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Description

Dive into the world of sonic exploration with the Korg Radias Rack, an innovative synthesizer that marries the warmth of analog modeling with the versatility of modern digital synthesis. Perfect for both seasoned musicians and adventurous sound designers, the Radias Rack is your gateway to crafting rich, dynamic soundscapes. Its sleek rackmount design ensures it fits seamlessly into any studio setup, while the optional 49-key keyboard attachment offers tactile control for those who crave hands-on interaction.

The Radias Rack is renowned for its impressive array of features, including a powerful vocoder and a comprehensive modulation matrix. Whether you're sculpting vintage tones or pushing the boundaries with futuristic sound design, this synthesizer delivers a wealth of options to inspire your creativity. With its intuitive interface and robust build, the Radias Rack is as reliable as it is innovative, making it an indispensable tool for any musician looking to expand their sonic palette.

Key Features:

  • Analog modeling synthesizer with digital synthesis capabilities
  • Rackmount design with optional 49-key keyboard attachment
  • Integrated vocoder for versatile vocal processing
  • Comprehensive modulation matrix for in-depth sound design
  • Intuitive interface for seamless navigation and control
  • Robust build quality suitable for both studio and live performance
musictrackjp

musictrackjp

KORG RADIAS Demo & Review

Video thumbnail for KORG RADIAS Demo & Review by musictrackjp

KORG RADIAS Demo & Review

musictrackjp

musictrackjp

Video thumbnail for Korg RADIAS by Tim Shoebridge

Korg RADIAS

Tim Shoebridge

Tim Shoebridge

Video thumbnail for Synth Stuff Ep. 55 - Korg Radias by tritonrecordings

Synth Stuff Ep. 55 - Korg Radias

tritonrecordings

tritonrecordings

Video thumbnail for Korg Radias Demo Part. 1 | No Talking | by DKS SYNTH LAB

Korg Radias Demo Part. 1 | No Talking |

DKS SYNTH LAB

DKS SYNTH LAB

Video thumbnail for THE KORG RADIAS IS SERIOUSLY UNDERRATED by Blush Response

THE KORG RADIAS IS SERIOUSLY UNDERRATED

Blush Response

Blush Response

Video thumbnail for [demo] Sounds of the Korg Radias by Synthesizer Video Service

[demo] Sounds of the Korg Radias

Synthesizer Video Service

Synthesizer Video Service

Video thumbnail for My Experience with the Korg RADIAS: The Good, the Bad and the Vocoder by Ian Dixon

My Experience with the Korg RADIAS: The Good, the Bad and the Vocoder

Ian Dixon

Ian Dixon

Reviews

PROS

  • Identifiable sound with continuous morphing dual filters and edgy oscillators

  • Versatile first oscillator with multiple modes including cross, unison, and VPM

  • Wavetable oscillator with 64 unique waves plus Noise, Formant, and DrumPCM modes

  • Ability to record and use voice formants for creative sound design

  • High-quality effects, though limited by DSP power

  • Virtual patch system for modular-like patching and deep programming

  • Internal audio bus allows for exclusive sounds and beat rhythms creation

  • Includes arpeggiator, polyphonic sequencer, and ModStep for extensive modulation

  • Factory presets effectively showcase features and possibilities

  • Template system for saving and recalling personal tone settings

CONS

  • Lacks sufficient DSP power, causing limitations like reduced delay time with reverb

  • Rotary and TalkingMod effects use up both FX slots, limiting simultaneous effect use

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

  • Despite having only two selectable oscillators on the front panel, an additional third oscillator can be accessed via the Amp section menu.

    Source
  • Some users incorporate the Radias with MIDI bass pedals for expanded performance capability, showcasing its versatility in live setups with guitar and synth combinations.

    Source
  • The Radias includes two filters that can be configured in parallel, serial, or individual modes; Filter 1 transitions from LP24 to HP12, and Filter 2 includes a comb option.

    Source
  • The Radias offers 24 voices of polyphony and is 4-part multi-timbral, allowing users to route timbres to four different outputs and assign them to different MIDI channels.

    Source
  • The synth features a formant oscillator that, when combined with the talkmod effect and mod sequencer, can produce robotic speech-like sounds.

    Source
  • The Radias supports wavefolding, allowing users to transform a sawtooth into a sine wave with 127 variations in between.

    Source
  • It includes a vocoder and PCM drums, enabling the creation of complete tracks, including drums, lead, bass, and pads, all on a single device.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Recent increases in Radias pricing suggest a growing recognition of its unique capabilities and desirability among synth enthusiasts.

    Source
  • The Radias was initially undervalued in the market, but recent demand suggests a growing appreciation for its unique capabilities.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners with diverse synth collections, including models like the Korg Wavestation and Yamaha DX7, often retain the Radias for its unique sound character and versatility.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the synth's hands-on interface, noting the glowing knobs enhance the tactile experience.

    Source
  • The Radias is not beginner-friendly; a thorough understanding of the manual and the use of the Radias Editor software is crucial for unlocking its full potential.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Radias owners appreciate its ability to create unique brass, bass, and string sounds, distinguishing it from other synths like Yamaha CS-1X and Casio CZ.

    Source
  • The Radias can use any drum sample as an oscillator, enabling the creation of custom user drum kits and leveraging samples from Korg's Electribe series.

    Source
  • It's capable of handling live performances as a standalone device with its sequencers, arpeggiator, and ability to approximate vintage analog synths.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Radias standalone unit offers a different experience than the M3 module version, particularly due to the presence of sequencer buttons and additional control knobs.

