Great vid man. When I saw the form factor I was genuinely excited. I thought another company was jumping in the ring with Roland and this was going to be some stiff competition for the SP. Sadly not the case. I think they could have hit a much bigger market if they would have included a sequencer and offered it at a better price point.
I can't figure what TAETRO doesn't like about SAX in the flagship song, it is good, but not like the other 100 genres that can be played with this, so WTF? NB: He is 100% ON about this dumb micro-USB for data interface, while USB-C is used only for power; dumb dumb dumb. Yeah and just Dumb. Peace :hat1:
Taetro - THANK YOU for this overview. It really puts things in perspective. I personally think the Replay is way over priced and over complicated for what it is trying to be - and the RCA inputs/outputs are a total game killer for me as well. I've been following you for years - ever since you showed a perfectly presented and easy-to-understand overview of how you do live-looping jams with Ableton (like 8 years ago). Today, i have more respect for you than ever. KEEP UP THE AMAZING WORK and good vibes!! Big Ups! 👊❤
@@heavysystemsinc. nah dude, kaoss replay is obviously shit. I just don't believe in honest synthtubers. I have never ever saw a bad review on a fresh product from a youtuber until now
@@foolycooly6738 Well, I mean that's the perfect evidence that it hasn't happened, isn't it? The fact you've not seen it? Cause I sure have multiple times, but if you haven't that means also I haven't.
Haven’t seen a video review hit this hard since Tyson dropped Frazier in 86. Stark contrast to another review. Appreciate the honesty, even if this means no more Korg for you. Companies need to do better if they are wanting us to empty our wallets.
The MPC Live II costs $1200 has an x/y pad… And a battery. And built in speakers. And A sequencer, and… Did someone from teenage engineerings marketing dept get hired at Korg? Is that what happened? At $500 I would accept “meh, this isn’t for me…” At $1000 “this isn’t for real…”
Woof... I had a buddy who bought one of those old Kaoss pads you showed and he was stoked about it for some radio/DJ stuff he was doing but it was just so dated. It's unfortunate to see they made a new one and it still seems like it just isn't up to modern standards, especially for that price tag. You could buy an Embodme Erae Touch for less and set it up to have 20 vector pads and have it do sequencing. Kudos for not taking their money on this one.
Integrity is priceless. The other funny thing Korg is seemingly missing: For the Dj market who love having touch effects, literally every Denon Prime player now has their own XY touchscreen for effects built into the players. The same goes for the newer Pioneer Dj mixers… a mega Kaoss pad that is ONLY a mega Kaoss pad would have made a ton more sense IMHO.
Definitely marketed as competition to The DJS-1000, but with less features for not much cheaper… the RCA connectivity is crazy, should definitely have at least two sets of 1/4” inputs
Wow... just... wow. I love Korg, so this is even more painful to hear. They made this instead of the Electribe 3? My Electribe 2 blows this out of the water as far as usability. It has an XY pad that functions a lot like a Kaoss pad, and yes, you can record the motions and use to make sequences. It's portable, you can chop loops, individual and master FX sends, has Ableton export... I could go on. Just so happens that my SP-404mkii arrives in the mail today, clearly I'm not going to worry about buying it over the Replay.
it seems like they made Drumlogue and this one instead of Electribe 3... But i don't even wait for Electribe 3 now... it will be like 2 grands minimum.
I watched loopops review before this and didn’t catch the price… I just thought „that’s kinda delightfully old school and quirky“, expecting it to be around 200-300€… when you said the price my jaw dropped. Holy sh*t Korg dropped the ball on this big time
@@Mikepepp2 Drumlogue is another family tree branch, but - we've got to keep asking for Electribe ESX-3! with the features we care about using. (I say that thinking that ESX-1 had the best control design overall.)
Considering how easy it is these days to get feedback on products, you'd think a company like Korg would organize the design of new products better. Get input from the very people who would want a product BEFORE designing and mass-producing a product, "Hey, we want to make a new performance pad! What features do you need/want?" They probably spent a large sum of money designing and building something that will sit on the shelves.
Good video, thanks. I think the target demographic is DJs a lot more than synth/beat makers. For some reason there’s really nothing on the market that is performative, creative, exciting, effect tools aimed at professionals. If you’re comparing this to like a pioneer rmx1000 (which I feel like is their demographic) this looks reasonable for the price/features, but the rmx1000 also feels way overpriced compared to like an iPad. The RCA jacks make sense in the DJ world for pro gear and according to loopop it’s built sturdy so my guess is it’s aimed at pro DJs. The micro USB it sounds like is just for pc transfer which makes it seem like an afterthought which makes sense if you’re stacking it up against the rmx-1000. My personal live setup would be 100% perfect if I could get a 2-3 channel mixer with 1/4” inputs, a mic channel, live performance time based effects, simple live looping, and a usb interface in a small package. I’ve been debating a blue box for a while, but when I saw this I got excited that maybe this could be what I wanted. It isn’t, sadly, you saved me money, but I can see what they’re going for.
Since Pioneer update sp16 with live looping option it will be the perfect tool where this korg is aiming. It will only require a external midi tempo control to be more live oriented (and maybe the djs1000 fx but at cost of dedicated outputs… ideal for stems 😉)
Awesome review. I am massively interested in this device, but I will admit my use case is SUPER niche. I DJ and want something that is a combination DJ controller and Sampler that I can use with another groovebox. In the DJ world RCA is the norm, so that''s fine. There are very few DJ controllers that will do Midi sync. They do out, but not in, so you are bringing a controller, laptop and some device. This could (potentially) eliminate the controller and laptop as it can play samples up to 30 minutes in lengths across all banks. It has tempo and key sync so it can beatmatch, and it does audio through so that other groovebox can come in. On top of that I can take part of my mix and resample it, have that play on a different channel and then pull up another stem or something similar. Does the 404 have a DJ mode, yes. Do I want to use multiple button combinations to get in and out of DJ mode while also doing other 404 things, no! I will fully admit I am not super familiar with the 404 DJ mode so I might be missing some workflow efficiencies. Again, super niche segment. If I was Korg, I would not have sent this to Synth people as this is NOT A GROOVEBOX. At best I would have sent it to DJs I've seen use samplers and performance machines in their live setup like a Carl Cox or Fred Again and see if this consolidates anything for them. Is it worth $1000.. probably not for 90% of the people that can do this stuff on other devices (like the 404 or Akai force). That's the weird part to me. If this was an indie manufacturer, I would get the niche. The problem is it's Korg and they expect to sell thousands of these and I don't think you have that many DJs going out of their controller setup or that many performance oriented electronic musicians to make that work. Also the song is dumb. Nothing you could have said would have prepared me for it.
