Korg musical instruments

Introduction to OASYS

result will be a melodic phrase. If assigned to the ﬁlter,

the ﬁlter will produce modulation in synchronization

with the tempo.

The step sequencer also provides a “Smoothing”

parameter that interpolates between the values of each

step, letting you create not just step-wise modulation

but also smooth change that can function as an LFO

with freely-speciﬁed waveform. Since you can specify

the duration of each step individually, this can be used

to create not just simple beats but also complex

rhythms, producing a mind-boggling universe of

phrases, rhythms, and modulation.

AMS – a powerful modulation system with AMS

Mixers and Keyboard Tracking Generators

The AL-1 gives you a modulation system that is far

more powerful than any other, with AMS (Alternate

Modulation Source) at its core. You can choose from an

amazing 52 different modulation sources, including

the output of the step sequencer, EGs, and LFOs, as

well as controllers such as the joystick, knobs, pedals,

and switches. These sources can be assigned to

modulation destinations such as sound parameters like

pitch or cutoff, and can also be used to modulate the

EG attack time or sustain level. You can even create a

highly complex modulation source by using one

modulation source to modulate another modulation

source; for example, using an EG to modulate the

waveform of an LFO.

There are also two Key Tracking generators that let you

create natural changes – or dramatic transformations –

in parameter values as you play different ranges of the

keyboard.

In addition, the newly developed AMS Mixers not only

lets you mix multiple modulation sources and assign

them to a single modulation destination, but also let

you modify the source itself so that a single

modulation source can be adapted to multiple uses.

Detailed Speciﬁcations

• Oscillators: OSC1, OSC2, Sub OSC, noise generator,

ring modulator, FM

• Audio input: External audio sources can be

processed by ring modulation, filtering, driver,

amp, or EQ

• Filter: Two multi-mode filters per voice (low-pass,

high-pass, band-pass, band reject), four filter

routings (single, serial, parallel, 24 dB)

• Multi-filter (filter A only: low-pass, high-pass,

band-pass, and direct input can be mixed freely)

• Driver: Per-voice non-linear driver/low-boost

• Modulation: Five envelope generators, four LFOs,

two key tracking generators, two AMS mixers, one

step sequencer– in addition to the Common LFO,

Common Step Sequencer, Common Key Tracking

generators, and Vector EG of the EXi Program

CX-3 Tonewheel Organ

A perfect simulation of a tonewheel organ system

Tonewheel organs generate sound by rotating toothed

metal disks (the tonewheels) past a pickup to generate

sine waves. Korg’s CX-3 uses cutting-edge modeling

technology to precisely replicate the distinctive

modulation and noise components of sounds

produced in this way, and this technology has been

further reﬁned and included in the OASYS as the CX-3.

Two tonewheel types are provided; “Vintage” which

models even the leakage noise from the tonewheels,

and “Clean” which faithfully reproduces the warm

tonewheel organ sound. In addition, the noises

produced by the tonewheel and the vacuum tube amp,

and even the operation of the wheel brake, have all

been simulated to an obsessive degree of perfection.

Just like real tonewheel organs, the CX-3 delivers full-

key polyphony*, letting you enjoy the same playing

feel as on a vintage organ.

*The maximum polyphony will vary depending on

how the insert effects are being used. (The

polyphony is 172 voices if no insert effects are used.)

Drawbars – the heart of a tonewheel organ

A drawbar organ allows the player to create the

desired sound by pulling out drawbars that are

assigned to various pitches relative to the

fundamental, and this capability is provided on the

CX-3 Tonewheel Organ by the Tone Adjust function

which you can control using the nine sliders on the

front panel. You can also use the Tone Adjust function

to switch the rotary speaker between slow/fast and

control the percussion and wheel brake from front

panel knobs and switches that you’ve assigned to these

functions, enjoying the immediacy of dynamic control

that’s so important for an organ performance.

EX mode for new sound-creating potential

In addition to modeling a standard tone-wheel organ

with 9 drawbars and single-pitch percussion, the CX-3

adds Korg’s exclusive EX mode. This adds four

additional drawbars, with pitches adjustable in half-

step increments between 16’ and two octaves above 1’.

EX mode also allows you to create custom percussion

using up to ﬁve different pitches, each with adjustable

volume levels. Together, the additional drawbars and

custom percussion open up even deeper possibilities

for creating new sounds.

Realistic simulation of rotary speaker effects

The CX-3 not only provides an impeccable tonewheel

simulation, but also gives you everything you need to

complete the sonic experience, with effects such as

amp modeling, vibrato/chorus, and rotary speaker.

You can choose from three different characters of amp

modeling, and a vibrato/chorus effect that provides

presets as well as being customizable. For the rotary

speaker that is so indispensable to organ sounds, you

can separately specify the rotational speed of the horn

and rotor, and even make detailed adjustments to

parameters such as the rate at which the rotation

changes from slow to fast. In addition, the rotary

speaker includes two stereo mic simulators that let you

specify the distance from the speaker to the mic and