Korg OASYS: Difference between revisions
→External links: added link to O'Reilly article |
m Reduced width of infobox, as per earlier comment. |
||
Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
synth_name = OASYS| |
synth_name = OASYS| |
||
synth_manufacturer = [[Korg]]| |
synth_manufacturer = [[Korg]]| |
||
synthesis_type = [[PCM]], Wave Sequencing, Vector, [[Physical modelling synthesis|Physical Modelling]], |
synthesis_type = [[PCM]], Wave Sequencing, Vector, [[Physical modelling synthesis|Physical Modelling]],<br>[[Sampler]], [[Analog Modelling]]| |
||
polyphony = 172 for HD-1, CX-3, & PolysixEX; 96 for AL-1; |
polyphony = 172 for HD-1, CX-3, & PolysixEX; 96 for AL-1;<br>48 for STR-1 & MS-20EX (all maximum;may vary<br>depending on other sounding voices and effects)| |
||
unison = up to 16 voices with spread, detune, and thickness functions. Polyphonic unison available| |
unison = up to 16 voices with spread, detune, and thickness functions. Polyphonic unison available| |
||
vco = 2 + Sub-oscillator, [[Noise Generator|noise]], [[Ring Modulation|ring mod.]], FM and Sync| |
vco = 2 + Sub-oscillator, [[Noise Generator|noise]], [[Ring Modulation|ring mod.]], FM and Sync| |
||
Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
velocity = yes| |
velocity = yes| |
||
aftertouch = yes| |
aftertouch = yes| |
||
memory = 1GB RAM, upgradable to 2GB. No physical ROM. |
memory = 1GB RAM, upgradable to 2GB. No physical ROM.<br>Preloaded samples include 314MB "ROM"<br>(loaded into RAM automatically at startup),<br>and optionally-loaded 313MB EXs1 "ROM Expansion"<br>& 503MB EXs2 "Concert Grand Piano."<br>0MB to 1.5GB available for user samples,<br>depending on memory configuration and loaded EXs.<br>Internal 40GB [[HDD]].| |
||
ext_control = [[MIDI]]| |
ext_control = [[MIDI]]| |
||
fx = 12 insert, 2 master, 2 total| |
fx = 12 insert, 2 master, 2 total| |
Revision as of 02:34, 5 April 2007
OASYS | |
---|---|
File:Korg oasys.jpg Korg OASYS | |
Manufacturer | Korg |
Dates | 2005 - |
Price | $8000 - $8500 |
Technical specifications | |
Polyphony | 172 for HD-1, CX-3, & PolysixEX; 96 for AL-1; 48 for STR-1 & MS-20EX (all maximum;may vary depending on other sounding voices and effects) |
Synthesis type | PCM, Wave Sequencing, Vector, Physical Modelling, Sampler, Analog Modelling |
Aftertouch expression | yes |
Velocity expression | yes |
Storage memory | 1GB RAM, upgradable to 2GB. No physical ROM. Preloaded samples include 314MB "ROM" (loaded into RAM automatically at startup), and optionally-loaded 313MB EXs1 "ROM Expansion" & 503MB EXs2 "Concert Grand Piano." 0MB to 1.5GB available for user samples, depending on memory configuration and loaded EXs. Internal 40GB HDD. |
Effects | 12 insert, 2 master, 2 total |
Input/output | |
Keyboard | 76 or 88-key |
Left-hand control | 2x Joystick, 2x Switch, Ribbon, Karma |
External control | MIDI |
The Korg OASYS is a workstation synthesizer released in early 2005, 1 year after the successful Korg Triton Extreme. Unlike the Triton series, the Oasys is implemented on a custom Linux operating system and is designed to be arbitrarily expandable via software updates, with its functionality limited only by the PC-like hardware.
Features
The standard Oasys comes with a hardware similar to many personal computers:
- 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 CPU
- 40GB hard disk drive
- 1GB DDR RAM, user-expandable to 2GB
- 10.4" LCD touch screen
It features Korg's OASYS (acronym for Open Architecture SYnthesis Studio) technology, which allows multiple synthesis engines to be used simultaneously. The OASYS also includes second-generation KARMA technology (with the first generation having first appeared in the Korg KARMA). It has either a 76-key synth-action or 88-key hammer-action keyboard.
Synthesis engines
As of March 3, 2007 the latest version of the OASYS OS is 1.2.3, featuring the following synthesis engines:
- HD-1: A PCM synthesizer, with 628Mb of preloaded samples and Wave Sequencing
- AL-1: A 96-note polyphonic virtual analog synthesizer (84 notes in previous versions of the OS)
- CX-3: A modelled tonewheel organ based on the current CX-3
- STR-1: A plucked string physical model
- LAC-1: Bundle including two virtual analog synthesizers, the PolysixEX and MS-20EX, which are updated models of the vintage Korg Polysix and Korg MS20
HD-1
HD-1 Program
The HD-1 is a sample+synthesis engine with a two "oscillator" structure. In addition to the two "oscillators," an HD-1 Program contains a Vector Envelope, Common LFO (per-Program as opposed to per-voice, similar to the modulation LFOs in some early polyphonic analog synths), two common key tracking generators, KARMA settings, and effects.
HD-1 Oscillator
Each "oscillator" consists of a sample playback oscillator, dual multimode filter, nonlinear "drive" and low boost section, amp, and pan. The sample playback oscillator has four velocity zones, each of which can play a mono or stereo sample or a Wave Sequence. Velocity zones can overlap or crossfade.
Wave Sequencing
Stub.
EXi
EXi Program
Stub.
AL-1
Stub.
CX-3
Stub.
STR-1
Stub.
MS-20EX
Stub.
PolysixEX
Stub.
Notable Users
- Jordan Rudess - Dream Theater Keyboardist.
- Tuomas Holopainen - Nightwish Keyboardist.
- Keith Emerson - Emerson Lake and Palmer (ELP),
- Herbie Hancock
- Tony Banks - Genesis
- Chuck Leavell - The Rolling Stones
- Sly Stone
External links
- Korg Website
- Karma Lab Website
- Electronic Musician magazine's review - PDF file
- Keyboard magazine's review - PDF file
- Sound On Sound magazine's review, part 1
- Sound On Sound magazine's review, part 2
- Keyboard magazine article: The Making of the Korg OASYS
- O'Reilly Digital Media - Inside a Luxury Synth: Creating the Linux-Powered Korg OASYS
- The Art Of Sound Website (Audio Demos)
- Understanding the Korg OASYS with video interviews and media gallery
- History of the old OASYS project
- Korg Forums Website