Korg OASYS musical instruments Operation Manual page 20

Introduction to OASYS
Detailed Specifications: Drumkits
• Stereo or mono drum samples
• Four-level velocity switches or crossfades
KARMA
The OASYS' KARMA (Kay Algorithmic Music
Architecture) function is an enhanced version of the
Korg KARMA Music Workstation. Based on the notes
and chords you play, KARMA instantly generates
phrases and patterns of MIDI data, and you can create
highly sophisticated musical changes simply by
operating the KARMA realtime controls.
KARMA is an algorithmic MIDI data generation
technology that does not simply generate MIDI data in
a one-sided manner; it changes its own internal
settings according to the notes and chord forms that
you play, and responds to the input from the KARMA
realtime controls to automatically vary the musical
data it generates. This lets KARMA contribute to your
musical creativity in an enormously powerful way.
The heart of KARMA consists of GEs (Generated
Effects) and KARMA modules. A GE is an algorithm
that takes the notes and chords you play, and generates
phrases, patterns, and tonal changes in response. The
OASYS provides a generous assortment of 2,048 preset
GEs. The vast number of GEs are organized into 12
categories according to their purpose, for quick and
easy selection.
In Program mode you can use one KARMA module,
and in Combination and Sequencer modes you can use
up to four KARMA modules. You can store up to eight
"scenes" – sets of parameter settings that determine
how the KARMA modules generate performance data
– and switch between them as desired. Additionally,
you can use the control surface of the panel to control
the KARMA function in realtime. Virtually infinite
performance possibilities are at your fingertips.
Module Control functionality lets you control each
KARMA module separately or together. The new RTC
model automatically sets-up typical realtime control
parameter settings for each GE, provides a
revolutionary leap of efficiency in setting up a song.
Note Map Tables let you obtain a rich palette of
variations from even a single GE. The Scene Matrix
function gives you centralized management of the
eight scenes maintained by each KARMA module. The
new KARMA Wave Sequence functionality uses
KARMA to switch between multisamples of a PCM
oscillator.
The KARMA function on the OASYS has been reborn
to a completely new level of power, functioning as a
supplementary musical brain that will assist you in
everything from production to performance.
Detailed Specifications
• KARMA modules: 1 module in Program mode, 4
modules in Combination and Sequencer modes
• GEs (Generated Effects): 2,048 presets
• Controllers: ON/OFF, LATCH, CHORD ASSIGN,
MODULE CONTROL, KARMA REALTIME
CONTROL SLIDERS 1–8, KARMA SCENES 1–8,
12
KARMA SWITCHES 1–8, Auto RTC (Real Time
Control) Setup function
Open Sampling System
Mono/stereo sampling
The OASYS provides high-quality 16-bit linear 48 kHz
mono/stereo sampling functionality. Samples can be
either recorded into RAM memory or written directly
to the internal hard disk as WAVE files.
The amount of RAM available for sampling depends
upon the currently loaded EXs samples, as described
under "Sampling and RAM" on page 119. When there
is 500MB of RAM available, for instance, you can
sample up to approximately 91 minutes (monaural) or
45 minutes 30 seconds (stereo).
When sampling to the internal hard disk, a single
sample file can be up to 80 minutes long for either
monaural or stereo. Samples recorded to the hard disk
can be loaded into RAM memory and used as tone
generator waveforms.
You can load sample files in AIFF, WAVE, AKAI
S1000/ 3000, or Korg formats; all will be handled as
Korg format data once they are loaded. You can also
export sample data as AIFF or WAVE files. You can use
the internal CD-R/RW drive or a USB CD-ROM or CD-
R/RW drive to rip audio data in the digital domain
from an audio CD. Alternatively, you can capture the
playback of an audio CD from the AUDIO INPUT
jacks.
Open Sampling System – take advantage of each
mode's functionality while sampling
The OASYS lets you sample or resample not just in
Sampling mode, but also in Program, Combination,
and Sequencer modes. In Sequencer mode, the In-
Track Sampling function lets you sample an external
audio input source while the song plays, and will
automatically create a note event at the appropriate
point in the track to play back this sample at the right
time. In Program or Combination modes, you can
resample complex sounds and performances utilizing
functions such as wave sequencing, advanced vector
synthesis, and the KARMA function. In Sequencer
mode, you can resample the playback of the song itself,
and use this capability to create portions of a song that
you can layer into complex compositions or use as tone
generator waveforms.
Sample editing functionality that rivals dedicated
units
The full range of sample editing operations include
Truncate, Normalize, Cut, Copy, and Reverse, and
even advanced functionality such as Time Slice and
Time Stretch. The grid display and waveform zoom
functions are a great convenience when you need to
make precise edits to a waveform. The OASYS
provides not only a great set of editing operations, but
also features that make sample editing easy and
efficient, such as a Use Zero function to automatically
detect zero-crossing points that won't produce noise.