Korg PS-60 Performance Syntheziser
Designed for the gigging – or soon to be gigging – musician, the affordable Korg PS60 delivers premium sounds and professional effects in an easy-to-use package. Heavy on hardware, the PS60's new dedicated performance controls keep all the needs of the performer close at hand.
Product Highlights:
Instant access to six essential sound categories – Piano, E-Piano, Organ, Strings, Brass, and Synth
440 impeccably voiced, ready-to-play, sounds created by Korg's renowned programmers
Korg's latest EDS-i (Enhanced Definition Synthesis – integrated) sound technology
Create and save up to 20 split and layered "Performances"– on the fly!
Intuitive front panel layout with dedicated hardware controllers for frequently-used functions
Nine dedicated knobs provide live control of the master modulation, reverb/delay, and EQ effects
Free editing software allows the PS60 to run as a plug-in with your host DAW (AU, VST or RTAS)
Great-feeling, responsive, semi-weighted 61-key Natural Touch keyboard
A performance synthesizer like no other
In designing the PS60, the needs of the on-stage musician remained front and center. Offering dedicated controls, an ample backlit display, and remarkable ease of use, the PS60 is a refreshing change. The intuitive, realtime controls – even the sounds themselves – were created with the performer in mind, and have been optimized for the unique challenges and immediacy of playing live. Lightweight, stylish and portable, the PS60 travels comfortably from home, to rehearsal, to center stage. The portability, ease of use, and hands-on interface make the PS60 the ideal instrument for the vocalist, guitarist, bass player, sax player – anyone who wishes to cover a few keyboard parts while expanding their audio arsenal.
The in-demand sounds every keyboardist requires
Focused on the elemental sounds that make up the body of great keyboard playing, the PS60 delivers 440 spectacular, spot-on sounds – with room for plenty more! The sounds are organized into six categories – piano, electric piano, organ, strings, brass and synth – each with dedicated controls making it easy to find just the right sound. Still not sure? The Audition feature plays a quick riff appropriate to the selected sound, allowing you to hear the sound in context and to help you zero in on the one you want. Using the category controls, you can layer up to six sounds, or make split settings at the touch of a button, creating sophisticated blends to suit your performances.
Rippling with synth power
For sound creation, the PS60 uses 49 MB* of the highest quality, 48 kHz samples. The EDS-i sound engine (Enhanced Definition Synthesis – integrated) provides up to four filters, two amps, five LFOs, and five EGs, used to craft a rich array of stage-ready programs that will both complement and stand out in your band's performance.
Any of 63 effects – including dynamics-type effects and amp modeling powered by KORG's proprietary REMS technology – can be assigned to individual sounds using one of the five insert effects. In addition, two master effects can be applied to the overall sound: a modulation-style effect offering four effect types; and a reverb/delay effect also with four effect types. A dedicated three-band EQ adds the final touch to your sound.
Easy Setup and Performance control
The PS60 is easy to use. The center and right portions of the panel are primarily for customizing and controlling sounds. Simply use the dedicated Category controls to choose your sounds, and use the Easy Setup area to specify their volume, octave, and effect send amounts. Dedicated panel knobs are provided for tweaking the effects and the EQ.
You can also choose to split or layer multiple sounds on the keyboard. These settings are collectively called a "Performance," and you can store 20 of them in internal memory. The Performance area to the left side of the panel is used for deeper editing as well as for recalling these Performance settings quickly and easily – even when on stage!
Command and control
The PS60 provides a variety of controllers to make your performance more expressive. You can produce subtle or drastic pitch and timbral changes by moving the joystick up/down/left/right, and use the octave up/down buttons and transpose buttons to shift the pitch of the keyboard. Two footpedal jacks are provided for use with a damper pedal, footswitch or footpedal, offering hands-free control. When playing organ sounds, an additional dedicated button can switch between fast/slow speeds of the rotary speaker simulator.
Keys to please
The PS60 features a new, richly-expressive keyboard. The semi-weighted, natural-touch keys provide an uncompromising playing feel. Accomplished and would-be keyboardists alike will find the keyboard ready for anything from a piano performance to delivering sizzling synthesizer sounds.
Hardware / Software symbiosis
The stand-alone PS60 Editor allows you to edit sounds in greater detail than is possible from the PS60 itself. Viewing multiple parameters and graphical cues on your computer's screen makes it easy to create full-fledged sounds in any category. The PS60 Plug-In Editor offers all the same features, and lets you use your PS60 as a plug-in synth from within any VST, Audio Units, or RTAS format DAW software system. As a librarian program, the software lets you build up an enormous stash of sounds that you've created on your computer.
Specs:
Keyboard:
61-key natural touch keyboard;
Velocity sensing
Modes:
Performance, Performance Edit, Program Edit, Global
SOUND ENGINE
Synthesis:
EDS-i (Enhanced Definition Synthesis - integrated)
Polyphony:
120 voices (120 oscillators) max, single mode;
60 voices (60 oscillators) max, double mode
* The actual maximum polyphony will vary depending on oscillator settings such as stereo multisamples and velocity crossfading.
PCM:
49 MB (when calculated as 16-bit linear data),
136 multisamples (including 7 stereo)
Programs:
User Performances: 20 performances; 15 Preload
User Programs: 512 Programs; 440 Preload
Structure:
OSC = OSC1 (Single), OSC1+2 (Double): Stereo multisamples are supported; 4 velocity zones per oscillator, with switching, crossfades, and layers.
