Korg Kaossilator KO-1 Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer main image

Korg Kaossilator KO-1 Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer image 2

Korg Kaossilator KO-1 Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer image 3

Korg Kaossilator KO-1 Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer

^# 61

Equipboard's ranking is determined by analyzing factors such as professional artist usage, popularity, user ratings, reviews, and more.

$111.93 Price Tier: Budget

4.0 (68)

1 Critic Review

9 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Korg Kaossilator KO-1

1 community setup

19 wishlisted

149 saved

Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

4.0 (12)

$111.93 5 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $237

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, Korg Kaossilator KO-1 Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Unleash your creativity with the Korg Kaossilator KO-1 Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer, a pint-sized powerhouse that fits right in your pocket, ready to turn any moment into a musical masterpiece. This dynamic, pressure-sensitive KAOSS touchpad gives you an intuitive experience, letting you slide effortlessly between notes and pitch on its horizontal axis while manipulating sound with feedback, cutoff, and modulation on its vertical axis.

Whether you're a seasoned musician or an enthusiastic beginner, the Kaossilator offers 100 authentic Korg synth samples and 31 built-in scales, providing a vast playground for sonic exploration. Its compact design doesn't skimp on functionality, featuring loop recording capabilities and Gate Arpeggiation functions that allow you to layer and create rich, complex soundscapes with ease.

Perfect for impromptu jam sessions or solo performances, the Kaossilator is your go-to gadget for endless musical possibilities. Immerse yourself in a world where your touch becomes the orchestra, and your creativity knows no bounds.

Key Features:

Dynamic, pressure-sensitive KAOSS touchpad
100 authentic Korg synth samples
31 built-in scales for varied musical exploration
Loop recording and Gate Arpeggiation functions
Compact, pocket-sized design for portability

Owner's manual

Korg Kaossilator KO-1 Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer User Manual

Product specs

Brand	Korg
Model	Kaossilator
Finish	White
Year	2010s
Made In	China
Categories	Desktop Synths, Digital Synthesizers
Analog / Digital	Digital
Polyphony	1 Voice

FAQs

What type of synthesis does the Korg Kaossilator KO-1 use?: The Korg Kaossilator KO-1 uses digital synthesis to produce a wide range of sounds, allowing for dynamic phrase creation through its touchpad interface.
Is the Korg Kaossilator KO-1 suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Korg Kaossilator KO-1 is designed for live use, enabling real-time music creation and looping with its intuitive touchpad controls.
How does the Korg Kaossilator KO-1 handle polyphony?: The Korg Kaossilator KO-1 is monophonic, meaning it can play one note at a time, which is ideal for creating lead lines and dynamic phrases.
What kind of power supply does the Korg Kaossilator KO-1 require?: The Korg Kaossilator KO-1 can be powered by four AA batteries or an optional AC adapter, making it highly portable for on-the-go music creation.
Can the Korg Kaossilator KO-1 be tuned to different musical scales?: Yes, the Korg Kaossilator KO-1 can be tuned to various musical scales, allowing users to experiment with different tonalities and musical styles.

Videos

Add video

Musical Miscellany

Cool Find: Korg KO-1 Kaossilator (from eBay)

Musical Miscellany

Korg Kaossilator (Model: KO-1) Loop Layer Demo

Con Rob

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Unique touchpad interface fuels creativity
Variety of good-sounding accidents for artistic inspiration
Contains a wide set of preset sounds
User-friendly and intuitive to use
Highly portable for on-the-go performances
Fun and engaging, similar to playing a game
Enables dynamic phrase synthesis for live creativity

CONS

Can be difficult to navigate
Consumes batteries quickly (four AAs required)
Lack of gridlines on the pad makes positioning challenging
Inability to save patterns or phrases

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Korg Kaossilator KO-1 Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer.

