Opening the Case
Open the kaossilator 2S case by removing the back cover.
Once open, you can install or replace the batteries, and/or
install a memory card.
Removing the back cover
Press the lock button to release the back cover lock. Slide the
kaossilator 2S toward yourself and separate it from the cover.
Lock button
Attaching the cover
Fit the tabs of the back cover into the upper part of the
kaossilator 2S, and close the cover until you hear the lock
button click.
Replacing the batteries
The battery icon " " displays the remaining battery level.
When " " appears, the batteries are nearly depleted. Replace
the batteries with new ones as soon as possible. Insert two AA
batteries, using the guide in the battery compartment to
insure they are inserted with the correct polarity.
Turn off the power before you replace the
batteries.
The speaker volume will decrease according to
the remaining battery level. When the batteries run
low, it will not be possible to record to the memory
card.
Unusable batteries should be removed
immediately. You should also remove the batteries if
you do not expect to be using the kaossilator 2S for an
extended period of time.
Do not use new batteries together with partially
used batteries, and do not use batteries of different
types together.
Battery life will be extended if you enable the
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power conservation feature.
If you use nickel-metal hydride batteries, we
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recommend that you change the battery setting in the
utility menu to "NI-MH".
Auto power-off function
To preserve battery life and protect the display, the
kaossilator 2S can automatically turn itself off approximately
four hours after the last user input.
The auto power-off function will not engage if
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there is audio being input.
To disable this function, set the AUTO POWER
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OFF setting to "Disable" in the utility menu. To enable
the auto power-off function, select the "Enable"
setting. By default, this setting is set to "Enable."
Memory Card Use
The kaossilator 2S can record your performance to a memory
card. The memory card can also be used to save and load loop
data created using the kaossilator 2S, and to play audio files
(WAV format) that were copied over from a computer or other
audio device.
Installing a memory card
1. Remove the back cover as described earlier in this section
2. Make sure that the screen and all LEDs are unlit, and that
the power is off.
3. Insert the memory card into the slot until you hear it click
into place.
Removing a memory card
1. To remove the memory card, press it into the slot until you
hear it click, and then release your finger.
2. The memory card will pop out part-way, allowing you to
pull it out.
When inserting a memory card, make sure that it
is oriented correctly and that the correct side is facing
upward, and then insert it all the way into the slot,
being careful not to use excessive force.
Do not insert or remove a memory card while the
kaossilator 2S is powered-on. Doing so may damage
the data in the kaossilator 2S or on the card, or it may
render the memory card unusable.
Formatting
Memory cards that have been previously used in a computer,
a mobile phone, or a digital camera may need to be formatted
before they can be used in the kaossilator 2S. Press the fnc
button repeatedly until UTILITY appears; then tap the
VALUE slider to select CARD FORMAT from the utility
menu.
Formatting will erase the entire contents of the
memory card.
Never turn off the power or remove the memory
card while recording or formatting is taking place.
Memory card compatibility
The kaossilator 2S can use microSD cards from 512 MB up to
2 GB, and microSDHC cards up to 16 GB.
The kaossilator 2S cannot use SDXC cards.
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For more details on recommended memory cards
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that are known to work with the kaossilator 2S, please
refer to the Korg website (http://www.korg.com/).
Memory card handling
Carefully read and observe the instructions that accompanied
your memory card.
A memory card is not included. You will need to
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purchase one separately.
Connections
AC adapter
(sold separately)
Mic
Headphones
DC 4.5V jack
Connect the optional (separately sold) AC adapter here.
Use only the specified AC adapter.
The power must be turned off when connecting
the AC adapter.
PHONES jack (stereo mini-jack)
You can connect headphones to this jack.
MIC IN jack (stereo mini-jack)
You can connect an external mic here.
When you connect a mic, an icon will appear in the display
allowing you to enable or disable plug-in power.
Choose the setting that's appropriate for the mic that you're
using.
Performing
Turning the kaossilator 2S On and Off
To turn the kaossilator 2S on, hold down the power button
until the startup screen appears. To turn the kaossilator 2S off,
hold down the power button until the shutdown screen
"WORKING..." appears.
Do not touch the buttons or operate the touchpad
while turning the kaossilator 2S on.
Do not insert or remove the memory card while
the kaossilator 2S is on. Doing so may damage the data
in the kaossilator 2S or on the card. In addition, doing
so may damage the memory card and make it
unusable.
Choosing a program
Press the snd (sound) button to access the Program Select
screen.
To change programs, slide or tap your finger on the VALUE
slider.
Hold down the snd button while and using the
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VALUE slider to select the program category.
Playing and Performing Using the Touchpad
Perform by using your finger to rub or tap the touchpad.
Use only your ungloved finger on the touchpad.
Do not use any type of hard object such as a
stylus on the touchpad.
