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.
1983
The
SAS-20
was Korg’s first arranger keyboard. A built-in
computer analyzed the melody played on the keyboard,
and generated a complex accompaniment. This
was the world’s first
auto-accompaniment function of this
kind added to a keyboard. Also, a more
traditional chord recognition system was included.
"i-series" Interactive Music Workstations
1993
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.
1994
The company introduced the
i2,
an i3 "on-steroids" with a 76-note
keyboard and a new Piano sound.
1995
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.
During the same year, other
"i-series" instruments with built-in
amplification appeared:
The
i4S
(where "S" stays for "Speakers"). This
keyboard was something like an i3 with speakers,
but with a smaller feature set.
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.
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).
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.
1996
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.
1997
The
iX300
Interactive Music Workstation was introduced,
back to a unit without speakers but offering new
sounds and more than 100 styles.
1998
This was the year the first two products from
Korg Italy appeared:
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.
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.
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.
1999
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.
iS35
was a new version of the iS40, featuring the same
specifications, and adding a Vocal Harmonizer
as standard.
iS50B boasted the same specs as the iS50, but in a Dark Blue chassis.
"Pa" Professional Arrangers
2000
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.
2002
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.
2003
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.
2004
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.
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.
2006
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.
2007
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.
2008
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.
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.
2009
The
Pa50SD Professional Arranger lost the old floppy disk in favour of a modern SD Card media.
2011
The Korg Pa Series has a new flagship: the
Pa3X
both in 61 and 76 keys versions. Including innovative features like:
new TC Helicon, Waves mastering suite, Chord Sequencer, Ambient Drums,
Drum families, Search facility and more packed in an elegant and sturdy
alluminium case.
2012
Pa600 is a modern yet inexpensive version of our line, with some
touches taking it to the next generation of Pa instruments. Increased
minimalism, and a new type of display, make it a bridge between the old
and new, with solid roots in the past and an eye to the future.
Today Korg is still dedicated to providing musicians with new and better instruments with which to express their creativity.
Thanks for making this alive, Katoh-san !
Original Source ARRANGER HISTORY At:
http://www.korgpa.com/en/support/arrangers-history.html
11:57 PM
ferianist
