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[Karma Music Workstation]

Karma Music Workstation Demos and Samples
Created exclusively for Electronic Musician by KARMA inventor Stephen Kay, here are 68 high-quality MP3s (67 MB of files!) for your listening and sampling pleasure. Download them, chop them up, remix them, or use them any way you want – they’re royalty-free. All samples were made using only a stock Karma keyboard. You can learn more about KARMA technology at www.karma-lab.com and more about the keyboard at www.korg.com.
Click one of the following links to go directly to a specific section, or just scroll down the page.
Segments & Components – Short demo pieces followed by their component tracks.
        Segment 1 – Voice Of KARMA (6 samples)
        Segment 2 – Galactic Bells (6 samples)
        Segment 3 – Lonely Moon (5 samples)
        Segment 4 – Trip Hop (6 samples)
        Segment 5 – Random Jam (9 samples)

Miscellaneous Demos/Samples – Loads of single Generated Effect (GE) riffs, patterns, and rhythmic grooves.
        Synth/Comp (8 samples)
        Sound Design (7 samples)
        Ethnic/Rhythmic (6 samples)
        Emulative/Orchestral (5 samples)
        Drums (2 samples)
        Bass (3 samples)
        Guitar (5 samples)

Segments & Components

The first link in each series is a short performance using a particular Combi (layered Karma patch). Following this “segment” are a number of separate components. Some are the different “tracks” (KARMA modules or GEs); others are one-shot effects such as joystick sweeps.
Segment 1 “Voice Of KARMA”
Combi A000: =Voice Of KARMA=

This is a unique techno groove with a lot of real-time variability. Four GEs produce drums, synth bass, synth arpeggio, and a “talking” synth sound. All of the changes you hear are being made in real time: dropping tracks in and out, shortening and lengthening durations, increasing or decreasing rhythmic activity, changing note patterns, etc. At the end, the joystick is repeatedly flicked toward the player (-Y), which retriggers the groove, much like retriggering a sample.
Full Groove:
• VoiceOfKARMA.mp3 2.2 MB Time 0:57 Length: 26 bars Tempo: 107 bpm Chord: Gmin7_9
Components:
• VoiceSynth.mp3 2.1 MB Time 0:55 Length: 25 bars* Arpeggiated Lead Module A – GE 0009
• VoiceBass.mp3 2.1 MB Time 0:56 Length: 26 bars* Bass Track Module B – GE 0561
• VoiceTalker.mp3 2.2 MB Time 0:58 Length: 26 bars* “Talking” Synth Module C – GE 0667
• VoiceDrums.mp3 2.2 MB Time 0:58 Length: 26 bars Drum Track Module D – GE 1069
• VoicePad.mp3 164 KB Time 0:04 Length: n/a Short pad hit Chord Trigger
*These tracks contain sections of silence.

Segment 2 “Galactic Bells”
Combi B003: GalacticBells +Y

This is a swirling pad layered with tinkling bells; it shows KARMA’s ability to twist and morph sounds. Here KARMA is modulating a flanger and phase-shifter on the pad. Real-time knob movements increase the complexity and activity of the bells and the speed and depth of the effects. The Scene button was pressed midway through the segment, dropping out the pad and adding pitch-bend envelopes to the bell sounds. Moving the joystick up and down (last two examples) sweeps the bell GEs.
Full Piece:
• GalacticBells.mp3 1.5 MB Time 0:39 Length: 15 bars Tempo: 96 bpm Chord: FMaj7_9
Components:
• GalacticBells_1.mp3 1.5 MB Time 0:39 Length: 15 bars Bells #1 Module A – GE 0174
• GalacticPad.mp3 956 KB Time 0:24 Length: 8 bars Pad w/Flanger & Phasor Module B – GE 0050
• GalacticBells_2.mp3 1.4 MB Time 0:38 Length: 15 bars Bells #2 Module C – GE 0174
• GalacticUp.mp3 216 KB Time 0:05 Length: n/a JS Bell sweep up Module A/C
• GalacticDown.mp3 232 KB Time 0:05 Length: n/a JS Bell sweep down Module A/C

