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Korg
株式会社コルグ
IndustryElectronics
Founded1962
FounderTsutomu Kato and Tadashi Osanai
Headquarters4015-2, Yanokuchi, Inagi, Tokyo, Japan
ProductsKeyboards, Electronic organ
Websitewww.korg.com
For other uses, see Korg (disambiguation).
Head Office in Japan.

Korg Corporation (株式会社コルグ, Kabushiki-gaisha Korugu) is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures electronic musical instruments, audio processors and guitar pedals, recording equipment, and electronic tuners. Under the Vox brand name, they also manufacture guitar amplifiers and electric guitars.

Company history

Prototype No.1 (1970)
KORGUE (1972)
Donca-Matic DA-20 (1963)

Founded in 1962 in Japan by Tsutomu Kato and Tadashi Osanai, Korg was originally known as Keio Gijutsu Kenkyujo Ltd." and later "Keio Electronic Laboratories (京王技術研究所) because its fledgling offices were located near the Keio train line in Tokyo and Keio can be formed by combining the first letters of Kato and Osanai. Before founding the company, Kato ran a nightclub. Osanai, a Tokyo University graduate and noted accordionist, regularly performed at Kato's club accompanied by a Wurlitzer Sideman rhythm machine. Unsatisfied with the rhythm machine, Osanai convinced Kato to finance his efforts to build a better one. [1]

The company's first product, released in 1963, was an electro-mechanical rhythm device called the Disc Rotary Electric Auto Rhythm machine Donca matic DA-20. The name "Donca" was an onomatopoeic reference to the sound the rhythm machine made. Buoyed by the success of the DA-20, Keio released a solid-state version of the Rhythm machine, the Donca matic DE-20, in 1966.

In 1967, Kato was approached by Fumio Mieda, an engineer who wanted to build keyboards. Impressed with Mieda's enthusiasm, Kato asked him to build a prototype and 18 months later Mieda returned with a programmable organ. Keio sold the organ under the name KORG, created by using the first letter of each founder's name plus "RG" from their planned emphasis on products targeted for the oRGan market. [2]

miniKORG 700 (1973)
PS-3300 (1977)

Keio's organ products were successful throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s but, concerned about the competition from other big organ manufacturers, Kato decided to use the organ technology to build a keyboard for the then-niche synthesizer market. Keio's first synthesizer, the miniKORG, was thus released in 1973.

During the 1970s, Korg's synthesizer line was divided into instruments for the hobbyist, and large expensive modular systems such as the PS series. In the early '80s, Korg branched out into the digital piano category.

M1 (1988)
Triton (1999~2004)
OASYS (2005)

Korg is credited with a number of innovations and landmark products. The "key transpose" function was Katoh's idea after a singer at his club needed her accompaniment played in a lower key, which the accompanist wasn't accomplished enough to do. Korg was the first company to feature effects on a synthesizer, and the first to use a "sample + synthesis" sound design. The M1 workstation, released in 1988, sold over 250,000 units, making it the bestselling synthesizer ever at that time. [3]

In 1989, Korg recruited the design team from Sequential Circuits just as they were relieved of their duties by then-Sequential owner Yamaha. Yamaha Corporation has always been a major partner of Korg, supplying them with circuitry and mechanical parts. In 1987, shortly before the release of the M1 Music Workstation, Yamaha acquired a controlling interest in Korg's stock. The takeover of the company was amicable, with Kato drawing up the terms, and the two companies continued to independently develop their product lines and compete in the marketplace. After the following 5 very successful years, Kato had enough money to rebuy most of the Yamaha share back in 1993.

Korg has since diversified into digital effects, tuners, recording equipment, electronic hand percussion, and software instruments.

In 1992, Korg acquired Vox (musical equipment), then primarily a manufacturer of guitar amplifiers. [4] Korg was also the exclusive distributor of Marshall Amplification product in the U.S.A. for decades, with this distribution arrangement ending in 2010.[5]

On March 15 2011, Tsutomo Katoh passed away after a long fight with cancer.

