I recently purchased a 88-key Oasys, and I am more than pleased with my decision. I am very excited to explore new avenues of music with the help of this instrument.
I will admit, however, that I am very new to this style of board, and I am also very new to most that it has to offer. So, my question is: where would I find a (general)reference that offers explanation to the various parameters and utilities that are integrated into the oasys' system? For example: timbres, LFO's, AMS, oscillators, crossfades, modulators, ect.
I am having a great deal of difficulty comprehending my manual, since the bulk of it's text is completely foreign to me. And I am entirely new to the world of midi sequencing/sampling.
Any help/info would be greatly appreciated.
nOOb Question.....
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Mike Conway
- Approved Merchant
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- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
General reference might be beyond the scope of a single post, but...
The HD-1 is what Korg calls the ROMpler part of the OASYS. The ROM comprises the collection of pianos, strings, guitars, drums, etc - the actual recorded sounds (aka - waves, PCM, samples). Just as you can sample a trumpet, other synth sounds have also been sampled and included.
An oscillator is what the OASYS and other synths use to generate a single sound. With standard synthesizers, the oscillator would be a sine, triangle, square, saw or pulse type tone. On the HD-1, the oscillator uses sounds from the sample ROM/RAM. (In the OASYS, the ROM = factory sounds. RAM = samples that you create or import.)
One sample could be you saying, "Hey". It can play low to high, across the whole keyboard range.
A Multisample is a collection of samples. It could be a drum kit, with a different sound on every key. Usually, strings (and other sounds) are sampled at different ranges, so that cellos are on the low notes, violas on the middle notes and violins on the high keys. With multisampling, those can all be part of a single multisample or program.
An OASYS Program = one or two oscillators. An oscillator can be a sample, multisample, wave sequence or drum kit. Choose one, let's say, Multisample. In addition, the oscillator is also made up of filters, LFOs, Envelope Generators (the attack, sustain, decay) and any other function that modulates (affects) your multisample at that level. (Effects, like Delay and Reverb work at the Program or Combi levels.)
A trumpet sounds different when blown soft (pianissimo), medium (mezzo forte) or hard (fortissimo). How hard or soft is also called known as "dynamics". One OASYS oscillator can switch or fade between 4 dynamics of that sound. You will see MS1, MS2, MS3 and MS4, indicating 4 multisamples, usually of that same instrument. From soft to hard - p, mf, f, ff.
The OASYS oscillator can cross-switch (jump from one multisample to another) between these dynamics, based on velocity - or how hard/fast you play. Sometimes, a cross-switch is too much of a change, so you can choose to cross-fade, which will play or fade between two multisamples at once.
Another option is LAYER, where a single oscillator can layer 2 multisamples at once (horn and string sections, for example). You could still use oscillator 2 for something else on top of that. As with cross-switching, a layered oscillator will use up 2 notes of polyphony, for each note you press. Same with stereo samples. If you notice that you are playing a lot of sounds and your notes are cutting out, you may want to use less complex sounds. You are more apt to notice this in Combi mode.
Okay, one Program can be 2 oscillators, which can be 4 multisamples. That brings us to a Combi (very similar to a Song, except your instruments are played as a big layer). A Combi can layer up to 16 programs. Very handy, if you want to play a whole orchestral section or KARMA layered sounds. This is where you can use up polyphony, if there are many layers.
AMS = Alternate Modulation Source. Good for assigning sources to destinations. For example: you can assign your Ribbon to Pitch Bend. You can assign an Envelope (EG) to a filter, so that it fades and out. You can assign an LFO to Volume (amplitude), so that the volume goes up and down in cycles.
LFO = Low Frequency Oscillator. You usually don't hear this sub-sonic oscillator, but you do hear the effect it has on rising/falling filters, amps and pitch. LFOs can be synced to your MIDI beat, so that a modulated wave/sample can sound like its own dance track. Also, good for making that synth helicopter sound. LFOs have different shapes, much like the synth waves (tri, saw, square, etc.) Sample and Hold usually works for a computer gibberish sound.
You can look up just about any synth term on google, Wikipedia, etc. I also have a DVD which gives some programming examples.
The HD-1 is what Korg calls the ROMpler part of the OASYS. The ROM comprises the collection of pianos, strings, guitars, drums, etc - the actual recorded sounds (aka - waves, PCM, samples). Just as you can sample a trumpet, other synth sounds have also been sampled and included.
