On the 12th October 2007, a Korg & Vox Product demo session was held in Tom Lee Academy Hall featuring keyboard player Chang Jian-Feng and American Guitarist Rod Math. In this event, Mr. Chang unveiled four new members of the Korg family, namely M3, R3, Pa2x Pro and Pa500, while Rod showcased the latest lineup of Vox's renowned tube-powered product.
 To kick off the seminar, Mr Chang introduced Korg's M3, a workstation-style keyboard that inherits many characteristics of the revolutionary workstation OASYS. Equipped with the second generation of Karma auto-accompaniment functions, M3 is an all-in-one solution for many keyboard players. Alongside, R3 is a dedicated vocoder that allows artists to manipulate whatever sound that is picked up by the attached microphone. To demonstrate the functions of the R3, Chang invited the MC of the event to sing a short passage, as well as edited the patch in real time directly via a laptop.

Mr Chang gave a sneak preview of the brand new, intuitive arranger keyboard Pa500, which was not yet revealed in other parts of the world. Chang described the Pa500 as a sibling to Pa50 and Pa800, a solid workhorse that offers the greatest flexibility and options among keyboards of the same price range. Designed for Song-writers and arrangers, the center of the Korg Pa line is the Style engine. As soon as Chang hit a key with his left hand, instruments of the rhythm section such as the drums loops and bass line came instantly to life. Needless to worry about the rhythm section, Chang improvised, and created a melody line with ease. In less than one minute's time, he was able to arrange the tune's introduction, bridge, chorus and even out-tro. Thanks to the embedded RX (Real eXperience) technology and EDS engine in Pa500, most of the steps and processes performed by Chang only involved a touch or two on the preset buttons. Compared with traditional sequences, Chang's demonstration proved that arranging keyboards like Pa500 can help song-writers and arrangers save time, and be worry-free about keyboard proficiency.

Pa2X Pro workstation is bundled with Flagship concert piano C270 samples and DrawBar Organ functions. Faders located on the top, left hand side are user assignable, providing control for instrument balance in song-arranging scenarios or real-time tone adjustment in live performances. The sequencer is compatible with SMF, MP3 or Karaoke MIDI files, and allows players to use songs in any of these formats (MID, KAR and MP3) all in the same way, using search, selection, start/stop, playlist and cross-fade functions.

The second half of the seminar was conducted by Rod Math to introduce a parade of Vox's products, including Cooltron Tube effect pedals, Tonelab LE Valvetronix Guitar Multi Effects Pedal and amPlug. Well-versed in varying styles of music, Rod's ingenious guitar playing helped the audience learn about the application, difference and possibilities of Vox's various products.

Among all gears that were presented by Rod, the nifty, amPlug had to be the most impressive and amazing guitar gadget made for practicing. Consuming merely three AAA batteries, this palm-size amplifier delivers all the benefits of its full-sized counterparts via headphones, making it very ideal for the Hong Kong environment where the average household is too congested to fit in an amp. To let everyone in the house experience the power of this tiny amp, Rod connected the unit's output jack to the theater's PA system. Available in three models (AC30, Classic Rock and Metal), amPlug's analog circuitry and analogy modeling technology provide guitarists with the same warm sound and distortion which Vox are known for, and best of all, you could jam along with favorite track by connecting your mp3 player via the AUX jack.

The Vox & Korg demo seminar was a fast ticket for musicians to get their hands on the newest and latest technology from these two instrument makers. If you are not sure about which gear to buy, or if you're simply looking for an opportunity to learn demystify the technologies behind latest music gadgets, be sure to catch one of these product demo events in the near future.

Chang Jian Feng

Mr Chang is a renowned keyboard player in Taiwan. He is also a composer, arranger and performer. His works range from electronic music, film scores, commercial scores, band sound to musicals. He is currently a computer music instructor at the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts and works with Korg to develop sounds in Pa series keyboard.

Rod Math

Rod Math blends elements of "blistering" Texas Blues, cutting edge hard rock, jazz, outside fusion and country into a style that is all his own. He had talented feature on albums, television and in films. Rob's superb guitar playing, along with solid teaching experience and technical knowledge, makes him a welcome addition to Korg USA's current tour of clinics and product training.