The “Perfect Guide” was created by Korg Inc., Japan, and originally included in the April 2001 Issue of Keyboard Magazine (Japan) - they have kindly provided an English Translation.
Track01.mp3 - 828kThis is funky guitar chording with a wide range of uses ranging from vocal R&B to fusion instrumentals. When you hold down a chord in the low-mid range of the keyboard, the instrument will generate a backing phrase consisting of muted notes on the low strings and chording on the high strings. Of course, the sound will change depending on the chord. Pay special attention to the subtle use of muted and open strings. Using two separate sounds in this way is difficult when playing manually, but is something that KARMA makes easy!
While you play, gradually turn the K.RTC knob 6 from the far left toward the right. As you turn the knob, more variations will occur in the chording, shifting to a more flamboyant style.Then try turning knob 7 from left to right. The muted notes on the lower strings that were single notes until now will change to multiple notes or chords. The knobs are not the only controls available - you can use the buttons as well. When you turn on switch 1, an LPF with resonance will be applied, and the chording will sound like a wah pedal is being used. At this time, turn knob 4 toward the left and the velocity will change randomly, producing a tasteful accompaniment that includes ghost tones.
Track02.mp3 - 500kBeautiful acoustic guitar arpeggios - the effect will start when you play a chord in the mid-range of the keyboard, and will end with a natural ritardando when you release your hand from the keyboard.
A unique point of this program is that it can be controlled in various ways from the keyboard. Keep holding down the chord (or press the LATCH button), and play a key several times in the range of C6 or higher. Each time you play the key, an additional note will be generated in the arpeggio, letting you play an arpeggio with just one finger! While continuing to hold down the chord, now try raising the pitch bender (joystick). The first half of the arpeggio will be generated as you raise the bender, and the second half as you return the bender. In this way, you can control a variety of arpeggios and chord strums.
It goes without saying that this program can also be controlled using the K.RTC knobs. Turning switch 2 on/off will change the order of the individual notes of the arpeggio, and knob 6 will modify the voicing of the arpeggio. You can create a wide range of variations simply by combining these two. Such a range of possibilities for the same arpeggio should make it clear that KARMA is vastly more powerful than a conventional arpeggiator.
Track03.mp3 - 548kThis is a solo trumpet with the rich brass tone typical of KORG. The way that you play this program will control how KARMA generates phrases. First, play a chord somewhere below middle C. Nothing should happen yet. Now play a single note above middle C. If you play strongly, KARMA will begin generating a phrase, and if you play softly, the automatic generation will stop and you will be able to play conventionally. The phrase that is automatically generated at this time will correspond to the chord that you played earlier.
Of course if you play a different chord while the phrase is being generated, the phrase will change correspondingly. In this patch, some very cool chords have been registered to the four CHORD TRIGGERS keys located below the K.RTC knobs, letting you generate interesting phrases simply by pressing these keys while KARMA does its stuff.
K.RTC knobs 5 and 6 are particularly effective. Raising knob 5 will create arpeggio-like phrases that have broader jumps in pitch, while lowering it will produce step-wise phrases with fewer jumps in pitch. Raising knob 6 will make phrases with more trills and tremolo. This program can be controlled not only by the knobs, but also in subtle and natural ways by the way in which you play it.
Track04.mp3 - 808kThe "Combination" is probably familiar to you from other KORG synths. It lets you instantly select a set of up to eight Programs and play them multi-timbrally. A combination can use up to four KARMA modules simultaneously, making it possible to generate a multi-part ensemble that really unleashes the power of the Karma Music Workstation.
This combination is a worthy example of KARMA's potential.
First play a chord in the area below middle C. Even a single note will produce interesting results, but let's try playing a chord. The notes you play will sound as a chordal pad, and a complex ensemble with percussion, bass, arpeggiator, and voice will sound as well. Keys above middle C are assigned to a thick monophonic lead synth typical of KORG, so you can play a solo in the right hand.
Moving K.RTC knob 1 from left to right will shift the percussion from primarily marking time on metallic percussion instruments to more complex phrases that include strikes on various drums. The bass part is modified by knob 2. When this knob is turned to the far left, only a couple of notes will be heard every few measures. The number of notes will increase as the knob is turned toward the right, and when the knob is in the far right position, the bass will be playing virtually continuous 16th notes.
Notice the interesting voice that shifts between vowels in a complex way. Turning knob 5 toward the right will increase the complexity of the rhythm, producing patterns that sound like detailed fills. Another voice plays a sine-wave-like arpeggio for which knob 7 controls the speed and switch 1 turns it on/off. Finally, you can pull the joystick all the way toward yourself to reset all parts to the first beat, for quick DJ-like retriggerings of the groove.
Created by Taiki Imaizumi (Korg Japan Voicing Department).
