Easy-to-play synth sounds—on the go!

The KAOSSILATOR Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer is a pocket-sized musical instrument that matches a KAOSS touchpad interface with 100 of Korg's world-renowned synth sounds and innovative performance features. You can instantly play musical phrases simply by tapping or sliding your finger across the KAOSSILATOR's touchpad—no previous skills required.

The KAOSSILATOR liberates synthesizer sounds from the keyboard. It gives keyboardists, guitarists, and DJs a convenient way to add fresh new elements to band performances or to DJ sets. Even untrained music enthusiasts can enjoy an entirely new level of musical involvement and expression.

Thanks to its ultracompact size, battery operation, and hooks for attaching a strap, the KAOSSILATOR makes it easy for you to start creating music whenever and wherever inspiration strikes you.

Packed with powerful synth sounds, sound effects, and drum sounds KAOSSILATOR comes packed with 100 powerful sound programs that combine Korg's legendary modeling synthesizer engine with the effects from the KAOSS PAD series—perfect for any musical genre. The horizontal axis is assigned to note/pitch, while the vertical axis is assigned to parameters such as: cutoff, feedback, or modulation depth, to give you a wide range of performance possibilities. In addition to classic synthesizer sounds like leads, basses, and sound effects, there are sounds that faithfully simulate piano, guitar, and trumpet, as well as looped and one-shot drum sounds, making the KAOSSILATOR a never-ending source of inspiration to stimulate your creativity.

Scale/key setting lets you produce perfect phrases The KAOSSILATOR has a scale function that makes it simple to produce accurate pitches that match any musical context. You can choose from 31 different scales, including chromatic, diminished, as well as major and minor blues and pentatonic scales. The scale function can be used in conjunction with the key setting function, allowing you to perform in any key. Unusual scales such as Spanish, Ryukyu, and Raga are also provided, letting you create distinctive phrases with an exotic flavor.

Gate Arpeggiator expands your performance possibilities The Gate Arpeggiator lets you produce specific patterns of notes in sync with the user-specified tempo, greatly expanding your performance options. Simply choose one of the 50 patterns to specify the timing of the notes, and you'll be creating phrases that you've never dreamed of in a flash.

Loop Recording accelerates your creative power Loop Recording allows you to record a phrase with a specified number of beats (maximum 8 beats = 2 measures), and play it back endlessly. For example you can record a phrase using a synth-lead sound, and then layer (overdub) bass or drum sounds onto it. You can build up layers of cool phrases by simply repeating this cycle of selecting, playing, and recording sounds. Building a groove was never so easy.

Korg KAOSSILATOR Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer Features:

• A portable synthesizer delivering maximum flexibility in an ultra-compact body, with battery operation that allows you to jam anywhere
• Synth, sound-effects, and drum sounds, for a total of 100 powerful sound programs
• 31 scale patterns let you easily play a wide variety of "always perfect" phrases
• 50 types of gate arpeggiation help you perform complex rhythmic patterns
• Loop Recording allows multiple phrase overdubbing to create complete grooves

The most fun you can have with just one finger. Plug in your headphones or jack into the PA and jam!

Korg KAOSSILATOR Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer Specifications:

• Programs: 100
• Program Categories: "NOTE" Sound = LEAD: 20, ACOUSTIC: 10, BASS: 20, CHORD: 10 "SE" Sound = SE: 20 "DRUM" Sound = DRUM: 10, DRUM PATTERN: 10
• Musical Scale Patterns: 31
• Key Range: ±12
• Types of Gate Arpeggiator: 50
• Connectors: LINE OUT jacks (RCA phono jacks), PHONES jack (Stereo mini phone jacks)
• Sampling Frequency: 48kHz
• DA Conversion: 24-bit Linear
• Power Supply: four alkaline AA (LR6) batteries (6 V)
• Battery Life: approximately five hours (with alkaline batteries)
• Included Items: Owner's Manual, parameter sheet, four AA "test" batteries
• Dimensions( W x D x H): 4.17" x 5.08" x 1.14" (106 x 129 x 29 mm)
• Weight (without batteries): 5.43 oz. (154 g)
• Options: DC4.5V AC adapter (Sold Separately)

