Introduction; Main Features - Korg C-520 User Manual

Introduction > Main features

Introduction

Main features

Wide range of sounds
Forty different and expressive high-quality sounds, including
a Stereo Concert Grand Piano. You can use the Layer and Split
functions to simultaneously play a combination of two
sounds. Sounds and sound combinations can be freely modi-
fied.
Performances
Sound combination can also be saved into performances, giv-
ing you an additional set of 30 timbres (3 banks of 10 perfor-
mances). Performances also store a custom split point, for
custom combinations of sounds over the keyboard.
Four zones keyboard
The new high-quality, realistic Korg RH3 keyboard features
four zones with different weights. This gives you the same re-
alism and feeling as a grand piano keyboard.
Touch control
You can choose from nine different settings to adjust how the
sound will respond to your keyboard playing dynamics.
Pedal effects
The C-520 provides the same three pedals as a grand piano,
controlling the soft, sostenuto, and damper functions respec-
tively. The damper pedal simulates the natural string reso-
nances and noises of an acoustic piano, by means of the
innovative Korg EPx (Piano eXperience) technology. Both the
damper and soft pedals let you vary the amount of the effect by
how far you press down on them ("half-pedal" function). In
addition, pedals can be freely assigned to other functions, like
starting the recorder or changing the speed of the rotary speak-
er.
Piano eXperience
While existing piano sampling techniques have resembled an
audio snapshot, our new "Piano eXperience" technology is
more of a hologram, accurately reproducing every dimension-
al detail of the sound. All piano sampling for the C-520 is done
in stereo to preserve the natural imaging of the sound. Differ-
ent dynamic levels are captured to extend the instrument's ex-
pressive vocabulary.
Going even further, the C-520 uses the sound of the key being
released and the hammer returning, as well as the sympathetic
damper resonance of the strings to create all of the subtle shad-
ings that create a superior instrument sound. This attention to
detail defines the sound of the new C-520, providing an instru-
ment that can interpret every nuance of touch into a meaning-
ful musical gesture.
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Piano eXperience (or EPx) effects are particularly evident in
sounds like GrandPiano, BriteGrand and MelloPiano.
One-hundred eighty-five songs
The C-520 includes a huge library of songs, based on famous
pieces and lesson books. These songs are perfectly suitable for
piano lessons, being recorded into two separate parts (left
hand on Part 1, right hand on Part 2) that you can easily turn
off and play on the keyboard. In addition, you can change the
metronome's tempo and let a defined passage play in cycle.
SongBook included
The SongBook album is also included as a printed music book
– a great resource for practicing and playing along with your
preferred tunes.
Onboard recorder
A multi-track, easy-to-use onboard recorder, lets you record
your own songs, or read Standard MIDI Files that you can
transfer via the integrated USB port from an external comput-
er.
Metronome
The built-in metronome allows you to select the time signa-
ture, tempo, and volume, and use a bell sound as the accent. It
can even give you a drum accompaniment in a musical style of
your choice (drum patterns).
Data transfer via USB
When connected to a personal computer via the USB port, the
C-520's internal memory can be seen as a USB disk. This way,
you can backup your data, or transfer files between the C-520
and the personal computer.
MIDI capabilities
The C-520 supports the MIDI protocol, the standard that al-
lows music data to be transferred between musical instru-
ments and computers. MIDI allows two or more devices to
control or be controlled by each other, and also allows you to
use the C-520 as a 16-part multitimbral tone generator.
MIDI over USB
The USB port also carries MIDI data, so that you can connect
the C-520 directly to your personal computer with a single ca-
ble and without the need of a dedicated MIDI interface. A ded-
icated KORG USB MIDI Driver is freely available for full use
of the C-520's MIDI features.