PROGRAM MODE
Track05.mp3 - 572k| Controller | Time | Effect |
| Knob | 0:00:00 | Duration shorter |
| Switch | 0:00:07 | Portamento On |
| Knob | 0:00:16 | Widen upper Note range |
| Switch | 0:00:25 | Enable attack time control |
Track06.mp3 - 656k| Controller | Time | Effect |
| Knob | 0:00:08 | Syncopation change |
| Knob | 0:00:15 | Duration shorter & longer |
| Knob | 0:00:23 | Note Octave Range |
| Switch | 0:00:30 | Bend On |
Track07.mp3 - 448k| Controller | Time | Effect |
| Knobs | Flanger depth/speed control |
Track08.mp3 - 652k| Controller | Time | Effect |
| After Touch | 0:00:03 | After Touch makes Arpeggio start |
| Knob | 0:00:16 | Arpeggio Speed |
| Knob | 0:00:26 | Arpeggio Phrase change |
Track09.mp3 - 628k| Controller | Time | Effect |
| 0:00:00 | Starts from Auto Arpeggio | |
| Right Hand | 0:00:11 | Manual Finger Triggering (one note=picking) |
| Right Hand | 0:00:19 | Manual Finger Triggering (several notes=strumming) |
| Joy Stick +Y | 0:00:30 | Auto triggering by Joy Stick |
Track10.mp3 - 532k| Controller | Time | Effect |
| 0:00:00 | Starts from Auto Arpeggio | |
| Joy Stick +Y | 0:00:10 | Arpeggio Speed up |
| Joy Stick -Y | 0:00:14 | Arpeggio Speed down |
| Knobs | 0:00:20 | Phrase change, Tempo changes automatically by KARMA EG |
Track11.mp3 - 1.6mb| Controller | Time | Effect |
| Chord Buttons | 0:00:00 | 4 Chord Button play |
| Knob | 0:00:11 | Guitar Rhythm Complexity |
| Knob | 0:00:16 | Guitar Note variation |
| Knob | 0:00:25 | Change from picking to strumming |
| Right Hand | 0:00:40 | Synth Lead plays certain scale using "Repeat" |
| Knob | 0:00:49 | Repeat speed change |
| Knob | 0:01:00 | Repeat Transpose |
| Left Hand | 0:01:08 | Repeat Note changes by chord recognition |
| Joy Stick | 0:01:19 | Auto triggering by Joy Stick |
| Knobs | 0:01:27 | Guitar/Pan Flute Phrase change |
Track12.mp3 - 920k| Controller | Time | Effect |
| Knobs | 0:00:06 | Arp part mute, Arp phrase change |
| Knobs | 0:00:15 | Arp Upper Note limitation value |
| Knobs | 0:00:20 | Drum Part mute |
| Knob | 0:00:28 | Arp Duration change |
| Knobs | 0:00:32 | Bass Phrase change, Arp Speed up |
| Switch | 0:00:37 | Drum Pitch Modulation |
| Knob | 0:00:45 | Arp Phrase change |
Track13.mp3 - 1mb| Controller | Time | Effect |
| Knobs | 0:00:08 | BD/SD Mute |
| Knobs | 0:00:15 | BD/HH/Perc. Mute |
| Knob | 0:00:22 | Bass Phrase change |
| Knob | 0:00:37 | Synth Repeat |
| Switches | 0:00:45 | Organ Phrase change |
Track14.mp3 - 1mb| Controller | Time | Effect |
| Knob | 0:00:13 | Filtering |
| Knobs | 0:00:25 | BD/SD Mute |
| Knobs | 0:00:37 | Bass Phrase change |
| Knobs | 0:00:40 | HH Level |
| Joy Stick -Y | 0:00:50 | Retrigger, Synth Lead Phrase change |
| Switch | 0:00:56 | Drum Pitch Modulation |
Track15.mp3 - 896k| Controller | Time | Effect |
| Knobs | 0:00:14 | Auto Harmonize Level, number of Voices |
| Knob | 0:00:24 | Harmonize Voice |
| Knob | 0:00:40 | Drum/Bass Phrase change |
Track16.mp3 - 776k| Controller | Time | Effect |
| 0:00:00 | Phrase is generated between rule and random | |
| Knob | 0:00:15 | Drum Phrase change |
| Knob | 0:00:22 | Duration Control for Improvisation |
| Switch | 0:00:33 | Symmetry Phrase modification |
Track17.mp3 - 908k| Controller | Time | Effect |
| Chord Button | 0:00:07 | Chord Button play |
| Knob | 0:00:14 | Rhythm Complexity |
| Knob | 0:00:22 | Duration (Staccato) |
| Knobs | 0:00:29 | Strings Voicing, Phrase change |
| 0:00:36 | Oboe/Clarinet Phrase change |
Track18.mp3 - 1mb| Controller | Time | Effect |
| Joy Stick | 0:00:12 | Voice/Bass Mute |
| Knobs | 0:00:20 | Lead Synth Phrase Speed |
| Knob | 0:00:27 | Voice Phrase change |
| Knob | 0:00:31 | Voice Duration change |
| Knob | 0:00:52 | Drum Phrase change |
CREATOR’S IMPRESSION (Japanese Artists)
Track19.mp3 - 3.4mb Track20.mp3 - 1.9mb
All sound files on this page © 2000-2001 by Korg Inc. All Rights Reserved.