MAXI KORG 800DV (1974)
PE-1000 (1976)
Korg Λ, Polysix, and Trident
PS-3300 (1977)
MS-20 (1978)
VC-10 (1978)

Timeline of Major Products

  • 1977 - Korg 770: Successor of Korg 700S (2VCO + Ring modulator). [13]
  • 1977 - Korg PS-3100/PS-3200/PS-3300: World's first full polyphonic patchable synthesizers
  • 1978 - MS-10/MS-20/MS-50/SQ-10: MS series modular synthesizer system


CX-3 classic (1980)
Polysix (1981)
Poly-61 (1983)
DW-8000 (1985)
DSS-1 (1986)
  • 1980 - Korg CX-3: One of the first and most authentic Hammond B-3 clones ever produced.
  • 1983 - Korg Poly-61: The successor of the Polysix with digitally-controlled analog oscillators; Korg's first "knobless" synthesizer
  • 1983 - Korg Poly-800: First fully programmable synthesizer that sold for less than $1000, notable for using digitally-controlled analog oscillators and sharing a single filter for all 8 voices
  • 1983 - Korg SAS-20: The SAS-20 was Korg’s first arranger keyboard. A built-in computer analyzed the melody played on the keyboard, and generated a complex accompaniment. This was the world’s first auto-accompaniment function of this kind added to a keyboard. Also, a more traditional chord recognition system was included.
Poly-800 (1983)
RK-100 keytar (1984)


  • 1985 - Korg DW-8000: 8-voice polyphonic, user selected two digital waveforms out of 16 total. Used an analog filter.
  • 1986 - Korg DSS-1: Korg's first sampling keyboard. Offered additive synthesis, waveform drawing and effects, with an analog filter and some similarities to the DW-8000.


M1 (1988)
Wavestation (1990)
Wavestation A/D (1991)
Wavestation SR (1991)
01/W (1991)
X3 (1993)
  • 1988 - Korg M1: PCM rompler with built-in effects and sequencer, the M1 introduced many to the concept of a Music Workstation, a keyboard that could handle live performance, MIDI, sequencing, expandable sound banks, effects, and more in a single package. Considered to be a product that revolutionised the keyboard industry, and the bestselling synthesizer of all time.
  • 1989 - Korg T series (T1/T2/T3): Some improvements over the M1 with added features.
  • 1993 - Korg i3 Interactive Music Workstation: Korg introduced its first professional arranger in 1993 with the i3 model, a more professional-level arranger which utilized the same AI2 sound engine as Korg's pro synthesizer line. The i3 also included a multitrack MIDI sequencer in addition to the auto-accompaniment styles and arrangements, large graphical display, improved chord recognition, and the new Backing Sequence feature which provided for easy creation of new songs based on styles.
  • 1994 - Korg WAVEDRUM: DSP percussion instrument based on State Variable technology and multiple synthesis algorithms. [17]
  • 1994 - Korg i2: Korg introduced the i2, an i3 "on-steroids" with a 76-note keyboard and a new piano sound.
  • 1995 - Korg i1: In 1995 a further improved version of i3 was introduced: the Korg i1, that included an 88-note weighted keyboard, a larger piano sample, and built-in speakers.
  • 1995 - Korg i4S: The i4S (where "S" stays for "Speakers"). An i3-type keyboard with a slightly reduced feature set, but with built-in speakers.
  • 1995 - Korg i5S: The i5S was a scaled-down version of the i4S, with a plastic chassis and a reduced set of features. Some new sounds and styles were added.
  • 1995 - Korg i5M: An arranger module called i5M was also introduced, with specifications similar to the i5S, but with no keyboard, amplification, or joystick. Newly added traditional styles and sounds (shared with the i5S) particularly appealed to accordionists.
  • 1995 - Korg ih: In 1995, the ih introduced the "ih Interactive Vocal Harmony" feature that allowed for creation of vocal harmonies based on the input from a microphone, starting from chords played live in Style mode, or recorded in a Song's track.
Prophecy (1996)
Trinity (1996)
Prophecy, Z1 (1997), and Triton
  • 1996 - Korg Trinity: This very successful workstation was the first to feature a large touch-screen as part of the front panel user interface, a feature that continued on Korg's flagship pro synth and arranger lines, and even on some of their digital multitrack recorders.
  • 1996 - Korg N364/264: Introduced RPPR (Realtime Phrase and Pattern Repeat)
880 D/A & 880 A/D ADAT⇔analog 8ch audio I/F
⇐ 168RC 8-bus digital console with ADAT I/F


