All user reviews for the Novation KS Rack

Rack version of KS5/KS4
200 Factory Programs (ditable) 200 users
50 plant performance (ditable) 50 users
Midi (IN OUT THROUGH)
4 Stereo Outputs (and 2Main 2For)
3 oscillators
2 LFOs
6 simultaneous effects per share (reverb, chorus, distortion, panning, delay, EQ)
1vocoder

UTILIZATION

The configuration is simple, the menu navigation is intuitive.Rien say.

The edition is ultra-intuitive thanks to 33 faders and buttons faade.Rien say.

Manual in French (March 2004). This is the manual for KS4 / 5 but does not change.
Version 2.0 is installed in usine.Pas point of cracking (it is relieved

SOUNDS

Most sounds are music-oriented lectroniques.La Dance / Trance but not for dnus of Intrets autant.Certains are INTERESTED to give power and prsence a mix.

The sounds are what trs good price: powerful, rich (but not too much), EXCELLENT! The effects are not for nothing ...

All Fully Settings, Control is fait.La INTERESTED HyperSync is effective (Mmorisation 4 of 4 programs paramtres effects).

OVERALL OPINION

I've had 24 hours and I do not see what could dcevoir me (it did not crackle).
I love the subtlety of the sounds, the psence, punch, 6 simultaneous effects, the edition intuitive HyperSync.
Even if there should be better (more CHRE), we can say that it is no fault that price.
Report qualitprix perfect.

Solid construction, treated.

It is seen that in apprciable Novation, there is no public mensongre. (What you are promised, as you can)

Excellent.Bravo!

The KS Rack is a rack ...... very solid with a nice geule blue and gray.
200 200 factory presets users
50 multis plants 50 users
Trio twelve o'clock
4 out spares, 1 headphone and 1 audio (mono only, but y 'has at least one, I told the gentlemen's home Clavia)
6 effects (delay, reverb, chorus, distortion, EQ, panning) can be used at the same time + 1 vocoder simpliflifi trs.
Lfo 2 3 3 osc Slavic.
Multi 4 shares bcp is too little and enough to put 3 points less on the note

UTILIZATION

The ergonomics of the machine is trs good and for that reason I counsel all who wish to embark on the buying a first edition because the VA machine sounds is very simple and available button is clear. Manuel trs well done if you understand English.

SOUNDS

The machine is trs oriented techno / trance with a lot of FM sound (no cracking report on mine), it lacks a little potato, but I compare with the NL2 so it's something else . Unfortunately there is no big modulation matrix as a virus but it is not the same price of course. But overall the sounds are the road, as the effects despite the lack of accessible paramtres. Little extra for the function HyperSync which can be very useful. Download the patches at the site of Novation is virtually no Intrets apart from an excellent 303 pRSET quite impressive.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had 8 months and I love this cot "fun" because of its ease of use even though it would rev reducer to compare a simple toy. Its default is the big block 4 performance part that makes the rack Ks is not sufficient itself, but as I said to begin in the VA is perfect and I remake this choice in the same price range without hsit APRS, to complicate the thing he should stick a Q or a virus to move to something serious.

The KS Rack is designed with a clearance at the rear, thereby placing it in a rack without losing a unit above for jacks and other measures noon. It is five units high and has an internal power supply.
Originally, it comes with 200 presets and much in Program Performance. There are 200 user for each category, plus the sounds of plants are erasable. It is equipped with a multi FX with 6 different effects with some editable parameters, more than enough for me.
The connector includes the usual trio twelve o'clock, a headphone jack, an input and four output (+ to hand out).
This is a VA synth, it produces electronic sounds. But the oscilloscope waveforms samplées also have to have a wide variety of sounds, such as a Wurlitzer. But do not look in the General Midi synth (and good).

UTILIZATION

I have this synth for only four days, but for me a model of ergonomics. Everything is clear, direct access to the settings from the front with multiple controllers, manual well written and objective en français sorry, no French version for the moment! But it will certainly come. I would but only 9 for this reason, thinking of the non-English speakers who may galleys. Otherwise, I think I would have been 10!

SOUNDS

I bought this synth sounds used for teak, trance, trip hop. That's exactly what I was looking like sounds! Nothing more to add.

CHANGE OF 29/12/2003:
Unfortunately, this synth has a bp, which may explain its low price in Turnkey (about € 450). The sounds are good but accompanied by cracking! The pb is + or - according intense users, but is very common.

A solution that works with me: to increase the attack to 8 mini, because it would be a problem of closure.

Long silent despite the posts on the forum of SOS, Novation has finally responded to Use: they will do an update of the OS in March 2004 (!!!! foutage of big mouth) and a pdf for "help" delete bp.