Segment 3 “Lonely Moon”
Combi B003: Lonely Moon

This ambient/techno groove demonstrates some of the real-time control possible on the Karma. Notice the changes in the note durations and the melodic and rhythmic complexity of the synth lead. Also note the pitch bend and rhythmic alterations on the drums. This Combi uses two GEs, one for the drums and one for the lead. The pad and bass line were played on the Karma’s Chord Trigger buttons and keyboard.
Full Groove:
• LonelyMoon.mp3 1.6 MB Time 0:42 Length: 24 bars Tempo: 145 bpm
Chords: A7sus4_9, D7sus4_9 , G9, FMaj7_9#11
Components:
• LonelyMoonDrums.mp3 1.6 MB Time 0:42 Length: 24 bars Drum Track Module A – GE 1090
• LonelyMoonSynth.mp3 1.5 MB Time 0:41 Length: 24 bars Syncopated Lead Line Module B – GE 0050
• LonelyMoonBass.mp3 924 KB Time 0:23 Length: 14 bars* Bass Track Keyboard
• LonelyMoonPad.mp3 1 MB Time 0:27 Length: 16 bars Chords on Pad Chord Triggers
*Contains sections of silence

Segment 4 “Trip Hop”
Combi E003: KARMA TripHop-Y

This heavy, atonal trip-hop groove again shows off the real-time control and morphing capabilities of the KARMA function, notably with pitch-bending on the vibes and drums. Be sure to play this back through a system with some bass! This example also demonstrates how a GE can be set to produce purposely atonal results from normal chord input.
Full Groove:
• TripHop.mp3 2.1 MB Time 0:57 Length: 17 bars Tempo: 70 bpm Chord: Gmin7
Components:
• TripHopDrums.mp3 2.1 MB Time 0:57 Length: 17 bars Drum Track Module A – GE 1041
• TripHopBass.mp3 2.1 MB Time 0:55 Length: 17 bars Bass Line Module B – GE 0566
• TripHopVibes.mp3 2.1 MB Time 0:55 Length: 17 bars Atonal Vibes Module C – GE 0231
• TripHopComp.mp3 1 MB Time 0:28 Length: 8 bars Cheezy Sax Comp Module D – GE 0272
• TripHopChords.mp3 380 KB Time 0:09 Length: n/a Organ Chords (3) Chord Triggers

Segment 5 “Random Jam”
Combi A067: Random Jam +-Y

This jazzy funk groove shows KARMA using its randomizing capabilities to “improvise.” Here four GEs produce drum, bass, piano, and guitar parts. A single press of a Chord Trigger button starts the “players” going, and they just jam. Midway through the segment, the Scene button is pressed to change to Scene 2, causing the piano to drop out, the bass and drums to get busier, and the drummer to start soloing off the beat. Joystick +Y movement is used to sweep through (Direct Index) a piano gliss with Melodic Repeat in the center section. Then we switch back to Scene 1, and the pianist starts soloing again. Finally, a horn riff is played on the keyboard, the old-fashioned way.
Full Groove:
• RandomJam.mp3 1.9 MB Time 0:50 Length: 21 bars Tempo: 101 bpm Chord: Emin7_9_11
Components:
• RandomBass.mp3 1.8 MB Time 0:48 Length: 21 bars Bass Track Module A – GE 0520
• RandomPno1.mp3 812 KB Time 0:20 Length: 9 bars Piano Solo Part 1 Module B – GE 0135
• RandomPno2.mp3 460 KB Time 0:11 Length: 5 bars Piano Solo Part 2 same
• RandomPnoD.mp3 176 KB Time 0:04 Length: n/a JS Piano Sweep Down same
• RandomPnoU.mp3 172 KB Time 0:04 Length: n/a JS Piano Sweep Up same
• RandomGtr.mp3 1.8 MB Time 0:49 Length: 21 bars Pluck Funk Guitar Module C – GE 0486
• RandomDrums.mp3 1.9 MB Time 0:50 Length: 21 bars Funk Drum Track Module D – GE 1116
• RandomHorns.mp3 192 KB Time 0:04 Length: 2 bars Horn Riff Keyboard