Specifying the musical key and scale type
By selecting a root key and scale type, the kaossilator 2S can
be played from the touchpad in a very musical way. Press the
fnc (function) key to access the correct parameter, and then
use the value slider to edit the value.
KEY: This function specifies the root note of the scale. The
availability of this setting will depend on the program.
For some settings, there may be no sound, or
noise might be produced.
SCALE: This function specifies the scale assigned to the
touchpad. The display will show the note name. The
availability of this setting will depend on the program. Please
refer to the program list.
Specifying the note range
The NOTE RANGE function specifies the range of pitches
than be played from the touchpad. Press the fnc (function)
key to access the correct parameter, and then use the value
slider to edit the value.
Program: The optimal pitch pre-assigned to each program
will be used.
1–4 Octaves: The pitch range will be 1–4 octaves.
Max Range: The pitch range will be set to the maximum
value.
The actual range of the Max Range parameter
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will depend on the selected program.
For some settings, there may be no sound, or
noise might be produced.
Specifying the BPM (tempo)
You can specify the tempo for drum pattern programs, the
arpeggiator, or loop recording. Press the fnc (function) button
to access the BPM parameter.
BPM: With the BPM displayed, stroke the VALUE slider or
tap either end of the slider to change the value. In addition,
tapping the center of the VALUE slider several times will set
the BPM to the interval that you tapped.
Using the Arpeggiator
The onboard arpeggiator quickly generates simple or complex
rhythmic patterns using the touchpad. Press the arp
(arpeggiator) button to activate the arpeggiator (the button
will be lit). Using the touchpad will play the currently
selected arpeggiator pattern.
Selecting an Arpeggiator Pattern
The kaossilator 2S contains numerous arpeggiator patterns.
While holding down the arp button, use the VALUE slider to select
an arpeggiator pattern in the range of Type: 01–50.
This item can also be set from within the menu.
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Changing the Arpeggiator Settings
To edit the arpeggiator parameters, press the fnc button to access
the parameter that you want to edit, and use the VALUE slider to
set the value.
Specifying the note duration
ARP TIME: If ARP TIME is set to "100%," the notes will be played
legato. If the setting is "-100%," the duration will be extremely
short, and the notes will appear to be interrupted.
With short settings, some programs might not produce
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any sound.
Adjusting the note timing
ARP SWING: By adding "Swing" to the beat, this parameter can
produce anything from a straight 16-beat to a shuffle rhythm.
Loop recording
The kaossilator 2S can quickly record audio—using either an
internal program or from an external source—and then instantly
transform that recording into a loop. Additional overdubs can then
be recorded. Loop Recording can capture up to two measures of 4/4
time—or up to eight beats.
Because the kaossilator 2S records directly to the
memory card, a memory card is required.
Recording a Loop
Using an Internal Program
1. Press the ● (REC) button to arm recording.
2. Press the ►(Play) button to begin recording. The ● (REC) button
will light red and remain lit during recording.
3. Perform on the touchpad using the selected program.
4. Press the ►(Play) button once again to stop recording.
The recorded data will begin to play back as a loop.
Overdubbing on the fly:
Press the ● (REC) button during playback to begin overdubbing
from the current playback position.
Overdubbing from the start of the loop:
To record an overdub from the start of an existing loop, press the ●
(REC) button while the playback is stopped.
The kaossilator 2S can not only save your overdubs, it
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can also save the original recording file. If you're planning
on many overdubs, use a memory card with a large amount
of space.
Using External Audio
1. Press the mic on/off button to activate the Internal microphone,
or connect an external mic to the MIC IN jack. Use the Volume
buttons to adjust the audio input level.
2. Press the ● (REC) button to arm recording.
3. Press the ►(Play) button to begin recording. The ● (REC) button
will light red and remain lit during recording.
4. Press the ►(Play) button once again to stop recording and begin
playback.
Overdubbing:
Use the overdubbing instructions in the above section.
Specifying the Loop Length
While holding down the Play button, use the VALUE slider to edit
the loop length shown in the display.
The length of the loop you can record is limited to a
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maximum of four beats when the BPM value is 37.5–74.9,
and to a maximum of two beats when the BPM value is
20.0–37.4.
This item can also be edited from within the setup
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menu.
The loop length cannot be changed while recording.
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Editing a recorded loop
While recording an overdub ● (REC) button lit red, existing data
can be partially erased by holding down the new button. Loop data
will be erased as long as you continue to hold down the new
button.
When you hold down the new button, the previously-
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recorded loop is erased for as long as you hold down the
new button, allowing you to replace it with the newly-
performed loop data.
Loop editing is possible only for overdubbed files. The
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originally-recorded material cannot be partially erased
Undo function
If you're not satisfied with your recorded performance, use the
Undo function to return to the previous state. To cancel the result
of the Undo operation, use the Redo function.
