When Roland A-88MKII MIDI keyboard was launched, in early 2020, one of the promises was that it was ‘MIDI 2.0-ready’. The updated MIDI standard’s rollout has been rather slow, but perhaps it’s starting to gather some momentum. A free update means that the next-gen interfacing standard is now fully supported.
Roland seems optimistic that more instruments and apps are in the works, though, and paints a rosy picture of what MIDI 2.0 will bring to your creative life. “Pianos will perfectly reflect the most subtle keyboard playing techniques, orchestral sounds will be more acoustic and lifelike, and synthesizer textures will respond to performance gestures like never before,” we’re assured.
In addition, it is also worth noting that, thanks to MIDI 2.0’s bi-directional communication capabilities, it should also enable your DAW to instantly map a supported controller, and to recognise the patches in your hardware synth and give you software control of them. This level of convenience could end up being one of the new standard’s MIDI 2.0 features.
So, what does that actually mean? How this will actually impact your music-making. In theory, MIDI 2.0 will bring various benefits, such as – in Roland’s words – “dramatically increased musical expressivity”. This relies not only on your keyboard being compatible, though, but also whatever you’re controlling with it.
Though A-88MK11 is not the only MIDI 2.0-equipped keyboard in the market; Korg recently released the Keystage, which comes in 49- and 61-note varieties and also offers polyphonic aftertouch. However, the good news is that the A-88MKII remains an excellent 88-note controller, offering a winning action that we described as “a joy to play”.
Korg Kaoss Replay takes the classic XY effects pad and marries it to a fully-fledged pad sampler. It could be everything you need for live performance in one box – can your Roland SP-404 or MPC do all this?
Today, Korg introduced the KAOSS Replay – a ‘flagship’ take on the classic KAOSS Pad concept.
Imagine a hands-on effects processor that’s also a pad-based sampler and you are getting close to the Kaoss Replay, Korg’s new standalone live performance and music creation tool.
The Kaoss brand is one that many will be familiar with. The original Kaoss Pad, which introduced us to Korg’s X/Y effect processing touchscreen, was released way back in 1999. It was followed up with various other models, including the Kaoss Pad 3, Kaoss Pad Quad and Kaossilator, which also became a mobile app.
KAOSS Replay builds on the KAOSS Legacy, though, the Kaoss Replay is significantly more sophisticated. Yes, that touchscreen is still here – a 5-inch, full-colour OLED one, in fact – but below it are 16 velocity-sensitive pads that can accommodate a total of 128 sample slots per project, spread across eight banks. What’s more, you can store and access up to 100 projects via microSD card.
As well as being able to import samples, you can also record directly into the Kaoss Replay via the audio or mic input. There’s BPM detection, sync and quantisation, plus the ability to trim samples on the hardware. The 12-point Hot Cure triggering system, meanwhile, should suit live performers.
With 128 new KAOSS FX, including filters, delays, reverbs, modulation effects, loopers, vocoders, and synth effects, the touchscreen enables you to tweak up to 128 of them
Effects can be automated by using the Pad Motion function or locked in place with the Touch Hold button.
Other features include resampling, DJ-style dual faders, USB or mains powering and the option to use Kaoss Replay as an audio interface or MIDI controller. With its aluminium body, it looks rather sturdy – good news for a product that could be destined for life on the road.
Here’s what they say about it:
“KAOSS Replay is a self-contained performance tool that reshapes the KAOSS legacy, serving as an all-in-one solution for musicians, performers, and producers. It features unparalleled KAOSS Pad and Effects, expanded sample playback and sampling capabilities, and intuitive and precise DJ controls. In a portable stand-alone unit, KAOSS Replay facilitates electrifying KAOSS-infused performances on the fly, eliminating the need for additional equipment.”
Features:
Pad sampler with integrated Kaoss effects and performance functions;
16 velocity-sensitive sample pads with coloured LED lighting;
5 inch OLED touch display for intuitive control of the Kaoss effects;
128 sample slots per project (16 pads with 8 banks each); each sample pad can contain a one-shot, a loop or a complete song;
up to 100 projects can be stored on a microSD card (up to 32 GB memory cards are supported, 8 GB microSDHC card included);
128 dynamic Kaoss effects;
2 freely assignable group faders for seamless transitions between samples and tracks; tap / auto BPM, sync, quantise and variable audio functions;
12 favorite memories;
12 hot cue points per sample pad;
integrated USB audio interface (2 in / 2 out, 48 kHz, 16-bit);
additional effects for the microphone input: Tone, Delay, Reverb;
connections: Line / phono input RCA (switchable with switchable phono gian), microphone input 6.3 mm jack (only suitable for dynamic microphones), AUX input 3.5 mm mini jack stereo, line output RCA, stereo headphone output 6.3 mm jack, foot switch input 6.3 mm jack, MIDI input and output, USB MIDI (1x input and output);
Dimensions: 185 x 284 x 56 mm (W x D x H); Weight: 2 kg
Korg KAOSS Replay Demo Video:
The Korg KAOSS Replay is expected to be available in Jan 2024, with a street price around $1,000/£949. Find out more on Korg website.
Phonicbloom Loopstyler is a pocket synthesizer, sampler and looper that you can play like a Stylophone. And, you can play it with a headphone jack…
Phonicbloom makes some creative looking music gear, including a ‘tuneable electronic tongue drum’ (called Wing Drum) and Glo, the Polyphonic Whale, which is an ambient music producer that utilises environmental sounds around you. The company’s latest device is Loopstyler, which you can play like a classic Stylophone.
Loopstyler is a powerful pocket synth and sampler with 32 notes of polyphony, sampling, multitrack sequencing and looping. It fits in your pocket, plays like a Stylophone. It is capable of running multiple sound engines and effects at once. You can use it as a tape looper, or program with a multitrack sequencer.
Phonicbloom even claims it is also an audio interface and MIDI controller, making it pretty much everything we can imagine in one pocket-sized unit. What more could we want?
Loopstyler manages to cram in several sound engines including FM, Karplus‑Strong, granular and subtractive synthesis. But if these are not enough, just sample in your own sounds and max out the supplied SD card. It also includes effects, and these can be added per voice or globally.
There are four play modes (Easy Play, Tape Loop, Multitrack Sequencer, Expert Programming) on Loopstyler. Easy Play enables you select a sound from the ‘vast’ library, choose a scale and play the device like a Stylophone. Tape Loop sounds very interesting as you can loop recorded samples, and control playback using an accelerometer and a light sensor.
The third mode is the multitrack sequencer where you build a track note by note and across multiple tracks using internal sounds or sampled sources. And, finally, you probably have to be an advanced user to fully exploit ‘Expert Programming’, where you can sequence, arpeggiate, modulate, and more. The extensive manual is recommended for this one.
Loopstyler is available to preorders now price at €175 plus tax, likely to be ready in two to three months.
