this jerry(from Korg) listing what's new in namm,thought to let you know.


"Korg KARMA,
A new Version 2 Operating System is under development, which will add a number of enhancements to the KARMA function. These include the ability to load newly developed GE’s (KARMA “patterns”) via floppy disk or MIDI System Exclusive dump, a new Freeze Randomize function which allows the user to return to or lock in a given KARMA-generated phrase even after a new one has been randomly generated, the ability to see the values of knobs as they are turned, easier recording of Combinations in the Sequencer, and auto-assignment of RTC knob/switch names when new GE’s are called up.
Other enhancements to the workstation itself include swing quantization, sound editing parameters in the sequencer mode, a “one-touch” setup for getting a Program or Combination ready to record in the sequencer, Sys. Ex-based individual parameter changes for more flexible use with external sequencers, Tap Tempo control from the front panel or a footswitch and a number of other enhancements and bug fixes.

Along with this planned new OS for the keyboard, KORG USA has made arrangements with KARMA-Lab to release a dedicated KARMA editor for Windows and Mac OS. With the editor users will be able to tweak existing GE’s as well as make their own new ones. An exciting new feature of the editor is the ability to import SMF data from the keyboard into a GE to speed up the creation of new patterns. The editor will be given to users in the US for free if they purchase a new Karma Music Workstation from January 1, 2002 onward. Current owners will be able to buy the software directly from KORG USA for a special price of only $75 (half-off the $150 list price).

Finally, Korg is currently working on re-voicing a number of the EXB-PCM expansion board to add GE data to them. The first to be released will be Dance Extreme (EXB-PCM04) and Vintage Archives (EXB-PCM05). When released the data will be made available for free via Korg Distributor websites and other sources. This revoicing project includes conversion of all the existing TRITON arpeggio patterns into GE’s, with significant expansion of their capabilities thanks to the realtime control that the KARMA technology provides.
The Version 2 OS and the KARMA GE editor are planned for release in May, 2002."


"TRITON STUDIO,
61/76-note synth and 88-note weighted action models available
$3,200/3,800/4,200 list prices respectively
New ultra-powerful processor
6 times more powerful than Triton
Twice as powerful as Karma
1280 onboard sounds
768 Programs preloaded (including 16 drumkits
and a full GM level 2 soundset)
512 Combinations preloaded
Expandable to a total of 3584 sounds
1920 Programs (with EXB-MOSS, 7 expansion
banks and I-E Bank/sample Programs)
1664 Combinations (with EXB-MOSS, 7 expansion
banks and I-E Bank/sample Combinations)
48 User drumkits available
48 MB PCM ROM
Includes new 16 MB velocity-switched stereo piano
Expandable to 256 MB with 7 PCM expansion boards plus 96 Mbytes sample RAM
Up to 120-note polyphony
60-note polyphony from base ROM
60-note polyphony from Piano, RAM and expansion banks
TouchView graphic display
Blazing fast!
Sampling
16-bit/48kHz sampling rate
16 MB of RAM standard, expandable to 96 MB (three 72-pin SIMM slots)
Stereo/mono sampling
Sample through Insert effects
Visual waveform editing (w/beat grid)
Extensive editing (truncate, normalize, cut/copy/paste/insert, crossfade loop) plus Time Slice, Time Stretch functions
Up to 1000 multisamples/4000 samples possible in memory
Loads Korg*, Akai S3000/1000 (samples/mapped multisamples), AIFF and .WAV formats
Export samples as AIFF and .WAV files
Open Sampling System
Can sample in Program, Combination or Sampling Modes
Can resample in Program, Combination, Sequencer or Sampling modes
In-Track Sampling allows you to sample directly into the sequencer, making the correct trigger events as needed
Digital resampling allows you to add effects to samples
Can sample audio from CD drive (analog or S/PDIF)
Digital audio extraction possible from CD drive (ripping)
Can sample directly to hard drive for recording longer samples to move to computer, also used for audio CD burning
Internal 5 Gigabyte hard drive
Floppy disk drive
Optional internal CDR/W drive
CDRW-1x8 slimline mechanism
Can be used to burn audio CD of your final songs
Can be used to store data (PCG, SNG, samples)
SCSI interface
Sub-D 50 pin connector (SCSI 2)
Same 16-track sequencer and RPPR features
2 polyphonic arpeggiators
512 memory locations (5 preset, 365 preloaded, 507 programmable)
Up to 12 tones and 48 steps per pattern
Normal and Fixed Note/Drum modes
6 outputs w/ easy routing
L/R Main outputs
4 Individual outputs
S/PDIF digital I/O
Supports 48kHz
Emulates 96kHz for compatibility
Controllers
Ribbon
4-way joystick
4 assignable knobs
2 assignable switches
Assignable value slider
Assignable pedal and switch
Expansion possibilities (all user-installable):
6-voice DSP synth engine (EXB-MOSS)
128 MOSS Programs/128 MOSS+PCM Combinations
13 digital synthesis and physical modeling algorithms
6-part multi-timbral
112MB of PCM expansion
7 slots, each can hold 16 MB of PCM
6 channel ADAT optical output (EXB-DI)
6 channel mLAN digital audio/MIDI I/O
Available late April/early May"

"SP-200
A new stage piano with up to 60 note polyphony, 30 sounds, weighted-action feel, Chorus and reverb for $995 list.

SP-500
A new stage piano/accompaniment keyboard with a smaller touchview screen – 396 sounds, 128 Styles, 26 Pianist Styles, 2 effects processors, realtime and Backing Sequencer recording modes, and more. $1800 list price."

"oLD TRITON V2.5
As I stated before we are working on a new OS upgrade, which will include a number of the enhancements that have been made for the TRITON STUDIO and Karma workstations. These include fixing the mono mode bug, fixing the directory jumps to top file bug, true swing quantize, individual parameter change via Sys. Ex.and the ability to set the Triton to external MIDI clock without the sequencer being started in sequencer mode (for better integration with external sequencers). Hopefully we can include a direct PREVIEW of sounds from disk (thanks for the idea!) which is in the STUDIO and Karma V2 and some others. It all depends on the final code space…I expect this to be available in May.
TRITON Le
You know the specs, the products will cost $1600 (61 key) and $1800 (76 key) and will come with a free 8 MB Smartmedia card, and a video manual.

EXB-PCM08
The next PCM expansion card is a 16 Mbyte stereo sampled, velocity-switched Bosendofer piano, with 32 Programs and 64 Combinations. This source is already included in the TRITON STUDIO. Available in April, 2002.

More sounds:
We are demonstrating a preliminary version of William Coakley’s Perfect Piano in native TRITON format. William will be selling this himself through his regular channels. Also announced is a Q-Up Arts “world” CD-ROM in native TRITON format, which is still under development, but will draw on all of their current titles for source material. Korg USA will be distributing this title along with Q-Up Arts."


------------------
Vic

[This message has been edited by vic83 (edited 01-17-2002).]

oh an by teh way.the SP-500 is an arranger....
88 key (A0-C8),
Real Weighted Hammer Action II keyboard

Touch Control:
6 velocity curve types


Tone Generator System:
Stereo sampling system


Polyphony:
64 voices maximum


Programs:
ROM 204 +128(GM), RAM64/Drum

Programs: ROM 13+1(GM), RAM 2/Sound Programs, Piano (19), E. Piano/Organ (33), Flute/Sax (47), Brass/Choir (45), Strings (45), Guitar (37), Bass (26), Synth/SE (59), Percussion (46), Includes 8 Melody Voices.