1. Stop the loop recorder, and press the new button several times
until the display indicates NEW LOOP/UNDO.
2. Tap the value slider to select UNDO.
3. Tap the value slider to execute Undo. This cancels the most re-
cent recording and returns to the prior state.
You can Undo as many times as you overdubbed.
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4. If you want to cancel the result of the Undo, access UNDO/
REDO, select REDO, and then tap the value slider to execute
Redo.
Once you've recorded after executing Undo, you can
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no longer execute Undo.
Creating a new loop
If you want to record a new loop, create new loop data.
1. While the loop recorder is stopped, press the new button until
the screen indicates NEW LOOP/UNDO.
2. Tap the value slider to select NEW SONG, and create a new
loop.
The loop data is saved in KO2S/DATA/. The data is saved as a
data folder.
The data that exists before the new loop is created will
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be saved to the memory card.
Loading a Saved Loop
Loop data created using the kaossilator 2S and saved to the
memory card can be reloaded for performance.
Loading from a memory card
1. Press the fnc button until the screen indicates LOOP
LOAD.
2. Use the VALUE slider to select the data to be loaded and
load it. The loop data is saved in KO2S/DATA/. The data is
saved as a data folder.
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Files in the DATA folder cannot be edited from a
computer. If you delete a file in the folder, or add other
files, the data might not be read correctly when it is
loaded. When backing up, etc., copy each folder
created for each loop.
Loading an external file
The kaossilator 2S can load a WAVE file into the loop
recorder.
1. Press the fnc button to make the screen indicate LOOP
IMPORT.
2. Select the file that you want to load.
3. The selected file is loaded as new loop data.
The data prior to loading is saved on the memory
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card.
Finalizing phrase data
Finalizing creates WAV files for each loop and overdub. These
files can be edited with sound wave editing software on the
computer, or loaded into individual tracks of DAW software.
WAV files created with the kaossilator 2S will be
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in the BWF (Broadcast Wave File) format containing
time information. When BWF-compatible DAW
software is used, the data can be used as a file with a
uniform time axis, even if it is not finalized.
1. Press the fnc button until the screen indicates FINALIZE.
2. Use the VALUE slider to select the option.
MATERIAL: Only the material file is finalized.
2MIX: Only the 2-mix files are finalized.
BOTH: Both the material file and 2-mix files are finalized.
ABLETON: Converts loop recorder data to the Ableton
Live Set.
3. Use the VALUE slider to select OK. Finalizing starts. Final-
ized data is written to the 2MIX folder, MATERIAL folder,
and LIVE folder that are located inside the KO2S/DATA/
L???/FINALIZE folder.
This operation may take some time, depending
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on the size of the loop data.
The most recent state (including the results of
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Undo and Redo) at the moment you execute Finalize is
written to the finalize folder. This overwrites the
results (the files) of any previous Finalize operation; if
necessary, you should make a backup before you
execute.
Master recorder
The performances that you've created on the kaossilator 2S
can be recorded to a memory card.
1. Press the fnc button to until the screen indicates MASTER
RECORDER.
2. Tap the VALUE slider to begin recording. A counter will
start.
3. Press the snd button to return to the selected program, and
start performing.
4. To stop recording, press the fnc button to make the screen
indicate MASTER RECORDER, and tap the VALUE slider.
Recording will end automatically when the
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memory card has no more space left, or when the
recording time reaches approximately two hours.
The audio data is saved as a file named
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KO2SREC??.WAV (?? is 00–99) located in the
RECORD?? folder inside the RECORD folder inside
the KO2S folder.
Do not use your computer to edit the files inside
the RECORD folder.
Audio Player
The kaossilator 2S can replay the audio data recorded and
saved on a memory card by the Master Recorder, and can also
play back audio data that has been copied to the memory
card.
1. Press the fnc button until the screen indicates AUDIO
PLAYER, and tap the VALUE slider.
2. Use the VALUE slider to select the file that you want to
play.
3. During playback, press the snd button to stop playback
and return to the program indication screen.
Supported file formats
16-bit 44.1 kHz/48 kHz stereo WAV files
Specifications
Connectors: MIC IN jack (Stereo 1/8" mini phone jack)
PHONES jack (Stereo 1/8" mini phone jack)
DC4.5V jack
Power supply:
Two AA batteries (alkaline or nickel-metal
hydride batteries)
Battery life: approximately five hours (POWER SAVING :
ON with nickel-metal hydride batteries)
Dimensions: 76 mm (W) x 128 mm (D) x 25 mm (H) / 2.99"
(W) x 5.04" (D) x0.98" (H)
Weight:
100 g / 3.53 oz. (without batteries)
Included items:
Owner's manual, two AA batteries
Options (sold separately):
AC adapter (
, 4.5V 500mA)
* Specifications and appearance are subject to change without
notice for improvement.