So, the note takes a hit in the face!

CHANGE OF 27/09/04:

A few almost six months late, the update of the OS is finally here and has solved the problem completely at home.
The VAS Novation has finally restarted.

So, I give him the deserved rating.

OVERALL OPINION

At first, I loved this synth. The sounds are terrible, editing hyper efficient and amazingly low prices. It is found in Germany at € 890 and I got to 690 € chez Star's music (do not rush, they have more at this time and apparently was a mistake in the labeling ...).

I do not know if it actually plays of the bp, but is found currently in € 450. What, you're not placing your order ?!!!! Go, quickly before there was more.

Too bad though that Novation has been slow to react to provide an OS.

Rack facade with pots pots are of good quality circular linear Masila I think it will age very evil against facade and the carcass is sturdy
the connection is correct with no separate output path multitimbralitbr /> 16 poly unsine sounds good in quantity even if not indicative of the capabilities of the machine

UTILIZATION

Manuel nickel English
edition sounds intuitive, and the few sub-menus are accessible enough to avoid the edition through a soft
ditto for the effects an easy very easy to take over this subject all is cool

SOUNDS

1 - It is an electronic oreint is the base electro trance dance and say business (factory sounds sound like they give a course dja ide (small) capacity of the machine

The realism of sound and rhodes is wurliter etonnat and the few of percu
the rest is not a sample player has a reason or the mc909

2-effects are good but too flat for the reverb to be used very sparingly because very vague and fuzzy say the pice reverbr is full of fog (that one image)
the distortion sounds very digital chorus and phaser very CS1x it is far from small stones or effect analog back properly but it gives relief

3 - expression Nicke nothing to say just running too short of controllers that can harm the edition

You can reach the ground soft and scalable (use of performance) of cool noises (with the possibility to mount the LFO in the audible and zap fm .....) blips of the noises of the kraft bass Pansonic has a pulse and intestinal gurgling (without the smell) and lead well cool

OVERALL OPINION

Home for a week I like the compactness of the solid casing exits separated maneuverability easy to edit the sound quality and the relief and diversity and how sound and how to synchronize all hypersaw that moves

I like some effects in. (too much or too blurry digital) slides that seem fragile plant that banks do not represent the possibility of the machine and especially the absence of modulation matrix and choice in the order of effects I would say that it is the only missing from this powerful Becane

I aceti 438 Roros Thomann for that price I definitely do it again like in France ... 899 in France a year Thomann warranty ...... 2

it's not the machine of the century but for those like me who want a touch of pseudo analogue without switching a PC .... but I advise you Listen to the before and especially since the demo and tweak the sounds of plants are misleading power ....

I use the KS with Live and Reason squenceur for rhythm and samples
Former user of KStation I turned to the KS for his four outings multitimbral.
pollyphonie of 16 I think.

UTILIZATION

The advantage of innovation: it is intuitive trs, no problem to sync and MIDI from Live.
Novation has a style I find them, the lower layers of the three oscillators are terrible is easy to use. The LFO and two arpegiator are the two commands that I use the + frquemment with the necessary frequencies and rsonnance. The effects are not correct +. Rhythm 200 programs, 200 400 synths making factory sounds and 400 for all your news so Creations 800 in all.
The manual is in English. Apparently if you order the KS in France it There's possibility to have it in French from the supplier, but a good 300E will cost more than in Germany for example. So much was just for a manual translation.

SOUNDS

I'm East electro background, it suits me everything.
The sounds are pretty plants hovering I would say.
The effects are simple and no more.
Not the trsractif VLOC and aftertouch
The bass is trs well, not much original in sound FX.

OVERALL OPINION

was 6 months I have.

It is fine for what I do, but I think it would be no limit other machines for shoulders.
I test the electribe and K-station
It is a good investment (400E in Germany)

No keyboard is an expander, for against the faders and knobs y'en!
And not a little ...
So in the "what controllers", you can understand almost everything.
Complete MIDI and audio connectors (2 pairs of outputs: Master and AUX OUT out; an input device or microphone + headphones)

How many sounds? it's a synth, so much as you want, a bunch of memories and so on.

I will not dwell on the character, it's known and recognized.

For features, the note is 9 ... because there is no utility MAC / PC for controlling how VSTi. At the time of the output of this machine, I think it did not exist. But hey, Novation could have decided to put online some time after!

EDIT 19/12/06:
One point that seems to damage this excellent synth is the management of Parts (layers).
There are 4 in Performance mode, which is not bad at all. Each with its own apregiateur and its effects, pan ... But where it is a little "right" is at the management of these layers. 4 missing knobs for volume control directly, without having to select them and edit them. In the same vein, 4 stereo outputs would not be more wrong. A detail which is not much, but that would have weighed even more in the balance of qualities of this excellent device.

