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| The beginning |
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Tsutomu
Katoh, founder of Korg
Korg is recognized
as one of the most innovative manufacturers of
electronic music instruments and accessories in
the world. With its headquarters based in Tokyo,
Japan, the Korg company also has a network
of distributors who operate in countries around
the world.
The company began, as many do, with the idea that
something could be done better. In the early '60s,
Korg founder Tsutomu Katoh was a
nightclub proprietor. Tadashi Osanai, a noted
Japanese accordionist, performed regularly at
Katoh's club. Katoh told Osanai that it would
be nice to have a rhythm machine to keep the beat.
Osanai, an engineering graduate from Japan's prestigious
Tokyo University, was certain he could build a
rhythm machine himself, and convinced Katoh to
finance his efforts.
In 1962, Katoh rented a small facility alongside
the Keio railway line (pronounced K-O Kayo), where
Katoh and Osanai on developing a mechanical rhythm
machine. The fledgling enterprise was dubbed Keio
Electronic Laboratories. Their first product,
the Disc Rotary Electric Auto Rhythm machine or
Doncamatic DA-20, was released in 1963.
While primitive by today's standards, the instrument
represented a major breakthrough in its day.
The company is also known as the manufacturer
of the first synthesizer developed in Japan in
1968, called Prototype I. In
1969 Keio Laboratories Ltd. (the name was
changed to this in 1964) developed the second
keyboard, an electronic organ named "Korgue",
derived from the words Keio
and ORGan. The first product
using the Korg name was "miniKORG 700"
in 1973, and the first Korg logo appeared on this
product, even if it was a little different from
the current one. Finally, in 1986 the company's
name changed to KORG Inc.
The following is the history
of all Arranger Keyboards made by Korg, with links
to precious resources for owners of these, now
classic, instruments.
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| SAS-20
Super Accompaniment System |
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1983
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The SAS-20
was Korgs first arranger keyboard. A built-in
computer analyzed the melody played on the keyboard,
and generated a complex accompaniment. This was
the worlds first auto-accompaniment function
of this kind added to a keyboard. Also, a more
traditional chord recognition system was included.
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| "i-series"
Interactive Music Workstations |
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1993
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Korg introduced its first
professional arranger in 1993 with the i3
model, which proved to be the first in a huge
series of Korg 'interactive' products. Until that
time the auto-accompaniment keyboards were designed
primarily for home use, but i3 changed that. Its
tone generator was an AI2 engine coming from the
renowned Korg synths, which made it a perfectly
useable 'pro' keyboard. Once again, a Korg keyboard
succeeded because of the quality of its factory
voicing. It also retained a multitrack MIDI sequencer,
Styles and Arrangements that allowed players to
use it as a band-in-a-box or compositional tool,
improved chord recognition with a big graphical
display, a joystick and analog volume controls
for each accompaniment section. A new Backing
Sequence feature provided also for easy creation
of new songs based on styles.
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1994
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The company introduced
the i2,
an i3 "on-steroids" with a 76-note keyboard
and a new Piano sound.
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1995
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In 1995 a further improved version of i3 was introduced:
the Korg i1,
that included an 88-note weighted keyboard, a
huge piano sample, and built-in speakers. Other
features were similar to the i3, even if new styles
were added.
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During the same year,
other "i-series" instruments with built-in
amplification appeared:
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The i4S
(where "S" stays for "Speakers").
This keyboard was something like an i3 with speakers,
but with a smaller feature set.
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The i5S
was a scaled-down version of the i4S, with a plastic
chassis and a reduced set of features. Some new
sounds and styles were added.
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A module called i5M
was also introduced, with specifications similar
to the i5S, but with no amplification and, obviously,
no keyboard and joystick. This product was really
appreciated by accordionists, happy to discover
at its heart some added traditional styles and
sounds (shared with the i5S).
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In 1995, singers also
welcomed the "ih
Interactive Vocal Harmony", that allowed
for creation of vocal harmonizations, starting
from chords played live in Style mode, or recorded
in a Song's track. This unit is still a best-seller
on the second-hand market, thanks to its excellent
price/quality ratio.
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1996
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During 1996, Korg did
not introduce any new arranger or related product.
However the new Korg Italy R&D department
was established in Italy to keep focus mainly
over entertainment keyboards. The laboratory actually
take place in Osimo, near Ancona, in the center-east
part of Italy, an area with strong traditions
in musical instruments manufacturing, and was
intended to support especially the European market
and customers.
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1997
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The iX300
Interactive Music Workstation was introduced,
back to a unit without speakers but offering new
sounds and more than 100 styles.
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1998
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This was the year the
first two products from Korg Italy appeared:
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iS40
included new sounds (among them, a gorgeous stereo
piano sample), new styles (128), and several new
features. One of the most appreciated new features,
Keyboard Sets, allowed for immediate recalling
of keyboard track settings.
