In fact, multiple models from the Volca series can be hooked up, thanks to Korg’s judicious use of sync in/out ports; a MIDI input also means an external keyboard or other controller can be attached. That could come in handy if the touch-sensitive keypads of the Volca Keys turn out to be too compact for your chunky fingers.

The Volca range will also work with Korg’s SyncKontrol iPhone app to wirelessly control tap-tempo, swing settings, and synchronize playback with any iOS music app that supports WIST. The push for simplicity also includes self-tuning on the Bass and Keys models, correcting the analog drift that can turn off some starter users.

The Korg Volca Keys offers three note analog synthesis and a loop sequencer, as well as support for memorizing and repeating knob movements. It has 27 touch-sensitive keys with three note polyphony, plus ring modulation.

As for the Korg Volca Bass, that offers a trio of analog oscillators and a new analog filter; up to eight 16-step sequencer patterns can be stored, with an active step function for instantly tweaking rhythms. Finally, the Volca Beats has six editable analog parts – each with its own selection of knobs for direct control – and a stutter function for throwing in dramatic sequence changes.

All three run on six AA batteries and have built-in speakers, with a full set of fresh batteries good for around 10hrs of use. Pricing is yet to be confirmed.

Korg isn’t saying exactly how long the KROSS will last on those batteries, but at least it offers a little more potential for creating songs on the go. The black and red chassis is studded with the usual array of knobs and buttons, including a sixteen-key sequencer control board for rhythms.

In addition to the piano, electric piano, and drum sounds which come from Korg’s more expensive models, the KROSS has twice the amount of sound sample data as previous affordable workstations. The company has also thrown in new EDM dance and electronic sounds, while effects – up to seven of which can be active at any one time – include delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, rotary speaker, amp modeling, and a vocoder.

A memory card slot can be used to swap data with a computer, and there’s a stereo audio recorder (including support for over-dubbing), arpeggiator, and one-touch drum backing. The 61-key version has an integrated carry-handle and tips the scales at 9.5lb, while the larger, 88-key version is 27.3lbs.

The Korg KROSS goes on sale in August, and is expected to be priced at $699 for the 61-key and $999 for the 88-key.

With the KP3+ Dynamic Effect/Sampler you’ll be using touchpad controls to activate a barrage of effects programs – over 150 of them right here in one little monster. These programs include the original KP3 effects, 22 all-new effects programs, and a collection of sounds and features in-between that’ll knock you out. You’ll find user-favorited selections in filters, decimators, echoes and more from Korg products that are on the market right now, as well: the Kaoss Pad Quad and Mini Kaoss Pad 2 have been particularly inspirational.

Using the KP3+ you’ll be blasting with high resolution sampling from sources galore – mic and line inputs are yours to craft with. You can save multiple bands of samples to SD card (with the integrated SD card slot) or transferred to your PC with this machine’s USB port – you’ll also have a MIDI controller able to transmit three controller signals from one touchpad, data from the slider, and more – this beast will run you $349.99 and will be available starting in April, 2013.

With the Kaossilator Pro+ you’ll be rocking with 250 sounds with such excellent bits and pieces as synth leads, enhanced drum sounds, and effects galore – all highly controllable and pattern-ready. You’ll be working with updated drum PCM from Korg’s own Wavedrum percussion synth, and you’ll be encouraged to either work in one of the following genres or create your own (of course!): hip-hop, chiptune, house, dubstep, new disco, electro, reggaeton, and drum ‘n’ bass.

The Kaossilator Pro+ has the ability to record performances that are four tracks deep, each of them placed on a Loop Recorder Bank and overdubbed one at a time. Loop phrases coming correct, you’ll go wild with line inputs and a mic input as well for recording external audio sources on the fly – and you’ll be doing all of this for $399.99 USD starting in April of 2013 – same time as the KP3+ – as well.

We’ll start off with the new King Korg, which is primed and ready for the stage right out of the box. Featuring a 3-oscillator, 2-timbre design, the King Korg comes equipped with a number of oscillator algorithms and filters that can “accurately model sought-after vintage analog synths.” Korg’s Xpanded Modeling Technology helps with that as well, while the controls have been laid out in a way that Korg is hoping will appeal to veterans while at the same time drawing newcomers in.

Next up is the MS-20 Mini. If you’ve been following Korg for years, this will probably look pretty familiar to you. It has all of the functionality of the original MS-20 synth, only this time, engineers have squeezed all of that into a package that’s 86% smaller than the original. The MS-20 Mini still features self-oscillating high-pass/low-pass filters and an external signal processor, with Korg saying that it replicates everything about the original. If you liked the first MS-20 but want something similar that doesn’t take up as much space, this sounds like it’s for you.

