Where I'm at (and where are you at?) with OASYS these days

[vEddY]

In terms of the OASYS... still have the 88 key version, use it a lot, still enjoy it a whole lot. Nothing's changed since the first day. Also, as it's owned by a company that I own, I can't really sell it before going through a mountain of paperwork... which I can't get myself to do, even if I wanted to. It's just too close to my heart.

I actually added some company to it, to add some diversity. I got a K5000S last year. Incredible synth. I've been using some iPad-based synths, as well (Sunrizer, Magellan, Animoog, Alchemy...). I also got a JD-990, Blofeld black limited edition (desktop version), and a Vmachine. All of them keep OASYS company in any way possible and they were dirt-cheap.

Then again, I'm well aware of the fact that I could use Kronos's sample streaming and make my life a heck of a lot easier with it. I seriously dislike the non-tiltable screen, that's true. But... Considering the ridiculous prices that we have for that keyboard here in Croatia - even having the money in my pocket to buy it - I'm not buying it any time soon.

That being said, Sharp is right in everything he says and I know that. So, to each one his own If I see a Kronos being offered for a reasonable price somewhere down the line, I might take the plunge. But right now, I'm more interested into getting more analogue and "different" synths.

[rkarlberg]

I also know that I only understand about 10% ... I have just mapped out the Operational and Parameter Guide ... Karma, Wave Sequencing, Vector Synthesis, AMS, Dynamic MIDI, Dynamic Modulation, MOS20EX, STR-1 and MOD-7.

The only sad part of all of this - just how quiet this forum is these days. Until OASYS was canceled, this was a bee-hive of activity, but alas all good things come to an end!!

So - where are you at with your OASYS, what does it mean to you, is Kronos where you have gone, and what does the future hold for you regarding OASYS????

I agree! Every time I pick up the parameter guide, I learn something new. The areas you listed are all ripe for further experimentation. The one that kills me is Karma - it's just insanely amazing. I really don't think I'll ever run out of things to do.

That said, I'm still really angry at Korg. I downloaded the Kronos parameter guide - there are few differences that I can see. Would really be nice if we could get some use out of Kronos programs.

[michelkeijzers]

I also know that I only understand about 10% ... I have just mapped out the Operational and Parameter Guide ... Karma, Wave Sequencing, Vector Synthesis, AMS, Dynamic MIDI, Dynamic Modulation, MOS20EX, STR-1 and MOD-7.

The only sad part of all of this - just how quiet this forum is these days. Until OASYS was canceled, this was a bee-hive of activity, but alas all good things come to an end!!

So - where are you at with your OASYS, what does it mean to you, is Kronos where you have gone, and what does the future hold for you regarding OASYS????

I agree! Every time I pick up the parameter guide, I learn something new. The areas you listed are all ripe for further experimentation. The one that kills me is Karma - it's just insanely amazing. I really don't think I'll ever run out of things to do.

That said, I'm still really angry at Korg. I downloaded the Kronos parameter guide - there are few differences that I can see. Would really be nice if we could get some use out of Kronos programs.

If all parameters would be equal, I could make PCG Tools supporting copying programs from Kronos <-> Oasys.

[SoundQuest]

FYI Michael, they aren't anymore. There are now significant differences between the OASYS and Kronos particularly in the area of sample specification.

[rkarlberg]

Well, first of all, I am excited about PCG Tools - as soon as I get back to my Oasys I will try that out. I understand that there are enough differences to make Kronos -> Oasys conversion difficult, if not impossible.

But remember when Korg released virtual analog software for PolySix? I was able to just look at the parameters on my PC screen, then recreated them on my Oasys - thus gaining many great new programs. At least maybe I can go to a music store and copy some of the Kronos programs?

[Mike Conway]

If all parameters would be equal, I could make PCG Tools supporting copying programs from Kronos <-> Oasys.

I have both boards, though my Kronos is now in the shop for at least 2 months with a broken screen......... Aaargh! There are differences, but mainly with sample streaming, file naming/USB computer management and the new piano/electric pianos (which I don't really use anyway).

As far as I can tell, there is little difference in these areas:

PolySix is the same
MS20 is the same
MOD-7 is the same
CX-3 is the same
STR-1 is the same
Base ROM is the same
EXs1 is the same
EXs2 is the same
EXs3 is the same
IFX/MFX/TFX are the same, except they are doubled for Smooth Sound Transition, during program/combi/song changes.

The HD-1 on the Kronos has 8 velocity splits per oscillator, compared to 4 on the OASYS. This has no bearing on the above ROMs(or RAMs). Working from RAM (as opposed to streaming), it's the same animal.

The other EXs libraries on the Kronos are not as varied as the above ROMs. One EXs is the Japanese piano, another is the German piano, another is for drums: they are fairly specific groups. For HD-1, the "bread and butter" programming comes from the first four ROMs.

Of course, each Kronos program has a Drum Track (carried over from the M3).

The sequencers operate the same, but the Kronos resolution is higher (480ppqn, instead of 192ppqn). Also, the Kronos has a 24 bit recording option and can import stereo audio tracks without having to go through my workaround.

Perhaps the biggest difference with the Kronos is the Streaming from Disk, which allows you to load multiple KARO and other 3rd party sample libraries at the same time. I was always mixing and matching my favorite sample/programs to fit in the OASYS' RAM, but that is something I don't have to worry about now. Then again, I do, because Kronos is in the shop for so long.

