WNAMM11: New Kaoss Pad Features 4 Effects At Once

US Korg Introduce The Kaoss Pad Quad 13/01/11

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Korg tell us that Kaoss control has evolved to a whole new level with the new Kaoss Pad Quad. With it you can create your own combination of Kaoss effects, and simultaneously control up to four effects using a single fingertip. Here's all the details in Korg's own words...
Kaoss Pad Quad Highlights

Brilliant, colourful LED touchpad illuminations move in sync with your performance
Control multiple effects in realtime using the intuitive Kaoss X-Y touchpad
Create your own Kaoss combinations and use up to four effects at once
Choose one of five effects from each of four effect groups; a total of 1,295 combinations!
Freeze button holds the effect settings after you release your finger, for dazzling hands-free use
Versatile and highly playable effects control, delivering unimaginable expression
New Looper effects – Forward, Reverse and Slice – add new audio intensity
Mix it up with new DJ emulation Vinyl Break and Ducking Compressor effects
Auto BPM engine detection and Tap Tempo functions keep your Kaoss locked to the beat

Twelve years ago, the first-generation Kaoss Pad exploded onto the DJ/music scene with touchpad-based effect control. Since then, the overwhelming acceptance and popularity of the X-Y touchpad is evident in many Korg products – Kaoss Pad effects, the Kaossilator Series, our padKONTROL and nanoPAD controllers, even the exclusive M3 TouchView™ display – that are now standards in the scene. To this we add the Kaoss Pad Quad, with new effects, functions, and features that truly stand out from the crowd.
As suggested by the name "Quad", this new Kaoss Pad lets you use up to four effects simultaneously. These effects can be sync'ed to the beat of your music, to freely transform your song in realtime. Any audio source can be processed; an MP3 player, a mixing board, an instrument, even vocals via the mic input! The expressive performance potential that arises from the Kaoss Pad Quad leaves other effect units in the dust, and rapidly approaches the realm of an "instrument". The brilliant and colorful LED touchpad illumination adds a strong sense of individuality, further enhancing the Kaoss Pad Quad's unique character.
The Kaoss Pad Quad will enthrall everyone. The intense user can engage in highly technical performances; the casual user can enjoy DJ-like fun. Either way, the audience will be equally captivated. The interest and depth emanating from this new instrument is sure to touch every listener.
Dazzling, illuminated touchpad control
The intuitive interface that has helped to make the Korg Kaoss Series so popular is alive and well on the Kaoss Pad Quad. As you tap, slide, or move your finger across the X-Y touchpad, the effect parameters will change, producing dramatic realtime changes in the sound. One big change to the touchpad is brilliant LEDs that light up in an intense variety of colors. The illumination changes depending on the state of the effects, the BPM setting, and on your movements while performing. The DJ booth or stage will be brilliantly illuminated, visually boosting the excitement level!
Use up to four effects simultaneously for unimaginable expression
As the name suggests, Kaoss Pad Quad lets you simultaneously control up to four effects from the touchpad. Each of the four effect modules – Looper; Modulation; Filter; and Delay/Reverb – contains five options (plus a null, or off position), for a total of 1,295 combinations! Best of all, effects can be chosen directly from the front panel, a more intuitive and physical process than on previous Kaoss Pad models. Enjoy trying your own Kaoss combinations and discovering ways to radically morph the sound.
By rhythmically adding successive effects, or switching effects on and off as your song progresses, you can use the Kaoss Pad Quad to add variation and development to the structure of your song. In other words, even a simple beat can potentially be transformed into a killer tune that will whip the dance floor into a frenzy. In addition to being an enormous asset to the professional, the Kaoss Pad Quad is also great fun for the casual user. It is extremely straightforward and easy to use; just touch the pad to apply effects. Connect a portable audio player or any audio source, and begin enjoying hours of sound creation and manipulation. Once you get started, you'll lose all track of time!
Freeze button offers hands-free effects!
For each of the four effect modules, there's a Freeze button that memorizes the position at which you're touching the touchpad, causing that effect to be held even after you release your finger. If you touch the touchpad again while Freeze is enabled, only the non-frozen effects will be controlled. You can achieve even higher levels of performance freedom by using the four Freeze buttons in conjunction with the effect type buttons.
Pricing and Availability:
PRICE: £ TBC
AVAILABLE: March 2011 More information: