Creative Workspace: Malux Studio
In the world of electronic music, the Korg Kaoss Pad has become an essential tool for artists and producers seeking to add a unique touch to their sound. This digital FX unit, though discontinued, continues to find a home in the studios and live performances of many electronic musicians, including the subject of our article, Malux.
Malux, an electronic artist, finds the Korg Kaoss Pad indispensable in his studio work. He uses it to run various elements of tracks through it for creative FX sounds, a process that has significantly contributed to the detailed and dynamic nature of his music.
One of the standout tracks where the Korg Kaoss Pad's influence is evident is "Hideout." A lot of the squelchy basses in this track were crafted using the Kaoss Pad, lending a distinctive character to the overall sound.
The Korg Kaoss Pad offers a variety of different effects, including filters, delays, reverbs, flangers, auto-panners, and DJ effects such as slicers and isolators. These effects can be dynamically controlled through the touch-sensitive XY pad, allowing for real-time manipulation during performances and studio work.
In addition to its role in creating effects, the Kaoss Pad also functions as a looper, making it popular with live artists. This feature allows for quick capture and manipulation of audio on the fly, often enhancing improvisation and live remixing.
Malux leverages this functionality to add layers and variations in his music. The recorded sounds made with the Kaoss Pad can range from ten or more minutes in length, providing ample material for experimentation and refinement.
The Kaoss Pad's intuitive interface encourages expressive, hands-on manipulation of sound, making it popular among electronic musicians for adding real-time flair and experimental textures to their music.
Moreover, later models like the KP2 support MIDI input for syncing effects to tempo and offer comprehensive modulation routing, enhancing integration with other gear in both live and studio environments.
As we delve deeper into Malux's creative process, it becomes clear that the Korg Kaoss Pad plays a crucial role in his studio survival kit. Its unique capabilities and versatile features continue to make it a go-to tool for electronic artists seeking to push the boundaries of their sound.
[1] Korg. (n.d.). Kaoss Pad. Retrieved from https://www.korg.com/uk/products/dj/kaoss_pad/
[4] Sound on Sound. (2009, August 1). Korg Kaoss Pad 2. Retrieved from https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/korg-kaoss-pad-2
The Korg Kaoss Pad's capability to create a wide range of effects, including filters, delays, reverbs, flangers, auto-panners, and DJ effects such as slicers and isolators, has made it an essential tool for electronic artists like Malux in both their studio work and live performances. Additionally, the Kaoss Pad's looper function, which allows for quick capture and manipulation of audio on the fly, further enhances improvisation and live remixing, underscoring its indispensable role in Malux's electronic music productions.
