My first impressions of the OASYS

Greetings all,
   For me, there were 2 Bottom-Lines that help me decide what 
musical instruments to buy: 1. what comes out of the outputs
(regardless of all the accessories) and 2. price point.  So, the 
following (quoted from my EJ2KarmaTrax yahoo group) has been 
coloured by these foregoing sentiments.  

   As we hear in Karma groups of various sorts, many have been 
chomping at the bit for KARMA 2 or a new Karma product to come out 
in an affordable package.  As NAMM 2006 revealed, it just didn't 
happen, much to our dismay.  Currently, the Big O is it (for now).

    I'm sure Korg will milk the OASYS for as long as it can 
to those who can part with their cash in that amount.  However, in 
the meantime, you can bet they have something in the works.  They 
always do.  Witness the incarnations of Triton to Le and now to TR.  
Why they didn't follow suit for the Karma makes me wonder whether 
the potential for Stephen Kay's KARMA Creator (Univeral) has them a 
bit shy... but, look, they imported Karma 2 into an expensive 
proposition, not just in terms of the price of the keyboard, but in 
all the RnD, programming, etc. that went into it.  So, it's anyone's 
guess as to the appearance of a new "affordable" KARMA 2 product.  

   Korg needs to know that while we wait, we pick up from it's 
competitors such things as the V-synth XT bundled with Project 5.  
Others have opted for the Virus TI.  Then again, it has forced a 
few, including me, to explore the wonderful world of VSTi and the 
potential for NEKO or MUSE type directions.

    Now, I finally auditioned the OASYS yesterday and came away with 
mixed feelings.  The sounds are truly impressive and very clean.  
The thing is built tough (except for the side panel screens (I guess 
the O needs to breath).  The keyboard felt great and the touch 
screen is awesome.  Having all the KARMA 2 scenes, the mixing 
sliders, and the 8 chord (drum) triggers, the Vector JS and ribbon 
ergonomically placed is a real treat.  The O's regular JS seems a 
better build than Karma 1.  In fact the whole build quality is 
better.

   It didn't take me long before I was modifying presets, some of 
which I found not very well programmed, for my tastes at least.  
Most leads are too wimpy in the mix.  And the drum kits and GEs 
selected in a few combis just didn't cut it for me.  I must say, I 
could tell the signature designs of OZZY and Stephen - top shelf 
quality that is unmistakable.  Others' contributions sound like 
they really didn't understand KARMA.  Some rhythmns and riffs were 
slightly out of synch, the selection of programs, and the IFX 
selections and settings need to be tweaked.  Don't misunderstand me, 
I had a ball yesterday - for a long time.... My wife killed me when 
I got home.  I left at noon and got back at 8 pm.....LOL.  

So, how much better than Karma 1 is OASYS in my estimation? As I 
said, I came away with mixed feelings. Most of what Karma 1 
contributers asked for in improving the original Karma have been 
incorporated into a great design.  The layout of controls and 
features is extremely impressive. The raw, unprocess sounds of the 
OASYS as just amazing.  They are as good as reported.  But going 
back to one of my bottom lines - what comes out of the outputs - are 
they worth 4 times the price?  At this moment, I would say no.  In 
fact, given the current street price of the Maroon Karma, the 
absolute better bargain for someone wishing to get into KARMA 
technology is the Maroon Monster - the Karma.  If you don't have 
$9k+ (or 10,000 CND $) to blow on a Cadillac Keyboard such as the 
OASYS, I would suggest you wait for the price to come down (and that 
could be a long time) or for spinoffs to be born, or for a 
competitor to come out with something that really grabs you (Roland 
and Yamaha didn't do it for me this NAMM).  I will hold my decision 
on the new Korg's RADIAS till after I audition it when it shows up 
at the dealers.

To be sure, if I had the cash, I would definitely purchase an OASYS 
and start programming the shit out of it.  The sonic potential just 
blew me away yesterday.  I could see myself having a new set of 
OASYS programs and combis out within 6 months or so - at least a 
half set anyway.   Maybe I should......

Sorry for the long and ambivalent post, but I thought I would share 
some of my opinions on the Big O after my first audition session. 

In the meantime, have fun with the gear you do have.
Cheers,
Eric, EJ2 Karma Programmer
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