[kenackr]

I too, haven't been around for a while because "life" happened, moved, renovating house, carpal tunnel, and other things beyond my control nattering away at my time.

I don't know how many more times I have to learn just how much being able to make music means to my happiness. The poor "O" has sat in a small room unused and I think at times, I can hear it crying in loneliness.

Fortunately, time has healed most of my disappointment with how Korg handled the entire mess. But it's not about Korg anymore. It's about getting back to sitting down with an old friend and having some some really wonderful times again creating music.

In our crazy mixed up world, where greed, drugs, & violence reigns rampant, it gives me great peace and joy to play and compose music.

Kevin, thanks for asking the question that has pulled me back to my senses.

Ken

[Dany]

I've just found this old OASYS swf, causing some nostalgia:

http://web.archive.org/web/200707011525 ... _forum.swf

Forum member Mike Conway is also mentioned and if you follow the "Read More" link, you can find his following words:

"Is an OASYS worth £5,500 or $8000? It depends on how many of its features you can use. For someone, like me, I will use most everything, so it's worth more. I think that it has a smooth sound that makes a difference in my music. I love synths and I am excited to talk about my latest one.

As with the open ended Wave Sequencing, I like the fact that ROM waves and new samples can avail themselves to the EXi engines, via wave input. This allows for some truly spectacular modulation possibilities!

The idea of streamlining my workflow is very appealing. For me, that requires an instrument with a lot of effects processors, multiple synthesis types and more. The OASYS' caliber of sound, power and interface is what I've been waiting for.
So, why did I buy an OASYS? I hate computers and mouse-based music. I think I always will. A friend of mine just bought an $18,000 piano. I would not do that, but I do adore synths. If it's within my financial means, then I try to just look at the unit, itself.

Important to me is:

DISPLAY - (I like them large. Touchscreens are even better!)
INTERFACE - (I like lots of knobs and sliders - that's the advantage of hardware.)
PROGRAMMABILITY - (I love deeeep synths. I want something that will keep me busy for years and give me some sounds that others don't have.)
EASY ACCESSIBILITY - (I don't want to mess with computers, dongles and huge sample libraries. I like to turn something on and have my sounds and FX, right there.)
HARD DRIVE - (Loved this on my E4K. I wanted my next board to have a larger, faster drive to store all of my samples/songs and not be slow about loading them.)

So, the OASYS came out and I also hated the price and posted my share of disapproval. I was hoping it would be around $4,000 - $5,000, but it wasn't. I continued to study it, though...
I was used to buying flagships, like the Yamaha TX816 ($5,000), the SY99 ($4,000) and my expanded E-MU E4K ($3,600). I want the most features I can get out of any manufacturer, so I don't even bother with their smaller spinoffs.

Of course, comparatively, the OASYS blows by anything that I've owned. I'm partial to huge pads and lots of FX processors. I did the comparisons to the Fusion, Motif, Fantom and Triton line.

As you know from a lot of my past posts, I really, really like the OASYS. It has a lot of EQs and some big, beautiful sounds, even at the Program level. The modulation mixers, step sequencers, etc. make it really powerful. I don't think it's for everybody, though, especially the VST crowd. It could certainly use some more sample expansions, like an orchestral pack. Nothing else has this kind of Wave Sequencing, and the next generation KARMA is a biggie.

As with the open ended Wave Sequencing, I like the fact that ROM waves and new samples can avail themselves to the EXi engines, via wave input. This allows for some truly spectacular modulation possibilities!

The idea of streamlining my workflow is very appealing. For me, that requires an instrument with a lot of effects processors, multiple synthesis types and more. The OASYS' caliber of sound, power and interface is what I've been waiting for.

Let me put it this way, if it's going to break your bank or make you part with equipment that you'll regret selling, walk away. If you're a casual synth user and are looking to buy an OASYS without studying the s**t out of it and knowing what it can or can't do for you, then you probably shouldn't consider buying one."


Of course, his words are still valid today!

-

[Mike Conway]

I've just found this old OASYS swf, causing some nostalgia:

http://web.archive.org/web/200707011525 ... _forum.swf
-

Thanks for finding that link! Eight years later, I'm still impressed with the OASYS and play it most days. It remains the centerpiece of my workflow.

[DH56]

Thanks for the choice find Dany and ditto for that Mr Conway! Your "Unofficial" OASYS DVD is still a regular watch for me and always reminds me of just how deep the O really is.

As for Dany, he has two of them (as well as two Jupiter-80's) so he especially knows what you are talking about X2!

By the way, the V-Synth is still calling to you Mike. A perfect companion to the OASYS/Kronos and as you know, having a JP-8000, that VA synth engine with the elastic audio and APS just shines. They're getting cheaper all the time on e-bay!

My second set of 50 bombastic and spastic patches for the V called the "Altered States Project" has been released for general consumption over at Roland Clan and best of all they're absolutely free. The Soundworld has been busy lately!

Got to go...have to finish watching the best of Miles Davis at Montreux (Dany knows ALL about this!). What a blast!

And of the OASYS? I think I now have a backlog of no fewer than 20 or 30 rough mixes from it that will turn into SWAD tunes. Time to get busy!