UTILIZATION

General configuration really carefree. The update of the OS is not too complex and is done in MIDI via a small utility or a sequencer type Cabus.

Editing sounds is a treat with this panel! Everything is at hand and some "hidden" functions can be found easily in the menus.

The manual is not bad but will only serve those who want to use the machine to 100% as possible, for less "ambitious", it is possible to do without and use the KS-Rack simply turning few buttons. But look at the manual is never wrong and can, in the case of KS-Rack, to draw all the juice.

EDIT 19/12/06:
Getting back to editing, menu navigation is needed to "get" really into the sound. It reveals many possibilities. In use, with a lot of time on it, we like to make sounds really good. This is also valid for many synths "present", the VA in particular. Without tampering in the heart of the machine, no salvation! It is more than advisable to be patient and good-bodied espresso: the night is long in the company of KS-Rack.
Tell Madame ...
Many possibilities "hidden". Easy access to the most advanced settings, but that will take skill. This synthesizer can be a real war machine if we are given a bit of trouble. The results of the manipulations are surprising, sometimes a quarter of a turn coat on a knob can radically change the sound. We the abscence of regrettra undo. Most "computer" of us back up regularly to avoid losing one's killer.
A beautiful and powerful machine, versatile use: there covers all styles easily. The opposite of a prefabricated sound module, it has a logical easy to understand anyway. Used to it. You get used to. It attaches to it.

The 10/10 is well deserved!

SOUNDS

Ahhhhn sounds!
To be clear, it's a synth, so it creates sounds. If you can not get the sound you like with this KS, try a Roma player base. I understand that one can not like the grain of a synth, but criticize its potential is simply stupid: if the sound is not like the idea that you had in mind, start programming!

KS sounds are not realistic ... EXCEPT organs!
With sampled organ sounds as waveforms, for you to understand all the possibilities it offers.
We do not compare with an original Hammond or with a keyboard, but in a piece, it holds very well the road. It's a real surprise.

The drums are not the best in the world lacks punch at times, lack of precision and lack of separate outputs of the compressor in order to play with finesse. An edition of the drums almost absent discourage melted bars. It's not the first use of the KS-Rack, see the drums as a bonus.
on the other hand, for Chiptune sound that can, on electro minimalist it is less forgiving. Sounds as "TR" are there to help.

This synth is comprehensive without being complex. We do not compare with what is comparable and at a comparable price.
By the way, the KS-Rack is comparable to Novas, I could compare. In a mix it passes eyes closed. Now played by himself with nothing ... it's also another nice little synth modeling.

Do not spit on the effective area that offers basic delay and reverb but also distortion, chorus and EQ to properly thicken the sound.

The secrets to spit in the KS-Rack sound thick? As the analos! Slight detune the oscilloscope 2 of 3, chorus and judicious choice of filtering! If with that you can not a big thick well, treat yourself to a Bontempi, the synthesis is not for you. The sound comes from one who creates it, it does not leave the machine alone.

9 earned a small, 10 would be too much. Although ...

OVERALL OPINION

A beautiful machine, fun to use, not ugly, not fragile and effective.
Vocoder effects and Drums are a little anecdotes but it is possible to use it seriously. It is routinely used at each session will be completed shortly by a small analog filter for my bass and get on very well with my K2500RS and my EMU Planet Phatt.

Moreover superimpose an organ of KS and Planet Phatt and get a fat, warm sound to cry ... and detune at will!

I had a lot of VA already, but I have not made a review for all.

The KS-Rack is harder to program than Sirius, also produced more grain and less dry. Compare it with a MS2000 will benefit from Novation, but against a JP8000 it will show clearly the lack of depth vis-à-vis the Supersaw JP. I see them complementary. Do not think as long as the KS-Rack lack of thickness. It is not. This synth is great for many things with a grain Novation said. It's not a Roland, it is normal that he did not sound Roland, Korg, Yamaha ... Logical, right?

Anyway, with the VA there is no miracle, for its huge one must stack the tracks and do not hesitate to play the chorus and detune.

The KS-Rack spent in the MDE-X (effects of Korg Legacy) in "Together" is simply divine.

9 A well deserved, but I restrain myself to not to panic 10's clumsy.

EDIT 19/12/06:
More and more excited about this synth, I use it for what it can do. If I miss one its impossible to do with, I turn to the right machine. All want in the same machine? It is an illusion, maintained by the brands who see it as something to do in the back of customers who lack experience or decline. The VA, like many of the VA is not an "analog of the poor", but a great synth rack.

