Korg Kaoss Pad
| Kaoss Pad | |
|---|---|
 Korg Kaoss Pad KP3
|
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| Manufacturer | Korg |
| Dates | 1999 - |
| Price | ~$400 |
| Technical specifications | |
| LFO | Yes |
| Aftertouch | no |
| Velocity sensitive | no |
| Memory | 2 memory banks |
| Effects | 128 |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | none - XY-pad |
| External control | none |
The Korg Kaoss Pad is a touchpad MIDI controller, sampler, and effects processor for audio and musical instruments, made by Korg.
The Kaoss Pad's touchpad can be used to control its internal effects engine, which can be applied to a line-in signal or to samples recorded from the line-in. Effects types include pitch shifting, distortion, filtering, wah-wah, tremolo, flanging, delay, reverberation, auto-panning, gating, phasing, and ring modulation.
The Kaoss Pad can also be used as a MIDI controller, with the x- and y-axis positions of a finger on its pad being output via a MIDI out connection as two continuous controller streams. The sum of the x and y positions can also be output as a third continuous controller stream.
The original model, released in 1999, is the KP1 Kaoss Pad. Korg has since released updated versions of the Kaoss Pad: the KP2, with a number of new features; the KPE1 Kaoss Pad Entrancer, a Kaoss pad that can process both sound and video; and the KP3, which began shipping in October 2006.
In the spring of 2007, Korg released a newer version of the Kaoss Pad, entitled the mini-KP. This new Kaoss Pad was based on the KP3, using many of the same essential elements. As the name suggests, the mini-KP is a smaller size version of its big brother, the KP3. The mini-KP offers 100 effects/programs and two memory banks. It may be powered by 4 AA batteries so that users can fully utilize the portability of the mini-KP. However, the mini-KP does not have MIDI output, and its touchpad does not have a display.
Korg unveiled a new Kaoss Pad, the Kaoss Pad Quad, during Winter NAMM 2011. It is able to process four effects at once, though it does not have MIDI output.
Contents
Users
- Jochen Arbeit of Einstürzende Neubauten uses a Kaoss Pad during live performances.
- Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter of Phantogram use a Kaoss Pad each, during live performances.
- Beardyman used to use the Kaoss Pad extensively; his live performances consist of nothing but his voice, sampled and modified in different ways. He was using up to five Kaoss Pads, but recently converted to a set of iPads with advanced music software.
- Carl Bell, formerly of Fuel, used the original Kaoss Pad in his live guitar rig from the 2000 "Something Like Human" tour until his departure from the band.
- Matthew Bellamy of Muse has XY Pads similar to the ones in Kaoss Pads built into some of his guitars which he uses as midi controllers to control a KP2 while playing guitar.
- Nels Cline of Wilco uses a Kaoss Pad during live performances.
- Brian Eno used a chain of three Kaoss pads on his 2005 album, Another Day on Earth.
- Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead uses a Kaoss Pad on live performances of "Everything In Its Right Place". He samples Thom Yorke's vocals and makes loops which he distorts and manipulates.
- Antye Greie uses a Kaoss Pad for most of her live sets.
- Gibby Haynes of Butthole Surfers uses a KP3 during live performances.
- Hifana, the Japanese Breakbeat Unit uses Kaoss pads 2 and 3 in their live performances and on studio albums.
- Jon Hopkins uses a chain of up to five KP3 pads during live performances.
- Mount Kimbie use Kaoss pads during live performances, notably Dominic Maker.
- Lights uses a Korg miniKP KAOSS Pad during live performance.
- John Linnell of They Might Be Giants uses both a KP2 and KP3 in live performances and in a psychedelic improvisation feature he refers to as "The Future of Sound."
- Russel Lissack of Bloc Party uses a KP3 during live performances (Letter to My Son).
- Brian Molko of Placebo used a KP2 during live performances of "English Summer Rain".
- Morgan Nicholls uses a Kaoss Pad KP3. He used it during Nishe on the The Resistance Tour.
- Vadim Pruzhanov of Power Metal band DragonForce uses a Kaoss Pad during live performances.
- Roughton "Rou" Reynolds of Enter Shikari uses both KP2 and KP3 in most songs.
- Drew Shirley of Switchfoot uses a Kaoss Pad during live performance.
- Brian Weitz of Animal Collective uses a Kaoss Pad during live performances.
- Jamie Woon uses a Kaoss Pad during live performances.
- Dday One uses a mini-KP during live performances.
See also
- Kaossilator, a Korg synthesizer with a Kaoss pad interface
References
External links
- Korg Kaoss Products site
- Korg Mini KP
- Video of Radiohead using a Kaoss Pad Live
- Kaoss Pad Guitar Mods: DIY Example of the popular mod/hack
- Hacking the Korg KP3: Tips and Tricks
- Two Cherries Instruments, XY midi pad kits, Custom Instruments, Unfinished MB-1 style bodies and necks
- Uses of the KP3 in Beatboxing: Notation, Help and Tutorials[dead link]
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