MusicRadar

The Radias can act as a filter module and/or effects processor for any sound you feed it

1 of 3 » View in gallery

• Review
• Manufacturer's Description

Back in 2000 Korg released the MS2000, which was widely lauded. It sounded great, looked fantastic, and despite its meagre polyphony managed to pack a sonic punch that found favour with studio owners and touring technologists the world over.

In 2003 the MS2000 was further improved and was re-branded the MS2000B. Three years further on and here’s the brand new Radias. The first impression one gets when unpacking this new synth is that the layout of the rack module bears more than a passing resemblance to the MS2000. So, are we dealing with brand new technology here, or the updating of a modern classic?

First impressions

Despite the visual similarity, the Radias still manages to achieve a style of its very own. It arrives in two boxes, one containing the rack unit and the other containing Radias’ unique controller keyboard. This is the more unusual of the two packages, as it has the appearance of being only half-built! The front half of the construction houses the 4-octave keyboard, pitch-bend and modulation wheels, while the back half features only a metal frame.

The principle job of the frame is to support two moveable rack ears, which in turn house the Radias’ rack unit. Fitting in the latter is simple enough and once it has been constructed, with the rack screwed in, you’re able to tilt the rack to pretty much any angle that you want.

Connecting the controller keyboard to the rack is straightforward too, as Korg provide a unique connection cable for this task. Of course, the rack module can be used without the controller, like any other synth module, but the controller is of no use without the rack, as it features no ports, save that for the connection cable.

Whilst we’re talking ports, elsewhere on the back panel you get the MIDI trio, a stereo pair of outputs and two individual outs as well, plus connection to sustain and expression pedals. You’ll also find stereo jack inputs and an input for the included condenser mic if you want to get vocoding immediately. There’s a switcher button to allow you to select input between dynamic or condenser mics and line sources. The headphone port is found on the front panel next to the main volume knob. I would personally like to have seen this doubled on the controller keyboard, as its current position means that you’ll be lucky to escape your headphone cable draping itself over the keyboard when the rack module is titled upright.

Korg also enclose a metal shelf that can be attached at the back of the keyboard, next to the rack section. The manual suggests this would be a useful place to house a MIDI controller or effects processor. I suspect that it will prove a useful place for Radias owners to rest a brew/ashtray combination. Once you’re assembled and take a step back, you’ve got to applaud Korg for their design efforts. Some will hate it, but we found it reminiscent of the Minimoog with its pop-up fascia, and it also has a retro/industrial look which is reiminiscent of the set of a mid-80s Jean-Michel Jarre gig. (Is that really a good thing?).

The Radias’ appearance improves yet more dramatically when you switch on the power, at which point it triggers a light show to rival the attractions on Blackpool pier. Each of the unit’s black dials is surrounded by a bright orange glow, while function buttons toggle on and off with red bulbs. The LCD screen plays its part too, with bold legending against a blue-ish background.