opinions on the korg karma?

[djessence]

any body have any experiences, or knowledge of this keyboard. i'm at a standstill between it and the triton rack. i don't need a sampler or sequencer though, thanks to my mpc, just want more sounds. any suggestions or comments? thanks

 

[Krakit]

The sounds are incredible

But the interface is NOT intuitive.

I don't own one, but I've fooled around with it at the store.

You definately have to at least read the manual. I don't know how well written or helpful the manual is, so there you're on your own.

 

[Rev E]

Both synths have essentially the same synthesis engine. The real question between the two is "will I need the Karma's randomized appegiator?" or "will the Triton's dual arpegiattors do ok?". I'm considering a synth addition in the near future also and am considering between the Karma, Triton or Triton Rack. We have a Karma at my church. I've played it a few times. It's a wonderful board, in terms of sounds and the "Karma" stuff, but it is build like a toy. If you don't need the sequencer, and you just want sounds, then I think that the Triton Rack is probably the best for you. You have 4x the expansion slots of the Karma board..... Lot's more future possiblities.

Just remember that the Karma's "arpeggiator's" cannot be controlled to a large degree. It's mostly random or prebuilt -into the code.

Rev E

 

[djessence]

so rev,

you're saying that the triton is more controllable, and the karma is already preset and less manipulative? i've played with the karma at a store also, but not the triton rack. also, i would be triggering the triton rack (if purchased) from a roland xp-10, a really low-end keyboard. would this affect the accessibility of the triton rack, and make it less of what it is?

thanks for your comments.

 

[Rev E]

you're saying that the triton is more controllable, and the karma is already preset and less manipulative? ...i would be triggering the triton rack (if purchased) from a roland xp-10, a really low-end keyboard. would this affect the accessibility of the triton rack, and make it less of what it is?

djessence,

Yes, the Triton (and its arpeggiators and parameters) are more controllable than the Karma. About the Roland XP10. You may want to rethink this keyboard. The Roland XP10 is a toy compared to other professional keyboards. It has no aftertouch. The onboard sounds are scaled down compared to the regular Roland sounds. The keybed is cheap.... basically not really worth the money, because you will likely sell it at the earliest moment you get, once you find out what I'm saying. A better bet would be to get a keyboard controller like a Fatar/Studiologic board. These boards are more durable, will have aftertouch and a few sliders to make controlling something like a Triton a great experience. With the extra money you saved from not buying the XP10, you can get a Korg expansion card or a Roland JV1010, with "real" Roland sounds. The 1010 isn't perfect, but it's soundset is miles better and more complete than the XP will ever be.

Rev E