Korg Radias

Although the original model did come with a 49 key keybed, the one I own was only the rack unit. The unit itself offers the normal octave range with any keyboard. There are a ton of preset sounds on this baby, but its a analog modeled synth which means it has all the knobs you could ask for in order to design your own sounds. There are a lot of effects that pretty much cover the full gambit of what you would expect including compression, eq, delay, phase, vibrato, distortion, etc... you can run a total of 9 effects simultaneously in one program alone. Everything is extremely editable. Beyond the huge array of knobs and buttons there is a lot of deep editing you can do either on the screen (via control buttons on the face plate) or via the free editor software which can run on both Mac and PC computers. All controllers are present including sustain, expression, pitch, modulation, etc... The polyphony is 24.



UTILIZATION

Most of the parameters you are going to need to access often are all located on the front of the synth via knobs and buttons, so it doesn't get much easier than that. Most every knob has at least two functions which can be tricky at first. Most of these multifunctions are operated by using "shift" style buttons (hold a button done and it changes what another button does) which again can be a pain at first, but I feel I am pretty comfortable with the action now. I would consider the configuration relatively simple in the fact that you have realtime control of over 46 parameters. At the same time, if you are not familiar with how a synth operates, than this thing can be very intimidating. The manual is kind of a pain. There doesn't seem to be a decent "index" area for quick look up's and it is very very thick. But I plan on reading it cover to cover as this synth is very complex.

SOUNDS

The sounds on this synth can range from realistic to some grungy digital mayhem. It has pretty decent rhodes, clav and whurly patches. The "Analog Synth" sounds of this synth are a little thin in comparison to my Moog Slim Phatty, but this was expected and in fact sought after. I feel the bright aspects of this synth mix perfectly with the stout "round" flavor of the Slim. They are quite the pair. The expressiveness of the synth is quite nice. Again the Keys are what show this the best but the pads are quite responsive too and can come in real soft or shoot in like a hurricane depending on your touch. The effects on this unit are pretty decent and totally usable. I feel the reverbs could have been richer and more full, although the "Room" reverb is quite realistic. I also think the phase is pretty creamy and can really be pleasing when dialed in just right.
I purchased this synth to mainly handle atmospheric pads and other ambient sounds which it does very nicely. I have been discovering the Drum engine more and find that I like that as well very much. Very similar to the Earlier EMX models which I was considering buying before I got the Radias. The only sounds that I don't like are the crazy presets that Korg programmed in here. Its not that the sound quality is bad, they just slam you with loud wild noises when you are simply trying to peruse the presets. It can be very loud and shocking so be warned. This synth does have audio input options which can be quite nice. I have run audio and my voice through the unit dry and it really doesn't sound that good. To be fair though, I don't believe the inputs are intended to just route audio of course, but rather to use as "Waveforms, Oscillator, and Vocoder" controls, which is very very awesome. This is definitely one of the big highlights of the Radias.

OVERALL OPINION

I absolutely love this synth. It's extremely versatile offering all the things mentioned earlier as well as Sequencing capabilities, Vocoder and "Formant Sampler", 4 individual voices, two stereo ouputs, and a ton of deep editing options. If I had to pick one thing that I love best about this synth, it would be the Vocoder. It's just too much fun and can yield some out of this world realtime effects. The only dislike is the obnoxious presets I mentioned earlier. I bought this synth used for a fraction of the original price so I am very happy about that. I give it a 9 out of 10 in sound quality. It only loses 1 point because the Moog Slim is a step above the radias. I have used many hardware and software synths. This is definitely one of my favorites.
Yes, if it only had two voices per program, I would buy another one, but thankfully it has 4 so you only need 1 unit.

This is a keyboard modeling. I have the version with 49 keys keyboard. The basis of sound is oriented techno, but with a little work, we get very good results other. Stacks 4 sounds, which can each edit.

