Korg has announced the addition of an 88-key model with authentic weighted action to its TR line of keyboards (shown, TR61).

The TR features Korg’s HI (Hyper Integrated) synthesis technology — the synthesis system that has made the acclaimed TRITON family a worldwide standard. With 64 MB of PCM ROM containing 470 multisamples and 518 drum samples, the TR is loaded with new sounds that are well-suited for both music production and live performance, including an all-new stereo, velocity-switched piano. The internal memory offers a total of 512 Programs, 384 Combinations (each consisting of up to eight Programs) and 24 drum kits — plus an additional 128 GM programs and nine drum kits.

Two master effects, a stereo 3-band master EQ and one stereo insert effect are available, using 89 different effect types. Effects parameters can be modulated in real time, and can sync to MIDI clock or to the internal sequencer.

The TR’s 16-track MIDI sequencer holds up to 200,000 notes and 200 songs. Sequences can be recorded in real time or via step entry, with powerful editing tools available. The Cue List feature allows the user to assemble a song from individual elements (intro, verse, chorus etc.), then rearrange them and even store up to 20 variations of the same Song. For songwriters, the Template Song function provides 16 Songs containing pre-chosen programs and effects appropriate to various styles of music, with 16 additional user locations for saving setup favorites. Also included are 150 preset drum patterns that match the provided genres.

For live performance and songwriting, the TR’s dual polyphonic arpeggiators enable the creation and playback of intricate pitched patterns and drum grooves. Korg’s RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording) function allows sequenced patterns to be triggered from individual notes on the keyboard — useful for difficult-to-play passages, DJ-like performance and quick song creation.

The TR’s performance capabilities are enhanced by an intuitive Korg interface and real-time controllers including a joystick, two assignable switches and four assignable knobs. A dedicated Category key enables the desired Programs and Combinations to be quickly located. A convenient Audition button allows the user to preview Programs using a selection of musically appropriate riffs.

High-capacity (up to 1 GB) SD card storage provides quick and easy storage of user-created Programs, Combinations, Drum Kits, sample data and Songs. The TR also offers integral USB MIDI functionality, for easy connection to computer-based DAW systems (Windows XP, including x64 Edition) and Mac OS X.

Sampling can be added to the TR with the EXB-SMPL Sampling option. EXB-SMPL adds two audio inputs with mic/line switching and a variable gain knob, and supports 16-bit/48 kHz linear mono/stereo sampling. The TR offers sophisticated sample editing functions including graphic waveform display (with a BPM note grid), Crossfade Loop, Truncate, Normalize, Time Slice, Time Stretch, Reverse and even Rate Convert.

The EXB-SMPL supplies a SCSI interface for connection to external SCSI hard disks and removable-media drives in addition to the large SD card storage capability. The TR supports sample data in AIFF, WAV, Akai S1000/3000 (samples and mapped multisamples) and Korg formats. The EXB-SMPL comes standard with 16 MB of sample memory. Users can install a maximum of two 72-pin SIMM memory modules to expand the memory up to 64 MB.

The 61- and 76-key Korg TR Music Workstations are currently available with U.S. MSRPs as follows: TR61 – $1599; and TR76 – $1899. The 88-key model (TR88) is available March 2006 with a U.S. MSRP of $2499.

More information is available at the Korg site.