Awesome comment. I have the same use case and found the 404 DJ mode lacking, which is why I was excited about this Korg before watching the video. But yeah, with all those drawbacks mentioned in the video, and the ridiculous price, there's no way I'm going for this.
You must be right about it being a niche thing. I have been waiting for a dj player with midi out for years now, but it seems people don’t want that. Or manufacturers are not aware that people want it. Anyway, besides the really bad stuff. I like that the Korg Replay has midi out. But Where is the sync 3,5 jack Korg? ;-D
I watched Loopop's breakdown thinking this is up my alley, but it seemed super funky. You've just built on that clarifying why not to buy this. RCA jacks? Micro USB? And the power comes USB-C but requires 5V/3A - USB powering required for power bricks is max 2.4A. Hell, my MacBook Pro can run off a power brick! Thanks Taetro!
Replay is an apt name for this device as korg have not really added anything new to the Kaoss pad. They are just recycling the same shit from the Kp3 10+ years later. They have even included the same unusable and unquantized synth sounds. It honestly boarders on trolling, korg. Try again
@Taetro thank you for an honest review. $1k for this seems absurd. I feel like I can get so much more from other devices for that. What sealed the deal for me is the dated connections and prohibitive price. Appreciate you as always.
Thing is, people are misunderstanding what this device is for. Like mentioned in this it’s for live performance. It’s not for beat making. After testing it out thoroughly, the ergonomics are correct for someone that is going to use this as their “brain” of live DJ mixing of their set to bring a very dynamic and crisp sound. The effects are a bar above the rest with a modern take to the tried and true kaoss effect algorithms. For my live performances this will be the brain of operations. I love it
What is Korg's problem with power connectors? The non-usb psu's for the Kaoss pads, the Wavestate etc are non standard, and now they're making you use a device specific usb-c psu?
Unfortunately you are right. I am a KAOSS fan and own the Mini KP2s and the KO2 (both the small ones and I still use them) and I was seriously waiting for a new KAOSS Pad and I am so disappointed. Especially the price.
Saw this device pop up on my newsfeed. Immediately thought “oh it’s a 404 with a kaoss pad!” Then saw somebody mention in another review to watch your review. I’m glad I did! Subscribed!
Taetro, really appreciate your review. This is what all youtubers should do when a product has its limitations considering its specs, purpose and price. Top.
Always enjoyed your videos and really do appreciate that you talk openly and genuinely that certain product did not meet your expectations. I can imagine that there will be people who like it and who need this in their setup.
Thank you, great and honest review. I was hoping the KAOSS Replay could be the modern stand alone performance machine I was looking for to bring my Stems on stage and sync them via MIDI to my analogue gear. Sadly not the case, although all the potential is there. If this had a basic seqencer for loops, maybe a screen display of the pad content of the loaded bank, a batch import for sample loops, hey, maybe even an editor to prepare a set on the laptop and send it over to the KAOSS Replay and pro stage functions like internal USB power or at least a proper power supply, I'd be happy to spend such a high price for this. But unfortunately not.....
If you like trackers my Polyend Tracker Mini was "only" $700 and my M8 was about $500 when I bought it. Also I could buy a pretty decked out m2 iPad for $1000
The first thing I noticed on BoBeats's video was the RCA jacks. RCA jacks in 2023, and almost 2024. I've got the last two Kaoss Pads, the KP3+ and the Kaossilator Pro+ and have been waiting a minute for Korg to drop an updated model as these last two came out in 2013. Major disappointment and the stuff that matters can't be fixed with a software update. Fingers crossed for a new Electribe though, if that's coming at all.
if price is not a problem...get the MPC Live 2 or MPC One.(or higher). For cheap...get an MPC Studio. I got an MPC Live 2 last year...and I practice at least an hour a day. Also, I continue to watch other creators on youtube (who give tips and tricks on how to use). Forgot to ask, what aspects are you struggling with?
I love my Kaossilator pro, probably my most favorite piece of standalone gear... but I would agree with you. Between the micro usb and rca, it seems crazy for something in 2023..
No sequencer is crazy..it doesn't compete with a 404 in that case and at 1k if that's official it looks like they are trying to fail with this one. Nearly MPC LIVE 2 prices and NO SEQUENCER! I was real interested til this one major detail.
There is one essential combination of features that the korg has, but no competing hardware device can provide: It’s a dj player that has midi out. I have been looking for a dj player with midi out since years as I want to bpm-sync my synths to one or two music tracks that runs alongside. I’m not saying the flaws you mentioned aren’t really, really bad though.
@@ghost_in_the_robot I meant: Plays in the ball park of something like the Pioneer DJ XDJ-700 digital player, even though the pioneer is obviously more versatile for its kind. BUT the Pioneer does not have midi out. In fact, none of the players have Midi out, which makes me frustrated because I think it would be awesome to somehow "bridge" deejaying to modular systems, synthesizers or drum machines. (without a computer or laptop that is)
Hi I'm a genuine user and lover of the korg kaoss / quad pad and kaossilator pro + genre. All the quad pad needed was midi sync. All the kaossilator pro + needed was standalone effects, making you buy the kpad + . How to take genuine classics and seriously underdeliver, with a very pricey unit. Thanks for the cold shower, back to my kaossolator pro +.
Got to touch this at an exibition today, really respect your honesty. It was so off that I was like just sell me one of those old kaoss pads. Touchscreen sensetivity felt dated which really turned me down, thought $350 would be acceptable but I wouldn't even want it then..
