Korg Intros PS60 Performance Synthesizer

korg-ps60-synthesizer

Musikmesse 2010: Korg has introduced the PS60 Performance Synthesizer, a synth designed with live performance in mind.

While not as salaciously lubricious as some of the other new gear from Musikmesse, the Korg PS60 is designed to meet the demands of gigging musicians.

Korg PS60 Synthesizer Features:

  • Instant access to six essential sound categories – Piano, E-Piano, Organ, Strings, Brass, and Synth
  • 440 impeccably voiced, ready-to-play, sounds created by Korg’s renowned programmers
  • Korg’s latest EDS-i (Enhanced Definition Synthesis – integrated) sound technology
  • Create and save up to 20 split and layered “Performances”– on the fly
  • Intuitive front panel layout with dedicated hardware controllers for frequently-used functions
  • Nine dedicated knobs provide live control of the master modulation, reverb/delay, and EQ effects
  • Free editing software allows the PS60 to run as a plug-in with your host DAW (AU, VST or RTAS)
  • Great-feeling, responsive, semi-weighted 61-key Natural Touch keyboard

We haven’t seen final pricing and availability info from Korg on the PS60 yet.

Details below.

Description:

Focused on the fundamental sounds for keyboard playing, the PS60 delivers 440 created using Korg’s EDS-i (Enhanced Definition Synthesis – integrated) sound engine.

The sounds are organized into six Categories: Piano, Electric Piano, Organ, Strings, Brass, and Synth.

Each category offers dedicated controls. The intuitive interface is designed to let you instantly layer up to six sounds, or make split settings at the touch of a button, creating sophisticated keyboard textures with ease. Up to 20 split/layered Performance settings can be created and saved for instant recall.

Any of 63 effects – including dynamics-type effects and amp modeling powered by Korg’s proprietary REMS technology – can be assigned to an individual sound using one of the five insert effects.

In addition, two master effects can be applied to the overall sound: a modulation-style effect offering four effect types, and a reverb/delay effect also with four effect types. A three-band EQ adds the final touch. The master effects and final EQ are selected and modified via dedicated hardware controls.

The PS60 uses Korg’s new Natural Touch keyboard, providing 61 full size semi-weighted keys to accommodate both the piano player and synthesist alike. Additional performance controls include a four-way joystick, octave up/down and transpose buttons, and a pair of footswitch/footpedal inputs for hands-free operation.

Sounds can be edited in greater detail by using the free PS60 Editor software. The PS60 can hold 512 Programs (440 are preloaded) and 20 Performance Settings (splits, layers, etc.). The Plug-In Editor offers all the same features, and allows the PS60 to be used as a plug-in synth from within any VST, Audio Units or RTAS-format DAW software system. As a librarian program, the software allows users to build up an enormous stash of sounds that have been created on a computer.

15 thoughts on “Korg Intros PS60 Performance Synthesizer”

  2. So would a wild flame motif across the panel make it sound better? Could be. I have a sticker of Brian the dog from "Family Guy" whizzing on a fire hydrant on my big Korg and I think it adds 5 db of headroom.

  6. Boring looking keyboard? Is a grand piano boring too because it has no buttons? Sequencer? Does anyone actually PLAY music anymore? My concern would be the quality of sounds and ease of the user interface so when you're jamming/gigging with other live human beings, you can quickly get to the sounds you need.

  7. played one in a shop recently….the layout was really cool because of the way you can
    layer and mix in different sounds effortlessly…seriously…kind of like an arp quadra…you
    know…those old strings/synth/organ keyboards. would've liked just a bit more control over
    certain synth parameters though.

  9. it's a rompler…sample-based synthesis… like a Korg M3 without the sequencer.. you can make some great synth sounds on it, but most people will use it for traditional presets… (strings, piano, organ, etc…)

  10. From the demo i see in Youtube (Japanese Official demo), it has a good quality sounds (what you get in Korg M3/M50), easy operation, important controllers onboard (EQ, track volume, etc).

    I feel that this synth would be a good competitor for Roland Juno Di (though Juno Di has more than 1000 preset sound, most of them are bit modified tones of same patch; moreover the quality of keys in Juno Di is pathetic). If Korg PS60 comes with good quality keybed (semi-weighted as seen in korg website), i am sure that PS60 would blow Juno Di away….

  11. I bought one as soon as it came out. But first, I tested it against the cheaper Juno?? .I was really swithering between the two but In the end, the Korg won. I wont go into why, but I can say that it does exactly what I need and does it extremely well. Ok, you asked about the sounds, IMHO, they are the same high quality brass and string sounds that cut like a knife. The big surprise for me though was the Accoustic piano's which are way better than I expected. The set of multisamples used to produce the bread & butter sounds are a well thought out unlike the Juno which has too many variations of the same sound. OK BREAKING NEWS! heres the thing that Korg didnt even know when I called them. You can shift any patch to a different group !……So, if you need to layer more than one type of brass sound, all you do is overwrite an unwanted patch in a different group..thimple! .

  12. I just bought the Korg PS60 (without ever playing it) over the internet from an unnamed NJ dealer. I've had several boards in the past and prefer a semi-weighted, 61-key board. (I'm not a great player). I already own a Korg MicroKorg.
    My opinions on the PS60 are:

    Pros: Light-weight, very compact, controls are well laid out/intuitive. Most sounds are usable (a less is more approach) less selection means less scrolling/looking for zzounds. Made For The Stage and Gigging! Quick (instantaneous?) access to 6 different sounds with easy tweak-ability in real-time (everything is RIGHT THERE in front of you). 20 banks for your most favorite layered custom sounds (again, less banks is easier to scroll through) Small enough to where it doesn't crowd the stage (guitar is my main instrument, anyway). Fairly sturdy/substantial feeling for a 10.4 lbs keyboard. (a durable piece of plastic)

    Cons: The guitar sounds are slack! (but I'm a 30+ year guitar player, so…). The keys have an average quality feel…not Wal-Mart $99 cheap, but not the likes of a top-of-the-line $2000+ keyboard. (I preferred my old Alesis QS 6.1) But you can't expect great quality for under $700 AND have all the features this has, plus be under 11 lbs. Switching from banked/saved settings to individual sounds (channels) can be haphazard because, the last volume setting that channel was given (last banked selection) might be lower in volume (or louder) than previous settings. A quick knob twist of that channel will get you right back. I'm not happy that it has a 1/8" jack for the headphones and it's in front on the left side. (I prefer it on the back with a ¼" jack)

    Some guys like a big illuminated screen to tell them what sound is selected. This board has red lights! HA! I love it! (just like older stuff use to be) It's easy to work, intuitive and the learning curve is shallow. (a caveman could do it!) You'll spend less time learning how to work it and more time playing it. That's kinda the bottom line for me. I will use this for live performances in classic rock/oldies bands and expect it to sound awesome. (my band is already lovin' it)
    This is not a true synthesizer (not much parameter control) but I didn't buy it to do that. Some might also say it needs a sequencer, but again, I'm using this more for organ/piano/strings/brass/vibes. My needs are simple.

    BTW: If you're looking for a case for your new PS60, I ordered the Gator GKPE-49-TSA and it fits like a glove! It would be THE case to get for this board…..(you're welcome) ?
    One funny note…the case weighs more than the keyboard (14 lbs) lol http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GKPE49TSA/

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