    Source
  • The Radias sounds thinner compared to the Access Virus and shares sonic lineage with the Korg MS2000, making it unique rather than a direct Virus alternative.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Some users report issues with the Radias Editor on newer Mac systems, suggesting potential compatibility problems following OS upgrades.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners need a specific cable to connect the Radias module to its keyboard, and a 9 pin mini DIN male-to-male cable might be a suitable replacement, depending on pin layout.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 13 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
bgrassfield

Most incredible digital synth

When you start to use one, you become an addict. It's not analog, it's digital and something. I don't know. It's just Radias. Identificable, you can't confuse its sound hence the continuous morphing dual filters and very edgy oscillators. It's a strange hybrid, the first oscillator can be operate as a traditional signal source and in this mode you can switch to cross mode (crossfades the second oscillator), unison mode (a.k.a supersaw, supersqure, supertriangle and supersine) and VPM mode (I don't really understand how it works, but it creates typical metal bell sounds). It can operate as a wavetable oscillator with 64 very different waves and usual others: Noise, Formant and DrumPCM mode. Formant mode is another good one, because Radias has the ability to record your voice and it stores the formants. Then you can use it as a formant source which brings many fun for creating robot voices and other stupid or sci-fi related humanoid sounds. Effects are exceptionally good, but it lacks DSP power, so when you set a delay and reverb on the same tone, the delay time is reducing to 1 sec. Rotary and TalkingMod effects renting all the two FX slot for a tone, so they can use alone. Otherwise, virtual patch system reminds me to the E-MU engine, and God bless the internal audio bus, then you can internally mix and vocode your tones making really exclusive sounds and beatrhythms. It has an arpeggiator, 2 x 32 step polyphonic sequencer, and Korg's other magic invention, the ModStep which is basically a 3x16 step-sequencer for modulate parameters on every tone independently, and it can run free or keysynced, of course can be triggered by the master arpeggiator or step sequencers. Guess the potentials... So it's a digital synth with a modular-like patching system and a VST-like interface. It has very deep programming possibilities, and factory presets are good represention of the features and opportunities. For me, it's far better than a Virus TI, but of course, it's only personal. (I had a Virus before too.) Oh, and a sidenote:it has a template system for tones. When you start sound-sculpturing, you can just dial in the best starting tone from the 128 overwritable synth template. :) You can save your typical tones as templates. So literally you can build your personal style-machine from this one. :)

seducsyn

Fun or not. That's the question...

OK... It looks a bit fun synth in a first glance but, actually it's not exactly. It can huge sounds out of it. Mod matrix has many combinations as digitally. Plus you can make your drum sounds out of it. It has nice compressor and tight enhancer too.

bobjack

Good!

I think, it sound, like an VST instrument) but very powerful and massive!

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Richard Devine uses Korg Radias Rack

Richard Devine

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

The Radias can be seen 1:59 into this video

See how Ulrich Schnauss uses Korg Radias Rack

Ulrich Schnauss

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Tangerine Dream

...
Verified via YouTube

In Ulrich's Tech Talk with Electronic Beats TV the Korg Radias can be seen on the rack

See how Angerfist uses Korg Radias Rack

Angerfist

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via YouTube

Has a Radias in rack

See how Digitalism uses Korg Radias Rack

Digitalism

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

Radias Rack can be seen at 2:06.

See how Janne Wirman uses Korg Radias Rack

Janne Wirman

Keyboardist

Children of Bodom

...
Verified via YouTube

At 1:33 in this video, Janne shows a rack mounted Korg Radias.

See how Thorsten Quaeschning uses Korg Radias Rack

Thorsten Quaeschning

Singer, Keyboardist

Tangerine Dream

...
Verified via YouTube

Thorsten's Radias Rack can be seen at 1:15 in this music video

See how Blush Response uses Korg Radias Rack

Blush Response

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

This Youtube video from Blush Response include first impressions with the Korg RADIAS Rack

See how Mark De Clive-Lowe uses Korg Radias Rack

Mark De Clive-Lowe

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

"my go to for years in the UK and definitely staying part of the rig"

See how Kamal Gray uses Korg Radias Rack

Kamal Gray

Keyboardist, Composer

The Roots

...
Verified via Korg

"I like all the effects options, the expansions, the fact that you have a whole extra board, the RADIAS, to load into it and the idea of having pads built in. It’s pretty cool to be able to assign chords to different pads. It will take time for me to figure out ways to use some of the features."

See how MIDERA uses Korg Radias Rack

MIDERA

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, MIDERA is playing a Spectralis 2, a Korg ESX-1, a Korg Radias, and an Access Virus TI Polar.

See how Jonn Serrie uses Korg Radias Rack

Jonn Serrie

Music Producer

...
Verified via JONN SERRIE

The Korg Radias Rack can be seen in the upper left in multiple studio shots on the artist's website.

See how Gokosoul uses Korg Radias Rack

Gokosoul

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post, Gokosoul is shown using a Korg Radias Rack synthesizer during a studio recording session with @cagin_music for an upcoming English single.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Korg Radias Rack, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Korg Electribe ESX-1 Keyboards, Synthesizers & MIDI
2
Clavia Nord Rack 2
2
The Harvestman - Tyme Sefari
The Harvestman - Tyme Sefari Modular Synthesizers
1
Lexicon PCM92
Lexicon PCM92 Effects Processors
1
Schippmann CS-8 Series VCF-02
Schippmann CS-8 Series VCF-02 Modular Synthesizers
1
Harvestman Piston Honda MK1
Harvestman Piston Honda MK1 Modular Synthesizers
1
Cwejman RG-6
Cwejman RG-6 Modular Synthesizers
1

Community setups

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keyhead

keyhead

Gear IQ 126

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agentapple

Gear IQ 185

dkdivedude

dkdivedude

Gear IQ 199

agentapple

agentapple

Gear IQ 185

1 alternative for Korg Radias Rack, curated by the Equipboard community.

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