All user reviews of 5/5 for the Korg Karma

Digital Synth (workstation)
61 keys

USE

The general configuration is very simple, very intuitive, unlike some permit review this synth I have managed to understand in generalit in moin d A day

SONORITS

The sounds are very generalists and very natural I think that should be aa roughly all styles musique.les effects are very effective, very musical, beautiful karma effect on lives, the expression is amazing with a specific character to the sound and Korg claret disconcerting ...

NOTICE GLOBAL

I love the sound and the karma effect that can not be found on any other synthbr /> I have tried has roughly all models in this price range
without hesitation he served me a lot and gave another dimension to my compositions
A reference either to the live studio

I bought my Korg Karma at the local Guitar Center for about $1800, in June 2001, after deciding I wanted a keyboard with a built-in sequencer.

So far I have yet to explore some of the more complex options, but all of the presets sound amazing!! I know some people just use for example ACID and ACID's included loops to make songs, but they will eventually run out of loops without repeating themselves too much. Using the built-in adjustable phrases of the KARMA function, it would be possible to create at least five albums sequencing these phrases using a computer.
The Karma also boasts over 100 effects included ampsims, delays, reverbs, distortion, and many more I can't think of now. Though these effects don't support automation (as far as I can figure out) in the built-in sequencer, they still are well adjustable and sound good.
The Korg Karma includes over 1000 sounds which can be mix and matched to replicate real instruments. It also include effects from a car crash to applause to a telephone ringing.
Additionally, while all these presets are good, the Karma is fully customizable. You could change all the Programs and Combinations and then a year later load the original ones back using the included floppy and floppy drive. Pretty nifty.

Well, its damn complicated! Anyone looking to spend that much money should probably be well experienced, though.
Since I'm used to working with Cubase on a PC, I found the Karma sequencer a little hard to use. The LCD screen makes modifying things difficult but what would you expect. Also the large manuals don't really help until you figure out the whole general format of the thing. But pretty soon for me the Karma became no longer the enemy and instead a friend in music-making.

The color is kind of iffy, its a reddish-purple maroon color. There are plenty of assignable buttons and knobs, for certain chords, parameters like cutoff and resonance, and adjusting the KARMA function. These I have found good for live performing and recording (although you may need a helper as you only have two hands). The keys are fragile, but that goes for any keyboard. Its pretty heavy but portable enough for live performances. On the back it has a power in, a MIDI in, MIDI out, Left out, Right out, individual out 1, induvidual out 2, and jacks for pedals. On the front there is a stero headphone out jack.

Overall, the KARMA is a good keyboard. Pricey, but it contains all of the sounds of the Triton minus the Triton's sampler. Additionally it included the KARMA function, ideal for those of you not too good at making up your own melodies The sequencer isn't great, but hooked up to a Cubase-equipped PC, recording and sequencing is simple.
Also, the Karma is a little complicated, but it is extremely flexible, and once you get to know it, it becomes second nature. If you have the money and patience, try it out.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

For all dtails, see the datasheet (too lazy to Retailer is too long)
Keyboard trs enjoyable, the Controller of effects in real time are really great to live ... Karma function is just great (even has become almost too easy to make good music .... short!)
I only reproach lgre incompatibility with Macintosh .... (You have to format the floppy disk in DOS so that they can be compatible with the KARMA .... not great when it is exclusively for Macs quip .... But the quality of the synth gnrale done quickly forget what inconvnient lightweight!)
And also for the small dception squenceur: we must indeed change the sound in the programs to get the sound you squenceur the DSIR (but apparently that's what t fixed in the update .... I have not done!)

UTILIZATION

Use trs simple once you got used to the menus a bit complex .... Regarding the manual, I will be silent on this point (too much press discovering the instrument, I did not read ... and yet has more than two years that I buy!)
The edition of sounds and effects is very simple ... when the synth connate (at beginners, it's a bit difficult .... Karma is not a synth trs intuitive, even if it's a great machine r ves!)

