street priceThe Korg T2 represents Korg's follow-up to the highly successful M1, positioning itself as a professional-grade workstation for musicians willing to invest in premium features and build quality. As part of the T series family, the T2 sits between the flagship 88-note T1 and the compact 61-note T3, offering a 76-note synthesizer-style keyboard that balances playability with portability.
The T2 employs Korg's Advanced Integrated (AI) synthesis system, which can be more accurately described as "Sample+Synth" technology. Unlike Roland's LA synthesis approach that combines short attack transients with synthesized waveforms, Korg's implementation uses samples as the actual waveforms themselves. The instrument houses an impressive 8 megabytes of PCM ROM containing 189 "multisounds"—samples or series of keyboard-split samples that serve as the foundation for sound generation.
The sampling department achieved remarkable results with very short samples featuring glitch-free and wobble-free loops. Each program can utilize one or two oscillators per voice, providing either 16-note polyphony in single mode or 8-note polyphony in double mode. What Korg calls "oscillators" are actually circuitry sections that retrieve various sampled and artificially created waveforms from ROM, including traditional synthesizer favorites like square waves and sawtooth waves stored digitally.
The T2 features exceptionally effective Variable Digital Filters (VDF) that genuinely transform sounds as the cutoff frequency is adjusted — comparable in impact to the legendary Minimoog filter. Each oscillator has its own set of synthesizer-type processing, and the instrument includes a fully-fledged high-quality effects unit capable of running two effects simultaneously in series or parallel configuration.
Available effects span a comprehensive range including multiple reverb types (Hall, Ensemble hall, Concert hall, Room, Large room, Live stage), Early reflections, Stereo and Cross delay, Stereo chorus and flanger, Cross flanger, Phasers, Stereo tremolo, Equalizer, Overdrive, Distortion, Exciter, Symphonic ensemble, and Rotary speaker simulation.
The T2 provides generous program memory with two editable banks (A and B) holding 100 programs each, plus a third bank containing 100 Combinations. This totals 300 instantly recallable sounds. Combinations represent a sophisticated layering system that can mix up to eight programs for complex, thick sonorities. These are fully multitimbral with individual program sounds controllable via separate MIDI channels.
The instrument includes four programmable drum kits with sounds selected from a library of 85 percussion samples, each adjustable for tuning, level, decay, key number, and output routing.
Eight illuminated buttons (A through H) below the large 240x64 backlit LCD display provide immediate access to key parameters during performance: Oscillator balance, VDF Cutoff, VDA level, Velocity sensitivity, Aftertouch sensitivity, Attack time, Release time, and Dry/Effect balance. As each parameter is adjusted using the data slider, the display shows changes graphically.
Program editing is accomplished through seven dedicated pages, each offering an impressive range of functions without superfluity. The cursor navigation system uses up/down buttons and the A-H buttons for horizontal movement, with the interface remembering cursor positions when switching between pages.
Beyond simple layering, Combination mode functions almost as synthesis in its own right, starting with complex sound sources. Editing capabilities include fine control over tuning, velocity and aftertouch sensitivity, key range, velocity windows, and more for each component program. The T2 can control not only its own 16 voices but also take direct charge of up to eight external MIDI channels, making it a powerful master controller for entire MIDI systems.
The onboard sequencer provides professional-level functionality with capacity for 50,000 events across 8 tracks, 20 songs, and 200 patterns. It supports both real-time and step-time recording with punch-in capability on whole bars. The sequencer can control internal programs and external MIDI sound generators simultaneously with dynamic voice allocation across 8 multitimbres.
Key sequencer features include variable time signatures (1/4 to 16/16) that can change bar-by-bar, tempo range from 40 to 208 bpm with mid-song variations, comprehensive track parameters including transpose (±24 semitones) and detune (±50 cents), velocity and key windows for each track, quantization from quarter notes to 1/192nd notes, and sophisticated editing functions including track bouncing, measure manipulation, and pattern management. The step-time recording and event editing systems are notably superior to many dedicated sequencers.
The T2 features extensive MIDI connectivity with one MIDI In, one MIDI Thru, and four MIDI Out ports arranged as two separately processed pairs to minimize data clogging. A MIDI overflow mode allows excess notes to be passed to another instrument when the 16-voice limit is reached.
Bulk storage utilizes a high-density 3.5-inch floppy disk drive capable of loading the entire instrument's data in two to three seconds. The high-density format becomes essential when loading the optional one-megabyte PCM RAM card, which can transform the T2 from an instrument with one fixed set of samples into one with potentially unlimited sound sources.
Two card slots provide access to program data and additional samples. The manual indicates that MIDI sample dumps into the RAM card should be feasible, offering even greater expansion possibilities.
Four jack sockets provide flexible audio routing: two configured as a stereo pair with panning capability, plus two individual outputs for separate processing of specific sounds.
The T2 presents a sleek black exterior with 76 velocity-sensitive and aftertouch-capable keys. The large backlit LCD display offers excellent visibility for multi-line text. While many buttons are brightly illuminated when pressed, they feature a convex design that can cause fingers to slip off, and they're somewhat stiff to operate. Non-illuminated buttons are relatively small despite available panel space.
Construction is adequately sturdy, though the full armspan width makes it somewhat unwieldy to transport without handles. The joystick pitch bend/modulation control appears somewhat delicate. Data entry uses a familiar slider with up/down nudge buttons, plus a "Fine" button that increases resolution for single-step parameter adjustments.
The T2 aims squarely at professional users through its combination of high-quality sound generation, excellent keyboard action, comprehensive editing facilities, generous memory space, and convenient floppy disk storage. The sound quality is excellent, the keyboard response is excellent, and the program and Combination editing facilities match professional standards. With the optional RAM card, the T2 transforms into an instrument with theoretically unlimited sound source potential, making it a strong candidate for the professional's keyboard of choice.
Country of origin / production: Japan
Recommend product to a friend| Usage area | |
|---|---|
| Synthesizer | |
| Workstation | |
| Usage Design/ Form Factor | |
| With Keys | |
| Archetype | |
| Digital (D) | |
| Polyphony | |
| Voices | 16 |
| Multi Timbral Capacity | 8 part(s) |
| Tone Generator / Sound Synthesis | |
| Synthesis Method | Digital Subtractive |
| Technology of Sound Generation | PCM |
| KORG | |
| AI Synthesis | |
| Programs/ Voices/ Timbres | |
| Single Voice Preset | 198 |
| Multitimbral Preset | 99 |
| Sequencer | |
| Tracks count | 8 |
| Note Capacity | 20000 |
| MIDI | |
| General MIDI (GM) | |
| MIDI in/ out | |
| IN | |
| OUT | |
| THRU | |
| Keys | |
| Type | Semi-weighted |
| Velocity Sensitivity | |
| Aftertouch | |
| Size | 6.5 |
| Number of Keys | 76 |
| Display | |
| Color resolution | Monochrome |
| Built-in controllers | |
| Pitch Bend/ Modulation Lever | |
| Audio out | |
| Stereo | |
| Analogue: 1/4" (6.35mm) | 4 |
| Analogue: 1/4" (6.35mm) headphones preamplified | 1 |
| Computer Interfaces | |
| FDD | |
| Power | |
| Voltage | 230V |
| Voltage | 100V |
| Voltage | 115/117V |
| Voltage | 50Hz |
| Voltage | 60Hz |
| Power Supply | Built-in, internal |
| Case/ body | |
| Metal&plastic | |
| Color | |
| Black | |
| Production start | 1989 |
| Production ended | |
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