I got my hands on one of these from a friend who passed away, with all of his floppy disks and the manuals. Ive only used it as a midi keyboard, but this is making me want to plug in some big speakers! Edit he was a fantastic and prolific writer. Before he died, a few of us finished off his "last album" from the Karma, with a little studio polish and a range of vocalists (he wasnt a singer) and we had a little launch party in his hospital room. He died about three weeks later. It was sad, but he was surrounded by people who loved him. And he took great joy in handing out his instruments to his mates, myself obviously included. He also gave me his 303.
From 1:15 ? reminded me of Jon Anderson, sort of 'Olias of Sunhillow' or with Vangelis added maybe. Some beautiful soundtrack ideas no doubt could be inspired from it. Not so sure if the dance side was thought out, the name Karma invokes a calmer, laid back feel and purpose.
First introduced in 2001, I know, but does anyone know when they stopped manufacturing the Korg Karma? What was the cut-off year for getting a brand new one from the factory?
@@subwaygaragemusicmicro x basically the x50. 64 gigs of ram. TR, x50 and I’m guessing micro x share the same ram, which is 32 more of the original triton/triton le because that’s really what the TR and x50 are. Micro X got some LE characteristics such as the category search styles and audition buttons. TR and x50 operates just like Triton le.
I've had a couple of synths fall through my fingers, but the one that will stay is the red beast!!! awesome, and to make things worse, the piano sound was the first i recreated on the korg M3 and then the Korg Kronos...... yeah bit of a Korg fanboy apparently. Great video!!!
I think (and I could be wrong) that the only way is to download the original disk software from Korg. So you'll need a USB disk drive so you can port that data across to the Karma.
Check the karma mw software from karma labs. If you can access the factory sounds, then download them with the Software to the karma. No need for discs and has tons of features
Anyone have any idea how to pull up favorites when playing live? Just save everything to the C bank and hope you can find it? Idk. Not easy to find stuff in the middle of a session.
@@fairweatherfriends. You can add the EXB boards to get more sounds - easy enough - but updating the Karma and installing the software to run the boards is a confusing nightmare. Seems so over-complicated and of course working with the 3.5" disks makes it harder. But for those who rally love the Karma personality, it's worth it.
@@gearfacts I was fortunate when I got mine, mine is a Version 2 already loaded and came with all the necessary disks to re-install should there be an issue. I bought the Moss board and installed that underneath it and it’s the dogs doo dahs. I always felt the moss board never got the recognition it deserves and especially with Karma??? Maybe it’s just me I don’t know. Look forward to next vid my friend 😀👍
Unfortunately the Karma is quite a rare find these days. Thanks to the extensive manual it's fairly easy to map controls of sounds and rhythm to sound similar.
Your robotic personification of Karma in your narration is perfect! Karma has always been a bit of a strange bird to me. To delegate to algorithms what should be improvisation by the player just doesn't work for me. I find the results interesting but not particularly musical. But for anyone who likes the ROM sounds in this keyboard, it could be a good buy - the HI synthesis and effects of a Triton - plus Karma to boot.
I got my hands on one of these from a friend who passed away, with all of his floppy disks and the manuals. Ive only used it as a midi keyboard, but this is making me want to plug in some big speakers!
Edit he was a fantastic and prolific writer. Before he died, a few of us finished off his "last album" from the Karma, with a little studio polish and a range of vocalists (he wasnt a singer) and we had a little launch party in his hospital room. He died about three weeks later. It was sad, but he was surrounded by people who loved him. And he took great joy in handing out his instruments to his mates, myself obviously included. He also gave me his 303.
That's beautiful, man. And the synth shall live on, with his music still pumping :)
I love my karma v2 and wouldn’t be without it, plus moss board underneath.
Sits beautiful over my Oasys 88 Great Vid. 👍
Thanks SW :)
From 1:15 ? reminded me of Jon Anderson, sort of 'Olias of Sunhillow' or with Vangelis added maybe. Some beautiful soundtrack ideas no doubt could be inspired from it. Not so sure if the dance side was thought out, the name Karma invokes a calmer, laid back feel and purpose.