SOUNDS

Sounds just fantastic!! (At least for the styles that I explore, namely, electro, Medieval music, the goth-rock gnral, but also classical.)
The piano sounds are trsralistes when it deigns to add a touch of rverb, which increases the depth and brings out (I could compare the sound with my piano, and even re-create a sound almost identical effects .... Vive!), violins and other stringed instruments are trs good (except the guitars, but After all, it's not a synth? ) and all electro sounds are really at the top level. We must, of course, love the sounds korg ....
The expression is trs good, but I regret that karma does not exist in version 88 keys, heavy touch, allowing a better "feel" the note playing.
There is no sound that I dtest, for against the "noisy Stabber" to boot the program can be pnible if you forget to lower the listening level of the speakers .. .. Notice to fans of "I put the bottom zic" lol

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for more than two years, and if I had to go rear, I would do it chosen without hsiter! Karma is a synth or a workstation, it has me!! (Ok, j'affabule, but when karma and humanizes the function that adds the random image mode, you really feel that the synth is alive and he is improvising .... gnial!! Thank you Stephen Kay!)
I love the original design of karma (well, it sounds drisoire compared to other functions and hyper dveloppes of the machine, but it's a bonus!) Is quickly tonnes plastics, synthetic untransportable gigantic, and in addition, the color is nice!
Only small default: no vocoder as in the Triton for singers .... but at the cost of Karma, do not abuse, either! And personally, if I had to choose between Karma and Triton (without looking at the rates ct), I will choose the new Karma karma for its function (as rptitions!) Which is much more than a simple arpgiateur! The report is qualitprix my opinion unbeatable ...

For me this machine has everything it takes to be an instrument in itself!

UTILIZATION

Getting started is easy: set of combinations with the Karma function. The use of the sequencer is easy too.
The main difficulty is in creating combinations using the Karma when you start: a lot of parameters with a lack of visibility on what you do (you must use the manual settings Karma to monitor and understand what are the values parameters). But over time you get used to, we understand better the concept and we are proud to master the machine!

SOUNDS

I bought Orchestral sound cards, and Future Loop Construction. In terms of realism I have not found even better. Do you dream of driving a band but you're alone? Frankly, use the cards Orchestral is a real treat!
There is no sound that I hate. Even those that I found ugly departure took place somewhere. I really fell in love with the Korg sounds to the point that many other brands seem hollow ...

OVERALL OPINION

I have the Karma since 2001 and I never tire of it all. The combinations are endless you can create (for each new research findings it is surprising we do and we see no limits!) And it is a real treat when playing live: in 15 minutes can be create a song live that can last 5 / 10 / 15 minutes or more, and each game can be different! We can really let go with this machine! For those who do not have time to program, operate Karma saves a lot of time and it's really all you want (the factory sounds are excellent)!
I reffer choice without hesitation, and I even have a huge desire to buy a 2nd to create combinations of eight programs instead of 4! It would be HUGE, especially live! Korg thank you for this instrument, the instrument of my life!

I will not m'tendre the above, see plutt Previous notices. But basically, there is everything you need!

UTILIZATION

Overall, we navigate easily within the Karma. The buttons are intuitive, wear hand, short, velvet. On the other hand, take more time to explore the menus DIFFERENT ds we want the paramtrer bte.

SOUNDS

Sounds "stick" well my style of music. (Progressive rock). But fans of electro, rock and even classical aisment navigate. Note that the layers are masterful. Ct ism, for my part I find they are quite Fidler, compared to other synths I've tried. For effects, those gnrs the Karma are at the top. And with much patience, (because it's a bit tedious for everyone) you can get the most. The expression is trs good, but others have done better it is true. This dpend if one looks for the ultimate perfection. The sounds I have prfre organs, violins, but in fact it's the ones I use most. This does not mean that others are bad, quite the contrary. I think Karma has a rich palette of sounds and many samples trs.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 6 months. What I like most is the option to edit the sounds live, and then also the wealth of agreements gnrs by Karma. I know a lot of MODELS, and for the price, I think it's an excellent deal. (I had nine in 1800 in November 2005). For an equivalence, and again, you will not function Karma, you prparez dbourser much more. So a report qualitprix excellent. In hindsight, I do not regret my purchase. This synth is "of the ball!"

CHARACTERISTICS good for ... everyone starts to know them.