There aren’t any pricing details listed, but as we stated above, don’t expect these to be necessarily cheap. Just the same, availability details are nowhere to be seen, but taking a quick look at Korg’s website, it appears that both are available now. Are any of you planning to pick one of these up?

The MicroStation is a versatile keyboard that is both great for beginners as well as experts who want an easy interface to work with. The keyboard can act as a songwriting tool thanks to its quick and intuitive onboard sequencer for recording your music, and it also works great as a live keyboard, or for those wanting to easily lay down some drum tracks on top of their music.

The new MicroStation has 61 “Natural Touch” keys, which we’re guessing is just another term for weighted keys. The device also comes numerous effects, dual arpeggiators, and a 16-track MIDI recorder. It also features Loop Recording and Visual Grid Sequencing for those music experts who want a little more oomph out of their music gear.

If you happen to not have the MicroStation plugged into a computer for saving music tracks, the keyboard has built-in SD card slot, allowing users to save their song data and other information directly onto an SD card for future listening on a computer. The new KORG MicroStation is available now for $399.

The original Polysix went on sale all the way back in 1981 when the biggest deal in the world for synthesizers was five-note polyphony. When the designer of the Polysix organized the machine to simultaneously push forth six different sounds at once, his mind exploded with excitement. Here at the tail end of 2012, the machine has another big jump forward: “Polyseq” polyphonic step sequencing action!

The analog mixer you get with this musical collection in an app is reminiscent of the KMX-8 mixer that was out on the market when the original Polysix was released. Similar sounds are included – you’ll be rolling out hard with the greatness of the early 80′s for real. The dual Kaoss pads included also include chordal support. This combination of the Polysix + Kaoss Pads in one app allow you to play inimitable polyphonic sounds of the Polysix with just one finger – it’s magical!

This app is out for iPads of most shapes and sizes and will cost you just $14.99 for a limited time. Starting on the 31st of December, the price will jump back up to $29.99 USD where it’ll stay for the foreseeable future. At the moment we’re playing around with the app and will be sure to let you know if we see any bugs or fantastic features above and beyond the fold!

Alesis iO Mix

In its third incarnation, the iPad has demonstrated its chops as a musician’s friend; apps like GarageBand are more than enough to create professional sounding music. What the iOS slate lacks is inputs, and that’s where Alesis steps in. Slide the iPad into place and the $299 iO Mix turns it into a 4-channel recorder ideal for studio work and live performances. It’s compatible with any Core Audio iOS music app.

Roland Jupiter-50 Synthesizer

Roland’s latest Jupiter synth may not, at $1,999, be an impulse purchase for most but, in distilling the same sound engine from the highly-esteemed Jupiter-80 but at $1,500 less, it manages to be something of a bargain. The multi-colored buttons of classic Roland drum machines like the TR-808 nustle with the company’s clever Behavior Modelling tech for mimicking real instruments, paired up with effects, USB connectivity for storage and hooking up your computer, and of course the awesome sounds that Roland is known for. If you want the benefits of a standalone workstation with the flexibility of integrating soft-synths and more, the Jupiter-50 has your back.

Korg Kaossilator 2 and mini KAOSS PAD 2

Twin music mangling gizmos small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, Korg’s touchpad pair are descended from the estimable Kaoss Pad adopted by Muse, Radiohead and more, but tailored for mobile musos. Each priced at $160, the Kaossilator 2 is a combo synth and recorder that doesn’t care if you don’t know the black notes from the white, letting you pair up your digital twiddlings with vocals and external instruments, while the mini KAOSS PAD 2 lets you drop the remix with its 100 effects and integrated MP3 player.

… and the Budget Bonus:

Propellerhead Figure ($0.99; iOS) – Making music generally isn’t something you do on the move, but iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users with idle fingers on the train or bus could be creating tracks in seconds with Propellerhead’s addictive Figure app. Borrowing the sounds from grown-up soft-synths like Reason with a pared-back UI and easily applied effects, it’s a musical scratchpad, ideas notebook and commute distraction all in one.

What are you favorite music geek toys? Let us know in the comments!

The controls you’ll find on the keyboards depends on the size, with some not making it to the small 25 key version. On the regular and large keyboard, you’ll find pitch bend and modulation controls, plus dual USB ports if you want to add some other accessories.

The keyboards aren’t just compatible with PCs and Macs, though: the 25 key version can be plugged into an iPad using the camera connection kit, while the 37 and 61 key versions only need to be plugged into a powered USB hub. You’ll then be able to control a wide variety of MIDI based apps available on the App Store, including KORG’s iMS-20.

