Korg NAUTILUS-88

NAUTILUS is KORG's new flagship MUSIC WORKSTATION and the successor to the very popular KRONOS model. Its sonic boundaries have been pushed one step further and with its high-performance processor, the power of nine sound modules with an innovative approach to sound and sampling and precision effects, there is simply no other synthesizer today that offers so many possibilities.

KORG NAUTILUS features nine special sound modules for realistic reproduction of sounds such as pianos, electric pianos, organs and other instruments. The piano gets an improved SGX-2 sound generator that offers the dynamics and all the nuances of a real acoustic piano. The user has a huge number of piano libraries to choose from. The Mudulu EP-1 electric pianos are represented by seven realistic sounding models, while the CX-3 engine offers the distinctive sound of a classic electrophone organ for a change. Add the MOD-7 VPM/FM synthesizer, the PolysixEX and MS-20EX for analog modeling, and the STR-1 for physical modeling, and you have essentially a keyboard instrument for any type of sound. All engine modules are available together in Program or Combination modes to create entirely new sound colors.

The KORG NAUTILUS sound options can be divided into three groups:
- Unique: the contents are distinctive sounds including phrase loops, effect pianos, many rare musical instruments from different regions around the world that can be difficult to play but whose characteristic phrases are stored in Nautilus. Also represented are sounds sampled for the first time by KORG's sound masters - variously modified pianos with experimental sound additions, or a collection of samples and "found percussion" sounds created by transforming common objects into percussion instruments. These unusual and sometimes mysterious sounds add new colours and a wide range of possibilities for the creation of sound effects or for use in film and television music.
- Contemporary: state-of-the-art sounds that are well suited for the current music scene, including synths, drum kits, special effects and other samples covering all genres of EDM, electro and chiptune sounds for beginners. Over 50 different drum kits for a variety of styles. There are four scenes containing arpeggio patters and drum tracks that perfectly complement each PROG and COMBI preset sound. They can be used and switched while you play, help improvise during a performance, or broaden your perspective when composing music when you start with a sound.
- Standard: the most important sounds every workstation needs. In addition to traditional pianos, electric pianos, guitars, basses many other instruments for all genres. For the newly sampled piano sound, an ambient studio space has also been recorded, which can be freely added to the main contact sound. A completely new electric piano model has been added with a characteristic fat sound that is great for funk, for example. There are also many useful phrases for guitar and bass parts.

NAUTILUS provides excellent dynamic response to your playing. It is the dynamic response that is very important to convey feelings and emotions. With the DYNAMICS potentiometer, you can instantly adjust the limits in volume and sound color according to how hard you play the keyboard. Turning it to the left makes the keyboard respond more gently to your playing, giving you greater sensitivity and soft, expressive playing when accompanying piano solos or vocals. On the other hand, turning to the right commands the instrument to produce a stronger, more balanced sound without much volume variation, which is useful when playing in a band or orchestra. The 88-key model features KORG' s finest four-level RH3 hammered-key keyboard with the response of traditional acoustic piano hammered-key mechanics. This Japanese-made keyboard with superior playability provides a heavier response on the lower notes and a lighter response on the higher notes. In contrast, the 73- and 61-key models feature high-quality , lightly balanced synth keyboards that allow you to play organ parts with glissando as well as synth solos that take advantage of the keyboard's wide range. While the 88 key model is fitted with luxurious wooden side panels, the other keyboard models have a completely new design with impressive curves. Within the plethora of instruments, the polyphony of the instrument ranges from 40 to 200 voices depending on the selected sound bank.

Six real-time potentiometers provide direct control of PROG and COMBI sound changes. Each is assigned a certain amount of functions such as different filters, effect intensity, gate time, tempo and swing arpeggiator selection of tracks, instruments and other options. In COMBI mode, you can group different instruments and control their relative levels. In case you want to save the desired setting, you can push the potentiometers into the panel to lock it and prevent accidental parameter changes during playing.

