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[Niklas Terki]

Korg Z1 AKAi: A Powerful Analog Modeling Synth with Polyphony and Arpeggiator

If you are looking for a synth that can do all the analog sounds and more, you might want to check out the Korg Z1 AKAi. This synth is based on the Korg Z1, which was an expanded, polyphonic version of the Korg Prophecy. The Korg Z1 AKAi adds a built-in AKAi sampler and a SCSI interface, making it a versatile workstation for music production.

The Korg Z1 AKAi features 12-voice polyphony, 13 waveforms, four LFOs, two resonant filters, two effects units, and a full featured polyphonic arpeggiator with room for 15 user patterns. You can create unique sounds with the powerful synthesis engine, which uses physical modeling, subtractive, FM, and waveshaping techniques. You can also use the touch controlled 'XY' pad for tweaking patches in real-time.

The Korg Z1 AKAi also has a 16-bit AKAi sampler with 8 MB of RAM, expandable to 72 MB. You can load samples from floppy disks or SCSI devices, and use them as waveforms for the synth engine. You can also edit, loop, and layer samples with the intuitive interface. The sampler supports AKAi S1000/S3000 formats, as well as WAV and AIFF files.

The Korg Z1 AKAi is a great analog modeling synth with polyphony and arpeggiator that can handle any genre of music. It has a sleek design and a large LCD display for easy navigation. It also has MIDI in/out/thru ports, stereo outputs, headphone jack, pedal inputs, and a SCSI port. The Korg Z1 AKAi is used by artists such as KMFDM, Gary Numan, LTJ Bukem and Orbital.

Korg Z1 AKAi: A Review of Its Features and Performance

Now that we have introduced the Korg Z1 AKAi, let's take a closer look at its features and performance. How does it compare to other analog modeling synths on the market? What are its strengths and weaknesses? How does it sound and feel? Here are some of the main aspects of the Korg Z1 AKAi that you should know.

The Models

The Korg Z1 AKAi offers 13 different models to choose from, each with its own parameters and characteristics. These are:

• Standard: This is the basic model that allows you to use the oscillators, filters, envelopes, LFOs and effects as in a conventional subtractive synth.

• VPM: This stands for Variable Phase Modulation, which is similar to FM synthesis. You can use up to six operators to create complex harmonic spectra.

• Ring Mod: This model uses ring modulation to create metallic and bell-like sounds. You can modulate the ring modulator with an external signal or another oscillator.

• Cross Mod: This model uses cross modulation to create sync and hard sync effects. You can modulate the pitch or phase of one oscillator with another.

• Combination: This model allows you to combine two different models in parallel or series. You can mix and match any of the models except for Standard.

• Organ: This model simulates an electric organ with drawbars, percussion, vibrato and rotary speaker effects.

• Electric Piano: This model simulates an electric piano with tine or reed types, hammer noise, key click and tremolo effects.

• Brass: This model simulates a brass instrument with lip pressure, breath noise, growl and slide effects.

• Reed: This model simulates a reed instrument with reed stiffness, breath noise, growl and vibrato effects.

• Plucked String: This model simulates a plucked string instrument with string tension, damping, pick position and body resonance effects.

• Bowed String: This model simulates a bowed string instrument with bow pressure, bow noise, rosin amount and body resonance effects.

• Distorted Guitar: This model simulates a distorted guitar with pick position, distortion amount and feedback effects.

• Sitar: This model simulates a sitar with sympathetic strings, buzz amount and body resonance effects.

As you can see, the Korg Z1 AKAi covers a wide range of sounds from classic analog to realistic acoustic. You can also create your own custom models by editing the parameters of each model or using the Combination mode. The possibilities are endless.

The Arpeggiator

The Korg Z1 AKAi has a powerful arpeggiator that can create complex rhythmic patterns. It has five preset arpeggio types (Up, Down, Alt1, Alt2 and Random) and 15 user arpeggio types that you can program yourself. You can also adjust the tempo, gate time, swing, octave range and latch mode of the arpeggiator. The arpeggiator can be synced to MIDI clock or external audio input for tight timing. You can also use the X-Y pad to control the arpeggiator parameters in real-time.

The Effects

The Korg Z1 AKAi has two independent effects units that can process each part separately or together. The effects units offer 14 types of effects each, such as chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, reverb, distortion, wah-wah and more. You can adjust the parameters of each effect using the knobs or the X-Y pad. You can also use the effects as insert or send effects depending on your preference.

The Sampler

The Korg Z1 AKAi has a built-in 16-bit AKAi sampler that can load samples from floppy disks or SCSI devices. You can use up to 8 MB of RAM for sampling (expandable to 72 MB). You can use the samples as waveforms for the synth engine or play them back as they are. You can also edit, loop and layer samples using the intuitive interface. The sampler supports AKAi S1000/S3000 formats as well

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