05R/W
AI Synthesis Module
Here we have the oldie but goodie Korg 05R/W, a half-rack digital synthesizer module based on Korg's 01W series AI synthesis. The 05R/W contains 340 multi-sampled waveforms, providing all one basically needs for modern music production - especially pop/rock/dance. It is 8-part multi-timbral (there is - as usual with Korg instruments - a COMBI section where you can store your combinations) and thus can be very effectively used in a MIDI setup. There are also 164 drum sounds, and many of these are already superbly "produced" (compressed, equalized, enhanced) and ready to be the basis of your drum tracks "from the box". The drum sounds are also fully editable. GM (General MIDI) is also present, as a bank in the PROG section. The sounds starting with the letter "G" follow the GM protocol and can be used with thousands of available MIDI files. |
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There is also a great sounding multi-effect processor on board, capable of providing up to four effects simultaneously. There are the usual suspects (reverb, delay) but also more esoteric offerings such as equalizer, exciter, enhancer, and rotary speaker. A fantastic supplement to this synthesizer is the inclusion of alternative tuning scales! Several scale types are provided besides the standard equal-tempered, including Arabic, Werkmeister III, and Indonesian scales. You can also create and store your own. This synth also features a serial port in its rear, allowing the user to connect directly to a Mac or PC without the need of a separate interface. |
Korg 05R/W factory demo song:
Korg 05R/W Factory Demo Song a solid multi-genre demo. Incredibly well programmed, typical '90s.
Korg 05R/W audio demos in mp3:
COMBI | |
Combination name with audio demo | My comments |
00 StarBurst | An explosion of multi-timbrality, typically early '90s :-) |
01 LayerPiano | Classic "produced" crossbreed acoustic + digital piano |
02 Synth Fat | Nice solid polysynth |
04 Mr. Tone | Superb distortion effects for this guitar. |
07 Layer Str | Beautiful layered strings, very cinematic. |
08 Sax Heaven | Marvelous pad/saxophone combination, excellent for atmospheres. |
09 Celebrate! | Nice mandolin and happy percussion |
10 FirstSnow | Beautiful and typical early '90s Korg shimmering pad. |
11 Bass&Piano | Nice rendition of this classic keyboardist combo. |
16 L'ilBit O' | distorted Hammond - nice |
18 Half Moons | Another beautiful sparkly, moving pad |
26 Full Pipe | Powerful church organ. Super hall effects. |
28 Lead &Pad |
Outstandingly beautiful string pad, and dramatic, soaring monosynth lead. |
32 SmokyHorn | Well-sampled jazz horns |
35 Bass&Vibes | Another very useful combination for the cocktail party keyboardist |
39 HouseParty | Classic '90s setup |
42 Latin Band | Happy tropics |
45 Instanbul | Fabulous setup - I switched the "Arabic" scale on to play the melody. |
47 Orchestral | Nice, full orchestra |
49 Space Port | Again, what Korg does best. A deep, sci-fi, pulsating pad. |
56 Blues Harp | Typical blues harmonica |
59 Masterfisa | Big accordion :-) |
67 Madrigal | Middle Age fun. |
68 ChiffSplit | Breathtaking combi, perfect for film scoring. |
72 GoToSweep | Very cool and very useful sweeping brass |
74 Nashville | Nice southern combo, with a warm slide guitar |
77 AnaStrings | Beautiful, wide open analog string ensemble |
79 Rave Hits | Powerful! |
80 SunOfTron | Majestic |
85 The Sphinx | Another splendid middle-eastern setup - again I switched to the Arabic scale for the right hand. |
89 DeathStars | Ominous dark pad. |
93 Safari | Happy percussion |
95 ChinaBell | Nice |
99 Slammin' | Perfectly produced rhythm kit. |
PROG | |
Program name with audio demo | My comments |
A00 Sunrise | Gorgeous analog pad, with swirling special fx. |
A01 Piano 16' | Very '80s piano combination. |
A04 Spruce Gtr | Nice acoustic guitar |
A06 XFade Bass | Very realistic acoustic bass! |
A07 TheStrings | Thick, gluey string ensemble :-) |
A09 Total Kit | Korg's phenomenal drum assortment |
A15 Tabla Talk | Classic Indian percussion |
A16 FingerBass | Pure electric bass. |
A17 LiteVoices | Classic digital pad of the early '90s. |
A21 Last Tango | Very realistic Argentinean accordion. The aftertouch controls superbly the volume. |
A23 Operators | Classic FM comp sound. |
A26 Zap Bass | Deep synth bass |
A30 Space Wing | Out worldly vox pad effect |
A31 Gospel Org | Very nice organ with Leslie effect |
A32 Trumpets | Nicely '60s "Tijuana Brass" style |
A38 Wire Pad | Famous Korg sound |
A40 Neutron | Reminds of the M1 |
A47 AnalogPad | Thick, breathtaking beautiful... |
A49 Orch Perc | Superb! |
A50 DreamWorld | Another outstanding sci-fi pad |
A52 FlugelHorn | Very good. |
A63 Whirly | Excellent Wurlitzer piano sound, without tremolo. |
A68 Soft Horns | Nice and analog'uish. |
A69 ProducrKit | Another great drum kit. These are still modern sounding drum sounds. |
A70 InTheTrees | Enchanted forest |
A77 Ambi.Voice | Korg digital choir |
A78 MonoLead | Purely digital lead synth |
A89 50's SciFi | Yep... |
A90 SteamCloud | Puffy pad |
A93 DWGS EP | Draws inspiration from Korg's own DW-8000 |
A99 HarpPluck | Cute. |
G01 Piano | The General MIDI bank starts here - Decent piano. |
G112 Shanai | Full bodied |
G129 GM Kit | Solid. |
G17 Full Organ | Cheerful lounge organ |
G39 SynthBass1 | Cool syn bass |
G53 Choir | Good samples |
G69 Sweet Oboe | Nice. |
Features at a glance | |
Year of release: | |
Polyphony: | 32-voice |
Presets: | 236 Programs, 100 Combinations |
Rhythms: | drum sets |
Keyboard: | n/a |
Responds to velocity: | yes |
Responds to aftertouch: | yes |
Sound generation method: | AI |
MIDI: | in, out, thru |
Sound expansion capabilities: | no |
Effects: | yes |
Controls: | buttons |
Outputs: | stereo pair |
Display: | yes, backlit green |
Misc: | serial computer connection |
Reset the Korg 05R/W to factory (initialize):
available at www.korg.com
SITE | Type of resource | DESCRIPTION |
www.korg.com | home page | |
Korg 05R/W review with audio demo