Karma Operating System Version 2.0 is available in the KARMA Downloads area, along with complete documentation.
KARMA Streaming Video Demo Karma was introduced at the Winter NAMM Show in January, 2001. The following video highlights the presentation from the event.
Promotional Video Korg offered a free promotional video for Karma when it was first introduced. Supplies have run out, but you can still view the 11 minute, 20 second Streaming Video online. Select one of the following links:
Everything you hear was done exclusively on a Korg KARMA Music Workstation. Due to the content of each demo, a large file is required and a high-speed Internet connection is recommended.
Seven Years in the Making At Korg we’re always dreaming up innovative ways to make our keyboards more expressive, more powerful, more musical, and when we first learned about a brand new technology called KARMA, we knew we'd found one. Seven years after assembling a global team of skilled engineers, programmers and musicians, the Karma Music Workstation brings new music-making possibilities to life.
To start, its synth and effects engines are identical to Triton's - so you know how great it sounds. It's also compatible with Triton sound data and supports the same user-installable PCM and MOSS expansion options so your sound palette can grow. Plus, the Karma Music Workstation provides the same feature-packed 16-track sequencer that has made the Korg Triton the leader in music workstations. So what makes this new keyboard so special?
It's KARMA, our revolutionary technology that generates amazing phrases, grooves and other musical effects that can be altered and randomized in real-time. With a bank of knobs and switches, you control elements like rhythmic complexity, harmony, melodic repeat, phrasing, panning...even the synth's sound and effects.
KARMA gives you the power to play impossible , interweaving cascades of notes, techno arpeggios and effects, dense rhythmic and melodic textures, natural-sounding glissandos, intricate fingerpicking and guitar strumming, swooping portamento and pitch bend moves to name but a few. The only limiting factor is your imagination.
Karma like this only comes around once every seven years. Fortunately for you, the wait is over!
KORG’s finest tone generator — the HI synthesis system The 62-voice Karma Music Workstation features the same world-renowned HI (Hyper Integrated) synthesis system as our TRITON Music Workstation/Sampler. It includes 425 high-quality PCM multisamples and 413 drum samples covering a wide range of musical needs – 32 Mbytes in all. And an array of editable parameters let you tweak every sonic detail.
The effects section provides 102 effect algorithms , and you can use 5 insert effects, 2 master effects and a three-band equalizer simultaneously. Effect routing is very flexible, enabling you to send sound through any combination of effects and on to any of the four outputs.
Alternate Modulation and Effect Dynamic Modulation are also provided, letting you modulate parameters such as pitch, filter, amp, EG and LFO. Delay time and LFO can also be synchronized to MIDI clock or tempo. You can even sync the sounds or effects with the tempo of the KARMA function or the sequencer playback.
KORG's superior programs and combis The Karma Music Workstation contains a rich assortment of sounds created by KORG’s legendary voicing team, acclaimed by professional musicians around the world. There are 640 user programs(384 preloaded), plus 256 programs and 9 drum programs compatible with GM level 2 in ROM. Drum programs can select from 64 user drum kits (16 preloaded) and the 9 GM drum kits.
A Combination lets you use up to eight programs set up as splits and layers, and you have immediate access to as many as 768 user combinations (384 preloaded). KARMA settings have been made for all preloaded sounds, so you can simply select a sound and play phrases immediately.
Install option boards to add PCM sounds or a DSP tone generator . In addition to the internal PCM sounds, the Karma Music Workstation can accommodate the same optional EXB-PCM series PCM Expansion Boards available for the TRITON. Each board adds 16 Mbytes of PCM data plus programs and combinations that use this data, further broadening your sound palette.
You can also install an EXB-MOSS DSP Synthesizer Board to add KORG’s popular MOSS (Multi-Oscillator Synthesis System) DSP synth engine. It has 13 types of oscillators that make it possible to use virtually any type of synthesis method with KARMA. And with dedicated Banks for each option, you have plenty of room to expand your sound choices with no confusion.
16 track sequencer + KARMA functionality equals enhanced music production The Karma Music Workstation contains a 16-track sequencer with a capacity of up to 200,000 notes and 200 songs (up to 999 measures for each song). Phrases generated by the KARMA function can be recorded directly, and you can add manually-played and step-recorded phrases to create a song quickly and easily.
The RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording) function lets you play back a phrase by pressing a single key, and 150 drum and percussion patterns are provided. Many other convenient functions help you produce songs efficiently, such as Template songs, which allow you to callup a pre-arranged group of instruments and effects, and a Track Play Loop function that lets you specify looped measures independently for each track. A Cue List function lets you assemble your final song from up to 99 different sequences for easy arranging.
Songs you create can be saved in SMF (Standard MIDI File) format or in a KORG TRITON compatible format so that data can be exchanged with other devices. (Note - The TRITON arpeggiator function can not be reproduced on the KARMA Music Workstation.)
The Song Play mode allows you to play back SMF files directly from floppy disk. You can perform on the keyboard along with the playback, or use the KARMA function in sync with the playback tempo.
Four channel audio output In addition to the L/MONO and R main stereo audio outputs, you can use two independent audio outputs for a total of four channels of audio output. Oscillators, drums, timbres/tracks, and the signals from the insert effects can be freely routed to any output.
KARMA. The new music-generation technology that takes music production into a new dimension. The KARMA Variable Performance Modeler featured on the Karma Music Workstation is a completely unique function that lets you generate music in a whole new way. Based on the notes and chords that you play, KARMA will automatically generate and mold phrases and patterns. Now you can instantly create sophisticated phrases and musical changes that would have required lengthy arranging and step input if done manually.
