KARMA – the next generation ---

KARMA is our revolutionary algorithmic performance technology that generates amazing phrases, grooves, and other musical effects that can be altered and randomized in real time. KARMA continues to set the standard by which all other arpeggiators, phrase players, and musical effect generators are judged.

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 finger-picking and guitar-strumming, swooping portamento and pitch bend moves, to name but a few. But what KARMA really offers is inspiration. Playing with it allows OASYS to improvise with you, stretching and expanding your own creative ideas.

In Program Mode, one KARMA Generated Effect (GE) can be assigned to a single drum groove, melodic phrase, comping gated part or other musical effect. Eight sliders, eight switches, and eight scene buttons on the expansive OASYS Control Surface provide dedicated real-time control and the ability to store complete snapshots of your settings.

In Combi and Sequencer modes, KARMA’s power increases exponentially, with Four KARMA Modules available simultaneously. The Control Surface can access and manipulate each module individually on its own “Module Layer”, selected using the Module Control button.

In addition to the four individual Module Layers, there is a Master Layer that can be mapped to parameters from any of the modules, even grouping them together – so one slider can control the swing feel of all four modules at the same time, or the rhythmic activity of two or three modules at once, to name a few. Each Module Layer has 8 Scenes that store the settings of the 16 sliders and switches in 8 different snapshots, instantly recalling completely different settings for that layer. The Master Layer’s 8 Scenes, in addition to storing the settings of the 16 sliders and switches for its parameters, also control which scene is selected for each module. With 8 Scenes in each Module, and 8 Master Scenes storing which of those scenes are selected at which time, the possibilities are endless.

Many new features keep this second generation of KARMA technology on the extreme cutting edge. KARMA-based Wave Sequencing manipulates the playback of the actual samples that create each sound, allowing each note to access a different waveform as it is generated. Having Wave Sequencing available at the KARMA level means that you can add this great effect to a timbre quickly and easily, without having to edit any Programs!

Note Remapping provides a powerful way to transform drum grooves into different variations, by instantly substituting one of the thousands of available drum sounds for any other one. It can also be used to melodically transform KARMA generated notes, such as changing all major sixths to major ninths.

Best of all, by incorporating feedback from users, we’ve made KARMA significantly easier to use – while making it even more flexible! All of the onboard 2000+ KARMA Generated Effects (GEs) have been standardized to one of 13 different “Real-Time Control Models” (RTC Models). An RTC Model specifies which parameters of a KARMA GE are available for real time control, and how the Control Surface is assigned to them. With multiple GEs sharing the same exact setup, what you learn while controlling one GE is consistent and applicable to other GEs as well.

Sequencing Satisfaction

Korg’s acclaimed 16-track MIDI sequencer records up to 200 Songs (400,000 MIDI notes), and all the features that have made our sequencer the easiest to use are all here. One-touch setup takes you from playing a Program or Combination to “ready-to-record” status in one easy step, automatically arming tracks and routing voices behind the scenes. The sequencer also allows KARMA generated grooves and phrases to be recorded as MIDI data or as a finished audio track.

Song Templates contain pre-assigned effect routings and program assignments, providing one more shortcut to help you capture your creative outbursts. OASYS comes with 16 of these Song Templates, plus another 16 you can custom-tailor to your own needs. Each Template Song also provides a number of rhythm patterns – including intro, fills and endings – that you can use to instantly create a rhythm track.

Realtime Pattern Play and Record (RPPR) can be used to assign sequenced Patterns to individual keys on the keyboard for an interactive performance, or to quickly build up tracks. Individual track looping lets you create smaller looped parts (such as drum grooves) within a Song. In-Track sampling allows you to add sampled audio directly into a MIDI track; resampling allows you to create new loops/grooves from your tracks.

A wealth of editing options is available to help you shape your captured performances with precision detail. Shift/Erase Note, Copy and Bounce options are all provided to help you arrange your parts A variety of quantization options including swing and percentage control can adjust the feel of your performance. More finite control is afforded by the advanced Event Edit screen, where you can adjust each note and controller event with pinpoint accuracy.

Recording powerhouse

In a bold first for any keyboard-based product, OASYS also offers an unprecedented 16 track audio recording studio, perfectly integrated with the sequencer’s MIDI tracks. Up to four tracks of 16-bit, 48 kHz pristine and uncompressed audio can be recorded simultaneously to the 40GB internal hard drive. You can record from your choice of balanced mic/line inputs (with individual phantom power), unbalanced +4dBu line inputs, or S/PDIF digital inputs.

The OASYS also has a sophisticated recording bus structure to allow you to route multiple audio sources to be recorded at the same time. This Rec Bus even allows you to record the output of selected MIDI tracks, or combinations of MIDI and Audio tracks without having to make any special hardware connections. This means you can bounce any configuration of MIDI and Audio Tracks together to free up more tracks to expand your recording palette!

All of the on-board effects are available in the recorder, allowing you to call up any of our studio quality mic and amp models, dynamic treatments or spatial effects – a virtual cavalcade of audio gear - when recording from an outside source.

The Audio Recorder sports a full mixing control surface with a channel strip and automation, along with track and song editing capabilities. Once again, the huge color TouchView display provides a distinct advantage for editing and mixing your tracks quickly and intuitively. Audio tracks can be imported and exported in industry-standard WAV files for maximum compatibility and portability. From simple songwriting to full-fledged productions, OASYS provides the tools you need in any audio situation.

Specifications subject to change without notice