Respectfully, it doesn’t click for you is right but any 404 user worth their weight is familiar with the resample method to make full compositions on the fly. And effect and DJ on the fly. That’s kind of what they were going for. There is no menu diving on the 404 MK2 or otherwise ….No hate; if a box don’t click with you that’s ok it’s all preference and the method doesn’t matter it’s the end result …peace
I like your honesty but some of those flaws you mention can be easily added via firmware. I am sure they will improve this box at some point. I do agree that the price is a bit high but it is probabaly mainly due to the high res screen
It’s insane to see a product release at this price point and say “well hopefully they fix it with firmware someday” - firmware updates are a bonus, not to add features that should’ve been there at day 1
@@Taetro It is not insane. It is very common. Just check how much Roland has improved MC 707 and SP404 with updates since launch for example. I believe the only serious fault with the Korg Replay is its price but that will probably come down fast.
The review is fair and raises some valid points (PSU, RCA, no battery, price(!!!), etc.), but I think it is wrong to compare it to any SP404 just because of the form factor and the fact that it somehow deals with samples. It simply is a highly evolved chaoss pad, so it is mainly an FX processor and playback/DJ-device (w/o sequencer). Having said this, I believe the biggest issue (obviously) is the price. If it was like 390 quit, it would be a great FX box with tons of high-quality FX, dedicated FX-chain, compression, and some added features like the chaoss pad type sampling, etc. I think a more suitable comparison would have been with the Elektron Heat +FX (which is also not exactly cheap!)!
No they probably think that different users have different demands. This product is probably not intented for people like Taetro. It is more for creative live users.
The RCA ins/outs are a deal breaker for me especially when it's $300+ more than an MPC One+. Such a shame too because my KP3s are the heart of studio - just about everything I produce gets manipulated through them & I've been using KP3s since 2010 & been waiting for a an update on it for a while. I thought nthe price would be the same as an MPC One - or even $50 cheaper to undercut the competition, but no, Korg had to a make a subpar mini-MPC touch/SP-404 hybrid more expensive than the competition.
Can't speak for the other person, but 85% of my gear has 1/4" and the rest have 1/8" (and that's mostly toyish stuff). Adapters add a lot of complexity to a setup. If I forget a 1/4" cable, I can probably get one from another member of the band because that's what all the big boy instruments use.
@@hankpiece There are plenty of easy to find cables with rca on one side and 1/4" on the other end. Plus simple cheap adaptors, so this is not an issue at all.
Great thoughts as always! Seems like a big fumble by Korg. Too bad! I love Korg. I recently purchased a Modwave.. a feature packed synth (also with kaoss pad) but they dropped a mk2 Modwave basically the same unit. Now the value of Modwave is plummeting. sucks to see big mistakes by Korg!
I have the OG Kaoss Pad from the late 90s. I also have the mini…I like Korg - but in the last decade they’ve been too weird for me. Most of the gear they make doesn’t really compliment my set up outside of the the Volcas and the ____state synths.
On the one hand, I don't regret my 404mk2 purchase due to this thing, despite always wanting some kind of kaoss type interface on a sampler. I regret the 404 due to its shoddy drunken external sync
As a master effect for a synth rig, possibly worth it. It’s super specialized. This is not a synth or groovebox, it’s something to plug such things into. I have an AKAI Force. This would probably work well with it. Biggest con is price. 1K is pushing it, but maybe in hand it would justify itself.
Live performance tool without battery compartment? Wow. Korg usually put this compartment in everything that doesn't even need it... but NOW somehow dropped the ball? WHY.
Oh lort, I'm in my feelings now. There's shock at the bewilderingly unexpected and frustration with the dumbfounding predictability in equal measure. Quite like a Korg Kaoss release, come to think of it. They make interesting stuff that sort of finds new life somewhere eventually, except for those most people probably never even heard of, but they have been notorious for marketing to the wrong crowd for what they offer since the beginning, from what I've heard. Maybe it's different in Japan, and I'm sure lots of people use them Japan somehow based on long-term email alerts on Ebay, but in the US it's extremely clear that DJs aren't the demographic at all. You'll see a guy build a Kaoss Pad into his guitar before you see a DJ using one, most likely. But that's how they tend to market them, as DJ tools. Personally, I'd think a DJ would want a way better sampler. So it goes. To think, I've been sad before at the thought that we'd never get another one of these from Korg. And to think, they can keep it! I am shocked that they even made another physical device, having focused on mobile software replicating the classic gear for years. I am sadly not shocked that they made this so performance-based/restricted. Keep in mind, that's been a recurring complaint about the Kaoss line at times and especially the last one, the Kaoss Quad. I'm not aware of Korg ever basing any designs on praise or complaints about the Kaoss products, at least not from the US market, so naturally they tend to repeat the same mistakes. Now, I have a ridiculous, perhaps embarrassing Kaoss collection. Off the top of my head, I have 10 physical Kaoss devices for some reason. I even spent $800 on a used, extremely hard to find Korg Entrancer, which is like a Kaoss Pad for video, and by video I mean cheesy 90s rave visuals (got ripped off and never received it, but I'ma cry if I dwell on that). I have to force myself not to buy the even more rare Korg Kaptivator, the Kaoss Pad meets video sampler. Or to not buy even more DJ mixers that offer no advantage over anything I currently own, only ever tempting for the occasional bout of pathological Kaoss sickness. The point is, I weirdly love Korg Kaoss, ever since I first dragged my grubby booger scooper finger across the Kaoss Pad 3. Ooh, the tingles! And that's how I've felt about a lot of it since then. And yet I straight up skipped the Kaoss Quad and don't even care to seek it out on a deep discount, precisely because it's so limited as merely an effects box with a Kaoss pad--and worse yet, even as a "performance box" I don't find it interesting because the number of effects and how you use them is so limited compared to other models. And now, for the second time in the Kaoss line, I'm skipping this product. I should be doing backflips right now, but nah, screw nearly $1K for this especially, And there's just nothing to be excited for, at least that I've seen so far. Even the DJ A and B faders, well, for anyone who isn't familiar with the Kaoss deep cuts, there are four different models of DJ mixers that they've made in the past, two of which I own (one is interestingly a functional DJ software controller too), and this isn't even counting DJ mixers that were made by someone else but were allowed to use the Kaoss pad and effects built in. While none of these DJ mixers are popular from what I've ever been able to tell, it's nothing new or unique. This new one seems to be a rehash of the Korg KM-2 Kaoss Mixer, specifically. I own it and it's nothing paradigm-destroying. It's basically like an older Kaoss Pad but with DJ faders for deck A and deck B. I discovered I actually like DJ mixers for non-DJ things, but YMMV on whether that adds any value for you. But yeah, more of the same from Korg Kaoss, just at the most ridiculous price now. This line of gear has never been about evolving and growing, taking on new features to help people better meet their musical goals, which is why I'm not upset at all, since it's expected. It's the same small handful of ideas fed through a random pad/Kaossilator/mixer generator, with the best arrangements seeming to already exist. I love the Kaossilator Pro and KP3+ combo. I'm also perpetually surprised at how much mileage I get out of the 2S versions of the Kaossilator and Kaoss Pad, a real workflow naturally arising no matter where I take the little beast, especially with the brilliant recording features.