KORG have only just debuted the new keyboards at the Frankfurt Musikmesse, an international musical instrument fair, so there’s no word yet on pricing or availability.

You’ve got a gigantic range of abilities for loop recording, the ability to save all of your creations on the fly, and an advanced sound generator built in. The Kossilator is played by you tapping, sliding, or otherwise engaging with the Kaoss touchpad with your finger. From there, your pitch and note information are read and distributed how you intend. Inside are 150 sound programs divided into seven categories including Lead, Bass, and Chords.

Unlimited loop recording is included on this pocketable device, two loop recording banks included for doubling up on sounds and phrases. Loops can be cross-faded, muted, and have their length changed in realtime. There’s both an internal mic and an aux mic input, and all of this can be saved to the microSD card slot (to the microSD card you insert) for on-the-fly jamming. The Kaossilator has all these features and MORE working on just a set of two AA batteries, and will be available in May 2012 for MSRP $220.

This device is made with an undeniably simple industrial design, made for what it’s made for and nothing more. Inside is a microphone, high-visibility organic electroluminescent (OEL) display up top, and the ability to accommodate what they say will be nearly any audio source. Battery power in this device is rechargeable, there’s an MP3 player aboard, FX Release, and a microSD card slot. Also built in is 100 effects right out of the box including Flanger, Filter, Delay, Reverb, as well as a selection of new and advance effects like Looper, Vinyl Break, and Ducking Compressor.

This device can recall up to three effects from memory, there’s a hold function to freeze your effects without effort, and auto BMP detection allows you to sync tempo-based effects to the tempo of a song – professional sounds at a tap. The 1/8-inch audio output can be used as a headphone output if you wish, and the energy-efficient design allows you to roll with two AA-batteries – again, make sure to grab yourself some rechargeable units here. Six audio examples are also stored in the device right out of the box for demo use.

You can grab the Mini Koss Pad 2 Dynamic Effect Processor and MP3 Player in May of 2012 for the cool price of MSRP $220.00. Sound like the little beast for you?

Each model has a front panel with five knobs and a front-panel switch, these controls giving you hands-on analog sound control across the board. Each unit has a ribbon keyboard, this allowing you to make separated sounds if you like, or gradients of moving sound with a slide of your fingertip. The entire Monotron series uses the same VCF circuit as Korg’s classic MS-10 and MS-20 semi modular synthesizers, each of them born over 30 years ago. All units have audio-in, as well, this allowing you to bend the sounds of any instrument that can be converted to the single jack.

The Monotron DUO has two oscillators, each with its own separate tuning and with the ability to together create what Korg describes as a “rich, thick, analog tone.” Inside is the X-MOD cross modulation circuit as also found on Korg’s classic Mono/Poly, this allowing you to get wild edges to your sound if you wish, this instrument delivering everything from metallic sounds to vibrato to bust your eyeballs out. The ribbon can be set to be a Minor, Major, or Chromatic scale on the fly.

The Monotron DELAY has the analog oscillator, the LFO, the filter, and a fabulous “Space Delay” effect that works with equipped Time and Feedback. Pitch changes as you delay the time, and the delay can be added to any external sound via your Aux In jack once again. On the back is a trim pot to adjust the shape and direction of your wave, and the keyboard ribbon has another four-octave range. Also this Monotron glows under blacklight – why not!?

Each of these units, including the original Monotron, the DUO, and the DELAY, are available now for MSRP $70. Grab em all, why don’t you!

This classic KORG Monotron is one of three different models you can get, the others going by the same name but with the word Duo or Delay after them, Teach offers a slightly different experience and set of options, and I recommend getting all three if you’re a completist or simply want a different set of colors for whatever your daily musical occasion. As it stands here, we’ve got the original, black and white with a lovely red light along the Rate, showing us how fast our ins and outs will be going, a keyboard graphic across the one strip where our finger will be our guide to electro-sound-awesomeness or total nonsense.

What you’re actually using here is two things: one voltage-controlled oscillator and one voltage-controlled filter. Power comes from the two triple-A batteries you’ve got in the back of the device and jams sound out through either the built-in speaker or a jack in the back of the device which you can hook up to your headphones or a gigantic speaker, whatever you like! The sound is controlled then by the filter which brings you sounds so wacky that only your Chemical Brothers know for sure. And you can run audio IN as well through the AUX input jack – play your electric guitar while your partner flips it out with the switches, or turn the knobs yourself and let your sound be an exacting tweak of electro-zaps.

