Korg Exhibits New i-Series Interactive Keyboards
 February 5, 2000
Korg USA is featuring the next generation of Korg
Interactive Music Workstations, the iS35 and iS50B. Both instruments offer
new ways to compose and perform music. The iS35 and iS50B keyboards share
the heritage of Korg's A12 Synthesis System with sequencing and accompaniment
features as well as many live performance functions.
Each instrument features a 61-note keyboard with velocity control (aftertouch
on the iS35), 32-note polyphony, and 384 high-quality factory sounds (including
full General MIDI soundset). A selection of 144 Styles (128 ROM and 16 RAM) and
192 Arrangements (128ROM + 64 RAM) covering all musical styles as well as an EDIT
PROGRAM function for easy control of parameters such as filter Cutoff, Attack
Time and Effects Vibrato Intensity is also included. The iS35 and iS50B also feature
a total of 16 drum kits on each instrument (two are fully editable).
The iS35 includes an extra 2MBs of dedicated piano PCM for a rich and realistic
piano sound. Both instruments feature an integrated pitch bend/modulation controller,
and sustain/control pedal inputs, with an additional assignable pedal input on
the iS35.
The accompaniment system on the iS35 and iS50B provides users with a variety
of performance/editing options. Each Arrangement offers four variations, two fills,
two intros and two endings. A 40,000-event Backing Sequencer takes advantage of
the onboard accompaniment features to quickly lay down chord and melodic ideas,
with full editing capabilities. Using the Backing Sequencer, the user can play
along with one of the iS35 or iS50B's high quality Styles (pop, rock, jazz, and
ethnic) using the MIDI instrument of their choice, and the live performance will
be recorded as a song. Counter melodies and other parts can then be recorded on
eight additional tracks. The resulting Backing Sequence is editable and can later
be converted to a Standard MIDI File for further editing on a computer, or printed
out as sheet music.
Both instruments have direct-from-disk playback of SMFs, with a Jukebox function
for pre-selecting a full set of songs for ease of operation in a live setting.
SMFs can then be fully edited using the 16-track sequencer. The lyrics included
in most of SMF formats can be shown on the iS35 and iS50B's LCD display.
Two independent onboard digital multi-effect processors provide authentic hall
and room reverb as well as 47 other fully editable effects on the iS35 and iS50B.
The iS35 also has a microphone/line/guitar input which enables additional effects
processing, including 4-part harmony and reverb for vocals, and compression, distortion
and reverb for guitar.
The iS50B includes a 2 x 8 Watt amplifier with two dual cone speakers housed
in a bass reflex box and the iS35 features a 2 x 14 Watt amplifier with a four
speaker system, also housed in a bass reflex box. In addition, using the on-board
3.5" Floppy Disk Drive allows both instruments' operating systems to be upgraded
quickly from floppy disk.
Additional iS35 features include:
- Additional 2 MBs of dedicated stereo panned piano
- Separate MIDI channels for Upper 2 and Lower tracks
- LYRICS data preserved on Save
- Arrangement and Program Preview functions
- Controls assignable to the Programmable Pedal/Footswitches
- Up to 32 additional user sales
The Korg iS35 and iS50B feature a new, stylish dark casing. Both are currently
available, with respective suggested retail prices of $1900.00 and $1350.00.
For more information contact
Korg at www.korg.com. | 
