*CAUTION* Please Read
This gets LOUD when the filter hits high resonance..! DO NOT USE HEADPHONES..!! Video of
High speed Unboxing, a free-play on the Arturia KeyStep and finally a demo jam on the BeatStep Pro accompanied by the Roland Aira TR-8S Rhythm Performer. Slight delay on parts of the jam in the second part of the video from the Roland MX-1 Performance Mixer to get a better taste, otherwise all audio recorded dry and unedited into Audacity before video editing.
Some word stolen from reviews elsewhere... (Colloquially known as "Pulling an Uli...")
The K-2 analog / analogue monophonic synthesiser / synthesizer follows the dual VCO design of the Korg MS-20, and promises an authentic reproduction of the original circuity, including matched transistors and JFETs.
The architecture is semi modular, and both the first- and second-generation filter designs have been emulated.
Other features include four variable oscillator shapes with variable pulse widths and ring modulation, a fully-analogue triangle/square wave LFO (Modulation Generator), and two analogue envelope generators as modulation sources.
The K-2’s 16-voice Poly Chain feature means that you can combine multiple synths for up to 16 voices of polyphony, and you can stick the instrument in a Eurorack case and use it as part of a modular setup if you wish. A side note here is that the original MS-20 was not Eurorack CV compatible.
The filters on this clone, taken from both variation 1 & 2 are frankly insane, (despite many many reviews describing them as flat or lack-lustre - not quite sure why they seem that way in other videos, sure filter 1/High Pass isn't great, but the second filter/Low Pass certainly howled just fine for me..??) but then so is the mind-boggling patch bay, which appears about as well laid out as Boris Johnsons Coronavirus plans.
I intend to explore this at leisure and maybe post some patch ideas the same as I have for the Moog Mother-32 and DFAM.
I can't say how close it is to the original, but then neither do I care, from this quick first play with the front controls I was pretty impressed overall...
With the dual oscillators I was expecting this to sound more like the Sequential Circuits Pro-1 copy, but so far I find its fatness more akin to the Model D Mini-moog clone.
Please, as ever, hit the Like and Subscribe with the Bell and feel free to leave Comments or Questions below.
Check out the rest of my channel for other gear videos and some other Hardware Jams.
Many Thanks.
Overview
Analog and Semi-Modular Synthesizer with Dual VCOs, Ring Modulator, External Signal Processor, 16-Voice Poly Chain, and Eurorack Format
Amazing analog synthesizer with dual VCO design allows for insanely fat music creation
Authentic reproduction of original circuitry with matched transistors and JFETs
Pure analog signal path based on authentic VCO, VCF, and VCA designs
Semi-modular architecture with default routings requires no patching for immediate performance
First and second-generation filter design (high pass/low pass with peak/resonance)
4 variable oscillator shapes with variable pulse widths and ring modulation for ultimate sounds
Dedicated and fully analog triangle/square wave LFO
2 analog Envelope Generators for modulation of VCF and VCA
16-voice Poly Chain allows combining multiple synthesizers for up to 16 voice polyphony
Complete Eurorack solution, main module can be transferred to a standard Eurorack case
36 controls give you direct and real-time access to all important parameters
External audio input for processing external sound sources
Comprehensive USB/MIDI implementation with MIDI channel and Voice Priority selection
3-Year Warranty Program*
Designed and engineered in the U.K