Korg essentially released an unfinished product here, with a lot of things that need to be addressed in firmware updates. As it is, it's not as good as the 404, for double the price. Companies, don't *clap* release *clap* unfinished *clap* gear! Consumers, don't *clap* buy... etc.
Forgive me for asking. I feel like I have looked around, and I have still yet to find a suitable replacement to the Kaoss pad KP3. While I love just about everything about the KP3, the converters sound terrible, and I feel compromises the quality of anything I send through it. Other than this new Kaoss replay, is there any other hardware device on the market, Korg or otherwise, that is a multieffect with a large XY touch screen, that has better sounding converters than the KP3? Seems like such a crazy hole in the market if nothing else exists. I'm not concerned about sample pads, just the multieffect capability. Thank you.
This device is for oldskool Herbie Hancock type musicians that create elevator music that they force me to listen to when put on hold to complain about my bill with the electric company. Not for the urban community especially not at that price point
Honestly what was Korg thinking? They’re literally not paying attention. You didn’t have to call them out on the demo song like that lol. That was too funny….
I used to love making music on my Kaoss pads, but eventually stopped because it was just too -- for lack of a better word -- Korgy. Too shallow and quirky so I was always metaphorically bumping my head on the ceiling and stubbing my toes on the floor. The new one fixes some of that, but not enough... and its price is about 2X what it should be. So I'll stick with my Akai for making songs, because it does everything I need _and_ costs less.
I was very very excited about this new gear, waiting for it for a long time. I'm a big fan of Kaoss. And now totally disappointed, the price, the inputs, no sequencer? oww a shame. Thx Taetro!
Let's wait for the Beringer chaos pad for $ 99.95 😅😂
@inversebrah
TAETRO - As a dedicated Kaoss Pad user, I agree with you 100%. Your assessment is so correct. The new Kaoss Replay is so offensive to me in many ways.
I commend you on taking the harder path and sticking to your ideals, this sort of respect can never be bought with any amount of money.
This guy was pushing Drum Monkey a awhile back lol
@@fa0179 ew, looked it up and it looks awful
Great vid man. When I saw the form factor I was genuinely excited. I thought another company was jumping in the ring with Roland and this was going to be some stiff competition for the SP. Sadly not the case. I think they could have hit a much bigger market if they would have included a sequencer and offered it at a better price point.
1000$+ is crazy .
From the video Korg released It was looking like a 400-550$ piece of gear.
It also seems very unfinished.
what? I thought people were joking...
agreed, you're paying the exorbitant price for the touch screen.
I agree, the price is way out off target. When I first saw this I thought it would be about £600.
I can't figure what TAETRO doesn't like about SAX in the flagship song, it is good, but not like the other 100 genres that can be played with this, so WTF? NB: He is 100% ON about this dumb micro-USB for data interface, while USB-C is used only for power; dumb dumb dumb. Yeah and just Dumb. Peace :hat1:
Taetro - THANK YOU for this overview. It really puts things in perspective. I personally think the Replay is way over priced and over complicated for what it is trying to be - and the RCA inputs/outputs are a total game killer for me as well. I've been following you for years - ever since you showed a perfectly presented and easy-to-understand overview of how you do live-looping jams with Ableton (like 8 years ago). Today, i have more respect for you than ever. KEEP UP THE AMAZING WORK and good vibes!! Big Ups! 👊❤
I didn't think it would be possible to make me love my 404 more, but you did it Korg! Congrats!
If only more youtubers that receive sponsored gear be as honest as Taetro. It takes a lot to say “No” to a reputable company and turn down money.
no its not if another company is paying
I think you're mistaking your opinion being right and someone else's being wrong for dishonesty.
@@heavysystemsinc. nah dude, kaoss replay is obviously shit. I just don't believe in honest synthtubers. I have never ever saw a bad review on a fresh product from a youtuber until now
@@foolycooly6738 Well, I mean that's the perfect evidence that it hasn't happened, isn't it? The fact you've not seen it? Cause I sure have multiple times, but if you haven't that means also I haven't.
@@heavysystemsinc. dude i don't care, believe whatever u want, have fun, buy stuff, why are u even responding to me
You warned us, but nothing could have prepared me for how goofy the built-in demo song is
It’s INSANE!! beyond parody!!
Hey whoa whoa. You slow that song wayyyyy down and add a ton of reverb, you’ve got yourself some Vaporwave baby 😂
wait...you're right
We need a badgear episode for this ASAP @AudioPilz
Literally yelled "what the fuck" when i saw it requiring two USB cables. What is Korg doing
You didn't get that Korg money with this video but you gained a subscriber. Thanks for sticking to your values in this landscape, super impressive.
Haven’t seen a video review hit this hard since Tyson dropped Frazier in 86. Stark contrast to another review. Appreciate the honesty, even if this means no more Korg for you.
Companies need to do better if they are wanting us to empty our wallets.
The MPC Live II costs $1200 has an x/y pad…
And a battery. And built in speakers. And
A sequencer, and…
Did someone from teenage engineerings marketing dept get hired at Korg? Is that what happened?
At $500 I would accept “meh, this isn’t for me…”
At $1000 “this isn’t for real…”
Woof... I had a buddy who bought one of those old Kaoss pads you showed and he was stoked about it for some radio/DJ stuff he was doing but it was just so dated. It's unfortunate to see they made a new one and it still seems like it just isn't up to modern standards, especially for that price tag. You could buy an Embodme Erae Touch for less and set it up to have 20 vector pads and have it do sequencing.