Filters = Four types of filter routing (single, serial, parallel, 24 dB), Two multi-mode filters per voice (low pass, high pass, band pass, band reject
Modulation = For each voice, two envelope generators (Filter & Amp);
Two LFOs, two key, tracking generators (Filter & Amp);
Two AMS mixers, In addition, pitch EG, common LFO, and two common key tracking generators
Performances:
6 main timbres, 6 sub timbres; layer, split, and modifications to the program settings via the Tone parameters
Master Keyboard functionality:
Allows control of external MIDI devices
Effects:
Insert Effects: Five processors, stereo input/output, 63 effect types
Master Effects: Two processors, stereo input/output, 4 effect types per processor Effects types
EQ: One processor, stereo input/output (3 bands)
Effects types: Total of 71 types
(select from 63 types for insert effects, 4 types for master effect 1, and four types for master effect 2)
Modulation: Dynamic modulation, tempo sync delay, LFO
Audition Riff function:
383 audition riffs
Controllers:
Joystick: Joystick, LOCK button (Joystick lock function)
Rotary speaker simulator: ORGAN SLOW/FAST button
Performances: BANK, 1–5, STORE buttons
Performance controls: Timbre selector (Timber ON button x 6, variation buttons x 12), EASY SETUP (6 knobs, EASY SETUP buttons (Volume, Pan, MOD send, REV/DLY send), SPLIT SETTING (SUB OFF/RECALL, LOWER, UPPER buttons), MODULATION (MODULATION button, RATE, DEPTH, FEEDBACK knobs), REVERB/DELAY (REVERB/DELAY button, RATE, DEPTH, FEEDBACK knobs), EQ (BASS, MID, TREBLE knobs)
User Interface:
Display: 16 character x 2 line LCD (with backlight)
Mode: PERFORMANCE EDIT, PROGRAM EDIT, GLOBAL buttons
Value Controllers: Value knob, cursor/value UP/DOWN buttons, EXIT button
Other: OCTAVE DOWN, UP buttons, TRANSPOSE -, + buttons, VOLUME knob, display contrast
Audio Outputs:
OUTPUT, L/MONO, R: 6.3 mm monaural phone jack (unbalanced), Output impedance= 1.1kOhm stereo; 550Ohm mono (L/Mono only), Maximum level= +10.0 dBu (Standard), Load impedance 10kOhm or greater
Headphones: 3.5 mm stereo mini-phone jack, Output impedance= 33Ohm, Maximum level= 35 + 35 mW @33Ohm load
Control Inputs:
DAMPER/PEDAL/SW jack x 1(half-damper supported); PEDAL/SW jack x 1
MIDI:
IN, OUT
USB:
1 USB (TYPE B), USB-MIDI interface
Power:
AC adapter power supply connector (DC 9V 1700mA), POWER switch
Dimensions (W x D x H):
36.41" x 11.45" x 3.54"
Weight:
10.14 lbs
Power Consumption:
6W
Accessories:
AC adapter, Easy start guide, Accessory disc (PS60 Parameter Guide (PDF), Owner’s Manual (PDF), PS60 USB-MIDI Setup Guide (PDF), KORG USB-MIDI driver, PS60 Editor/Plug-In Editor etc.)
PS60 Options:
XVP-10 Expression/Volume Pedal
EXP-2 Foot Controller
DS-1H Damper Pedal
PS-1 Pedal Switch
KORG USB-MIDI driver Operating requirements
Windows
Computer:
USB port required (a USB host controller made by Intel is recommended)
Operating system:
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition / Professional / x64 Edition Service Pack 3 or later
Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or later(including 64-bit edition)
Microsoft Windows 7 (including 64-bit edition)
Macintosh
Computer:
USB port required
Operating system:
Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later
PS60 Editor and PS60 Plug-In Editor Operating requirements
Windows:
Computer:
A computer that meets the operating requirements of Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, and is equipped with a USB port
CPU:
Intel Pentium III / 1 GHz or better, Pentium D or Core
Duo or better is recommended
Memory:
512 MB or more (1 GB or more is recommended)
Monitor:
1,024 x 768 pixels, 16-bit color or better
Operating system:
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition/Professional
Service Pack 3 or later
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or later
Windows 7
However, only the standalone version will work on 64-bit editions of Windows 7 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2.
Macintosh:
CPU:
Apple G4 800 MHz or better (Intel Mac is supported), G5 or Core Duo or better is recommended
Memory:
512 MB or more (1 GB or more is recommended)
Monitor:
1,024 x 768 pixels, 32,000 colors or better
An Apple Macintosh computer that satisfies the operating requirements of Mac OS X and has a USB port
Operating system:
Mac OS X version 10.4.11 or later
* Formats supported by PS60 Plug-In Editor:
Windows: VST, RTAS
Macintosh: VST, Audio Unit, RTAS
* PS60 Plug-In Editor must also satisfy the operating requirements of the host application.
Note: It is not possible to start up multiple instances of PS60 Editor or PS60 Plug-In Editor within an operating system. This means that it is not possible to use these editors to edit two or more PS60 units simultaneously.
*Specifications and features are subject to change without notice.
* Apple and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US. and other countries.
* Windows7, Windows XP and Windows Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other counties.
* All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