I’ve found myself inspired to make brand new sound combinations that I’m currently working into future intro videos for my own sites as well as here on SlashGear – we’ll see how plausible they seem in the coming weeks. Meanwhile do yourself a favor if you’re at all musically inclined and never had the cash to invest in a gigantic sound board that cost thousands of dollars. Here you can pick a professional-grade beast of simplicity for just $59.99 from KORG. Ask for one to stuff your stockings this holiday season, and pick up the other two when you find out which one you’re getting.

BONUS: between now and the 31st of December 2011, you can head down to the KORG deals page and get a [$20 rebate on any Monotron]. What a freaking deal!

This app is a synthesizer that makes the music as you want it. You can synthesize basically any sound you like, place it in a row with the rest of the sounds, and make some electronic music. This isn’t the first time something like this has been released for the iPad, and it’s not even the first time KORG has released the same app, iELECTRIBE on iOS. Instead, this is the first time the group (or any group, for that matter,) has teamed up with the alt-rock supergroup Gorillaz to make a magical musical device.

What you’re going to find in this new edition of the iELECTRIBE is a collection of Gorillaz-created sounds in addition to a completely new old-trash look that’s paramount to the Gorillaz sound. Check out the video to see some of the sounds and the interface you’re going to be working with, as well as the gallery below for some lovely high-def looks. Also feel free to use them as wallpapers.

They’re magnificent in every way.

This is a music-making device that I’d recommend to anyone. I’m not a musician in any respect of the word – I can’t play the drums, can’t make my fingers hit the frets like they’re supposed to, and I was the last trumpet in line in highschool. But I can make music with this. Sweet, lovely, amazing dubstep. And now there’s a bunch of Gorillaz beats to work with too! Win for all! Worth $10 all day long.

The app will sell in a limited edition of 10,000 units at $9.99 per download. The company is apparently thinking of selling more since the app carries the disclaimer “sales beyond 10,000 are yet to be determined.” What that likely means is if we sell 10,000 copies we will sell more. The app has some cool stuff for the people that want to make their own jams.

The app has a PCM synthesizer sound engine with 128 PCM samples. It has eight total instrument voices and eight PCM synthesizer parts. It has a bunch of different effects and the sequencer can have different patterns and tempos. The app has a lot of different things you can do and use to make your own tunes.

UPDATE: Check out our Mini Review and Demo of the Limited Edition Gorillaz iElectribe now!

[via iTunes]

The device looks like a mini Roomba that straps to your leg. It has a clamp that you connect to your surface and then you can start drumming away on the surface. The round device can turn your slaps on the table into amplified percussion sounds. The device runs on rechargeable battery power.

Inside the synthesizer are six metal hydride batteries that promise to work for over four hours per charge. The device also has a pad for taping directly on the synth. The user has over 100 pre-recorded sounds from a virtual drum kit to tuned percussion and stringed instruments among others. Pricing is unknown, but the device is expected to launch in Q3.

[via Gizmag]

The nanoKEY2 is the most traditional of the three, with 25 velocity-sensing keys, while the nanoPAD2 is targeted at drum line input, with 16 pads and an X-Y touchpad. Finally, the nanoKONTROL2 has a range of knobs, switches, and faders, and is designed to sit in front of the average laptop.

All three can be used simultaneously – assuming you have enough USB ports on your computer – and work with PCs and Macs. As for software, Avid Pro Tools, Apple Logic, GarageBand, MOTU Digital Performer, Steinberg Cubase, Ableton Live and Cakewalk SONOR should all work out of the box, but the nanoSERIES2 can also pump out regular CC messages for more esoteric apps. No word on pricing, but we’re expecting the three to be reasonably inexpensive.

Any input can be used, so you can mangle your iPod playlist or plug in a proper synth; alternatively there’s a microphone input. Effects are split into four combinable categories – Looper; Modulation; Filter; and Delay/Reverb – and Korg has polished the selection process so there’s less options-menu digging involved.

Connectivity includes a pair of RCA inputs and a microphone input, while outputs include RCA and a headphones jack. No word on pricing at this stage, but the Korg KAOSS Pad QUAD should go on sale imminently.

Video demo after the cut

The update means that you can now use an external keyboard or other surface to control the iMS-20 app, rather than stabbing at the display. Considering one of the big plusses of analog synths is their generally tactile buttons, knobs and keys, that could make a big difference for usability. The best would obviously be the MS-20:Legacy controller, now sadly discontinued, which replicated all the original controls from the synth; we’re guessing they’ll get even more expensive on eBay now.

Unfortunately, it seems only MIDI in is supported, not MIDI out, which means you can control the iMS-20 app but not use it to control external hardware. Hopefully that’s something which will change in future, however; demo of the setup in action in the video below. The Korg iMS-20 app is priced at $15.99 [iTunes link] until the end of January 2011.