An oscillator is what the OASYS and other synths use to generate a single sound. With standard synthesizers, the oscillator would be a sine, triangle, square, saw or pulse type tone. On the HD-1, the oscillator uses sounds from the sample ROM/RAM. (In the OASYS, the ROM = factory sounds. RAM = samples that you create or import.)
One sample could be you saying, "Hey". It can play low to high, across the whole keyboard range.
A Multisample is a collection of samples. It could be a drum kit, with a different sound on every key. Usually, strings (and other sounds) are sampled at different ranges, so that cellos are on the low notes, violas on the middle notes and violins on the high keys. With multisampling, those can all be part of a single multisample or program.
An OASYS Program = one or two oscillators. An oscillator can be a sample, multisample, wave sequence or drum kit. Choose one, let's say, Multisample. In addition, the oscillator is also made up of filters, LFOs, Envelope Generators (the attack, sustain, decay) and any other function that modulates (affects) your multisample at that level. (Effects, like Delay and Reverb work at the Program or Combi levels.)
A trumpet sounds different when blown soft (pianissimo), medium (mezzo forte) or hard (fortissimo). How hard or soft is also called known as "dynamics". One OASYS oscillator can switch or fade between 4 dynamics of that sound. You will see MS1, MS2, MS3 and MS4, indicating 4 multisamples, usually of that same instrument. From soft to hard - p, mf, f, ff.
The OASYS oscillator can cross-switch (jump from one multisample to another) between these dynamics, based on velocity - or how hard/fast you play. Sometimes, a cross-switch is too much of a change, so you can choose to cross-fade, which will play or fade between two multisamples at once.
Another option is LAYER, where a single oscillator can layer 2 multisamples at once (horn and string sections, for example). You could still use oscillator 2 for something else on top of that. As with cross-switching, a layered oscillator will use up 2 notes of polyphony, for each note you press. Same with stereo samples. If you notice that you are playing a lot of sounds and your notes are cutting out, you may want to use less complex sounds. You are more apt to notice this in Combi mode.
Okay, one Program can be 2 oscillators, which can be 4 multisamples. That brings us to a Combi (very similar to a Song, except your instruments are played as a big layer). A Combi can layer up to 16 programs. Very handy, if you want to play a whole orchestral section or KARMA layered sounds. This is where you can use up polyphony, if there are many layers.
AMS = Alternate Modulation Source. Good for assigning sources to destinations. For example: you can assign your Ribbon to Pitch Bend. You can assign an Envelope (EG) to a filter, so that it fades and out. You can assign an LFO to Volume (amplitude), so that the volume goes up and down in cycles.
LFO = Low Frequency Oscillator. You usually don't hear this sub-sonic oscillator, but you do hear the effect it has on rising/falling filters, amps and pitch. LFOs can be synced to your MIDI beat, so that a modulated wave/sample can sound like its own dance track. Also, good for making that synth helicopter sound. LFOs have different shapes, much like the synth waves (tri, saw, square, etc.) Sample and Hold usually works for a computer gibberish sound.
You can look up just about any synth term on google, Wikipedia, etc. I also have a DVD which gives some programming examples.
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danatkorg
- Product Manager, Korg R&D
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Re: nOOb Question.....
I'd suggest starting with a few selected parts of the Operation Guide. If you haven't done so already, download the latest PDF versions from the OASYS site at Korguser.net:ollie78 wrote:I recently purchased a 88-key Oasys, and I am more than pleased with my decision. I am very excited to explore new avenues of music with the help of this instrument.
I will admit, however, that I am very new to this style of board, and I am also very new to most that it has to offer. So, my question is: where would I find a (general)reference that offers explanation to the various parameters and utilities that are integrated into the oasys' system? For example: timbres, LFO's, AMS, oscillators, crossfades, modulators, ect.
I am having a great deal of difficulty comprehending my manual, since the bulk of it's text is completely foreign to me. And I am entirely new to the world of midi sequencing/sampling.
Any help/info would be greatly appreciated.
https://www.korguser.net/oasys/download/#manuals
Then, in the Operation Guide, check out these sections:
Quick Start: Playing Programs and Combinations
Introduction to OASYS: Basic Information: Basic Operations
And then the entire chapter:
Playing and editing Programs
That should be good to get you started!
- Dan
Dan Phillips
Manager of Product Development, Korg R&D
Personal website: www.danphillips.com
For technical support, please contact your Korg Distributor: http://www.korg.co.jp/English/Distributors/
Regretfully, I cannot offer technical support directly.