  • 1997 - Korg Z1: The Z1 introduced Korg's Multi-Oscillator Synthesis System (MOSS) which enabled the synthesizer to produce sounds via several different synthesis methods, such as analog modeling and physical modeling.
  • 1997 - Korg iX300: The iX300 Interactive Music Workstation was introduced with new sounds and more than 100 styles. This model did not have built-in speakers.
  • 1998 - Korg iS40: iS40 included new sounds (among them, a new stereo piano sample), new styles (128), and several new features. One of the most appreciated new features, Keyboard Sets, allowed for immediate recalling of keyboard track settings.
  • 1998 - Korg iS50: iS50 was the low cost version of iS40, with a slightly reduced feature set.
  • 1998 - Korg i30: The i30 Interactive Music Workstation was introduced, claiming to be the first arranger featuring a Touch Screen Display. This model was speakerless, had 64 notes of polyphony, and more sounds than the iS40.
  • 1998 - Korg N1/N5: The N1/N5 was introduced as a low cost workstation-keyboard version of the Korg NS-5R sound module. The N5's key feature was its weighted keys.
Triton classic (1999)


  • 1999 - Korg Triton: Successor to the Korg Trinity. Korg's greatest selling keyboard to date. Korg's first keyboard to offer sampling since the DSS-1 from 1986.
Kaoss Pad (1999)
Kaoss Pad 2 (2004)
Kaoss Pad 3 (2006)
Kaoss Pad Entrancer


Electribe A (1999)
Electribe R (1999)
Electribe S (2000)
Electribe R mk2 (2003)
Electribe MX (2003)
Electribe SX (2003)


  • 1999 - Korg i40M: Korg introduced a successor to the i5M: the i40M module. Specifications were similar to the iS40 (obviously, with no keyboard or joystick), but included the Vocal Harmony feature as standard. Furthermore, the module included 3 different pre-programmed MIDI setups, to make connection with various instruments even easier.
  • 1999 - Korg iS35: iS35 was a new version of the iS40, featuring the same specifications, and adding the Vocal Harmony feature as standard.
  • 1999 - Korg iS50B: iS50B boasted the same specs as the iS50, but in a Dark Blue chassis.
  • 1999 - Korg OASYS PCI - a DSP card which offered powerful and flexible audio synthesis, effects and audio.
  • 2000 - Korg CX-3: Not to be confused with Korg's CX-3 from 1979. This digital modeling organ added MIDI and many new features.
  • 2000 - Korg Pa80: A new range of arranger from Korg was introduced in year 2000: the Pa Series. Pa80 was the first model introduced in December 2000 with the same engine as Korg's flagship and bestselling Triton series, a wide selection of highly-musical Styles created by some of the best musicians in the world, a Multitasking Operating System and a revolutionary Dual Sequencer design.
Korg KARMA (2001)
Triton LE (2002)
  • 2001 - Korg KARMA Kay Algorithmic Realtime Music Architecture, developed by Stephen Kay, a kind of arpeggiator that was more dynamic, organic, elastic and musical than previous forms.
  • 2002 - Korg Pa60: Similar to the Pa80, but with a reduced feature set (lacking sampling and Harmony Board compatibility).
MS-2000B (2003)
microKORG (2002)
  • 2002 - Korg MicroKorg: A compact analog modeling synthesizer with built-in vocoder.
  • 2003 - Korg Pa1X Pro: The flagship arranger of a new pro arranger line, which marked Korg's return to professional arrangers without built-in speakers. It also marked the beginning of a factive cooperation with the studio DSP manufacturer TC-Electronic.
  • 2003 - Korg MS-2000B: new version of the MS-2000 synthesizer with updated sound set, black metallic color scheme and dedicated vocoder mic; Korg MS-2000BR: rack-mount version
  • 2004 - Korg Legacy Collection: Includes software emulations of three famous Korg synthesizers: the MS-20, Polysix, and the Wavestation
  • 2004 - Korg Pa1X: A shorter-scale version of the Pa1X, but with built-in speakers.
  • 2004 - Korg Pa50: An affordable professional arranger synth with most of the features of the more expensive Pa60.
  • 2004 - Korg KAOSS Pad KP2, an improved re-release of the original KAOSS Pad.
  • 2004 - Korg KAOSS Pad Entrancer, an audio & visual processor version of KAOSS Pad.[21]
Triton Extreme (2004)
Korg OASYS (2005)
TR (2006)
  • 2004 - Korg Triton Extreme: The successor to the Triton, which added "Valve Force" circuitry, a real vacuum tube circuit. Nicknamed "Russian Bullet," these tubes are rumored to last a minimum of 10 years. The Triton Extreme also featured a dramatically increased ROM size: 160 MB, featuring 32 MB of all new acoustic samples.
  • 2005 - Korg OASYS (Open Architecture Synthesis Studio workstation)
  • 2006 - Korg TR: enhanced Triton Le music workstation
Korg D888 digital recorder (2006)
Radias (2006)
X50 (2006)
M3 (2007) & Trinity
  • 2006 - Korg MicroX compact X50, half sounds from the TR, half new, with the X50's software capability
  • 2006 - Korg Pa 800 Successor of the award winning Pa 80, but boosted with features like in the Pa1X Pro
  • 2007 - Korg R3 A portable version of the RADIAS synthesizer.
  • 2007 - Korg mini-KP - At 4.25" x 4.5", this smallest installment of the KAOSS series products packs all the punch of its larger brethren and offers both battery and AC power.
  • 2007 - Korg ZERO Mixers - Console style (Zero8) and DJ style (Zero4) mixers. Each incorporate a multi-channel FireWire audio interface and full DSP with a customizable MIDI control surface. Interfacing and performing with all types of software become seamless. Both mixers had Traktor Scratch Certification.
  • 2007 - Korg KM Mixers - KM202 and KM404 are Korg's 2 and 4 channel DJ Mixers. They featured the full Korg MiniKP interface and effects, which can be applied to selected channels. 8 different EQ models (including full cut isolator), selectable by a large dial on the panel, were another unique feature.
  • 2007 - Korg Kaossilator - Compact, handheld dynamic phrase synthesizer which features 100 programs including acoustic, percussion, and electronic sounds, a gate arpeggiator, 31 scale types ranging from Chromatic and Blues to Egyptian and Gypsy, and an 8 layer 8-step sequencer for producing loop-based music. Following in the footsteps of Korg's KP technology, it features a touch pad where the horizontal axis varies in pitch and the vertical in tone. Released January 2008 in the US.
Zero4 (2007)
padKontrol (2006)
mini KP (2007)
Kaossilator(2007)
Wavedrum WD-X (2009)


