Korg began with an idea...
Use the latest technologies to create the finest electronic musical instruments and allow musicians to sound their very best
This will always remain our passion.
Korg was started in 1962 by Tsutomu Katoh and Tadashi Osanai, and from the beginning the ethos was to constantly strive to release new products – often ahead of the time.
In 1963 it is this skill that created the first disc-based rhythm machine, the Doncamatic, which led to the development of the first synthesizer in 1988, the M1. The M1 combined sound generation, percussion and sequencing in a single MIDI instrument and brought the concept up to date in one unit.
This ambition to continue to create innovative instruments was followed in 1995 by the Korg Trinity. This very successful workstation was the first to feature a large touch-screen as part of the front panel user interface.
By 1999 the iconic Kaoss Pad was launched attracting many fans in professional artists across the globe. The products that appealed to artists kept on coming and in 2002 Korg introduced the microKorg. It is still in production today and is thought to be one of the most popular analogue modeling music synthesizers in recent times.
Korg then marked a return to the Professional arranger market with the introduction of the Pa1X Pro in 2003. The Pa Series continues to be produced today in a specialist Korg R&D center in Italy.
Korg continued to push the boundaries by releasing the OASYS (Open Architecture Synthesis Studio workstation) in 2005. The components of which are still used in many Korg synthesizers today. The most notable successors are Kronos and Nautilus, flagship synthesizer workstations. They includes 9 different sound engines which encompass the entire range of Korg synthesis technologies.
Innovation is in our DNA. And yet we remain very human. We are a company of musicians and music enthusiasts who see ourselves as your musical partner. Like you, we love great sounds, we love a good interface and we love music.
Korg in the UK & Ireland
Korg UK is part of the worldwide family of Korg companies. We are also the home of the music industry legend that is Vox Amplification, with our British Research and Development Centre continuing the proud heritage of this iconic brand, the choice of so many celebrated guitarists for over sixty years.
We are also the exclusive distributors in the UK and Republic of Ireland for a portfolio of world class brands including Takamine guitars, Mapex drums, Paiste cymbals and Vater drumsticks products and are committed supporters of the independent specialist music retailers who provide local, high-quality sales and service to our customers.
Our Milton Keynes base is home to our warehousing, distribution, customer service, marketing, product support, accounting and executive operations. Korg UK is also a highly active member of our local community, from holding learn-to-play days to our sponsorship of MK Dons F.C. From product concept to the concert encore, our aim is to deliver a musical experience that is beyond expectation; at home, in the studio, on the stage and in the audience.