Korg Karma

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.

1.01 is the sofware version. This keyboard is incredibly easy to use, either for performance or in a sequencing setup. I have to give kudos to Korg for the simplicity of the multitimbral setup. Everything is very straightforward. When I need them, the manuals are great except there is no index. Karma setups are a little complex.

This is basically a triton sound generator with a great arpeggiator and a few of the expansion options left out. You can get PCM boards and the moss board, and the PCM slot is on the top and easy to open. Full MIDI, and a great sequencer on board.

The sounds are like Triton, but I have noticed some noise in the toms on Program A004 (tricky Kit). If anyone else notices this, email me!!!

Only had it for a few days. The case is plastic and aluminum. All aluminum would be better...never gig without a back up. External power supply is a drawback.

I called Korg about the noise in the samples mentioned above. They said the noise is there on every Karma... I tried two and they both had it, so I guess I believe them.

The Karma system is inspirational, as far arpeggiators go, it is the coolest I have ever seen. Basically it has over 1000 patterns that are realtime adjustable for things like rhythm swing, dynamics, pattern randomize, etc. Very cool.