Conference napalm::guitar

    I saw the add too, but don't know anything about the unit.  The
    music stores around here (Greenville, SC) still think the GP-8 is
    the multi-effects answer to ANY question so it may be months before
    the news of this unit reaches here !
    
    
    
    				Scary

Some info on the Korg A3 from CCM:

"Using 16 bit technology, the A3 is equipped with 40 different
types of effects, among which include reverb, delay, exciter,
chorus, distortion, compressor, and even a rotary speaker effect.
Up to 16 of any of these effects can be selected and combined for
simultaneous processing.  Twenty effect combinations (chains)
come preset, there are 200 user program memory locations (100
internal and 100 in memory card).

Newly developed effects and effects chains can be added to the
existing internal effects making it possible to keep up with the
ever-changing variety of signal processig without having to buy
another effect unit.

Signal processing, from input to output, is completely digital.
The A3 is easy to operate.  Checking setting and editing
parameters has been simplified by the inclusion of double
function editors and a large LCD.  The A3 is a thrill for
guitarists (although certainly not limited to them) with many
versatile "tube" sounds that put the "C" in crunch.  For further
information:

Korg USA
89 Frost St.
Westbury, NY  11590"

    Quite an expensive article, though.  According to the June '89
    Guitar Player, list     price is approximately $1300 (ouch)! 

    However, it states that only 6 simultaneous effects (plus noise
    reduction) may be used.  Maybe one of these (6 vs 16) is a typo.

    Greg
    
    The section describing it follows: (reprinted without permission)

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Korg A3

    List price: approximately $1300
    Effects/processes: reverb (2 room, 2 hall, 2 plate, 3 early reflection),
    delay/echo/doubling/modulation delay, chorusing/flanging/phasing, pitch
    shifting (up to one half-step), compressor, EQ/filtering (3-band with
    parametric midrange or 2-band parametric, wah-wah, and programmable EQ
    for distortion and reverb effects), distortion/overdrive (4 types),
    noise gate/noise reduction, exciter, panner/rotary speaker effect,
    speaker emulator

    Number of simultaneous effects: 6 (plus digital noise reduction)
    Number of factory presets: 100
    Total memory locations: 100, plus 100 additional locations on each
                            optional RAM card
    Number of storage locations for user-defined programs: 100, plus 100
                          additional locations on each optional RAM card
    Front panel (L-R): Input jack (overrides rear panel input) and level
      control, headphone jack and level control, write key, utility key,
      parameter edit key, display select key, up/down keys, program number
      display, mode indicator display, input level indicator, lcd display, 7
      double function edit controls, power switch RAM/ROM card slot
    Rear panel (l-r): Remote control in, MIDI thru/out selector, MIDI
      thru/out jack, MIDI in jack, 2 pedal/switch input jacks, right and left
      output jacks, level attenuator switch, direct output jack, input jack
    Power supply: built in

    There's no question about it: The Korg A3- the most expensive item we
    evaluated-is an extraordinary machine.  It has a vase number of
    features, yet is ridiculously simple to master.  Korg, it seems, has
    done everything right.

    The A3 owes much of its versatility to its unique "chain" system.  A
    chain, you see, is a pre-programmed combination and sequence of
    effects, and the A3 comes equipped with 20 of 'em.  Chain #1 for
    example, combines compression, distortion, exciter, delay, modulation,
    and reverb, in that order; Chain #2 substitutes EQ for distortion; #3
    adds wah-wah, but drops the delay, and so forth.  You can even switch
    chains once hou have a given program in the edit buffer.  Suppose
    you've put together a cool combination of sounds, but you're wondering
    how it would sound with delay instead of chorus-no problem, just switch
    to the appropriate chain.

    The A3 accommodates two expression, pedals, and the function of each
    pedal varies from chain to chain.  In one chain, they might serve as
    volume and wah-wah pedals; in others, they might control the rate of
    chorus modulation, the left to right panning, or the degree of pitch
    shifting (Korgs KVP-001 volume pedals cost about $60 each but you can
    use just about any old volume pedal with the A3).  The optional FC6
    foot controller (approximately $225), can change programs or switch
    individual effects on and off.

    All editing is done via seven rotary/push-pull knobs on the front
    panel.  The first knob selects the chain and serves as a bypass switch. 
    The other control whatever effects make up the selected chain.  In
    "edit" mode, you choose which effect to edit by pushing the appropriate
    button, then tweak the individual parameters of the chosen effect by
    twirling the six knobs.  In "Performance play" mode, the knobs act as
    on/off switches for each effect, and each controls a single parameter
    that's characteristic of each effect.  This is a very hip feature, and
    one that makes the A3 ideally suited to live-performance situations.
    You can make the type of quick, broad adjustments that you'd be most
    likely to need when you're playing live (such as the amount of
    distortion, delay time, reverb balance) without having to cycle through
    the sort of subtle parameters that you'd be more likely to access in
    the studio (reverb pre-delay, say, of distortion EQ bandwidth). Whether
    you're spending hours sculpting the perfect guitar tone, or frantically
    scrabbling with sweaty fingers to control runaway feedback, the A3
    makes the job easy.

