Release a synth with the heart of a PC, and it’s only a matter of time before someone tries to use it like a PC. Sure enough, Korg’s flagship OASYS, with an Intel CPU and a Linux-based OS, has been hacked to run off-the-shelf distributions of Linux and Windows from its CD drive:

Karma Lab Forums - OASYS Runs Knoppix! (via Luca Capozzi’s Synthosium)

Dan Phillips with Korg Research & Development is one of the designers behind Korg’s ultra-premium Korg OASYS keyboard, among many other projects. In addition to getting to design electronic musical instruments for a living, Dan is an electronic singer-songwriter, writer, composer (Fox TV, As the World Turns), consultant (Santana, Emily Bazar), producer, remixer, and even amateur photographer. Dan shares with CDM how the OASYS was born, some of his favorite (non-Korg) synths and software, and how he got what for many of us would be a dream job.

Scoop: CDM has learned that this week Korg will announce a major upgrade to its luxurious flagship musical instrument, the Korg OASYS. The free software upgrade, to be available in December, will enhance the OASYS with support for up to 2 GB of RAM, plus enhanced modulation and navigation. That’s nifty, but here’s the big news: Korg is including a major new physical modeling instrument called the STR-1 Plucked String. With radical sound sculpting abilities, it promises to be sound design heaven — and it’s yet another reason to trade your car for a monthly bus pass so you can get your hands on this thing.

Electronic musicians can be forgiven for dismissing the Korg OASYS for its sticker price. But this is a keyboard that’s worth a look even if you’re not in the market to buy. Why? It’s a model of sound design, representing the specs Korg’s best had dreamed of for a decade and a half, it’s a demonstration of why Linux will have a big role in future embedded devices, and it gives insight not only into future (and more affordable) devices from Korg, but from other hardware and software makers alike.

On O’Reilly’s Digital Media site, helmed by the awesome force that is David Battino, I got a chance to go behind-the-scenes with Korg’s “luxury” synth. The folks at Korg had a lot of insight to share — and they don’t think you have to give up your cheaper gear yet. Read on for more:

Inside a Luxury Synth: Creating the Linux-Powered Korg OASYS

Related:
Korg Adds Physical Modeling, Software Upgrade to OASYS Synth
Synth Designing Dream Job: Korg R&D’s Dan Phillips

To cap off today’s Korg Love Fest, let’s take a moment to remember gear of yesteryear . . . meaning, of course, just a few short years ago. Sure, the latest-and-greatest is always lovely, but I love the fact that Dan Phillips from Korg has an extensive site devoted to the Korg Wavestation (Dan’s photo below), OASYS PCI, and DP patch lists for gems from the Eventide DSP7000 to the Line6 Pod to the tc Fireworx. (I like Dan’s taste in gear.) And why not treat these like real musical instruments instead of just toys to show off. Real instruments take time.

Everything old isn’t always new again — David Battino wondered, rightfully so I think, if anyone really needs a Korg M1 plugin. Yet, there’s something comforting in the knowledge that choice of tools really doesn’t matter when you’re happy making music. And low-budget tools can indeed be had.

Now, does anyone know where I could pick up a used OASYS PCI?

The hardware keyboard empire, on the sidelines for the
computer music renaissance, is striking back with new hybrid hardware. And
Linux is spreading through digital music equipment — fast. Witness the
new Linux-powered Korg behemoth: the second-generation OASYS keyboard announced today, as rumors predicted.

• Linux-powered computer, running entirely-proprietary Korg software on top (expansion appears to be proprietary, too, via ROM)
• 10.4" touchscreen display
• 16-track HD audio recording plus MIDI sequencing
• Second-generation KARMA synthesis engine
• MIDI control surface
• On-board effects processing
• CD Burner
• I hear there's a keyboard in there somewhere, too

The Korg looks significantly less flexible and more expensive than the Windows-powered Neko keyboards from Open Labs.
But, on the other hand, there's little comparison: this beast will run
like a traditional hardware keyboard, whereas the Neko is at its heart
a PC in a keyboard body. Which you prefer is a matter of taste if you
can afford either, which I can't.

Tip for Korg: since you use words like "Micro" to describe the inexpensive, compact keyboards, why not "GargantuaOasys?" No?

Availability: When I win the lottery
Price: If you have to ask . . .

Updated:
Pricing is somewhere between US$6700-$8000 for the 76-key model
(weirdly, a huge range depending on your vendor), to up to US$8500 for
the 88-key model. If you can afford this, contact me and let me know so
I can come rob you.

Also, check out Keyboard Magazine's Making of the OASYS.
Unfortunately, scant details on its custom Linux OS. (Okay, actually NO
details — but other interesting history behind the keyboard.)