KORG KAOSS Replay v2.0: Big Update With New Features
4,2 / 5,0 | 
KORG KAOSS Replay Screen · Source: KORG
KORG KAOSS Replay · Source: KORG
KORG KAOSS Replay · Source: KORG
KORG KAOSS Replay Front & Back · Source: KORG
KORG KAOSS Replay FX Screen · Source: KORG
KORG KAOSS Replay · Source: KORG
KORG KAOSS Replay · Source: KORG
Available now, the new v2.0 update for KORG’s KAOSS Replay unit sees it receive many new features, including a raft of new FX.
KORG KAOSS Replay v2.0
UPDATE: April 25th 2024: KORG has just released v2.0 update for their KAOSS Replay unit that adds an impressive 81 new KAOSS effects to its repertoire, which now means you have 209 such things at your disposal. There have also been a number of workflow improvements which KORG say makes things much easier to use. There’s an improved sync function and they’ve tidied up the Performance mode display. New editing tools are available in the Sampling section and there are new quantization options, a reworked variable pitch option and lots more too. You can even change the wallpaper of the display!
Head on over to KORG’s website to grab the update which is available for free to all KAOSS Replay owners.
[Original Article: 9th November 2023] Every manufacturer has a gimmick that not only defines them but is actually pretty useful and impressive. KORG’s KAOSS technology is definitely one of those. It’s their Roland D-Beam or Yamaha’s polyphonic aftertouch. Okay, maybe the D-Beam is a bit of a stretch. And Yamaha has only just revived their PolyAT after a near 40-year hiatus. But you get my point, right? Ok, enough of that. A day after taking on Roland in the drum pad game, what has KAOSS Replay got for us?
KORG KAOSS Replay – What Is It?
You might be forgiven for thinking that the KAOSS Replay bears a rather striking resemblance to a certain SP-404. It actually looks like an SP-404 mated with a DJ mixer. And that analogy is actually rather accurate. You see, the KAOSS Replay is aimed firmly and squarely at musicians and DJs alike. And yes, in my book, those are two distinct job titles. At a stretch, you could even put this up against an Akai MPC in as much as it really does contain all you need to make music.
KAOSS Replay is an all-in-one device. It weaves together powerful sampling capabilities, DJ-style controls and that now familiar KAOSS pad. But that KAOSS pad doubles up as a well-proportioned LCD display.
Sampling
The KORG KAOSS Replay can store 128 samples in 8 banks of 16 for up to 100 projects. Each of the 16 pads is velocity-sensitive. Using a dual group assign system provides a familiar performance experience that is enhanced by BPM detection, sync and quantization. Samples can be trimmed in the unit and there’s a 12-point Hot Cue triggering system for some pretty full-on dynamic live performances. You can sample directly into the KAOSS Replay via the Audio or Mic inputs. It’s a very powerful tool that allows for on-the-fly editing, resampling and real-time recording.User Interface
There’s no missing the big screen up top. As well as delivering the classic KAOSS interaction, it also doubles up as a big, clear display for all the built-in functionality. A wealth of the KAOSS Replay’s tools and functions operate through the screen, as well as the dedicated controls that surround it. As you might expect, KORG’s KAOSS Replay allows for live processing of vocals which have become a feature of the technology over the last two decades.
KORG KAOSS Replay Hardware
The KAOSS Replay comes packed in a solid, aluminium, “you could kill somebody with that” case. It’s powered via USB-C but uses a micro-USB port for computer connectivity, which is odd. Why not just go for two USB-C ports? Or even a dedicated brick PSU? There’s a footswitch socket, along with 5-pin MIDI In and Out. As you’d expect, there are line in and out RCA ports, with the line-in providing a built in phono amp and earthing connector. Auxiliary In is via a 3.5mm TRS. On the front edge there is a microSD card slot for saving and importing samples. Either side of that are a headphone socket and Mic input, both with trims.
Everything looks sturdy and well illuminated as you’d expect from a device designed to be used live.
On top of all this, it has a MIDI Surface mode that can be fully customised to enable it to be used as a MIDI controller. And it’s a USB audio interface too! It seems KORG has thought of everything.
First Thoughts
The KORG KAOSS Replay does look like the designers sat down and took a good look at what live performers wanted from a sample and FX tool. I can see this being used by both DJs and live musicians too. It might lean more towards the former and the DJ-centric connectivity certainly supports that. But there’s enough crossover these days to nullify that bias. I think KORG are on to a winner here.
Pricing and availability:
The KAOSS Replay is currently available for order from Thomann.
More Information:
Video:
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3 responses to “KORG KAOSS Replay v2.0: Big Update With New Features”
Too pricey Vs. The more feature packed Akai MPC one +. Not a recipe for success.
Why is it using RCA connections? over 900$ for dated I/O no one uses anymore…
Korg needs to stop price gouging, MPC one is a strictly better version of this that is cheaper. and the roland SP404mk2 already owns the marketshare.
You’re both right, and wrong. Yes, the Replay is expensive. No, it is not like the MPC one, which I had. The MPC doesn’t record quickly and has too many menus. This Replay looks more like your Ableton Live- very fast and playable.