Kudos for not taking their money on this one.
The prices on these new hardware devices are outrageous! Shout out to Roland for making something under 1000$/
Roland has been killing it for a few years lately. Korg has done the opposite. And I say that as a massive korg fan.
I agree and I once was a Korg fanboy.
Korg has really lost the plot as far as pricing goes. Congrats on doing an honest review and mentioning price 👍
Now I want to see a 404 with that screen. Would be amazing!
I think they just Roland an idea 😀
Roland wouldn’t have to do much to really compete with the MPC?
@@I.O.M. There's too many new (for Korg) ideas to be a Roland idea. Haha!
@@_boof If they put a processor that was big enough to handle they faux VSTs it would come very close.
Integrity is priceless. The other funny thing Korg is seemingly missing: For the Dj market who love having touch effects, literally every Denon Prime player now has their own XY touchscreen for effects built into the players. The same goes for the newer Pioneer Dj mixers… a mega Kaoss pad that is ONLY a mega Kaoss pad would have made a ton more sense IMHO.
Definitely marketed as competition to The DJS-1000, but with less features for not much cheaper… the RCA connectivity is crazy, should definitely have at least two sets of 1/4” inputs
There are cheap good cables available with rca on one end and quarter inch jacks on the other you know?
Respect. Taetro standing on business. That demo song slaps though, idk what you're talking about 😭
Wow... just... wow. I love Korg, so this is even more painful to hear. They made this instead of the Electribe 3? My Electribe 2 blows this out of the water as far as usability. It has an XY pad that functions a lot like a Kaoss pad, and yes, you can record the motions and use to make sequences. It's portable, you can chop loops, individual and master FX sends, has Ableton export... I could go on.
Just so happens that my SP-404mkii arrives in the mail today, clearly I'm not going to worry about buying it over the Replay.
it seems like they made Drumlogue and this one instead of Electribe 3... But i don't even wait for Electribe 3 now... it will be like 2 grands minimum.
@@djkanyon with firmware that won’t even get updated 🤦♂️
@@sawtooth808 yup
I watched loopops review before this and didn’t catch the price… I just thought „that’s kinda delightfully old school and quirky“, expecting it to be around 200-300€… when you said the price my jaw dropped. Holy sh*t Korg dropped the ball on this big time
Lol same haha also just watched his
Loopop has been a mess for about a year or so. I don't bother with his reviews anymore. Can't trust him to tell you the real deal.
$1000… errrr mmm… errrrr lol 😮💨
Hahaha eehhhhhh errrr……
Yeah definitely a miss. Pity, if they'd lined it up as an evolved Electribe (still waiting for Electribe 3!) it looks like it would be sweet!
This is basically the ES3. In Korg’s mind. I’m sure
@@Mikepepp2 Drumlogue is another family tree branch, but - we've got to keep asking for Electribe ESX-3! with the features we care about using. (I say that thinking that ESX-1 had the best control design overall.)
@@VJFranzK definitely sample management was perfect On esx compared to the es2
Just needed the pad banks. And better sequencing
sad! korg if you're reading this, just make a kaosspad mark 5, set a reasonable price with some new features and it'll sell easy
Gotta love the honesty and integrity. Much respect.
Considering how easy it is these days to get feedback on products, you'd think a company like Korg would organize the design of new products better. Get input from the very people who would want a product BEFORE designing and mass-producing a product, "Hey, we want to make a new performance pad! What features do you need/want?" They probably spent a large sum of money designing and building something that will sit on the shelves.
Good video, thanks. I think the target demographic is DJs a lot more than synth/beat makers. For some reason there’s really nothing on the market that is performative, creative, exciting, effect tools aimed at professionals. If you’re comparing this to like a pioneer rmx1000 (which I feel like is their demographic) this looks reasonable for the price/features, but the rmx1000 also feels way overpriced compared to like an iPad. The RCA jacks make sense in the DJ world for pro gear and according to loopop it’s built sturdy so my guess is it’s aimed at pro DJs. The micro USB it sounds like is just for pc transfer which makes it seem like an afterthought which makes sense if you’re stacking it up against the rmx-1000.
My personal live setup would be 100% perfect if I could get a 2-3 channel mixer with 1/4” inputs, a mic channel, live performance time based effects, simple live looping, and a usb interface in a small package. I’ve been debating a blue box for a while, but when I saw this I got excited that maybe this could be what I wanted. It isn’t, sadly, you saved me money, but I can see what they’re going for.
Since Pioneer update sp16 with live looping option it will be the perfect tool where this korg is aiming. It will only require a external midi tempo control to be more live oriented (and maybe the djs1000 fx but at cost of dedicated outputs… ideal for stems 😉)
@@dubbylabby6068that sounds like a good option but looks like it’s out of production and expensive on the used market 😬
Awesome review. I am massively interested in this device, but I will admit my use case is SUPER niche. I DJ and want something that is a combination DJ controller and Sampler that I can use with another groovebox. In the DJ world RCA is the norm, so that''s fine. There are very few DJ controllers that will do Midi sync. They do out, but not in, so you are bringing a controller, laptop and some device. This could (potentially) eliminate the controller and laptop as it can play samples up to 30 minutes in lengths across all banks. It has tempo and key sync so it can beatmatch, and it does audio through so that other groovebox can come in. On top of that I can take part of my mix and resample it, have that play on a different channel and then pull up another stem or something similar.
Does the 404 have a DJ mode, yes. Do I want to use multiple button combinations to get in and out of DJ mode while also doing other 404 things, no! I will fully admit I am not super familiar with the 404 DJ mode so I might be missing some workflow efficiencies.
Again, super niche segment. If I was Korg, I would not have sent this to Synth people as this is NOT A GROOVEBOX. At best I would have sent it to DJs I've seen use samplers and performance machines in their live setup like a Carl Cox or Fred Again and see if this consolidates anything for them. Is it worth $1000.. probably not for 90% of the people that can do this stuff on other devices (like the 404 or Akai force). That's the weird part to me. If this was an indie manufacturer, I would get the niche. The problem is it's Korg and they expect to sell thousands of these and I don't think you have that many DJs going out of their controller setup or that many performance oriented electronic musicians to make that work.
