments. Very usable synth strings, and a pretty impressive guitar sound. Everything about the individual sounds and combis are easy to use. It will work well for anyone trying to add an atmosphere to their work. I can't really think of a music that this would be inappropriate for.

I bought it for a project studio. I wouldn't gig with it, because I'm primarily a composer/guitarist.

If the noise issue is resolved, I would buy it again, for certain. If the noise issue is NOT resolved, I'd steer clear. The Karma function is just great. It's originally developed in MAX (an object oriented music programming language) and I've done a few years on MAX. It shouldn't be considered an arpeggiator... it's got so many features and editable functions. I guess I'd say that if you go demo this thing, demo the Karma functions first and foremost. THAT is what seperates this from the other boards in the price range. If, like me, you know your theory and chords, but don't have a great deal of technique for keys, or like other people, you have a lot of technique and want to do things that simply aren't POSSIBLE on other boards, I think the Karma features will knock your socks off.