Korg D12 Digital Recording Studio

D12 Digital Recording Studio (Click for a close-up)

Korg introduces the D12 Digital Recording Studio, a comprehensive recording system that features a 12-track digital recorder, 16-channel 4-bus mixer, built-in effects, PCM rhythms and ample hard-disk space. Designed for the songwriter or home-recordist, the new D12 is a powerful tool that produces professional results in a compact and affordable package.

The D12's recording section provides uncompressed recording at either 16 or 24-bit, 44.1 kHz resolution. Four tracks can be recorded simultaneously, with 12 track playback in 16-bit mode and six track playback in 24-bit mode. The D12 can record up to 100 songs, plus each of its 12 tracks has eight virtual tracks, for a total of 9,600 tracks.

Track editing includes cut, copy and paste operations, normalize, time compression/expansion, fade, reverse and up to 99 levels of Undo. A unique 12-to-2 bounce-down merges track data, to increase the number of tracks that can be recorded. Tracks or whole songs can also be optimized, to prevent fragmentation of the recording drive.

The D12 includes a 6 GB hard drive (providing 19.5 track hours of recording), and a SCSI connector for adding fixed or removable media drives (to provide extended recording time), as well as for exporting track data as WAV files. A special bay allows an optional, internal CDR/W drive (CDRW1) to be added for backing up/restoring data, burning final audio CDs, or importing WAV files. The user then has a completely self-contained system that goes from recording, to editing, to final mastering.

The D12 features a 16-input, 4-bus digital mixer. Each channel has a 3-band EQ with sweepable mid frequencies. Four balanced inputs include two with combination XLR-1/4" connectors, and a dedicated guitar input eliminates the need for an external DI box. The system includes 20-bit, 64x oversampling A/D converters and 20-bit, 128x oversampling D/A converters for high quality sound. In addition, a 24-bit S/PDIF optical I/O is included (with sampling frequency converter) for digital connectivity. Both Master and Monitor outputs are provided, as well as the ability to create a separate monitor mix. An Aux Send allows tracks to be routed to external signal processors if desired.

The D12's effects section allows up to eight insert effects, two master effects and one final effect to be used simultaneously. The effects section includes Korg's REMS effects modeling technology, featuring microphone, amplifier, cabinet and vintage effects modeling algorithms. 128 presets and 128 user program locations are provided for insert effects, with 32 preset and 32 user program locations provided for both master and final effects. The 106 different effects that are provided can be linked into multi effect chains of up to five effects each. An expression pedal input is also included, allowing for realtime control of effects parameters.

Comprehensive scene memory allows the user to store Fader, Pan, EQ, Aux Send, FX level and FX program settings at different locations within a Song to perfect the mix. One hundred Scenes can be created per Song. Fader, Pan and FX send changes can also be automated via MIDI Control Change messages in conjunction with an external MIDI sequencer for completely automated mixing control.

Other features include an easy-to-read graphic display, a metronome (with 215 PCM-based drum rhythms), a built-in auto-chromatic tuner with microphone, and compatibility with Korg D8 and D16 song data.

The D12 will be available in March, 2001, with a suggested retail price of $1150.00.