  • 2007 - Korg Pa2X Pro - Successor to Korg's previous flagship professional arranger keyboard, the Pa2X Pro featured the Double MP3 Player/Recorder, the ability to slow down and transpose MP3 files, improved 76-key keybed, a tiltable touch screen, phantom power, balanced in/out, digital audio output, and internal clock.
ToneWorks AX3B
  • Toneworks-Guitar Effects and processors
    • AX10A - Modeling Signal Processor for Acoustic Guitar
    • AX1500G - Modeling Signal Processor for Guitar
    • AX3000B - Modeling Signal Processor for Bass
    • AX3000G - Modeling Signal Processor for Guitar
    • AX3A - Modeling Signal Processor
    • AX3B - Modeling Signal Processor
    • AX3G - Modeling Signal Processor
    • AX5B - Modeling Signal Processor for Bass
    • AX5G - Modeling Signal Processor for Guitar
    • PX4A - Pandora: Acoustic Personal Multi-Effect Processor
    • PX4D - Pandora: Personal Multi-Effect Processor
DS-10 (2008)
nano Kontrol, nano Pad, nano Key (2008)
microKORG XL (2009)
microSAMPLER (2009)
MR-2000S  DSD 1bit Studio Recorder (2009)
  • 2008 - Korg Nano Series - Slim-line controllers (nanoPad, nanoKey and nanoKontrol) (Used by Distortion in the studio)
  • 2008 - Korg Pa500 - After the success of Pa50, the Pa500 was introduced, with a completely redesigned user interface.considerably improving in the interface design.
  • 2008 - Korg pa588 - During year 2008, Korg introduced Pa588, a cross-over of an arranger (the acclaimed Pa500) and a digital stage piano, with the 88-note graded-weighted RH3 keyboard, built-in speakers, and a beautiful piano sample. It came with piano stand included, and featured Pa-Series compatibility.
  • 2009 - Korg microKORG XL - An updated microKORG featuring the MMT (Multi Modeling Technology) sound engine as well as effects processors from their KAOSS line products.
  • 2009 - Korg SV-1 - Retro looking stage piano - available in 73 or 88 key versions.
  • 2009 - Korg Kaossilator Pro - An updated version of the KO-1, including external sampling, midi control, sd card and USB support contained in a bulkier, KP3-esque chassis.
  • 2010 - Korg Microstation - Continuing with the "micro" series Korg releases a workstation with the traditional mini keys.
  • 2010 - Korg Monotron - A small analogue ribbon synthesizer that is capable of running audio through it using on board filters based on the KORG MS-20.
  • 2010 - Korg iElectribe - A touch screen version of the highly successful KORG Electribe made for Apple's iPad.
  • 2010 - Korg microKey - A compact midi controller featuring the same keys used on the microKORG XL.
  • 2010 - Korg AW2U - A dedicated clip on ukulele tuner.
  • 2010 - Korg MR2 - High resolution mobile recorder, dubbed by KORG as a true "workhorse".
  • 2010 - Korg MicroMetro - A tiny compact metronome that doesn't compromise on quality.
SP-250 Digital Piano (2005)
  • 2010 - Korg SP170 - KORG's most affordable and compact piano to date delivering world class sound.
  • 2010 - Korg iMS-20 - Like the iElectribe, a digital touch screen version of the legendary KORG MS-20 analog synth made for the Apple iPad.
  • 2011 - Korg Kronos - New synthesizer-workstation, a successor of the Korg OASYS.
  • 2011 - Korg KAOSS PAD Quad - A new version of the world famous KAOSS PAD that allows the user to have four simultanious effects being used at once.