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iS50
was the low cost version of iS40, lacking just
a minor number of features from its bigger sibling.
These two new-entries added to the most important
values traditionally associated to the Korg brand
name, innovation and great sounds, a reasonable
price. Plus, they boasted a completely new, award-winning
look.
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During the same year,
the i30
Interactive Music Workstation was introduced,
claiming to be the first arranger featuring a
Touch Screen Display. This model was speakerless,
64 notes of polyphony, and included some more
sounds compared to the iS40.
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1999
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Korg introduced a successor
to the i5M: the i40M
module. Specifications were similar to the iS40
(obviously, with no keyboard or joystick), but
included a Vocal Harmonizer as standard. Furthermore,
the module included 3 different pre-programmed
MIDI setups, to make connection with various accordions
even easier.
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iS35
was a new version of the iS40, featuring the same
specifications, and adding a Vocal Harmonizer
as standard.
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iS50B
boasted the same specs as the iS50, but in a Dark
Blue chassis.
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| "Pa"
Professional Arrangers |
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2000
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A new range of arranger
from Korg was introduced in year 2000: the Pa
Series. Pa80
was the first model introduced in December 2000
with a stunning sound inherited from our award-winning
Triton, a wide selection of highly-musical Styles
made by some of the best musicians in the world,
a Multitasking Operating System and a revolutionary
Dual Sequencer design. This new keyboard will
bring the benefits of Korg's stunning songwriting
and music production/performance to a whole new
generation of musicians.
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2002
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The new Pa60
Professional Arranger was introduced. Apart from
fewer features like sampling and Harmony Board
compatibility, it is same instrument as the "top-of-the-range"
Pa80.
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2003
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During this year, a new
line of professional arrangers debuted, starting
from the flagship - the Pa1X
Pro Professional Arranger. Including
some ot the most advanced technologies available
in the musical instrument world, it marked the
return of Korg to the speakerless, studio-oriented
interactive composer type of arrangers. It also
marked the beginning of a factive cooperation
with the renowed studio gear manufacturer TC-Electronic.
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2004
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Short after the launch
of the Pa1X Pro, the Pa1X
Professional Arrangers was introduced. This is
the speaker-fitted, shorter-scale version of the
Pa1X.
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After the top-of-the
line, ultra-luxury Pa1X Pro, Korg release its
most inexpensive arranger ever - the Pa50
Professional Arrangers. Despite the low purchasing
price, it boasted most of the same features of
the revered Pa60, making it a true bargain.
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2006
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A successor of the Pa80
with speakers was introduced, named the Pa800.
It was a jump forward under the technology point
of view: the new Korg tone generator, and the
EDS sound synthesis, made their first appearance
in this middle-of-line arranger some months before
the revolutionary M3 synth line was introduced.
Twice the polyphony, physical modeling for guitar
effects (based on the REMs technology), track
EQ, the new TC-Helicon vocal effects, plus the
guitar mode. As usual for Korg, an incremental
advance on the surface, yet a ground-breaking
innovation in the inner core.
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2007
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Improving on the almost
perfect Pa1X Pro/Elite was a difficult challenge,
that Korg faced with the usual, savvy sense of
adventure.
The result was the Pa2X
Pro: the same solid feel of the predecessor,
with an all new and innovative design, and the
same sound technology advances introduced in Pa800
just a few months before.
The Double MP3 Player/Recorder (optional in Pa800)
was standard, and it was a shock: no more practical
differences between SMF files and
MP3 audio files. Slowing down and transposing
MP3 files was the ordinary Korg extraordinary.
Pa2X Pro clearly aimed at the professional musician,
due to its improved 76 keybed, tiltable touch
screen, phantom power, balanced in/out, digital
audio output and internal clock.
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2008
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After the renewal of the top-of-the-line model,
this year saw a renewal of the entry-level model.
After the incredible success of Pa50, the Pa500
made its appearance, considerably improving in
the interface design. A modern, stylish case,
with a die-hard core - the same of the Pa2X and
Pa800 for an incredible price.
This model was made available also in different
localizations, to fit any particular musical taste
and tradition.
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During year 2008, Korg introduced Pa588,
a cross-over of an arranger (the acclaimed Pa500)
and a digital stage piano, with the 88-note graded-weighted
RH3 keyboard, built-in speakers, and a beautiful
piano sample. Great on stage, it is supplied with
its own piano stand; compatibility with the Pa-Series
makes it a perfect home-entertainment machine.
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2009
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The Pa50SD
Professional Arranger loose the old floppy disk
in favour of a modern SD Card media.
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| Today, decades
after his humble entrance into the world of music
gear, Mr. Katoh is still dedicated to providing
musicians with new and better Korg instruments with
which to express their creativity.

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Thanks for making this
alive, Katoh-san !
The Korg Team
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