Photo of Korg KAOSS Pad 3 and more gear in a synths

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Korg KAOSS Pad 3

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$220.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (147)

2 Critic Reviews

22 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Korg KAOSS Pad 3

8 community setups

70 wishlisted

313 saved

Page last updated Jul 03, 2026

Pricing and availability

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (14)

$220.00 11 available Used

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Average Price: $400

Standard/Professional

$249

$700+

Price Tier

In the Audio Samplers category, Korg KAOSS Pad 3 is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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Introducing the Korg KAOSS Pad 3, a powerhouse of effects and sampling capabilities. This DJ gear not only dazzles with its vast array of samples and playbacks, but also impresses with its real-time effects processing. Its intuitive touchpad and screen make it exceptionally user-friendly. The Pad's tempo functions offer impeccable beat-matching, with an accuracy that surpasses expectations. With its MIDI control and USB connection, the Korg KAOSS Pad 3 is not only versatile, but also incredibly convenient for on-the-go performance.

Key Features:

Intuitive touchpad and screen
Real-time effects processing
Accurate BPM beat-matching capabilities
MIDI control
USB connection for versatility and convenience

Product specs

Brand	Korg
Model	KP3 Kaoss Pad 3 Dynamic Effect / Sampler
Finish	Black
Year	2000s
Categories	DJ Controllers

FAQs

What kind of effects can the Korg KAOSS Pad 3 produce?: The Korg KAOSS Pad 3 offers over 100 effects including filters, delays, reverbs, vocoders, and more. It allows real-time manipulation of these effects using its intuitive X-Y touchpad, making it versatile for live performances and studio work.
How does the sampling feature on the Korg KAOSS Pad 3 work?: The KAOSS Pad 3 allows you to sample audio on the fly with its built-in sampler. You can record, loop, and manipulate samples directly, providing creative freedom for DJs and producers to integrate unique sounds into their sets.
Is the Korg KAOSS Pad 3 compatible with other DJ gear?: Yes, the Korg KAOSS Pad 3 can be easily integrated into a DJ setup via its RCA and MIDI connections, making it compatible with a wide range of mixers and controllers for expanded performance capabilities.
Does the Korg KAOSS Pad 3 require an external power source?: Yes, the Korg KAOSS Pad 3 requires an external power supply, which is included with the device. This ensures stable performance during live sets and studio sessions.
Can the Korg KAOSS Pad 3 be used for live performances?: Absolutely, the Korg KAOSS Pad 3 is designed for live performance use, offering real-time control over effects and samples. Its touchpad interface allows for dynamic and expressive manipulation, making it a favorite among DJs and live electronic musicians.

Videos

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DJ Mag

Beardyman using Korg's kaoss Pad 3

DJ Mag

DJmag Korg Kaoss Pad 3 Review

DJ Mag

The KORG KP3 TWELVE YEARS Later

Off Shift Productions

Korg Kaoss Pad 3, still a great FX Box

ben rabary

Reviews

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PROS

Intuitive interface, easy for beginners to learn
Versatile effects, including solid delays and monstrous BitCrusher
Enhances live performances with its visual and functional design
Offers quick sampling for on-the-fly creativity
Supports MIDI control for integration with other gear
Suitable for a wide range of musical styles, from electronic to guitar music
Unique X/Y touchpad allows expressive effect manipulation
Can be used as a MIDI controller, adding variety to DJ sets
Features like grain shifter and vocoder expand sound possibilities
Suitable for both studio and live settings, enhancing gear like the Kaossilator Pro Plus

CONS

Tap tempo and MIDI sync are unreliable
Limited to one effect at a time, affecting versatility
Some effects, like the Reverb, are of poor quality
Inconsistent beat detection, might be slightly off BPM
Sample time and motion capture could be improved for better usability
Shift key and mode switching make operation clunky and less intuitive
Lacks balanced connectors, affecting studio use
Some users report noise issues, affecting output quality
Touch panel can be inaccurate, complicating precise control
Effect selection not significantly different from previous models

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Korg KAOSS Pad 3.

