Korg musical instruments

Main Features Open Architecture Synthesis Studio

Detailed Speciﬁcations

• Open Sampling System, with resampling and In-

Track sampling

• 16-bit/48 kHz stereo/mono sampling

• Up to about 1.5GB of PCM RAM, depending upon

the installed RAM and currently loaded EXs

samples; see “Sampling and RAM” on page 119 for

more information

• Maximum of 4,000 samples/1,000 multisamples (up

to 128 indexes per multisample)

• Direct sampling from CD (CD-DA)

• Load AKAI S1000/S3000 data, as well as Korg,

AIFF, and WAVE formats

EXi expansion instruments

EXi expansion instruments allow you to expand the

synthesis capabilities of the OASYS. Some are enabled

from the factory, including the AL-1 Analog Modeling

Synth, the CX-3 Tonewheel Organ, and the STR-1

Plucked String. Others are optional, including the MS-

20EX and PolysixEX.

EXi Programs let you use any two EXi together, and

provide a number of common features, as detailed

below.

Detailed Speciﬁcations

In addition to individual EXi features, all EXi Programs

include:

• Advanced Vector Synthesis: Use the vector joystick

and the vector envelope (tempo synchronization

available) to control each oscillator’s volume, synth

parameters, and effect parameters

• Modulation: Common step sequencer, AMS

(Alternate Modulation Source), common LFO, two

key tracking generators

• Three-band EQ (adjustable mid-frequency)

AL-1 Analog Modeling Synthesizer

The ﬁrst OASYS EXi Expansion Instrument is a state-

of-the-art virtual analog synth engine: the AL-1. Not

content with a mere handful of modeled voices, the

AL-1 delivers an unparalleled 96 notes of polyphony,

capable of sounding an incredible 576 oscillators

(including dual sawtooths and noise generators).

Ultra-low aliasing oscillators

This responsive synth features our distinctive ultra-

low aliasing oscillators that recreate all the power and

glory of true analog synthesis – without the artifacts

that can often plague lesser modeled oscillators. But

that’s just the beginning.

The AL-1 will satisfy all your vintage yearnings - and

your future ones as well. The two main oscillators offer

eight ﬂexible waveforms each, for a wide palette of

modulatable shapes. Other progressive features

include wave-shape morphing, a ﬂoor-thumping sub-

oscillator plus a variable-color noise generator capable

of white, pink, red ﬂavors - and beyond.

An adjustable drive parameter provides a distinctive

character to the vintage oscillator modeling; while

sync, FM, low-boost and several varieties of ring

modulation offer plenty of tone-mangling power.

External live audio can even be accessed as an

additional signal source.

Dual multi-mode resonant ﬁlters

Each voice can use either one or two of Korg’s

incredibly versatile multimode (Low Pass, Band Pass,

Band Reject [notch], and High Pass) resonant ﬁlters.

For maximum ﬂexibility, the ﬁlters can be connected in

series or parallel, to generate 12 dB or 24 dB per octave

slopes.

Korg’s new MultiFilter lets you crossfade in real time

between any two of 21 different ﬁlter types – including

your own custom mixes of LP, HP, BP, BR and dry

input.

Powerful, solid sounds from the Drive and Low

Boost circuits

Classic vintage analog synthesizers derived some of

their character from distortion that occurred in each

stage of their components. The AL-1 features a Drive

circuit that replicates these classic sounds. You can also

use the drive circuit more aggressively to create

punchy overdriven sounds. There’s also a Low Boost

circuit that lets you control the low-frequency

character of the sound.

High-quality, high-precision, high-function LFOs

The AL-1 provides a common LFO for each timbre and

four LFOs for each voice. If you’re using the maximum

polyphony, this means that an amazing 385 LFOs* are

operating simultaneously.

You can choose from eighteen types of LFO waveform,

and also adjust the phase of the waveform, the curve,

and the center value of the amplitude to create a wide

variety of distinctive modulation. Since the waveform

itself is generated with extremely high precision, you

can create perfectly smooth sweeps. You’ll appreciate

the LFO’s tightness and accuracy not just at high

speeds, but also for low-speed modulation.

It goes without saying that you can also apply key sync

so that the same modulation occurs each time a note is

played, or synchronize the modulation speed to the

tempo to create rhythmical tonal changes.

Ultra-fast ultra-precise envelope generators

The AL-1 provides an ultra-fast ultra-precise envelope

generator (EG). As with the EGs of the PCM synthesis

engine, you can adjust the curve for each stage (attack,

decay, slope, and release), and take advantage of

sophisticated modulation features that go well beyond

conventional EGs, such as the EG Reset feature that

lets you retrigger the EG any number of times between

note-on and note-off.

Step Sequencer

The step sequencer built into the AL-1 can not only

play phrases or rhythms, but also be used as an

extremely sophisticated modulation source. If the

output of the step sequencer is assigned to Pitch, the