Korg Radias-R Virtual Analog Synth Rack User Reviews at zZounds

"So much of a good stuff." submitted August 1, 2007

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Sound: The sound of Radias is generally excellent. The character is a little harder to specify, since it is has both clasical analogue modeling options and wave synthesis from samples options, but it is pretty much in your face, but not as warm as some Access or Moog synths. But if you need more warmth, you can achieve it easily nowadays (I use Nomad plugins in recording channel) Feature: I got the rack version simply because I already own a midi keyboard, and the propriatory one isn't anything special. This is probably as close as you can get to a software synth-sequencer, and with hardware buttons to work with. Two oscillators plus noise, wav synthesis and 25 customisable drum-kits. 4 timbres (instruments) can play in one program with up to 24 voices. 2*32 step sequencer plus arepeggiator also play at the same time. Vocoder with pre-recording formants into 16*7,5 second buffers. USB connection is really great, you can back up everything, or change it on PC in real-time, much easier to play with step sequencer or drum-kit design). Loads are pretty fast, you can upload the set of programs in a live situation with no real delay. Two sets of outputs, midi in, out, through, and a nice on-ear microphone for vocoding that works really well. Ease of Use: I am a long time computer music creator, started with a tracker on C64, but haven't used hardware that much. Radias has a nice logical work-flow, but with so many possibilities, it has a learning curve. Manual is quite good, so you can start quick enough. Quality: It looks and feels like an industry tool, metal plate, buttons are hard, only knobs are a little less robust. Backup? It is hard to have a back-up for this since it does so much... Value: Considering the features and the quality of the results, it fares with the synths twice the price. Manufacturer Support: No support necessery yet... The Wow Factor: Industry design with a lot of flashing pink(!) lights may look out of place on a rock-concert, but poeple know what it can do... Overall: This suites my needs perfectly, making me more creative and keeping me away from the computer in the creation phase, so that I don't get stuck in the usual sound polishing of a single phraze. I am not selling this, ever.

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"It's waiting for you, oh yes it is! Resistance is futile." submitted October 9, 2011

By a customer from hotmail.com

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Musical Background: Active Musician

Music Style: Rock, World, New Age

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Sound: The Korg Radias seduces you; she is alive. There is something very inviting about this instrument. Radias takes a lot of work to get to know. At first there is a bit of confusion as there are a dizzying number of qualities that both entice you and can induce some trepidation as well. But when you become familiar with her the rewards are simply amazing. Radias fits so well with mt current rig. At present in addition to Radias I am making music with Kronos, Fantom X8, XV-88, Kurzweil PC3, JP-8000, and SH-32. Radias fits in perfectly and it is a blast to experiment and MIDI it to the other instruments. I have found that the coolest combination is the PC3 and Radias combination. When you combine the insane depth of a Kurzweil with the semi-modular approach of Radias there really isn't any sound that you cannot create. But this review is about the Radias as it is and so I'll focus there. The Radias possesses character and can be as gentle as a kitten and as ferocious as a tiger. As with any synth I would offer that presets only serve as a jumping off point to more complex soundscapes and in this the Radias delivers a way to create a palette that is as varied as any serious musician would desire. Rockers take note that while the presets and the vocoder seem to make Radias more appealing to hip-hop, techno, trance, and other forms of dance, Radias is a GREAT synth for all sub-genres of rock from experimental stuff pioneered by the Beatles to the icy aggressiveness of Scandinavian metal and everything in between. Radias invites experimentation and believe me there is far more under the hood of this instrument than you would suspect. In fact, experimentation is far more rewarding than reading the manual; this synth really is made for people who want to think outside of the box and create soundscapes that have yet to be heard. People who play ROMplers such as Yamaha take note: Radias is a synthesizer so do not expect stunning Steinways or be able to produce a Stradivarius that would make Perlmnann green with envy. While there are some PCM samples onboard, the real strength in this instrument lies in its stunning ability to create extremely complex synthetic textures. Modulation possibilities abound as well, the filters are extremely flexible, and you really can approximate and in many cases completely capture those vintage Prophets, Oberheims, Moogs, and Arps in addition to creating your own living patches. This is simply a masterpiece by Korg and I would strongly urge anyone interested in experimenting with a very powerful means of sound creation to explore Radias. The price to power to ratio is simply among the best in the industry. Feature: I gave Radias a "9" because I do not believe that there IS a best or a "10" as far as musical instruments. In terms of accessories Radias comes with a nifty sweet gooseneck mic for vocoding purposes and the first thing you will want to do is experiment with this. In a sense, you should really think about vocoding as a way to move beyond just vocal creations. The vocal input really is a carrier that is modulated by the synth engine itself. I can only imagine what a guitarist or bassist could do with Radias in conjunction with the vocoder. Ease of Use: Like any high end VA, Radias has a crazy number of buttons and knobs and many of these buttons and knobs are multifunctional. The interface IS a bit cluittered but considering the amount of real time control you have over this instrument and the amount of parameters you have available for patch creation, I am thankful that Korg went this route as opposed to the ROMpler approach of menu driven screens. There IS a learning curve to this instrument but that learning curve constantly rewards you and many times you will find those wonderful serendipitous moments when you tweak just one knob and you have created a stunning patch that inspires you to compose! The manual is really a reference and is not much help. Note to the industry: you should consider paying your writers a little more so that manuals are more logically arranged and you should allow for some tutorials. Many people need a sort of guide at first to gently ease in to complex instruments and the addition of tutorials would actually increase sales. Quality: Radias is ROCK solid and I have no worries about taking this beast on the road and in any type of venue. The knobs have a tight feel which is a GOOD thing because precision is so very important in a synth. This is a reliable instrument and I have no worries about possible failure in the unit. I should qualify by stating that Kronos obviously does everything Radias does and more, but that is to be expected from an instrument made in 2012 - the Radias was released in 2006. But, I do not rely on Kronos to fill in for Radias. Road warriors need not worry about the durability of Radias. When turned off it DOES look like something that belongs in a NASA setting or a high tech medical office but turn it on and it comes alive and looks like a musical instrument in the Star Trek era. Value: As I have stated, the price to power ratio in Radias is simply amazing and in these tight economic times the adage "bang for the buck" applies in spades here. Manufacturer Support: I had to contact Korg about a question I had regarding Kronos so I can at least speak to my experience with their customer support. They are helpful and quite patient and will direct you quickly to the technician who specializes in specific areas of the instrument's architecture. However, if your cell phone drops a call you have to go through the queue; Korg does not allow you to give your phone number for an immediate call back. I think that this is not the best of practices and I would hope that Korg would adopt a more friendly attitude in this regard. The Wow Factor: Turned off, the Radias has an understated laboratory look to it. But there is a nice feel to its aesthetic with its silver front panel and black knobs. Turned on, Radias feels like a Pink Floyd light show! What drew me to Radias was its plethora of real time controls that seem to say, "come and play; let's see what vistas we can discover today!" Overall: I really see Radias as an instrument that I will never outgrow. I do not believe in obsolescence and as such I believe that Radias will always be an integral part of my music making experiences. If the Radias was stolen and I had to WALK to get another, no matter the distance, I would buy another immediately.