Also the song is dumb. Nothing you could have said would have prepared me for it.
Awesome comment. I have the same use case and found the 404 DJ mode lacking, which is why I was excited about this Korg before watching the video. But yeah, with all those drawbacks mentioned in the video, and the ridiculous price, there's no way I'm going for this.
I don't use DJ mode but it's not a challenge to get in and out of it. The required buttons are clearly labeled.
You must be right about it being a niche thing. I have been waiting for a dj player with midi out for years now, but it seems people don’t want that. Or manufacturers are not aware that people want it. Anyway, besides the really bad stuff. I like that the Korg Replay has midi out. But Where is the sync 3,5 jack Korg? ;-D
I watched Loopop's breakdown thinking this is up my alley, but it seemed super funky. You've just built on that clarifying why not to buy this. RCA jacks? Micro USB? And the power comes USB-C but requires 5V/3A - USB powering required for power bricks is max 2.4A. Hell, my MacBook Pro can run off a power brick! Thanks Taetro!
Replay is an apt name for this device as korg have not really added anything new to the Kaoss pad. They are just recycling the same shit from the Kp3 10+ years later. They have even included the same unusable and unquantized synth sounds. It honestly boarders on trolling, korg. Try again
@Taetro thank you for an honest review. $1k for this seems absurd. I feel like I can get so much more from other devices for that. What sealed the deal for me is the dated connections and prohibitive price.
Appreciate you as always.
Thing is, people are misunderstanding what this device is for. Like mentioned in this it’s for live performance. It’s not for beat making.
After testing it out thoroughly, the ergonomics are correct for someone that is going to use this as their “brain” of live DJ mixing of their set to bring a very dynamic and crisp sound. The effects are a bar above the rest with a modern take to the tried and true kaoss effect algorithms.
For my live performances this will be the brain of operations. I love it
i REALLY like that you were negative.. every critique you had in the review was imo legitimate!
If they really make that MPC Live Mini, this is how it should look. This is how i envisioned it.
What is Korg's problem with power connectors? The non-usb psu's for the Kaoss pads, the Wavestate etc are non standard, and now they're making you use a device specific usb-c psu?
Unfortunately you are right. I am a KAOSS fan and own the Mini KP2s and the KO2 (both the small ones and I still use them) and I was seriously waiting for a new KAOSS Pad and I am so disappointed. Especially the price.
Pricing isn't official but looks like it will debut at $999...what do you think??
Cause starving artists have that kinda cash lying around lol
1000 for this is wild 💀 way too much
Saw this device pop up on my newsfeed. Immediately thought “oh it’s a 404 with a kaoss pad!” Then saw somebody mention in another review to watch your review. I’m glad I did! Subscribed!
Taetro, really appreciate your review. This is what all youtubers should do when a product has its limitations considering its specs, purpose and price. Top.
Thank you for being honest!!! You just fully cured my G.A.S. Thank you!!!!!!!!
Always enjoyed your videos and really do appreciate that you talk openly and genuinely that certain product did not meet your expectations. I can imagine that there will be people who like it and who need this in their setup.
I’m going to get one so I can record drum loops I made with my Drumlogue and tweek them with Kaos pad
Thank you, great and honest review. I was hoping the KAOSS Replay could be the modern stand alone performance machine I was looking for to bring my Stems on stage and sync them via MIDI to my analogue gear. Sadly not the case, although all the potential is there. If this had a basic seqencer for loops, maybe a screen display of the pad content of the loaded bank, a batch import for sample loops, hey, maybe even an editor to prepare a set on the laptop and send it over to the KAOSS Replay and pro stage functions like internal USB power or at least a proper power supply, I'd be happy to spend such a high price for this. But unfortunately not.....
KP3 and Kaossilators on ebay starting to look mighty appealing.
That demo track is money
Even finding a mini kp is really hard to come by as they have been discontinued a while ago, also just one fx at the time?
If you like trackers my Polyend Tracker Mini was "only" $700 and my M8 was about $500 when I bought it. Also I could buy a pretty decked out m2 iPad for $1000
Why does the software look like the Beat Thang?!?!😂😂😂😂
The first thing I noticed on BoBeats's video was the RCA jacks. RCA jacks in 2023, and almost 2024. I've got the last two Kaoss Pads, the KP3+ and the Kaossilator Pro+ and have been waiting a minute for Korg to drop an updated model as these last two came out in 2013. Major disappointment and the stuff that matters can't be fixed with a software update. Fingers crossed for a new Electribe though, if that's coming at all.
RCA’s are the standard for most DJ setups. This and the previous KOASS products have been designed primarily with DJ’s in mind.
I’m a struggling novice in this category and I learned so much by watching this. Thanks for being so clear and thoughtful.
if price is not a problem...get the MPC Live 2 or MPC One.(or higher). For cheap...get an MPC Studio. I got an MPC Live 2 last year...and I practice at least an hour a day. Also, I continue to watch other creators on youtube (who give tips and tricks on how to use). Forgot to ask, what aspects are you struggling with?
Thanks, def saved me money. Surprised other reviewers missed the part that it isnt a sequencer
Appreciate your honesty, Taetro!
I love my Kaossilator pro, probably my most favorite piece of standalone gear... but I would agree with you. Between the micro usb and rca, it seems crazy for something in 2023..
No sequencer is crazy..it doesn't compete with a 404 in that case and at 1k if that's official it looks like they are trying to fail with this one. Nearly MPC LIVE 2 prices and NO SEQUENCER! I was real interested til this one major detail.
CRAAAAAZYYY!
There is one essential combination of features that the korg has, but no competing hardware device can provide:
It’s a dj player that has midi out.
I have been looking for a dj player with midi out since years as I want to bpm-sync my synths to one or two music tracks that runs alongside.