UTILIZATION

This is a fairly simple to handle keyboard, but quickly realizes the extent of his register. The manual is a good source to go to the corner of the beast. Editing is easy for those who know what to do

SOUNDS

The sound palette to find his account in many different styles (reggae, dub, hip-hop, tri-hop, world, electro ...). I love the accuracy of the settings for this keyboard. The pads are beautiful.

OVERALL OPINION

I use this keyboard for over 6 years. I also have several other keyboards including a prophet 600. I love this keyboard for accuracy of settings and for a good number of these sounds. I find the quality / very good money. With experience, I would do this choice without hesitation.

The Radias Korg MS2000 is the heir of virtual analog synthesizer that has had some success despite its limitations (see the opinion that I wrote about it). With the Radias, Korg wanted to remove them and go beyond the reproduction of analog to create a powerful and modern instrument.
Further extension of polyphony, modulations and sophistication of integrated effects, I particularly appreciate the filter section with two filters and the ability to morph the first.
It includes functions vocoder and step sequencer that had the originality of MS2000. Despite a wider setting, oscillators have changed relatively little. The ability to save a sample is interesting, but I admit to not having yet exploited. In any case, it would have been great to make the true import of samples in the Nord Wave, but this is not the case ... There still the presence of percussion sounds which are also the Radias a good rhythm. Anyway, there is what to do with what is proposed. The Radias is a very complete machine.

UTILIZATION

I have a mixed opinion on the use of Radias. On the one hand, we feel a laudable effort to provide maximum direct orders. The other one is a little oppressed by their density: wanting both put in a small space, Korg has somewhat neglected the comfort. I think I have never seen so many buttons and multi-function knobs as tight ... In general, you can not really do without a navigation menus. Ergonomics is not pleasant but it is still above average and this is probably the inevitable counterpart of a feature-rich instrument.
Another highlight: the confusion between programs and / performance combinations. Indeed difficult to program sounds and then arrange them in a second time for a multitimbral use since all aspects are stored together. So, you must consider the Radias either as a monotimbral with 4 layers, or as a multi-timbral sounds are necessarily recorded in performance.
Presets operate mostly the second case with the intention of annoying you out a whole piece predigested in support of a single button with bass line, rhythm and all the support that goes with it: it wants to earful but it does not encourage creativity ...
Nevertheless, once accustomed to these features, explore the possibilities of Radias is an exciting activity!

SOUNDS

The reputation of the Radias was quickly heckled. Presets may have distorted the first impression, although there are still nice chip if you do not be distracted by more touts. Some regulars MS2000 found that the Radias imitated less analog. In reality, who can do more can do less and just program it the same way for the same sound. But the possibilities are broader, it is obviously possible to explore other territories. Even without going into the unknown, I think it has very good skills on electric piano sounds and some pads to the D50 or Wavestation. I just used the vocoder but I think it's a reference in this field.
Ultimately, the Radias is a good VA but presents itself as a modern synthesizer, open to diversity. Since its release, the competitors have mushroomed in this position, including by expanding the range of their waveforms. The Radias is neither better nor worse than them but it has a sound all its own. He is comfortable in many registers and the level is generally very good. I appreciate especially tablecloths and evolutionary sequences. The fineness of the filter settings allows levels of subtlety that I find difficult elsewhere. This is often the finesse that is charged while it is precisely its strength. Despite this, with its unison mode and 4 layers of two oscillators, one can also get big sound.

OVERALL OPINION

The Radias has a very strong identity and that is what makes his interest. Sometimes it annoys me to use by his side "box muzak" which means too much. Although the step sequencer is a key function, it was not a reason to dress up in sophisticated groove box ... Note that the KingKorg inherits Radias while reversing this trend, with a clean interface but also, inevitably, a few less options.
If this groove box appearance is left aside, the Radias synthesizer is a big potential. As virtual analog, it has all the qualities of MS2000 without limitations. But he knows to go beyond, in the most original lands. I especially like the use subtle sound, finely colored, like a watercolor palette!