Hands off is not an option!
Check out the new KAOSSILATOR from Korg.
By James Sajeva

KAOSSILATOR is taking the U.S. by storm! The debut at the 2008 Winter NAMM show generated a TON of buzz from all types of musicians and the “musically curious.” And that’s really what the KAOSSILATOR is all about – a product that anyone can use to create music all their own!

So, what is it about this lil’ yellow square that makes it so appealing? Well, let’s start with its sounds. There are 100 programs offering a wide palette – lead synths, basses, acoustic models, chorded tones, sound effects, playable drums and even drum patterns that sync to whatever tempo the KAOSSILATOR is set to.

Now here’s where the fun begins. The unique touch-pad interface lets you play those sounds and patterns by moving or tapping your finger in different places. On any musical sound, left to right ascends a two octave scale of your choosing – there are 30 scales in all. What about up and down? Well, that depends. On musical sounds it could change the filter, effect depth or a number of other characteristics. On sound effects, all sorts of mayhem abounds as you move across the pad. On playable drums, different areas of the pads sound different drum hits, and with patterns you’ll find change-ups and even fills as you explore. Korg has brought all of their synth experience to bat here, cramming huge sound into a one awesomely small device. In short, all of the sounds and patterns are truly inspiring and highly flexible – not to mention accessible to anyone, even if they don’t have technical knowledge of a traditional instrument.

To add an even deeper dynamic to your phrases, the KAOSSILATOR also offers Gate Arpeggiator patterns. In short, that’s a fancy name for a feature that taps the sound in a rhythmic pattern in time with the tempo. There are 50 to work with; straight syncopations, swing-time variations and beyond.

Truly, the KAOSSILATOR’s touch-pad and all of the features you can customize your phrases with are fun just by themselves. But there’s one more feature that takes things to a whole new level of musical expression…

… KAOSSILATOR also features a loop recorder. This means that you can capture your phrases, and they will instantly loop perfectly to the selected tempo. This is also cool…but the REAL magic happens when you stack the recordings. KAOSSILATOR will infinitely stack phrases, using any sounds or patterns, to your heart’s content! Start by laying down an 8 beat drum pattern. Now pick a sound effect and drop that on top! Add a bass… no wait… a lead synth with a Gated Arp pattern! Yeah! The possibilities are endless. As we say, you can create unique musical phrases as simple – or complex – as you like. This makes the KAOSSILATOR a versatile, accessible and totally fun synth.

Inspiration can strike anywhere. And KAOSSILATOR has you covered with battery power for creativity on the go! It’ll run about 8 hours on a fresh set of 4 AA Batteries; making it a perfect companion for trips. Got a laptop? Record individual phrases from the KAOSSILATOR into your laptop input with nothing more than a single 1/8” cable, and arrange the phrases in your favorite DAW program to bang out a full song.

If you haven’t seen or heard a KAOSSILATOR yet, do yourself a favor and check out YouTube; search word “KAOSSILATOR”. Or better yet, head to your local KORG retailer and try out one for yourself. Just don’t blame us if you get addicted. With the Korg KAOSSILATOR, “Hands off” is not an option!

Myspace.com/JaneAlias || Reason 4, Cakewalk Rapture, Z3TA || Koassilator

I don't see the point. You can't process external audio so that kills 99.9% of the usefulness.

Damn Korg is a USB port too much to ask for?

Pro Tools || Ableton Live 7 || Absynth 4 || Z3TA || Alesis SR16 || Roland JP-8080 || Juno 106 || Korg MS2000

The sounds are great though. I would use it in my studio as a small desktop soundbox. It just needs more drums.

Do all your 'instruments' run on batteries and come in a yellow plastic case? What's the point of being 'portable' and running on batteries? That means I'm using it AWAY FROM THE STUDIO and I *might* make something worth saving. To track it all out means I'm NOT using it's internal sequencer - seeing as you can't mute or solo the different parts.

So either it's a truly limited sound module (beaten by micro-X, microkorg etc) or it's a severly limited sketch pad toy. Face it. It's a fun gimmick for DJs. It's yellow. It's yellow. It's yellow. You go ahead and look like a dweeb sitting on stage with that thing. I bet it glows in the dark.

OoOOhhh you got a Voyager! So since you have 1 good piece of gear, it's okay to have a few toys sprinkled around it.

I bet this is your DAW.

Here's you workstation rompler.

And the rest of your band....

Pro Tools || Ableton Live 7 || Absynth 4 || Z3TA || Alesis SR16 || Roland JP-8080 || Juno 106 || Korg MS2000

Mine came on thursday. Happy, happy joy joy.

It has 8 seconds of recording time which always adds up to 2 bars.

Anything you make in two bars you can recreate later or just leave it on till you get home..

It came with batteries, but no adaptor which is strange to me.

I like being able to make the basics anywhere and then go plug it in and finish the song.

I wish there was a way to mute parts though or at least do the volume which is the same thing.

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Myspace.com/JaneAlias || Reason 4, Cakewalk Rapture, Z3TA || Koassilator