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"Korg Radias - Sexy Beast" submitted November 5, 2010

By a customer from waterdogstudio.com

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Musical Background: Professional Composer & Musician

Music Style: Other

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Sound: I love the sound of this thing. It has so many waveforms, and so many ways to alter and layer them, that I wonder if I will ever run out of combinations. Add the audio inputs and vocoder, and this is a pretty amazing sonic playground. Feature: So much going on here. It's cool that you have 4 timbres per preset, and the use of two sequencers and an arpeggiator - and I love the software editor. It makes it a lot easier to do any serious editing - at least I do. Ease of Use: The Radias ships with great presets - but who wants to use presets!? That's just the sonic lure to get you in the door. You could absolutely take this thing onstage for rock or techno with a minimum of tinkering, but to really get your own sounds, it will take work. OK - a LOT of work. I'll just spit it out - this thing is a BEAST to program. I know that others have no problem at all programming Korg gear, but I am not one of those people - and I've been using synths since the 70s (I was able to get sounds out of an ARP 2600, for cryin' out loud!) The faceplate of this thing is a wilderness of knobs and buttons and lights - which looks cool, but can be confusing if you need to make a quick tweak. And Korg's payouts never make intuitive sense to me. I really struggled with my synth purchase - I wanted a Roland Gaia, because the interface was so friendly - but in the end, I went for the impenetrable Radias. It just SOUNDS so great. That's why I have so much Korg stuff in my set-up - I love the way they sound, and what they can do. But programming them is painful. Thankfully there's a software editor, although who knows how long Korg will support it. Hopefully by the time the software is orphaned, I will have mastered the front panel of the Radias. Quality: Overall, it's pretty sweet. The unit itself is pretty solid, and the knobs are smooth and well made. I got the keyboard version, and I like the aluminum chassis on both the rack and the keyboard - although it's a bummer that Korg uses a proprietary cable to link the keyboard to the rack (not an issue for the rack-only version.) The included headset mic is OK, but the headband is pretty uncomfortable, and not very adjustable. Value: An amazing synth for the money, and really fun. Manufacturer Support: Haven't had to deal with support. The Wow Factor: Pretty sexy. I already own it! Overall: I think this thing will keep me busy for a good long while.

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"RADIAS Owner" submitted September 23, 2006

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Sound: I love the Radias, it sits well in the studio complimenting my other synths, Supernova 2, Virus Ti, JP8080. It's top end is clean and bright and can also deliver on fatness too with a bit of tweaking here and there. Feature: It has all the normal synth functions, the vocoder is great and I love the ability it presents to morph between filter types. Ease of Use: Menu navigation is a bit picky for my liking but the hands-on-ability of all knobs on front is great. Quality: Good solid metal chasis, buttons are fine, the knobs seem a little cheap and plasticy. Value: Good value for money Manufacturer Support: Never had to deal with supprt

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"Money better spent elsewhere." submitted February 4, 2009

By a customer from yahoo.com

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Musical Background: Hobbyist/Semi-Professional

Music Style: Hip-hop, RnB, Jazz, Classic Rock

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Sound: Sounds ok. Save your money and buy a real analog synth-especially since a Moog Lil fatty can be had for just a few bucks more and is built better and will last longer-not to mention sound alot better! Feature: Vocoder is decent. Ease of Use: They are overly complicated-unless you like twisting cheap feeling knobs. Quality: My unit quit functioning after very little use. This is my second Korg piece and both have broken with very light use. Value: There are better sounding soft synths for one fifth the price. The Wow Factor: Overrated. Overall: Makes decent sound in an overly complicated way. It sounds way more digital than (virtual)analog.

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Korg Radias-R Virtual Analog Synthesizer Rack

User Ratings

"So much of a good stuff." submitted August 1, 2007

"It's waiting for you, oh yes it is! Resistance is futile." submitted October 9, 2011

"Korg Radias - Sexy Beast" submitted November 5, 2010

"RADIAS Owner" submitted September 23, 2006

"Money better spent elsewhere." submitted February 4, 2009