New krossfour Live Video Mixers from Korg

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Korg's new krossfour 4-channel video mixer/switcher provides DJ-friendly video mixing in a sturdy and compact package. Focused on the needs of live performance, the krossfour is designed for VJs (performing video artists) as well as anyone who wants to add excitement to the visual mix.

The krossfour allows any of up to four video sources to be assigned to either of the two mixer channels (A and B). A convenient DJ-style crossfader enables the user to blend and mix these two channels with a more "musical" feel than traditional video equipment. Four distinct crossfader curves provide additional control, inviting experimentation and the use of traditional DJ techniques. Pressing either of the two hold buttons will freeze the current image for that channel. Each channel can also produce a black, white or blue background to create more diverse fade and mix effects.

The krossfour features both composite and S-video main outputs plus a dedicated monitor output that provides a convenient way to cue up and preview video sources. This monitor section also allows the user to continue previewing any frozen video source.

In addition to its mixing capabilities, the krossfour offers advanced Luma-key and Chroma-key (blue screen) compositing effects. The Chroma-key mode removes the blue portions of a foreground image, allowing a different background image to show through. By comparison, Luma-key removes areas of a specific brightness level (black to grey to white). A fine adjustment knob determines the color value or brightness level of these effects.

The krossfour is both PAL and NTSC compatible, with an internal timebase corrector that ensures a stable image is created from any video input signal.

The unit is compact, solidly built and designed for use on the road. All controls are backlit for rapid, accurate selection in low light environments such as clubs.

The Korg krossfour will be available in mid-August at a US MSRP of $900 (with an average street price of $699).