Accompaniment:
Rhythm Styles = ROM 128,
Pianist Rhythm Styles = ROM 26,
User 64


Effects:
Reverb (13),
Others (24)


Recorder:
1 song, 40,000 notes, 8-track (Control, Chord, KBD+5-track),
Maximum 100 songs memory can be stored.
Song Control (Song, Pause, Rew, FF, Play/Stop, Record),
Total max. 128,000 notes when 12 songs are recorded.
Total max.72,000 notes when 100 songs are recorded)


Help Support:
Help supports 2 languages-English/Japanese


Demo Songs:
24 songs for piano programs (right-handed and left-handed is possible to separate),
9 songs for other sound programs,
1 song for Pianist Rhythm Style,
8 songs for other Rhythm Styles,
6 Song demos


Metronome:
On/Off, Tempo, Beat, Volume

Tap Tempo Control


Display:
TouchView Graphical User Interface,
240 x 64 full-dot display


Temperament (Scale):
10 types + 4 user scales


Additional Features:
Key Transpose
Pitch Control
Layer Function
Split Function



Pedals:
Damper, Soft or Assignable


Connectors:
Audio outputs (L/MONO, R),
Audio inputs (stereo mini jacks),
Headphones,
Damper,
Assignable switch


MIDI:
In, Out


Power Consumption:
14 Watt, Local voltage




Dimensions:
50.59" Wide x 12.60" Deep x 4.88" High
1,285(W) x 320(D) x 122(H) mm


Weight:
42.77 lbs./19.4kg


Accessories (Included):
Headphones,
AC/AC Power Supply,
Music Stand


Accessories (Optional):
DS-1H Damper Pedal
This can be connected to the Damper jack to obtain half-damper effects, or connected to the Assignable Switch jack and used as a Soft pedal.

PS-1 Pedal Switch
This can be connected to the Assignable Switch jack, and used to control the Sostenuto Pedal effect, to start/stop the automatic accompaniment function, to produce a fill-in, or to switch the effect on/off.

here is yamaha's new products in NAMM...
http://www.giles.com/yamaha1/pr/trade/NAMM/W02/homeswf.html

Korg announces the release of Version 3.0 software for the PA-80 Professional Arranger, which provides enhanced functionality. With the Version 3.0 addition of User Sampling plus a true Step-Time Sequencer mode, the PA-80 incorporates all the features of a traditional workstation, plus the advantages of an accompaniment keyboard.

Using the existing audio inputs, the PA-80 can now perform 16-bit, 48kHz sampling in mono or stereo. Other sampling features include Time Slice functions for creating "grooves" of various tempos without altering the pitch of the original sample. These Sliced-Sample Grooves can then be used to create songs, sequences and even new user Styles. Samples and Groove data can be saved onto a Korg FMC-8MB Flash RAM card for easy storage.

Step-Time recording has been added to the backing sequencer, along with individual event level editing. Track Mute and Transpose settings are now saved with the song data. Each of the PA-80's two sequencers can now access its own directory, for faster song selection.

Version 3.0 also adds ten more banks of user Performances, for storing custom PA-80 set-ups. Other performance enhancements include a variety of navigational shortcuts for quick access to common functions. The Trigger pads can be assigned to a host of new operational features such as Effect mutes, Performance advance, Track mutes and others.

The PA-80 is currently being delivered with Version 3.0 standard. Owners of previous versions can update their PA-80 in minutes by downloading the free upgrade from Korg's web site.

WOW! Thanks for that information vic83 and Clif, you obviously took some time to post that out for us. Thanks a lot!

I read about the Triton studio as well. I am really excited about it, but it is too expensive. Anything above $3,000 for a keyboard is ridiculous. And, on top of that, to get the internal CDRW you have to pay an extra $400. That is too overpriced...however, it does have A LOT of features. Thanks for posting out that Korg Press Release...and, if you want to, you can check out Harmony Central's updates on NAMM 2002 at http://www.harmonycentral.com

I'll have to read more about the SP-500 arranger that you also mentioned...And the Yamaha's site that you gave us was completely dedicated to NAMM 2002 and I am VERY interested in that - I'll have to revisit that site since I had problems loading it. Again, thanks for the info.

And, Clif, your information will be helpful to others on this forum as well. Please keep us updated more about Winter NAMM 2002, I, of course, really appreciate you both for sharing that information with us. See you around on the forums and have a nice day,
Ryan