UTILIZATION

- Simple? Say it is not too the word that best use of KARMA. But beware there is, for those who want good without the trouble, a tool unique musical edition. My ct me I almost forbidden to touch it before swallowing at least the basic manual. What I did and I always keep the manual of references in the elbow. The manual is well done and well ordered trs fortunately ...
In résumé should be able to dig a little to the head bnficier all the technology of this synth. I like a.

SOUNDS

No surprises in terms of sound. I know sounds KORG for a long time. They are all good quality trs (even the worst of them end up like me actually)
I find the keyboard below the quality-General for this synth. I've seen better dj.

The sheets are good and trs big plus is the KARMA function. Function that also demand a certain time before the master (in the view of many paramtres etc ...)

OVERALL OPINION

- I use it recently. It's been a week since I was discovering through the manual for now (yes it must be a little masochistic) and I'm only through the sounds for now. I await the time when I speak the bte ...
- I rve the KARMA for 2 years ... I waited a super promo (nine in 1200) to crack and get it.
- Excellent price quality report me
- I would do without this choice problem.

For me, the KARMA is unique.

-Workstation, 61 keys light touch. Uses the same HI synthesis engine as the TRITON.
-Controllers in real time pitch bend, modulation, 4 assignable knobs, buttons and 2 assignable velocity and aftertouch.
-Connectors: 4 audio outputs (L, R, 1, 2), Midi In / Out / Thru connector Volume pedal, sustain pedal and switch.
-Sounds: 32 MB of PCM sounds (425 multisamples), editable in 640 user location. Stereo multi-effects: 2 master effects 1 5 master EQ effects of insertions can be used simultaneously. 102 kinds of effects available.
System-Karma: The peculiarity of Karma comes KARMA system, which generates rhythmic patterns changed in real time by adjusting 16 parameters (GE Generated effect) among the 1100 available.
Sequencer 16 tracks included (capacity of 200 000 notes). Ability to record on disk.
-Polyphony: 62 voices.

UTILIZATION

Usage is simple enough (although I recommend reading the instructions carefully to carefully examine the possibilities of the machine), browsing through the menu is quite easy (thanks to 8 key functions) the seizure of parameter values could not be easier (that you have an alpha dial, a cursor Value, a keypad ...).
Small flat when the editing sounds: it is quite complex, especially the many opportunities of Karma, which increases the number of parameters to adjust.
When the manual is very clear to him (or should I say "text books" because there are actually 4) and very complete, provided you have the courage and the time to read them carefully.
Noted the existence of a creation by designer of Karma (Stephen Kay): karma-lab.com. You'll find all sorts of information about the Karma, a FAQ, and the possibility to register on a mailing list (in English obviously).

SOUNDS

-The sounds are excellent qualities, the acoustic sounds are quite realistic, and the ability of synthetic sounds are almost unlimited. Note that the Karma system makes sounds even more realistic: for example, when you play a chord with a guitar sound, you can choose the corresponding reversal guitar.
When-expression, it is excelente and the possibilities are virtually unlimited with diverse ability assignment (control the speed of a piano arpeggio with aftertouch, trigger a loop with rhythmic modulation, or velocity ...) I use to

OVERALL OPINION

synthesizer for a few months already. Karma is less than 14 000 F (about 2000 euros), which is an excellent value: it is cheaper than the TRITON (best seller in its category), being, it seems, more efficient: it is true he does not enjoy the sampler and the touch screen of the Triton, but the touch screen does not convince me when I try, when the sampler, given the capacity of synthesis of Karma, we can without it. Cons by Triton does not have the Karma system: this makes all the difference and makes me prefer the Karma.

The main reason I purchased the Korg Karma was for the "Karma" feature which allows the user to create totally new sequences with the karma. The karma has about 1050 different GE(Generated Effects) for ex. it has about 20 diffierent types of arpeggios which sound great on pianos and strings and their synth basses! As far as what might be missing I would say it is really a function of the O.S. and Karma O.S.v2.0 is about to drop and from the user group the O.S. is going to be a beast!

Price paid

$1,377

UTILIZATION

Wow, usability huh? Well, about a week after I had purchased the karma( ebay) I was about to throw it out of the window! The learning curve is a not even a curve it is a perfectly vertical wall! I think the karma is a wonderful machine and it exposes a lot of configuration possibilities to the user which makes it a wonderful tool for experienced users and very intimidating to newbies.