I’m not saying the flaws you mentioned aren’t really, really bad though.
wtf is a DJ player? lol
@@ghost_in_the_robot I meant: Plays in the ball park of something like the Pioneer DJ XDJ-700 digital player, even though the pioneer is obviously more versatile for its kind. BUT the Pioneer does not have midi out. In fact, none of the players have Midi out, which makes me frustrated because I think it would be awesome to somehow "bridge" deejaying to modular systems, synthesizers or drum machines. (without a computer or laptop that is)
Hi I'm a genuine user and lover of the korg kaoss / quad pad and kaossilator pro + genre. All the quad pad needed was midi sync. All the kaossilator pro + needed was standalone effects, making you buy the kpad + . How to take genuine classics and seriously underdeliver, with a very pricey unit. Thanks for the cold shower, back to my kaossolator pro +.
Got to touch this at an exibition today, really respect your honesty. It was so off that I was like just sell me one of those old kaoss pads. Touchscreen sensetivity felt dated which really turned me down, thought $350 would be acceptable but I wouldn't even want it then..
please sell me an old kaoss pad!!
Respectfully, it doesn’t click for you is right but any 404 user worth their weight is familiar with the resample method to make full compositions on the fly. And effect and DJ on the fly. That’s kind of what they were going for. There is no menu diving on the 404 MK2 or otherwise ….No hate; if a box don’t click with you that’s ok it’s all preference and the method doesn’t matter it’s the end result …peace
This was super helpful. Thank you for your candor, and specificity.
Damn, this is such a let down and yet could’ve been competition against the 404 and Octatrack. Thanks for the honesty and transparency with this 🫡
I like your honesty but some of those flaws you mention can be easily added via firmware. I am sure they will improve this box at some point. I do agree that the price is a bit high but it is probabaly mainly due to the high res screen
It’s insane to see a product release at this price point and say “well hopefully they fix it with firmware someday” - firmware updates are a bonus, not to add features that should’ve been there at day 1
@@Taetro
It is not insane. It is very common. Just check how much Roland has improved MC 707 and SP404 with updates since launch for example. I believe the only serious fault with the Korg Replay is its price but that will probably come down fast.
@@vjfxtheory
They do update stuff from time to time which i am sure will happen also with this..
those firmware updates introduced new features that I'd consider a "bonus" not full quality of life features that should have been there at launch
@@Taetro
You are wrong about this too...
Thank you for being a ray of honesty in a sponsored world.
The review is fair and raises some valid points (PSU, RCA, no battery, price(!!!), etc.), but I think it is wrong to compare it to any SP404 just because of the form factor and the fact that it somehow deals with samples. It simply is a highly evolved chaoss pad, so it is mainly an FX processor and playback/DJ-device (w/o sequencer). Having said this, I believe the biggest issue (obviously) is the price. If it was like 390 quit, it would be a great FX box with tons of high-quality FX, dedicated FX-chain, compression, and some added features like the chaoss pad type sampling, etc. I think a more suitable comparison would have been with the Elektron Heat +FX (which is also not exactly cheap!)!
wow, huuuge respect for telling your honest opinion, I'm so tired of all reviewers praising the gear which sometimes doesn't make sense at all
Thanks for your honest review ❤️
It’s wild how many missteps they made here.. and I love Korg!
This is actually the perfect unit for my live looping rig. This + RC505 is perfect for me and is more useful than anything else on market.
1k however is an insult…
Great review. I'll pass on the Korg Kaoss Replay
Korg seem to have utter contempt for it’s potential customers!
No they probably think that different users have different demands. This product is probably not intented for people like Taetro. It is more for creative live users.
The device is so weird, should be straight up featured on Bad Gear. The old KAOSS PAD KP3 still makes so much more sense than this thing.
If my kaoss pad died, I would pay $399 for this as a replacement. $1k? Silly, for all the reasons above.
The RCA ins/outs are a deal breaker for me especially when it's $300+ more than an MPC One+.
Such a shame too because my KP3s are the heart of studio - just about everything I produce gets manipulated through them & I've been using KP3s since 2010 & been waiting for a an update on it for a while.
I thought nthe price would be the same as an MPC One - or even $50 cheaper to undercut the competition, but no, Korg had to a make a subpar mini-MPC touch/SP-404 hybrid more expensive than the competition.
Why are RCAs a dealbreaker? There are easily available adaptor cables and the sound is the same regardless of contact standard,
Can't speak for the other person, but 85% of my gear has 1/4" and the rest have 1/8" (and that's mostly toyish stuff).
Adapters add a lot of complexity to a setup. If I forget a 1/4" cable, I can probably get one from another member of the band because that's what all the big boy instruments use.
@@hankpiece
There are plenty of easy to find cables with rca on one side and 1/4" on the other end. Plus simple cheap adaptors, so this is not an issue at all.
@@morlidor you mean it's not an issue for you. RCA is not what instrumentalists want to see.
@@hankpiece
It is an issue for stupid people.RCA generally works just as well as quarter inch jacks.
If this was selling for $400 it might be worth it but for $700 you can get a MPC One that does so much more
I just wanted a new Kaoss Pad, that’s it
Great thoughts as always! Seems like a big fumble by Korg. Too bad! I love Korg. I recently purchased a Modwave.. a feature packed synth (also with kaoss pad) but they dropped a mk2 Modwave basically the same unit. Now the value of Modwave is plummeting. sucks to see big mistakes by Korg!
Subtle shade with the mk2 playing peekaboo in the corner I c 😂😂😂
I have the OG Kaoss Pad from the late 90s. I also have the mini…I like Korg - but in the last decade they’ve been too weird for me. Most of the gear they make doesn’t really compliment my set up outside of the the Volcas and the ____state synths.
🤣 I'm sending it back to Korg! 😂 Props!
On the one hand, I don't regret my 404mk2 purchase due to this thing, despite always wanting some kind of kaoss type interface on a sampler. I regret the 404 due to its shoddy drunken external sync
Don't worry, korg will put it on reverb clearance for 200 next year
Yeah, like that SQ-64 - oof!
As a master effect for a synth rig, possibly worth it. It’s super specialized. This is not a synth or groovebox, it’s something to plug such things into. I have an AKAI Force. This would probably work well with it. Biggest con is price. 1K is pushing it, but maybe in hand it would justify itself.
Live performance tool without battery compartment? Wow. Korg usually put this compartment in everything that doesn't even need it... but NOW somehow dropped the ball? WHY.
Good on you Taetro. Respect.