Since the KARMA function lets you control numerous musical elements such as rhythm, duration, harmony, scale, ad-lib/humanize, random variation and tone, it can produce phrases and patterns far beyond the current range provided by conventional arpeggiators or static pattern playback functions.
For example, you can create spectacular cascades of intricate interweaving notes, techno arpeggios and effects, dense rhythmic and melodic textures, natural sounding glissandos for acoustic instrument programs, guitar strumming and finger-picking simulations, random effects, auto-accompaniment effects, gliding and swooping portamento and pitch bend effects and new sound design possibilities.
GEs bring KARMA to life The basis of the phrase or pattern is a Generated Effect (GE) and the KARMA Module Parameters that control that GE. One KARMA module can be used in Program mode. Four KARMA modules can be used in Combination/Sequencer/Song Play modes, so that separate modules can generate independent phrases to play different sounds such as drums, bass, guitar, and piano to create a full ensemble using the KARMA function.
The GE that is the basis of the phrase or pattern controls how note data from the keyboard is developed as well as how rhythm, chord structure, velocity, and more are controlled. With approximately 400 parameters in a single GE, the KARMA function can control virtually any type of tonal or phrase change. These parameters include elements like harmony, scale, ad-lib/humanize, rhythm randomization and complexity, phrase variation, tone, pan, effects, pitch bend, volume, velocity, duration, MIDI control changes, chord control, MIDI delay/repeat (Melodic RepeatTM), and pitch change.
Up to sixteen of these parameters are available for realtime control over a GE, and can be adjusted by operating the Realtime Control knobs and switches while you play. The KARMA Music Workstation provides over 1,000 different GE’s organized into 17 categories, and new GEs can be loaded as they are made available. By simply selecting a GE you can create music in many different genres, using a variety of instruments and performance techniques.
KARMA puts you in control With KARMA, every aspect of a musical phrase has been separated into independently controllable attributes. Each of these attributes is controlled by a separate group of parameters, which can be individually varied or changed in groups in real-time as the music is being generated; or changed all at once with the selection of a program or combination. While the Karma Music Workstation generates phrases, you can tweak the onboard controllers so your performance will never sound “canned” or static.
You can use the eight knobs and two switches to vary ten of the sixteen available RT (Real-time) Parameters that have been optimized for each GE by Korg’s sound programmers. The two scenes available allow you to save two settings of these controllers for instant recall. You can also manipulate parameters with MIDI control messages. There has never been a system that provides this level of interaction and variability, and the results that can be achieved will inspire you to new levels of creativity.
Specifications subject to change without notice.
Since its release, the Karma Music Workstation has inspired the creativity of thousands of musicians, responding interactively to their musical performance. KORG and KARMA inventor Stephen Kay have introduced new software that places the performer in total control, unleashing the full potential of KARMA. This powerful software - KARMA MW* - works in tandem with the new Version 2.0 Operating System for the Karma Music Workstation.
KARMA MW Streaming Video Demo Karma MW was introduced at the Winter NAMM Show in January, 2002. The following video highlights the presentation from the event.
GE Editing Software for Mac or Windows/PC Karma comes pre-loaded with 1,190 preset “Generated Effects”, commonly referred to as GEs. A Generated Effect is a series of algorithmically generated notes, controller or rhythmic data that is created and played in real-time in response to the performer’s playing. This can be anything from a simple arpeggio, a walking bass groove on up through a wild ride of intricately woven cascades of notes and behind the scene sound changes. Unlike common arpeggiators or auto-accompaniment products, these GE’s can vary in an infinite number of ways in response to what is played, or how the GE was programmed (like a musical artificial intelligence!). Eight knobs and two switches (arranged in two scenes) provide even more real-time manipulation and control over desired KARMA parameters.
The powerful new KARMA MW software for Mac/Windows unlocks the KARMA tool chest and provides access to over 400 internal GE parameters, allowing users to both create new GEs and custom tailor existing ones according to their own style, technique and musical needs. Up to 320 new GEs can be created and loaded into the Karma via floppy disk or MIDI dump . Existing GEs can be loaded into the computer, and then edited, tweaked and returned to the Karma Music Workstation. To help you get started making your own GEs, KARMA MW can convert track data from the Karma’s sequencer, from SMF (Standard MIDI File) data, and even from Triton arpeggio patterns into GEs . Templates containing Rhythm Patterns, CC Patterns and Velocity and Duration Patterns can be used to vary these GEs easily and quickly.
To see screen shots and additional information about Karma MW, click here .
Maximum Integration with KARMA Music Workstation
The KARMA MW functionality is tightly integrated with the Version 2.0 Karma operating system for efficient use. The Karma Music Workstation can respond to a MIDI request from KARMA MW by transmitting sequence data you created in Sequencer mode to KARMA MW via MIDI. The data is instantly converted by KARMA MW into a user GE with appropriate realtime controls already assigned, so you can instantly experiment with KARMA generated randomizations and embellishments of your original phrase, transforming it into countless unique variations. After tweaking it further (if desired) the software can resend the data back to the keyboard as a new GE, where you can store it in memory and take it to the studio/gig, leaving the computer at home.
This combination of precise control, cutting-edge technology and interactive performance delivers a musical experience that no other instrument can match.
Ordering KARMA MW
KARMA MW software is now shipping! KARMA MW is free to all KARMA owners who purchased their units new from an authorized KORG retailer in the U.S.A. after January 1st, 2002. Previous Karma owners can purchase the KARMA MW software ($150.00 value) directly from KORG USA for a special price of $75.00.
Everything you hear was done exclusively with a Korg Karma using the EXB-PCM04. Each demo plays the supplied Chord Trigger voicings and Scene changes only, so you can hear what you will get. Due to the content of each demo, a large file is required and a high-speed Internet connection is recommended.
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