Use cases and applications

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The KP3 is effective for resampling live drummers and flipping samples in real time, particularly in large orchestral jazz ensembles.
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Integrating the KP3+ with FL Studio can offer precise automation control over its effects, enhancing studio setups.
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The KP3 is adept at integrating vocal samples into DJ sets, especially when pre-saved on a memory card for timely triggering during performances.
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It's favored for live sampling and looping, with users highlighting its ease of use in these areas.
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Comparisons

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The Kaoss Pad Quad, though less visually stylish, excels with its delay, compressor, reverb, and bitcrush effects, allowing multiple effects to be set simultaneously.
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The Mini Kaoss Pad offers classic KP sounds and auto-BPM detection but lacks MIDI, positioning it as a simpler alternative to the KP3+.
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The KP3 is often compared with the NTS-3, with some users preferring the latter due to its practical features despite missing an illuminated pad.
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Features and functionality

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The KP3+ cannot save and reload sessions while keeping tracks in sync, which can impact workflow continuity during performances.
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The KP3+ allows quick effect selection or loop slicing in real-time using its eight-button row, enhancing live performance flexibility.
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Some effects on the KP3 can cause extreme outputs if not carefully managed, prompting users to pre-program favorite effects for quick access.
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The KP3 is noted for its onboard looping and resampling capabilities, with a popular feature being its talk filter.
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The KP3 is praised for its ability to handle dense drum tracks with repeated resampling, maintaining a thick, non-digital sound even after extensive bouncing.
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The KP3’s MIDI sync capability is praised, though it's noted that tempo changes affect sample pitch, useful for ambient pitch bends.
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Setup and maintenance

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The KP3's screen often requires calibration, with some users needing to recalibrate frequently due to tracking issues mid-set.
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User experience

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The KP3's headphone output can be notably quiet, with some owners reporting non-functional RCA outputs, impacting the device's utility in some setups.
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Some users find the KP3 looper's drift manageable if they don't rely heavily on MIDI sync, viewing it as a sound-mangling tool rather than precision equipment.
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Some users experience volume drops when using the KP3 with certain equipment, suggesting a need for careful gain staging.
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Build quality

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The KP3's plastic construction can lead to button wear over time, with some users preferring older models like the KPII for their tactile feel.
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Value and pricing

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Owners have bought KP3+ models for around $200, considering it a worthwhile investment at that price.
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Critic Reviews

Korg Kaoss Pad 3

soundonsound.com

The Korg Kaoss Pad 3 is a powerful leap forward, boasting intuitive touchpad controls and impressive effects. Its sampling capabilities are user-friendly, while the addition of USB connectivity and sample storage on SD cards make it a modern performer’s dream. Although some functions lack MIDI control and the external power supply is a minor gripe, the KP3's tactile design, engaging LED display, and robust sound quality make it a must-have for DJs and live performers. If you've yet to experience the Kaoss, this iteration offers the most innovative features yet at a reasonable price.

positive

Full Review

Korg Kaoss Pad 3 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Korg KAOSS Pad 3 is a hit with its intuitive design and impressive performance features, making it perfect for creative sound manipulation. Its standout X-Y control surface and expanded effects programs are praised, but it falls short with limited sample time and triggers. Overall, it's a powerful tool for musicians, offering fun and easy usage.

positive

Full Review

Add review

4.5 out of 5

Based on 22 Reviews and 147 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

lilythewolf

6893

over 9 years ago

A great effects unit

I originally got it just to add some reverb to my tape machine, but it has SO much more potential than that. Some great effects on this beast!

jp_belanger

619

over 5 years ago

For some reason, didn't bond with this one as much as I did with the KP2

Don't get me wrong, the KP3 is a superb piece of gear that has sold thousands units, just like its predecessors.

The KP3 has all these great new features; more effects, more sampling time and options, a wet/dry fader..

It's hard to find any bad things to say about it, but my only gripe would be the price. This iteration just like the KP3+ (plus) have so much potential on paper, but just feels short when you're playing it. The sampling feature seems to have so many guts to it but it still relies on operations on the touch pad itself, which is pretty much always inaccurate since it's pretty hard to hit the right spot on the pad to achieve say a pitch note and record over or overdub the actual playing pattern.