Very expressive, intuitive, when you glue them seriously, and quite capable of producing sounds worthy of the name. Compare it to a virus would be a mistake. The charm of this Novation is not the same. A great synth that will delight lovers of the synthesis surge "of analog." It would have been 20 years ago, before the world would have been changed.

EDIT 16/02/07:
VOCODER function is not bad at all. It is hard work in the selection of waveforms, setting the blend voice / synth and especially filtering very well studied. It's still a good place for this Rack decidedly successful. While not a classic, this synth VA has earned his stripes in good studio machine. The only downside in my opinion is editing effects: you must get into the guts of the machine for any editing. But let's face it, for all the action live would have had a 12U rack and the price would not have been the same!
Ultimately it is in the presence of a great success. I do not regret my Supernova. Some find me to prefer the cheeky KS-rack, but I find so much nicer and I began to do an allergy to blue hard to read the old SN.
I'm so cracked on this machine I have two. But it may well be that one or two for sale one day, should not abuse either ...

I use it for 5 months, I waited a bit for the connatre rdiger notice ...

Well, all more or less adj t say here, so I'll just raise a little something to my heart: the 4 Programs (sounds) are stacked in a minimum performance at beginners I I thought that was enough to build a good foundation for my lives, but I play with this synth more I want to put across ... Go a little point and less well liked because I 8 progs at the same time.
[edit]: I can not comment on the vocoder, I am not yet considered it, I will say what I think.

UTILIZATION

Let us return to the ergonomics of the bte: the beginners I did absolutely no rack, just because I was afraid that was not simple enough for the Newbie 'I am (that my first synth. Well, no. The KS Rack is very well done for level implmentation faade, the knobs are mostly assigned to a single function, and if singing, it is very simple to makes case this lil synth. I love it.
Everything is clear in the manual leaves a little against me on my hunger problem: it is mistranslated. In English, of course, but I do not know what they have translated before passing it in English, but it is not well translated. It caused me some head intake, especially for dipping how to automate performance changes in MIDI when I change my pattern of RM1x squenceur ... Well, OK, I'm a brle in MIDI, but has, I put 2 points less, because I think a manual would still even be a clear and pr cis. Now I had the opportunity to stumble on many dubious phrases by bad translation - and I am far from being a quiche in English.

SOUNDS

Good.
Attack the big piece.
This is NOT a synth for Trance.
This is totally false.
Besides, I do not really see how one can assign a synth a particular kind of music, as given by DEFINITIONS, is a synthesis of its synthse. You can have anything you want, from the moment we know o get it.
Personally, I Live the Jungle / Drum'n Bass, and I t bluff by the power of the bass KS Rack. Piece ending for online, I'll post the link here.
The effects are pretty good I got, from the distortion may be that is a little violent, too progressive, and some EQ Summary.
on the other hand, there are means of any rgler with onions: sustain, decay, attack, all this extremely well thanks to rpond faders envelope, I think it's a good trs ide. Is visualized immediately on o is, they are progressive, good common point.
For cons, the basic sounds presets are mostly quite Trancy actually, I personally IMMEDIATE erased the great majority, and I kept about fifty who were a good basis to make me change my Sounds me, but actually, for those who achte a synth to use the preset sound, this synth is a synth of Trance ...
Well, I can be pushed a little, or that I am a little too straight forward (I hack, j'exprimente turning of all the senses, so given that I have no notion synth is, I almost anything up that has something that gives me flat, well, it was as I started understanding some mcanismes ), But the fact remains that some of my sounds are a bit ugly ... They undergo an unexplained change in volume in the middle of a sentence when I play for example, or they become quite ugly, and cute blowing, but I'm sure has more than just my personal incomptence that the synth in itself.

OVERALL OPINION

It is, as I said dj, my first synth (before I had a RM1x, but really has nothing to see, even if has taught me a few tricks, including the envelope).
I have long hsit between the KS Rack and the Alesis Micron ( https://fr.audiofanzine.com/produits/index%2Cidproduit%2C35584.html ) , but ultimately for reasons of ergonomics (3 knobs for Micron weapon against the knobs and faders of KS has not tran ) I chose the KS Rack, and I think I have no regrets.
The Micron has presets can be a little plsu hot rounder ... But I'd have to try it srieusement several hours to give a real opinion on it, and all I fawns KS, so as to be satisfied.
I am satisfied. Trs same content.
I urge anyone seeking a small module synthse nice, capable of laying all types of sounds, not boring and ergonomic handle, and that we can live without crushing problem ...
In terms of quality-price ratio, considering the price it more popular now and what is done in competition, I think being from the Micron, there is nothing better. Simply.
I forget srement qualities, and as much default, but it seems that for the time I made a pretty good description of what I now think of this machine. I put revienderai days notice ...