A truly distinctive effect can be found in the Korg KAOSSILATOR Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer, which has been turning heads since it's release a few months ago.  What the hell is the KAOSSILATOR anyway? 

For those of you few who don't know, this Korg device is designed to be a portable synth player solution that does NOT require a keyboard in order to operate.  Thus, you make sounds on the KAOSSILATOR by touching the pad with your fingers. 

Basically, 100 of Korg's best and most famous sounds are accessible in this fun device.

What I like best about the Kaossilator is that in the live setting, your fans will have absolutely no idea what the hell you are doing to create these amazingly lush synthetic tones! 

It is almost like whipping out an Ebow, in the sense that you are almost putting on a theatrical show at the same time you are creating good music.  As for operation, just slide your fingers along the horizontal and vertical axis to create different tones and scales. 

Trust me, in less than 10 minutes I was able to control some pretty awesome sounds.  I think for the low price of $199 you are getting quite a bit of power.  I only wish that Korg would allow you to plug a midi keyboard into this device.  It is a waste to have all the digital synth power and not be able to access it with anything but your sliding touch pad.  Other than that this device is an instant classic. 

Korg KAOSSILATOR Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer Specifications:

• Programs: 100
• Program Categories: "NOTE" Sound = LEAD: 20, ACOUSTIC: 10, BASS: 20, CHORD: 10 "SE" Sound = SE: 20 "DRUM" Sound = DRUM: 10, DRUM PATTERN: 10
• Musical Scale Patterns: 31
• Key Range: ±12
• Types of Gate Arpeggiator: 50
• Connectors: LINE OUT jacks (RCA phono jacks), PHONES jack (Stereo mini phone jacks)
• Sampling Frequency: 48kHz
• DA Conversion: 24-bit Linear
• Power Supply: four alkaline AA (LR6) batteries (6 V)
• Battery Life: approximately five hours (with alkaline batteries)
• Included Items: Owner's Manual, parameter sheet, four AA "test" batteries
• Dimensions( W x D x H): 4.17" x 5.08" x 1.14" (106 x 129 x 29 mm)
• Weight (without batteries): 5.43 oz. (154 g)
• Options: DC4.5V AC adapter (Sold Separately)

Korg KAOSSILATOR Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer Features:

• A portable synthesizer delivering maximum flexibility in an ultra-compact body, with battery operation that allows you to jam anywhere
• Synth, sound-effects, and drum sounds, for a total of 100 powerful sound programs
• 31 scale patterns let you easily play a wide variety of "always perfect" phrases
• 50 types of gate arpeggiation help you perform complex rhythmic patterns
• Loop Recording allows multiple phrase overdubbing to create complete grooves

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 24th, 2008 at 9:08 pm and is filed under Guitar Effects/Pedals. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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