Korg Karma?

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solnigerwithin

good guy
Does anyone have experience with this keyboard? I'm doing some research for acquing a new keyboard, and this seems to be what I'm looking for. I currently have a Korg M1 workstation, and I'm looking to upgrade. I like the idea of the rythmic possibilities with the Karma, and being able to alter, and create impossible grooves... so they advertise. Any thoughts?
 
Did you consider getting a rack? For the price of a TKarma, you could get a Triron rack or a Motif rack for a very less price. Also you can trigger them with yoru existing M1. I would consider the triton than the karma esp the rack (due to its expandability and ease of work)
 
Yah... but the Triton doesn't have Karma's arpeggiators...
 
thanks for some input. I'm not all that familiar w/ the rack. I'm definitely looking for the strong rythmic capabilities of the Karma.
 
I just priced the Triton rack on musiciansfriend.com and it's only $50 bucks cheaper than the Karma. Plus I could probably get $300 - $400 for the M1, which I would need to keep for the rack. I'm not sure, but I still welcome much more input!
 
Well, the way I see it, Karma is a Triton, minus the sampling plus the killer arpeggiators, if you like Triton sounds and are into psychedelic trance and techno, Karma's arpeggiators would certainly make life very easy.
 
YOu can now add the Karma function to the Triton. I don't know how easy it is to operate or if it is just contorl over the computer version. You will have to find out for yourself. You can now program a Karma from the computer. All parameters are programable including GEs (Karma speak for arppegiator patterns).

The Karma is great though and it is unique. They are relatively inexpensive and if you do not need sampling, it has the same sounds as the Triton and you can take it on gigs without a computer as opposed, I believe, to the Karma add on. By the way, the add on may be a plug in module so there would be no issue with the computer.

Another possibility of course is the V-Synth by Roland. The general idea of Karma is that is has continuous random arrpeggio generation based upon set algorhythms. I believe the V-Synth has a similar architecture and some nifty features such as a touch pad and D-Beam. You can also add a Kaos pad to the Karma and get a somewhat similar effect.

I frankly think the Karma is great and love mine. It never fails to inspire and it never does not add something special to a track
 
OH yes, one other thing. Those that say it is for Trance or Techno are somewhat missing the point. ALL arrpeggiators are useful in the styles. The Karma, having so many more patterns, with such wide and varied architecture is useful in many, many more styles. That, of course, is half its charm. You can use it in any style. Regular arrpeggiators such as those found in most modeling synths and the Triton or Motif are actually the ones that are more limited to Trance or Techno because they are more traditional arpeggiators and the standard patters tend to only work in dance music.

Anyway, that is what I hink of the Karma. It is truly a unique instrument and worthy of ownership. It seems however to not get the attention it deserves because it is complicated to operate and many do not want to bother learning. Plus, many want the Triton because of the sampling. If you asbolutely must have sampling in your keyboard, then get the Triton but you should consider this. The Triton and Motif are the absolute last gasps of hardware samplers. They will not run the very best sample libraries and thus you will still need a sampler such as Giga, EXS24II or Kontakt or all of them for that matter. That is the direction sampling is going. I personally would forget about hardware sampling and simply get the Karma. The money you save you can use to purchase the Kaoss pad. That, my friend, is a great set up.
 
Thanks Jeroleen, great information. My mind is made up now.
 
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