For instance, you don’t just get the mono synth, you also get a 16-step analog sequencer, a six-part drum machine and a Kaoss Pad function for more intuitive mangling of the sound. A mixer is included to wire everything up, and there are some virtual patch cables to keep the UI looking authentic.

Once you’ve come up with some songs you can share them online with SoundCloud (though you’ll have to sign up for a free account first). Samples galore here, and the $15.99 price is apparently valid until January 31 2011 after which it will ramp up to $32.99.

Components:

- MS-20 monophonic synthesizer: 1 unit

- Analog sequencer: 1 unit

- 6-part drum machine: 1 unit

- Mixer: 1 unit

- Song/Pattern composer: 1 unit

MS-20 monophonic synthesizer:

- Analog modeling synthesizer (MS-20 modeled by “CMT” Component Modeling Technology)

- 2VCO / 2VCF / 1VCA / 2EG / Patch Panel

- Additional functions: Modulation Key/Tempo Sync

- Insert effect (selectable from 14 effect types as below)

Analog sequencer:

- 16-step analog sequencer

- Control notes, volume, pan, parameters, and voltages via knobs

- Configurable steps (1-16) and sequence mode (6 types)

- Trigger out per channel or step position

6-part drum machine:

- 6-part/16-step drum machine

- Create sounds by sampling a single note from a built-in MS-20

- Controllable notes, volume and pan by knobs

- Configurable steps (1-16) and sequence mode (6 types) per a part

Mixer:

- 7-channel mixer

- Double needle meter indicates VU level

- Master effect (selectable from 14 effect types as below)

Song/Pattern composer:

- Compose a song or select a pattern, built-in mixer

- 16 patterns and 256 bars per a song

- Tempo setting (20-300 BPM) and Swing function

Effect type:

- 14 types: Short Delay, BPM Sync Delay, Reverb 1, Reverb 2, Chorus/Flanger, Equalizer, Compressor, Tube Simulator (Valve Force), Low-Pass Filter, High-Pass Filter, Band-Pass Filter, Talking Modulator, Decimator, Grain Shifter

Controllers:

- Keyboard: Recording function, Variable width (22, 26, or 29 keys)

- Kaoss Pad: 2 units, Recording function

Performance pad: Key/Scale (31 types) settings

Parameter control pad: X-Y axis parameter settings

Other:

- Audio export function (Bouncing a song or pattern, and Real-time recording a performance: 16-bit/44.1 kHz stereo WAV format)

- Publish and share songs online with the SoundCloud audio platform

- Various template patterns by music genre are included

- Various template sounds by sound category are included

Video after the cut

For those unaware, the Monotron is Korg’s latest analog lovely, set to hit shelves at under $70 and packing a ribbon controller, a true analog synth with VCO, VCF and LFO controls, and the same analog filter as found in the Korg MS-10 and MS-20.  There’s also an audio input, which allows you to pipe external sources through that filter.

The Arduino is used to send gate signals to the Monotron, and by varying the voltage levels it changes the pitch.  In the second demo, the Nunchuk is used to more intuitively control the Monotron, rather than scrabbling around on its knobs and ribbon keyboard.

iElectribe, Monotron and Arduino:

MonoChuck: Wii Nunchuk controlled Monotron:

[via Sound On Sound forums]

The monotron has a wealth of controls, which I do not understand the use for, including VCO, LFO, VCF, and LMFAO. That last one I threw in, but the other three are real. You can see the tiny ribbon keyboard that works with finger gestures to add things like vibrato to the mix.

Other features include an input for external audio sources and the thing runs on a pair of AAA batteries. Korg reportedly uses the same VCF circuit that was used in the MS-10 and MS-20 that hit the market over 30 years ago. The monotron will land in May for around $67.

The MicroSampler can map multiple different clips and loops to each key, with LED indicators showing which is active, and is capable of recording from line-in (such as from your iPhone), from the included gooseneck microphone, and from its own onboard sounds.  There’s also timestretching and other pro features, together with effects taken from Korg’s well-loved KAOSS PAD series.

As for the WAVEDRUM, that has a touch-sensitive drum-pad surface and a new hybrid DSP synthesis and PCM playback engine; 100 sounds are preloaded, and there are 100 empty slots for you to create your own.  There are also loops and an aux-in input.  Finally, the SV-1 Stage Vintage Piano recreates 36 different classic instruments, including electro-mechanical, transistorized, tape-driven, analog and early digital keyboards, and is available in 73- and 88-key versions.

The Korg MicroSampler is available now, while the SV-1 will ship in October and the  WAVEDRUM in December.  We’re waiting on price information.