No, i've never had to contact any user support. I am not a keyboardist much less a keyboardist for any band so I can't speak to using the karma live. The reviews i've read from live giggers though really blast the feel of the keys and the like. I can't play piano so all the keys feel the same to me so weighted keys are not a selling point for me when picking a keyboard.

SOUNDS

I like the sounds, I have a proteus 2000 and I was really impressed by the warmth of the sounds on the proteus 2000 but the karma didn't dissappoint either! Its' sounds are not as warm( i think personally) but they are diverse enough and are generally very strong in timbre that what they may lack in warmth they make up in uniqueness.

OVERALL OPINION

Awwwwww, the karma is my baby, we've been through many a night in the studio. I would say that the karma is M16 of the electronica musican: a trusty machine that always produces results!
Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 4-, 2002)

There should be an easier way to cut and paste tracks. also making it easier cut out audio from within a track would be most excellent.

Price paid

$1300

UTILIZATION

Very easy to use. outta the box you can record 12 tracks immediately!

excellent for location recording, take it with you to your friends house and have them drop lyrics over ya beats. small and sturdy

SOUNDS

The sound is amaizing! No compresion, nothing but the highest quality audio signal. The effects are a little difficult to use, but the sound quality more than makes up for the fx.

OVERALL OPINION

Excellent machine. Used for over a year. Great quality and timeless quality. the lack of graphic editing and difficult fx processing are the only minor flaws with an otherwise omnipotent machine!

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 5-, 2002)

I love everything about this keyboard/workstation. The only complaint that I have is I wish I would have bought it sooner.

Price paid

about $1450

UTILIZATION

It's very easy to use, especially the sequencer(16 tracks). The manual is pretty good, but not perfect.

The only complaint I have is I'm afraid after using some of the buttons that are used over and over again they might wear out. Customer support is great because the guy that invented it will personally answer your questions on his yahoo group site.

SOUNDS

The sounds are pretty good. There are a few that could be better. Some of the drum kits are a bit lame and the guitars aren't that great, but overall it's reaaly good. I don't really use any of the effects because I do all that in the studio when mixing. The only improvements I would recommend and I could say this about every keyboard, get rid of the weird stupid stuff nobaody uses and for the Karma speciffically, better drum kits.

OVERALL OPINION

Great keyboard and the price is great. Screw a triton and get the Karma.Most of the sounds are the same plus the K.a.r.m.a. function is cool.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 3-, 2003)

Combining full integration of complete midi implementation and sequencing technology provided by Korg, allows for limitless accessibility to the latest techniques used in creating fresh grooves. Smothering the competition with ingenuity from Stephen Kay and his K.A.R.M.A. design has led electronic music into a technological revolution. When utilizing the Karma feature, one can create artistic note series compositions that have all the depth that can be provided by the most current technological advances in sequencing and live effects processing. If you are looking for inspiration, the Karma can provide a comprehensive look into what is possible with music and technology.

Price paid

1,700

UTILIZATION

The Karma general architecture follows the Korg Triton structure. The sequencer is easy to use and provides a “Compare” function to completely undue any operation (recording or editing) that you didn’t like. The editing menu helps you structure your composition by providing a “Copy and Paste” type environment. The manuals are complete and comprehensive and are divided into sections that help focus the subject matter. The Karma is a sophisticated element that requires time and attention to master all of its advanced properties and applications; so if your interested gaining a new perspective into the possibilities of music production, this keyboard is for you.

This Keyboard is definetly a must for those that are trying to pust the limits in live audio production.

SOUNDS

2 PCM card slots allow great possibilities for expanding your Wavetable library. The sounds provided on the internal board are dynamically stunning and include every genre of music, and more. Using Alternate Modulation Sources enables you complete control over the program (instrument) timbre. Each program has complete dynamics control over the sound and can be manipulated via MIDI.

OVERALL OPINION

I believe that the Karma has exponentially developed my ability to create intricately designed sound gardens of a pure Electronica. I can’t wait to see what the team of engineers at the Karma Lab is dreaming up next.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown (January 2-, 2003)