See also

References

  • "Korg Museum". Sound Make Up (in Japanese). Korg.
  1. ^ Julian Colbeck, Keyfax Omnibus Edition, MixBooks, 1996, p. 52.
  2. ^ Julian Colbeck, Keyfax Omnibus Edition, MixBooks, 1996, p. 52.
  3. ^ Julian Colbeck, Keyfax Omnibus Edition, MixBooks, 1996, p. 52.
  4. ^ Dave Hunter, "50 Years of Vox" , Vintage Guitar, June 2010, http://vintageguitar.com/features/brands/details.asp?AID+3084
  5. ^ Gordon Reid, "40 Years of Korg Gear" , Sound On Sound, Oct 2002, [1]
  6. ^ a b "Donca-Matic (1963)". Korg Museum. Korg.
  7. ^ "Prototype No.1 (1970)". Korg Museum. Korg.
  8. ^ "KORGUE (1972)". Korg Museum. Korg.
  9. ^ a b "miniKORG700 (1973)". Korg Museum. Korg.
  10. ^ "MAXI KORG 800DV (1974)". Korg Museum. Korg.
  11. ^ a b "900PS/SB-100 (1975)". Korg Museum. Korg.
  12. ^ "PE-2000/PE-1000". Korg Museum. Korg.
  13. ^ "770 (1977)". Korg Museum. Korg.
  14. ^ "Σ - Performing Synthesizer / Λ - Polyphonic Ensemble / Δ - String Synthesizer (1979/80)". Korg Museum. Korg.
  15. ^ "Trident - Performing Keyboard (1980)". Korg Museum. Korg.
  16. ^ "SoundLink SL-100C/M/S (1991)". Korg Museum. Korg.
  17. ^ "WAVEDRUM (1994)". Korg Museum. Korg.
  18. ^ "Korg Soundlink DRS 168RC - Automated Digital Recording Console". Sound On Sound (December 1996).
  19. ^ "Korg Soundlink DRS 1212 - Multi-channel PCI Audio I/O Card". Sound On Sound (July 1997).
  20. ^ Alex Kouznetsov (Autumn, 1998). "Korg Soundlink Digital Recording System". Computer Music Journal. 22 (3). MIT Press: pp. 69-72. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ "Korg KPE1 Kaoss Pad Entrancer - Audio-visual Processor & X-Y Controller". Sound On Sound (June 2005).
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