Korg's Delta is an analog semi-poly synth/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 genre, 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 its 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 and gate ins and outs.

The string sounds are very basic but with its 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 handy 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.

isynthesizer.com

February 12, 2010 @ 12:15 am

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

Collin Hegna

January 28, 2010 @ 4:32 am

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

January 15, 2010 @ 4:42 pm

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].

JOE

September 22, 2009 @ 7:49 am

i like this one for quirky sound effects. its got no balls for the likes of bass! but it can come up with some reasonable lead. i had one for a few years and thought it was ok for messing around on time to time. i would recommend parting with a bit more cash and going for the likes of a yamaha cs 10 before they become unaffordable.

Micke

June 14, 2009 @ 8:43 am

Also used by Blancmange

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