First introduced in 2001, I know, but does anyone know when they stopped manufacturing the Korg Karma? What was the cut-off year for getting a brand new one from the factory?
For some reason I have 2005 in my head.. hmm. The answer might be on Wikipedia
@@gearfacts Thank you. Wikipedia did not specify. I appreciate your response. :)
Good used prices on these right now. Some of the sounds were quite similar to the Triton, X50, Micro X and all that.
Karma and the X50 were based around the Triton engine so yeah. And the MicroX is basically a Triton in a really compact form.
@@subwaygaragemusicmicro x basically the x50. 64 gigs of ram. TR, x50 and I’m guessing micro x share the same ram, which is 32 more of the original triton/triton le because that’s really what the TR and x50 are. Micro X got some LE characteristics such as the category search styles and audition buttons. TR and x50 operates just like Triton le.
Great production
I wonder after 100 years of playing with this machine you would run out of new sounds or patterns
I've had a couple of synths fall through my fingers, but the one that will stay is the red beast!!! awesome, and to make things worse, the piano sound was the first i recreated on the korg M3 and then the Korg Kronos...... yeah bit of a Korg fanboy apparently. Great video!!!
THANKS FOR DOING THIS!!! LOVE MINE!
Great video. Hello, how can I get the factory default sounds. Mine got erase when I did a reset.I don't have the disk, Thank you in advance.
I think (and I could be wrong) that the only way is to download the original disk software from Korg. So you'll need a USB disk drive so you can port that data across to the Karma.
@@gearfacts Thank you and once again, for the video as well.
@@Nieves1313 Hey it's a pleasure :)
Check the karma mw software from karma labs. If you can access the factory sounds, then download them with the Software to the karma. No need for discs and has tons of features
how to create all these sounds and mixing them?I just got a Karma and... is overwhelming as hell
I agree, it's a very overwhelming synth. It's possibilities are just too much. Reading the manual is the only way, sorry :(
Epic video. Epic synth.
Yep. All of its greatness is behind the scenes, kind of hidden in its architecture.
Anyone suggest a pedal to use with this that you've tried? Going for a more analog and spacey ambient sound with it.
I'd definitely recommend the Hologram: ua-cam.com/video/CP0TU5bV7kQ/v-deo.html
Super video ! Merci bien. ;))
Thank you!!
Anyone have any idea how to pull up favorites when playing live? Just save everything to the C bank and hope you can find it? Idk. Not easy to find stuff in the middle of a session.
That side of things is all pretty crazy with the Karma ...I have an upcoming video talking about the subject. Deeply frustrating!
@@gearfacts Does that mean it isnt really possible without more gear?
@@fairweatherfriends. You can add the EXB boards to get more sounds - easy enough - but updating the Karma and installing the software to run the boards is a confusing nightmare. Seems so over-complicated and of course working with the 3.5" disks makes it harder. But for those who rally love the Karma personality, it's worth it.
@@gearfacts I was fortunate when I got mine, mine is a Version 2 already loaded and came with all the necessary disks to re-install should there be an issue.
I bought the Moss board and installed that underneath it and it’s the dogs doo dahs.
I always felt the moss board never got the recognition it deserves and especially with Karma??? Maybe it’s just me I don’t know.
Look forward to next vid my friend 😀👍
@@stuartwilliams7371 Well sadly my Karma is gone from the Studio ...another sale I'll regret - too eager to move on to the next review I guess :/
Still have my Karma.
Unfortunately the Karma is quite a rare find these days.
Thanks to the extensive manual it's fairly easy to map controls of sounds
and rhythm to sound similar.
Looks great, sounds glorious. Maybe that's why we rarely see them on the second hand market.
eBay got what you need. This machine although slightly like triton, the controls really send it. This would go nice over my Korg kross 88 too.
cool
Your robotic personification of Karma in your narration is perfect! Karma has always been a bit of a strange bird to me. To delegate to algorithms what should be improvisation by the player just doesn't work for me. I find the results interesting but not particularly musical. But for anyone who likes the ROM sounds in this keyboard, it could be a good buy - the HI synthesis and effects of a Triton - plus Karma to boot.