Korg KAOSSILATOR Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer

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Average of 10 User Ratings

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Save your self some $green$

Posted by Dav1d from denver, co on Dec 9, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Producer/ engineer

Reviewer's Play Style: electronic, hip hop, progessive house

I found that this thing was alot of fun to play with but didn't really help me musically. This thing is quiet limited in is cappabilities: Its can't sync with any other devices, you can't change any of the instruments loaded on it, the recording is very limited in lenth (16sec loop at maximum), there is no way to erase (better not mess up). But this thing is a good fun toy to have around. Perfect for entertaining at parties or just messing around with friends. Or it would probably be a great toy (gift) for a young child just because its supper easy to use. I personal returned mine because this was not what I was looking for. If you are looking for something to spice up your music, I would NOT suggest this thing. Save your green.

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You can't hate it!

Posted by ReekHavok from Minneapolis, MN on Nov 10, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: 20 years engineer/musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Electronic/hiphop/Alternative

Fantastic little box for those who want or need some external sounds from the standard soft synths and keyboards.

It'll make you smile when you play it because you can create more interesting and creative patterns when not tied to a controller.

Anyone who says it isn't worth it or to save for something better just isn't thinking creatively.

Buy TWO!

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no joke- great for you beginners out there

Posted by ben from indiana on Sep 11, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: 10 years of writing my own music

Reviewer's Play Style: house trance and alternative

get it! this is the best needed touch pad synth to get for beginners. anybody can use and anybody will love it. the con to this is the past two years i've had this is the buttons get worn out a little. and be carful with the pad. I dont remember excactly wat feel on it but it left a good mark on it but it still works fine. it has great sounds but not alot. but enough to make plentiful to make alot of songs. This is a great and easy instrument for anybody!

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MC ZAP

Posted by MC ZAP from Denver on Jul 7, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Starting musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rap, Electronic

I made the mistake of purchasing this item. Five minutes out of the box and I felt like I was playing a game boy. A huge problem I had with it was that you can't hook it up the a computer unless your just recording it. I was hoping you could upload your own instruments from a computer. This was an issue for me because 100 different instruments sound like a lot but after only a day of playing with it I was bored of the few cool sounds it has. Luckily I was able to sell it for the same price I bought it so no swet for me. I post this as a warning to any real musician looking at this item. DON'T BUY. Save your cash for something better.

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Future Technology

Posted by Blood Pheasant from RVA on Jan 27, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: New Traditionalist

Reviewer's Play Style: none

I've been using the Kaossilator (frequently) for 3 months. I would *definitely* replace this device if it were lost or stolen.

The two points that stand out the most for me: 1. Portability 2. Touchpad

On portability: The batteries last, as advertised, for several hours. This gives the Kaossilator a supreme range of use; plugging it into a car stereo or tv set- or making sounds while waiting in line, on the bus, on lunch break. It's lightweight and plastic, but reasonably sturdy. And it fits nicely into a jacket pocket. I think the Kaosillator has filled a niche in this regards. And ultimately, I feel that it is used more because it travels well.

On the touchpad: It's simple, intuitive, and responsive. A keyboard this small would be worthless, but the touchpad reads finger placement exceptionally well; rolling a thumb in place will produce nuanced effects, but it doesn't feel cluttered. The notes are clean and separate, only one note is voiced at a time. The pad itself is sturdy and I expect it to last for the life of the instrument.

Recommendations: -Look for a rechargeable set of batteries. The freedom to move without an AC adapter is well worth it. -Check out a hidden features/tricks video on youtube. There are a few unadvertised or less obvious features worth knowing: The 16 bar loop, erasing and saving layers, battery check.

Conclusion: Yes. If you are interested, it's a nice buy. Korg has made a well balanced device. Portable and playable.

In brief, other design features I liked: *Layering and looping *Pre-set scales *Arpeggios *Sound and beat selection *Tap tempo controls

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Korg KAOSSILATOR Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer

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