Vintage Synth Explorer

Korg • Delta

Korg's Delta is an analog semi-poly string machine, basically a slimmed down version of the Korg Trident. Though limited in the range of sounds compared with other synths of the same genera, the sheer quality of the sound from this little beastie really does make it something of a marvel. It can be found used for cheap and is worth it for the retro synth strings and fat bass synth tones.

The synth is split into two sections, Strings and Synth, for which there are separate audio outputs along with a combined output for headphones or mixing. Each section has it's own controls. The String section has two pitch sliders (16' and 8') along with two tone controls (Bass and Treble) and variable Attack and Release controls to modify the sound. The Synth section has four pitch sliders (16', 8', 4' and 2'). There is also a white noise generator along with a very effective 24db/oct low pass filter (high pass and band pass options are included too) and full ADSR controls. The synth has no memory storage or MIDI, however it does has voltage control & gate ins and outs.

The string sounds are very basic but with it's separate outputs and when mixed together with the polysynth you do get that classic 'layered' sound which is useful enough on this synth; and it's fully polyphonic, so you wont be running out of notes! There is a joystick to the left of the 49-note keyboard for pitch bending and modulation capabilities. The construction is solid and heavy partly due to the implementation of a wooden base but also because it was designed for heavy usage on the road. Added bonuses: noise modulation, stereo out (strings/synth split), and the ability to combine synth and strings or turn off oscillators in the mixer section. It has been used by the Human League, Bitch Cassidy, Flock of Seagulls, Ladytron, Zensor and Broadcast.

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

Sjolander

Posted 27 days ago

Perhaps only in comparison to a Korg MS-20 or Trident would one begin to notice any sort of shortcomings with the Delta, and these in my opinion would be at best rather minimal. The fact that the Delta is only getting a one star rating from VSE is also rather baffling!?!? You will have at your hands with this synthesizer unimaginable and unique sonic possibilities that take on a life all their own! Sure, it's not an ARP 2600 or a Jupiter 8 but many contemporary artists such as BJM and Ladytron are really bringing these gems to life! I've seen them usually go in the $400 - $500 range on ebay over the last year, but they are becoming rarer and rarer to find as the years pass. ='s Get one while you still can!

isynthesizer.com

Posted 29 days ago

here is link for sounds from Korg delta I love it
http://www.soundboard.com/sb/Korg_Delta_sounds.aspx

Collin Hegna

Posted 44 days ago

Anton is right about this guy. Another thing about these that is great is that they don't feel like they're going to break when you play them. Simple and easy to get a wide variety of rich sounds without thinking too hard. Or actually being rich.

BONES

Posted 57 days ago

I found the Delta more than capable of doing decent bass sounds. Certainly much better than a TB303 or SH101 but probably not up to the standard of the Arp Axxe or Mono/Poly, which were the other synths I had in my set-up at the time [1984-5].

Nathan Burgundy

Posted 59 days ago

Is that THE Anton Alfred Newcombe? Also, what does 'genera' mean?

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