The user interface has been completely redesigned and simplified for the NAUTILUS model . Once you understand its principle, you will immediately find the functions you are looking for. The MODE button shows you the current settings on one screen, from PROG and COMBI to SET LIST, sampling, sequence and global modes. Each mode has tabs for each function, and the PAGE buttons offer even more detailed editing. With Nautilus' user-friendly navigation, you can press the MODE button at any time to return to the beginning if you get lost. A dark mode is available for the 7" TFT TouchView display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution, which uses black as the primary color to alleviate eyestrain. Six buttons are dedicated as shortcuts for quick access to the selected function. NAUTILUS can organize all the sources you need to browse while composing using the Set List mode. In it, the display contains 16 color touch buttons; each can instantly recall the appropriate preset, combination or sequence - regardless of the mode selected. In addition to the ease of selecting a sound or parameter with the touch of a finger, the Touch-Drag function has been enhanced for more detailed control of parameter values. Interactive tools and graphics provide the ability to adjust virtually any parameter. The TouchView display also has a convenient new Search function that lets you search for (and listen to) sounds by their names.

Using the Open Sampling system, NAUTILUS can quickly sample an external sound source, regardless of whether NAUTILUS is in Program, Combination or Sequencer mode. Open Sampling mode can even resample the game to NAUTILUS itself. The User Sample Bank, which extends the EXS sample library with user samples, allows you to record and play back your own samples while taking advantage of the SSD's gigantic capacity. Samples in AIFF, WAV, SoundFont 2.0 and AKAI S1000/3000 formats can be loaded into the memory using a USB key. In addition, you can use the USB Ethernet adapter to transfer large amounts of sample data at high speed from your computer. Instruments or samples that you have previously created on your computer can be used to create music productions based on NAUTIL alone. A 60 GB internal SSD drive is available.

For recording ideas alone or arranging an entire song, NAUTILUS has an implemented sequencer/recording section that offers recording of up to 16 MIDI tracks and 16 audio tracks. The MIDI sequencer makes it easy to capture professional quality ideas and phrases when creating drum tracks. The 16-track audio recorder simultaneously records up to 4 tracks at 16/24-bit resolution at a 48 kHz sampling rate. You can play along with recorded tracks, add effects or insert samples directly into the track. When you're done recording, use mix automation and editing features such as copy, paste and normalize to achieve the desired result when creating arrangements.

NAUTILUS offers 16 built-in effects to accentuate your sound design. Each of the 12 insert effects can be applied to one or more instruments in COMBI mode, or to separate track channels in the sequencer. In addition to the individual effects, you can apply two Master effects to the Send 1/2 bus, and two effects to the main output channel. There is a separate three-band EQ for each instrument, for each track in the sequencer, and for each audio track.

Smooth sound transitions with no dropouts when switching sounds or instruments regardless of what mode you are in is an essential feature for professionals and their performances. When you switch sounds during a performance to prepare for the next part, or when you switch from Program to Combi mode, the currently playing sound always takes priority and its effects are preserved during the Program change. You can also directly connect any corresponding USB-MIDI controller to NAUTIL and assign USB-MIDI functions, e.g. for a Korg controller with pads (nanoPAD, nanoPAD2, padKONTROL) to play drum parts or switch between chords, etc.

The main audio output of the instrument consists of a pair of symmetrical 6.3 mm TRS jack jacks, however, there are 4 more individually adjustable outputs (4 x 6.3 mm TRS jack) for maximum sound variability and of course a headphone output (stereo 6.3 mm jack). The input channels consist of two symmetrical connectors (jack 6.3 mm TRS) and 3 connectors (jack 6.3 mm) for control needs in the form of external pedals. Of course there is a full MIDI interface with 5-pin DIN connectors. But that's not all, NAUTILUS also functions as a two-channel audio interface and MIDI converter via USB, so you don't even need an external sound card to work on your computer. You can then connect e.g. a QWERTY keyboard or an external controller to the second USB slot.

Also included with the purchase of any NAUTILUS model is a huge amount of music software for Windows or Mac computers to help you take your music to an even higher level. DAW Reason Lite for song creation, Izotope Ozone Elements for AI mastering, Skoove for improving your keyboard playing, and a suite of KORG, UVI, AAS branded software synthesizers. The KORG Gadget 2 LE DAW and KORG Module piano/keyboard instrument are available for Android and iOS mobile devices.