Build quality

0 0

The Kaossilator Pro is noted for its robust, nearly military-grade build quality, contrasting with the Kaossilator 2S's reportedly poor construction.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

The Kaossilator Pro supports external audio input and features four synchronized loop banks with unlimited overdub capabilities, though loop lengths are limited at higher BPMs.
Source
0 0

Users express a desire for a dynamic phrase pad with programmable samples, tap tempo, and quick sample switching capabilities, which the Kaossilator lacks.
Source
0 0

The Kaossilator can connect to a DAW via a line input using a 3.5mm TRS to dual RCA cable, capturing both stereo channels effectively.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

Kaossilators are ideal for creating "generic EDM" soundscapes but lack depth for extensive sound design projects.
Source
0 0

A bassist velcroed a Kaossilator under bass strings, using a pinky to operate the touch pad while plucking strings, enabling a multi-tasking setup during live performances.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

Unlike the Kaossilator, the Kaoss Pad Pro functions as an effects unit with similar loop bank features, allowing for effect manipulation on external audio.
Source
0 0

The Linnstrument is highlighted as an advanced MIDI device with a smaller version available, yet it's noted for being expensive compared to other controllers.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

A Kaossilator Pro was originally bought for about $600 AUD and sold years later for $460 AUD, indicating reasonable depreciation over time.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

An XY MIDI pad is recommended for integration into instruments, offering more control and customization for musicians wanting to add electronic elements to their setups.
Source

Other

0 0

A past Ibanez guitar model featured a built-in Kaossilator, sparking interest in incorporating similar designs into other instruments like bass guitars.
Source

Software and compatibility

0 0

Recording stereo from the Kaossilator with a Focusrite Scarlett Solo is challenging; upgrading to a 2i2 interface simplifies the process by supporting stereo inputs.
Source

Setup and maintenance

0 0

Users report that using the XLR input on Focusrite Scarlett interfaces may result in distorted sound due to level mismatches, suggesting caution with input levels.
Source

User experience

0 0

Owners experimenting with older Kaossilators note potential internal rust issues, which can affect performance when trying to integrate with newer recording setups.
Source

Critic Reviews

Korg Kaossilator review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Korg's Kaossilator KO-1 is an innovative gadget that brings unparalleled fun to music creation. Its tactile interface makes sound manipulation a breeze, capturing the essence of music-making joy. However, its versatility is limited, making it more of a toy than a serious tool. While the Kaossilator is not yet ready for professional production, it promises hours of entertainment and creativity for those willing to explore its capabilities. If you're looking to inject some spontaneous fun into your music-making process, this little device is worth considering.

positive

Full Review

Add review

4.0 out of 5

Based on 9 Reviews and 68 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

ozthehummingbird

1833

over 9 years ago

Looks of a toy, sounds of an instrument

This cute little touchpad synth is honestly extremely underrated in my opinion. While it can be hard to navigate sometimes, its tendency to create accidents that both sound good and fuel the creative process even further is one thing that I often seek and almost NEVER find in gear otherwise. My few qualms are that it runs on so many batteries (four AAs!) and that there aren't gridlines on the pad to give you an idea of where you are while touching it. Overall a fantastic trinket with big sounds!

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Pop Folk, World, & Country

coulmier

about 7 years ago

The first, not the best though...

It holds a wicked set of preset sounds and is very intuitive to use. It is incredibly limited with what you can do with it, but it’s really great fun.

vmchurchill

over 9 years ago

Love this little guy

My Kaossilator and I have been through lots this past year, and he has just been a joy to play around with and get a groove going. My only gripe is not being able to save your patterns though, which is really unfortunate, but! It has grown me fond of my little notebook.

jasontmays

1201

about 8 years ago

Pure Kaoss

I've used this little guy quite a bit and it's one of the most unique synths I've come across. It's also pretty cool to have in your arsenal. I love it and would recommend it whole heartedly.

Roles:

Guitarist Podcasters & Streamers

Genres:

Electronic Rock Alternative rock