    Another unique feature is the A3s RAM/ROM card system.  Not only does
    this provide unlimited storage space (well, limited only by the number
    of $120 MCR03 RAM cards you can afford), it also leaves the door open
    for future changes and upgrades via ROM. (Korg is currently preparing
    three optional ROM cards with new effects and chains.  They will sell
    for approx. $70 each).

    The A3s factory presets are some of the hippest we've heard.  Many are
    accurate-and funny-caricatures of influential guitar sounds (check out
    the program names: "Andy S" "The Edge" "Jimi" etc).  Someone at Korg
    has a keen ear and a keener sense of humor.

    The A3 provides all the editing parameters you'd expect from a
    top-flight multi-effector, plus some unexpected ones:  You can
    determine the width of boosts or cuts for all EQ functions.  The delay
    effects have a high frequency damping option (to simulate tape echo
    devices). You can select either a triangular or sine wave as the source
    for any of the modulation effects, and you can modulate delays of up to
    500 ms (as opposed to 50 ms or so on most gear).  The rotary speaker
    effect allows you to determine the apparent speed ratio of separate
    low and high frequency rotating speakers-dig it in stereo, man!

    The three different speaker simulations are pretty dang convincing.  In
    fact , the A3 passed the  direct-recording acid test with flying
    colors.  Admittedly, this is a judgment call, but we felt we were able
    to attain sounds that were hard to distinguish from those of a miked
    combo amp.

    Great sound, massive flexibility, and appealing marriage of hi and low
    tech-so what else do you want?  Very highly recommended.

    [Get the idea the reviewer liked this thing, or what???  What else do I
    want?  I want it to be a lot less expensive. -gh]

    But can it sound like a Marshall stack?  :-)
    
    Mike

    
    	Sure it can. Just hook headphones up to it and set em on 11.

    re: .4
    
    For that kind of $$$, it sure as h*ll better !
    
    ;^)

	Hi,

	any experiences or sound setups on A2 ?

	I'd like to buy one. Here in Germany it goes
	for 1960.-DM the A2 and 440.-DM foot controller.
	Just heard and played one in a music store.

	What is the difference between A3 and A2 ?
	Only memory? A2 has a 100 patch memory.

	Regards

		Wolfgang M.

    Well this note has been dead for a while.
    
    	I was reading a guitar mag the other night and read about
    the A2 (i think) could have been A3 (i'll check) as part of
    the ultimate pro rack.  The reviewer had it and some 1RU 100watt
    a side power amp in a 2ru high SKB roadcase.
    	This was the first time I had heard of this particular unit.
    I always thought the Korg A series were all foot stompers in one
    rather light plastic box that didn't sound particularly flash.
    
    	Anyone have any experience using or hearing live this box,sounds 
    pretty cool,escpecially (sp) with real time knob control on the front.
    (all manufacturers should do this).
    P.K.

    Yeah, the A3 is a big bucks rack unit.  A5 and now A4 are the floor
    units.  The A2 I think is a little brother to the A3.
    
    						Brian

    The A3 was the first member of the Korg A-series rack multieffects
    units. Has the same effects DSP chip as the M1 synth. New effects and
    chains are available by adding program cards. 
    
    The A2 is the second member, which has all the effects and chains of
    the A3 plus additional effects normally obtained on the A3 by adding 
    program cards.  It costs around $950. 
    
    The flagship is the A1 (2 2spaces). Loads of bells and whistles. >$1500.
    
    The units aren't cheap by any means, but they are VERY quiet and
    versatile. 

    I heard a guy playing through one of those Asomething-or-other units in
    a store awhile back (the Tascam clinic in Denver, Coop) and I thought
    it sounded like crap.  It was all muddy sounding, compressed, and
    overprocessed and just generally nasty sounding.  He was using a decent
    guitar and worked in the store, so he should have known how to get a
    half decent sound out of the thing...
    
    Greg

    Pity,
    	If they are expensive over there, they will be ridiculous over
    here.  Shame though, as real time adjustment over effects via 
    knobs on the front panel is a great idea.
    P.K.
    

dbii just scored a used one for wicked cheap ($200). No manual but most of it
is intuative...the midi implementation is not.

There are great sounds in this thing but the programming controls are very 
touchy.

Does anyone else have one of these? Can I get a copy of the manual?

dbii