I wasn’t that psyched about the Korg Kaossilator when it came out. Korg’s synth sounds on its low-end devices aren’t generally that impressive, so I didn’t expect much from the Kaossilator.
Checking out some of the videos that people are making with these things, though, makes me think that the Kaossilator may need a second look.
Check out Mr Shades with his Kaossilator, & note all the cool stuff on his shelves:
I didn’t quite get a good luck at the cool stuff on Mr Shades’ shelves but being an owner of some Electribe-gear myself, i can see some use here. Only thing missing here is a MIDI- or USB-port, bu then again, i guess the sound can be sampled and edtited further in any DAW-environment.
haha – “Mister Shades…” I had forgotten about him. For a real idea what the KAOSSILATOR can do live, check this out:
http://www.timrideout.com/en-article175.html
Actually, the cool about the Kaossilator is that it *doesn’t* have MIDI or USSB or ANYTHING! You actualyl have to play it. Then, when you shut it off, bye bye beats. Start over. Repeat.
I agree with Tim – MIDI would sound terrible, this is a real synthesizer, just tiny. I think the quality of the sounds produced on this thing are great, especially for such a low-end unit (at least in price).
I don’t mind about the thing not having memory – real synths, filters, and controllers don’t either, and neither do guitars, pianos, or drum kits for that matter. I play it on my commute as practice and to see what kind of riffs, melodies, and patterns I can create, then I hook up my intrument later. I treat it the way someone would a guitar on the bus – I know I can’t record what I make on there.
There’s also an excellent YouTube video of a guy using clear acetate to draw the grid onto the touchpad, so you can see where it’s going to change the sound. I recommend it.
Midi would sound terrible? Do you understand what Midi is? I don't know what Anthony means by 'real synthesizer' but I'll take a guess and no, this is software in a box. Not a portable analog synth. Agreed that those instruments don't have memory, but that's because memory on any of those ranges from unfeasible to impossible. This is a digital synth and implementing memory would be easy and useful. It already has memory infact hence the presets. "Real Synths" don't have those either. Also, not having midi capabilities is such a waste. It could've doubled as an awesome midi controller for your DAW. That being said, the thing is a blast to use. Just a bit of a missed opportunity in my opinion.
Midi would sound terrible? Do you understand what Midi is? I don't know what Anthony means by 'real synthesizer' but I'll take a guess and no, this is software in a box. Not a portable analog synth. Agreed that those instruments don't have memory, but that's because memory on any of those ranges from unfeasible to impossible. This is a digital synth and implementing memory would be easy and useful. It already has memory infact hence the presets. "Real Synths" don't have those either. Also, not having midi capabilities is such a waste. It could've doubled as an awesome midi controller for your DAW. That being said, the thing is a blast to use. Just a bit of a missed opportunity in my opinion.