Thank you for the honest review. This is refreshing.
Oh lort, I'm in my feelings now. There's shock at the bewilderingly unexpected and frustration with the dumbfounding predictability in equal measure. Quite like a Korg Kaoss release, come to think of it. They make interesting stuff that sort of finds new life somewhere eventually, except for those most people probably never even heard of, but they have been notorious for marketing to the wrong crowd for what they offer since the beginning, from what I've heard. Maybe it's different in Japan, and I'm sure lots of people use them Japan somehow based on long-term email alerts on Ebay, but in the US it's extremely clear that DJs aren't the demographic at all. You'll see a guy build a Kaoss Pad into his guitar before you see a DJ using one, most likely. But that's how they tend to market them, as DJ tools. Personally, I'd think a DJ would want a way better sampler. So it goes.
To think, I've been sad before at the thought that we'd never get another one of these from Korg. And to think, they can keep it! I am shocked that they even made another physical device, having focused on mobile software replicating the classic gear for years. I am sadly not shocked that they made this so performance-based/restricted. Keep in mind, that's been a recurring complaint about the Kaoss line at times and especially the last one, the Kaoss Quad. I'm not aware of Korg ever basing any designs on praise or complaints about the Kaoss products, at least not from the US market, so naturally they tend to repeat the same mistakes.
Now, I have a ridiculous, perhaps embarrassing Kaoss collection. Off the top of my head, I have 10 physical Kaoss devices for some reason. I even spent $800 on a used, extremely hard to find Korg Entrancer, which is like a Kaoss Pad for video, and by video I mean cheesy 90s rave visuals (got ripped off and never received it, but I'ma cry if I dwell on that). I have to force myself not to buy the even more rare Korg Kaptivator, the Kaoss Pad meets video sampler. Or to not buy even more DJ mixers that offer no advantage over anything I currently own, only ever tempting for the occasional bout of pathological Kaoss sickness. The point is, I weirdly love Korg Kaoss, ever since I first dragged my grubby booger scooper finger across the Kaoss Pad 3. Ooh, the tingles! And that's how I've felt about a lot of it since then. And yet I straight up skipped the Kaoss Quad and don't even care to seek it out on a deep discount, precisely because it's so limited as merely an effects box with a Kaoss pad--and worse yet, even as a "performance box" I don't find it interesting because the number of effects and how you use them is so limited compared to other models.
And now, for the second time in the Kaoss line, I'm skipping this product. I should be doing backflips right now, but nah, screw nearly $1K for this especially, And there's just nothing to be excited for, at least that I've seen so far. Even the DJ A and B faders, well, for anyone who isn't familiar with the Kaoss deep cuts, there are four different models of DJ mixers that they've made in the past, two of which I own (one is interestingly a functional DJ software controller too), and this isn't even counting DJ mixers that were made by someone else but were allowed to use the Kaoss pad and effects built in. While none of these DJ mixers are popular from what I've ever been able to tell, it's nothing new or unique.
This new one seems to be a rehash of the Korg KM-2 Kaoss Mixer, specifically. I own it and it's nothing paradigm-destroying. It's basically like an older Kaoss Pad but with DJ faders for deck A and deck B. I discovered I actually like DJ mixers for non-DJ things, but YMMV on whether that adds any value for you.
But yeah, more of the same from Korg Kaoss, just at the most ridiculous price now. This line of gear has never been about evolving and growing, taking on new features to help people better meet their musical goals, which is why I'm not upset at all, since it's expected. It's the same small handful of ideas fed through a random pad/Kaossilator/mixer generator, with the best arrangements seeming to already exist. I love the Kaossilator Pro and KP3+ combo. I'm also perpetually surprised at how much mileage I get out of the 2S versions of the Kaossilator and Kaoss Pad, a real workflow naturally arising no matter where I take the little beast, especially with the brilliant recording features.
Korg essentially released an unfinished product here, with a lot of things that need to be addressed in firmware updates. As it is, it's not as good as the 404, for double the price.
Companies, don't *clap* release *clap* unfinished *clap* gear!
Consumers, don't *clap* buy... etc.
This is why I sub to you man, complete & transparent honesty. I was going to get it but no sequencer is a real letdown.
Thanks for staying real! Much appreciated 🔥
Forgive me for asking. I feel like I have looked around, and I have still yet to find a suitable replacement to the Kaoss pad KP3. While I love just about everything about the KP3, the converters sound terrible, and I feel compromises the quality of anything I send through it. Other than this new Kaoss replay, is there any other hardware device on the market, Korg or otherwise, that is a multieffect with a large XY touch screen, that has better sounding converters than the KP3? Seems like such a crazy hole in the market if nothing else exists. I'm not concerned about sample pads, just the multieffect capability. Thank you.
This device is for oldskool Herbie Hancock type musicians that create elevator music that they force me to listen to when put on hold to complain about my bill with the electric company. Not for the urban community especially not at that price point
Honestly what was Korg thinking? They’re literally not paying attention. You didn’t have to call them out on the demo song like that lol. That was too funny….
Thanks for being honest about this one. Seems like a bunch of half baked ideas and a lack of communication between people who made this device.
You turning down that Korg money is exactly why I recommend your reviews to people. Huge respect to you for that, very rare on geartube these days.
Heads up for your honest review. This is a 500$ device
I used to love making music on my Kaoss pads, but eventually stopped because it was just too -- for lack of a better word -- Korgy. Too shallow and quirky so I was always metaphorically bumping my head on the ceiling and stubbing my toes on the floor. The new one fixes some of that, but not enough... and its price is about 2X what it should be. So I'll stick with my Akai for making songs, because it does everything I need _and_ costs less.
Was excited but sticking with SP + Turnado on iOS. Turnado’s 4x XY pads is so much more powerful than any Kaoss Pad!
The old livefx app too…
Thanks for your review. I am curious to know, were you ever able to get it to power with a battery? using there cable possibly?
I was very very excited about this new gear, waiting for it for a long time. I'm a big fan of Kaoss. And now totally disappointed, the price, the inputs, no sequencer? oww a shame. Thx Taetro!
Another big fail for Korg after their fail with Drumlogue … i would literally rather buy for that money 2x SP404mk2