Also the effect selection while pretty extensive, does not bring much more to the table than the KP2. There is newer effects, but I didn't use them at all.

What could be better on the KP3:

A better support for external MIDI clock
A better support for sample importing
A way more precise touch pad
Unbalanced connectors are fine for DJ gear, but no so much in the studio
Crazier effects

patrick_richardson

833

over 6 years ago

powerful tool, but a bit to structured for true "chaos"

Other's have spoken fairly of the power of this unit's FX, sampling, and looping. However, the KP3 feels just a bit clunky in that it has a shift key, and can switch context. The KP1 and KP2 did not.... with the exception of downtime-modes like setting up MIDI channels, the previous KPs were touch-and-go... and the operations of sampling, saving presets, etc NEVER disrupted the flow of playing in a "hands on" way (even without looking).

The buttons/lights/screen on the KP3 switch between at least modes: - main mode, where touch-pad controls FX and buttons ABCD start/stop/mute the Sample/Loop tracks, and keys 1-8 select Programs - Track Edit mode, where the ABCD keys select a track, the keys 1-8 will (dis)engage slices of the loop, and the touch-pad adjusts (relative) level of that Track.

Couple this with the fact that that the Shift key can dive into various menus, and Saving presets is a two-button, two-step, "confirm?" process... I feel like I spend more time looking at this thing, and less time "hands on/eyes off" FEEL-ing it out. Starts to feel too structured and organize to be "fun Chaos".

This is why I own two KP3s, but still kept my two KP2s, and one KP1.

Roles:

Drummer Music Producer Audio Engineer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Progressive rock

slownews

about 11 years ago

Useful effects tool for sound manipulation

This is a tool that is popular with electronic artists and DJ's but I have found this just as versatile for use with my guitar music. There are many styles of effects on offer here which can be utilised to your taste using the X and Y pad. The only naff thing I have to say about the KP3 is the vocoder, it's the cheapest part of the unit. Other than that, worth checking out! For an example of guitar based music using the KP3, click here - http://slownews.bandcamp.com/track/4

john_withers

815

over 7 years ago

Potentially lots of fun...

But I did have trouble with noise no matter what cords I used to connect it to my rig. It was a lot of fun to play around with and has very cool effects and the touch screen is great to input with but couldn't get a good enough output to use. Now I bought this second hand over Kijiji so I do not know if it was damaged in any way. I can see great potential though if I could get a clean output!

marcusloeberloeber

291

almost 7 years ago

No Chaos with the Kaoss

Last in line : The Kaoss Pad. It is perfect for live control of my music. Breaks, filters , reverbs, delays until destruction. I also like the sampling and looping features. Very intuitive.

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Orchestra Ambient

alteredstate

960

about 10 years ago

Game Changer

This is a very interesting sonic tool. I run my it throught the effects loop of my amp and have had the most success with it there. This is a DJ tool, but on guitar it opens up a ton of sonic possibilities. Love how Matt Bellamy used one, so I would a Kaoss Guitar, and this thing is like nothing else. Great delays and filters. Great if your looking to sound like no one else. Not for the purist.

elothesource

355

over 7 years ago

Nice EFX Box !!

This is a cool board I use it with my SP 404 SX and Boss DR-3 as a EFX Board on the fly to effect & alter sounds and samples then run it in the SP before Export its great for live sets also. a must have for any one working with sounds or live sets

engineeermusic

415

over 9 years ago

Very versatile. Great for DJs, which want to spice up their set

Great for DJs, which want to spice up their sets with some live effects and samples. There is a lot of different things you can do with it, and it also can be used as a MIDI controller. It shines with variety and simplicity, but lacks depth in some parts. There are quite some limitations within the different features.

szachname

117

over 9 years ago

Great tool

This thing has it all, from live 4 track looper (quantized to max 16 steps) to 120+ effects. The best thing is that you use a pad to modify the settings, not knobs like on most regular effects. The quality of those effects is not excellent, but they process the signal very well.