[NAMM] Korg debuts Kaossilator Pro+ at NAMM 2013

The Kaossilator Pro+ is packed with 250 programs, including synth sounds. Like all Kaoss-based products, it offers control over multiple parameters simply by moving a finger across the X-Y touchpad.

Sixty two of the onboard sounds have been inspired by current musical genres, including leads and synth basses, along with sound effects for DJ use, 26 drum sounds, including PCM sounds from Korg Wavedrum percussion synth.

Loop Recording can be set for up to four measures (16 beats), and performances on the Kaossilator Pro+ can be recorded into the four onboard internal Loop Recorder Banks with overdubbing. The four infinitely loop-able banks can be combined, muted or un-muted, their volume adjusted, and their loop lengths changed.

Key and Scale features ensure that beginners can play notes that will match the song being performed. Players can choose any of 35 scales, ranging from popular scales such as chromatic, major pentatonic, and minor blues, to unusual scales such as Spanish, Ryukyu, and Raga. Then by using the Key setting to specify a musical key or “root, ” users can play perfect solos without wrong notes. In addition, the Note Range can be set to a narrow range to ensure that melodies will be played accurately as intended, or to an extremely wide range to allow unexpected phrases to emerge.

The built-in gate arpeggiator patterns can automatically generate phrases and beats by simply moving a finger across the touchpad. The pad LEDs light up along the path of the user’s finger. The four loop recording LEDs have been updated to a new, more intuitive illumination pattern and now light red during recording and green during playback.

The Kaossilator Pro+ provides line inputs and a mic input to allow recording of external audio sources as well. MIDI IN/OUT jacks and a USB port provide control over external MIDI devices. Loop data and user settings such as programs can be stored on an SD/SDHC card. The Kaossilator Pro+ Editor provides librarian functionality for loop data as well as a MIDI assignment editor.

The Korg Kaossilator Pro+ will be available April 2013 for a U.S. Street price of $399.99. Additional info is available at www.korg.com/KaossilatorPro+.