Miscellaneous Demos/Samples

Here are the results of a few hours of recording “ear candy” from the Karma Music Workstation. These static samples don’t begin to do justice to the real-time variability of the KARMA function, so be sure to check it out yourself.
Synth/Comp (8 samples)
• KarmaSutra.mp3 1 MB PRG B034: Karma Sutra
        Time 0:27 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 89 bpm Chord: Cmin7
        Panning synth pattern; scene change at bar 5 brings in bending and other CCs.
• RezSweep.mp3 792 KB PRG A048: Rez.Sweep
        Time 0:20 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 104 bpm Chord: Ab6_9
        Resonant pad chopped up with patternized expression (CC11).
• Thunderlog.mp3 676 KB PRG E070: Thunderlog
        Time 0:17 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 120 bpm Chord: Dmin7_9
        Rhythmic synth comping pattern with scene change at bar 5.
• MetalicRez.mp3 1 MB PRG A016: Metalic Rez
        Time 0:27 Length: 16 bars Tempo: 75 bpm Chord: G
        Twangy single-note synth comp rhythm with Melodic Repeat added at bar 9.
• RaveSynth.mp3 464 KB PRG E002: Rave Synth
        Time 0:11 Length: 5 bars Tempo: 112 bpm Chord: Amin7_9
        Heavily effected techno pattern.
• SweepingEP.mp3 560 KB PRG A113: Sweeping EP
        Time 0:14 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 150 bpm Chord: Emin7_9
        Rhythmic synth comping pattern with scene change at bar 5.
• AlphaMega.mp3 620 KB CMB A047: Alpha Mega Synth
        Time 0:15 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 140 bpm Chord: C
        Electronic, arpeggiated rhythmic pattern with heavy hit at beginning.
• AlphaMegaHit.mp3 284 KB CMB A047: Alpha Mega Synth
        Time 0:07 Length: n/a Tempo: n/a Chord: C
        Single-note hit.

Sound Design (7 samples)
• BottleBell.mp3 808 KB PRG E060: Bottle-Bell -Y
        Time 0:20 Length: n/a Tempo: 127 bpm Chord: C6
        Cosmic bell glissando wash with scene change halfway through.
• GoaLover.mp3 616 KB PRG A098: Goa Lover
        Time 0:15 Length: 7 bars Tempo: 120 bpm Chord: D7sus4
        Rhythmic, electronic weirdness.
• ChromeRezSweep.mp3 440 KB PRG E079: Chrome Res Arp
        Time 0:11 Length: n/a Tempo: 120 bpm Chord: C
        Up/down chromatic sweep with Melodic Repeat.
• HollowVibeSweep.mp3 368 KB PRG E116: Hollow Vibe Arp
        Time 0:09 Length: n/a Tempo: 120 bpm Chord: Emin7_11
        Up/down sweep with Melodic Repeat.
• WoodblockSweep1.mp3 268 KB PRG E118: Woodblock Arp
        Time 0:06 Length: n/a Tempo: 120 bpm Chord: C7sus4
        Up/down sweep with Melodic Repeat.
• WoodblockSweep2.mp3 72 KB PRG E118: Woodblock Arp
        Time 0:01 Length: n/a Tempo: 120 bpm Chord: C7sus4
        Fast, downward sweep with tight Melodic Repeats.
• VirtualTravels.mp3 736 KB PRG E097: VirtualTravels-Y
        Time 0:18 Length: n/a 144 bpm Chord: C
        Chromatic sweeps with Melodic Repeat; CC and bend envelopes added midway.

Ethnic/Rhythmic (6 samples)
• BaliGamelon.mp3 780 KB PRG A111: Bali Gamelon
        Time 0:19 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 120 bpm Chord: Amin7
        Rhythmic ethnic pattern; scene change at bar 5 brings in inverted doubling.
• LogDrum.mp3 664 KB PRG A047: Log Drum
        Time 0:16 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 120 bpm Chord: Cmin7
        Rhythmic ethnic pattern; scene change at bar 5 changes pattern.
• DjembeLogDrum.mp3 1.2 MB PRG E083: Djembe/Log Drum
        Time 0:33 Length: 16 bars Tempo: 120 bpm Chord: Gmin7
        Rhythmic, ethnic comping pattern with scene change at bar 9.
• Hemispheres.mp3 676 KB PRG B122: Hemispheres
        Time 0:17 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 77 bpm Chord: Ebmin11
        Bellish, ethnic, rhythmic texture.
• KalimbaSoft.mp3 804 KB PRG E069: Kalimba Soft
        Time 0:20 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 110 bpm Chord: G9
        Rhythmic kalimba pattern; scene change at bar 5 adds bending.
• Koto.mp3 604 KB PRG B095: Koto
        Time 0:15 Length: 4 bars Tempo: 82 bpm Chord: Fmin
        Japanese koto performance.