If you need to contact me for purposes other than technical support, please do not send PMs; instead, send email to dan@korgrd.com
Manager of Product Development, Korg R&D
Personal website: www.danphillips.com
For technical support, please contact your Korg Distributor: http://www.korg.co.jp/English/Distributors/
Regretfully, I cannot offer technical support directly.
If you need to contact me for purposes other than technical support, please do not send PMs; instead, send email to dan@korgrd.com
Thanks, I'm looking into some of these sources now.
The terminology involved with most of the oasys' features/parameters/ect. is what is most difficult for me to discern, at this point. When I reference the manuals, on several occasions I usually find myself stumped with yet another unknown term or usage of combined terms(midi filtering?!?
). About 70% or more of these terms and operations are completely new to me.
But, even with as little as I do know; I am already amazed(an understatement, to say the least) with the few features that I have come to understand.
The terminology involved with most of the oasys' features/parameters/ect. is what is most difficult for me to discern, at this point. When I reference the manuals, on several occasions I usually find myself stumped with yet another unknown term or usage of combined terms(midi filtering?!?
). About 70% or more of these terms and operations are completely new to me.But, even with as little as I do know; I am already amazed(an understatement, to say the least) with the few features that I have come to understand.
IMHO its not so important to understand technical terms. Its more important to find out, what they do to your work/sounds etc. 
Mike was quite modest in his post. His last sentence there is the most important one for Oasys beginners.
Check out this thread: http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... =oasys+dvd
Mike was quite modest in his post. His last sentence there is the most important one for Oasys beginners.
Check out this thread: http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... =oasys+dvd-
Kevin Nolan
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I'd recommend you perform a fixed set of tasks on the OASYS, and refer to both manuals and the on-screen help as appropriate:
1. Play around with Programs from each synthesizer Engine Type
2. Create a sound for each synthesizer engine type
3. Play around for a long time with the combis, with particular emphasis on Karma Realtime Performance - ie, have loads of fun with realtime controllers when Karma is running.
4. Compose one simple song, completely on the OASYS with a minimum of fuss:
- Set up a Combi with, say, 4 parts associated with your style/genre.
- Add one insert effect to each part
- Add a Reverb Total Effect
- Ignore Karma for this piece
- Save the Combi
- Transfer that Combi to a Sequence
- Record your song (in MIDI)
- Mix/Master it to CD in the OASYS
- Save your song to Hard Disk
- Back up your 'ALL' contents to Hard Disk
If you follow those and query the manual at each step, you'll gain a good overview of some of the features of the OASYS.
Kevin.
1. Play around with Programs from each synthesizer Engine Type
2. Create a sound for each synthesizer engine type
3. Play around for a long time with the combis, with particular emphasis on Karma Realtime Performance - ie, have loads of fun with realtime controllers when Karma is running.
4. Compose one simple song, completely on the OASYS with a minimum of fuss:
- Set up a Combi with, say, 4 parts associated with your style/genre.
- Add one insert effect to each part
- Add a Reverb Total Effect
- Ignore Karma for this piece
- Save the Combi
- Transfer that Combi to a Sequence
- Record your song (in MIDI)
- Mix/Master it to CD in the OASYS
- Save your song to Hard Disk
- Back up your 'ALL' contents to Hard Disk
If you follow those and query the manual at each step, you'll gain a good overview of some of the features of the OASYS.
Kevin.
Thanks, for the replies. I agree: creating program and combi patterns will probably be the best bet, for now(Karma is likely to be a bit too advanced for me, at this point).
To date, the majority of what I have done with the oasys is use the sequencer mode to compose more complicated pieces and piano concertos at slower speeds, while utilizing the tempo features to play them back at(what would be) their normal tempo.
I am truly shocked as to how much my music has progressed within only two months time!!! So far, my oasys is the single best purchase that I have ever made in my entire life-----and this is only the beginnig(I truly regret waiting 10yrs. to buy a professional sequencer). I am looking forward to becoming more familiar with the sequencing mode and learning how to utilize RPPR, looping, step and wave sequencing, ect.
To date, the majority of what I have done with the oasys is use the sequencer mode to compose more complicated pieces and piano concertos at slower speeds, while utilizing the tempo features to play them back at(what would be) their normal tempo.
I am truly shocked as to how much my music has progressed within only two months time!!! So far, my oasys is the single best purchase that I have ever made in my entire life-----and this is only the beginnig(I truly regret waiting 10yrs. to buy a professional sequencer). I am looking forward to becoming more familiar with the sequencing mode and learning how to utilize RPPR, looping, step and wave sequencing, ect.