Emulative/Orchestral (5 samples)
• HarpGlissDU.mp3 420 KB PRG B114: Harp [+-Y Tempo ]
        Time 0:10 Length: n/a Tempo: n/a Chord: Ab6_9
        Down/Up Harp performance with Melodic Repeat.
• HarpGlissUD.mp3 424 KB PRG B114: Harp [+-Y Tempo]
        Time 0:10 Length: n/a Tempo: n/a Chord: Gmin7_11
        Up/Down Harp performance.
• StereoStrings.mp3 664 KB PRG A067: Stereo Strings
        Time 0:16 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 120 bpm Chord: Fsus4
        Arco bowing pattern with riff.
• CameraStrings.mp3 664 KB PRG A019: Camera Strings
        Time 0:16 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 120 bpm Chord: C
        Arco bowing pattern; Melodic Repeat added at bar 5 adds in-between syncopations.
• ClarinetRiff.mp3 464 KB PRG B125: Jazz Clarinet
        Time 0:11 Length: n/a Tempo: 98 bpm Chord: F7
        Meandering clarinet riff with realistic articulations.

Drums (2 samples)
• HipHopKit.mp3 1 MB PRG A068: HipHop Kit
        Time 0:27 Length: 16 bars Tempo: 144 bpm Chord: n/a
        Drum groove; scene change at bar 9 brings in bending and other CCs.
• BD_SDKit2.mp3 804 KB PRG B100: BD&SD Kit 2
        Time 0:20 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 98 bpm Chord: n/a
        Bending drum groove; scene change at bar 5 adds tight Melodic Repeats.

Bass (3 samples)
• JungleRezBass.mp3 616 KB PRG A102: Jungle Rez Bass
        Time 0:15 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 136 bpm Chord: D
        Techno Bass line with distortion; Duration control tweaked between bars 5 and 7.
• SuperSwitchBass.mp3 1.5 MB PRG A054: SuperSwitch Bass
        Time 0:40 Length: 16 bars Tempo: 98 bpm Chord: Emin
        Funky slap bass pattern; scene change at bar 9 adds Melodic Repeat.
• DigiSynBass.mp3 580 KB PRG B070: Digi Syn Bass
        Time 0:14 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 135 bpm Chord: C7
        Techno bass line featuring 16th notes with envelope CC control.

Guitar (5 samples)
• EGHarmonics.mp3 784 KB PRG B043: E.G.Harmonics
        Time 0:20 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 105 bpm Chord: Dmin7
        Plucky rhythm with harmonics; scene change at bar 5 changes transposition on Melodic Repeat and more.
• AcousticGuitar.mp3 668 KB PRG A005: Acoustic Guitar
        Time 0:17 Length: 8 bars Tempo: 120 bpm Chord: Amin
        Strumming guitar pattern.
• WetDistGuitar.mp3 492 KB PRG A037: Wet Dist.Guitar
        Time 0:12 Length: 4 bars Tempo: 87 bpm Chord: Emin7
        Heavy, grungy rock pattern with two-string pull riff at end.
• PedalSteelGuitar.mp3 480 KB PRG B094: PedalSteelGuitar
        Time 0:12 Length: 4 bars Tempo: 105 bpm Chord: Amin7
        Country pedal-steel riff with bends.
• ProcessedEGtr.mp3 1.2 MB PRG B107: Processed E.Gtr.
        Time 0:33 Length: 16 bars Tempo: 123 bpm C9, Amin7_9, F6_9, G
        Processed clean electric-guitar progression.
Special thanks to Dave Alvey for his assistance in creating these samples.

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