Image: Mygrooveshop, CC BY 3.0 — via Wikimedia Commons
Kaoss Pad
| Category | Electronic (touch-based effects unit / instrument) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Classification | MIDI controller, audio effects unit, synthesizer, touchpad, video processing |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| Wikidata | Q3192828 |
Overview
The Kaoss Pad is a compact electronic instrument and effects unit produced by Korg, first released in 1999. Its defining feature is a square touch pad that lets the player control two parameters at once by sliding a finger across the surface. Depending on the model and mode, the Kaoss Pad can act as an effects processor for an external audio input, as a small synthesizer, or as a sample-based performance instrument.
Origin & History
The first Kaoss Pad introduced the touch-pad concept to a wide audience and was followed by a long series of revisions, including the KP2, KP3, KP3+, and various Mini models. Each generation added new effects, more memory, sampling features, and improved sound quality. The Kaoss Pad family has been joined by related products such as the Kaossilator synth.
How It’s Played
The user plugs an audio source into the unit (or uses the built-in synthesis or sampling engines) and selects an effect or instrument program. Touching the pad triggers the program, with the X-axis assigned to one parameter and the Y-axis to another. Sliding around the pad produces continuous changes in pitch, filter cutoff, delay time, beat repeat, or whatever parameters the program defines. The hands-on nature suits live performance.
Cultural Significance
The Kaoss Pad became a familiar tool for DJs and electronic musicians during the 2000s. Notable users include the Japanese DJ Towa Tei and bands such as Muse, who have used it on stage for live filtering and beat-repeat effects. By making expressive electronic-music control accessible in a small, affordable box, the Kaoss Pad helped popularise touch-based interfaces in performance.
Related Instruments
- Korg Kronos – a large workstation contemporary
- Korg Wavestation – an earlier landmark Korg synth
- Korg Prophecy – a Korg expressive monosynth
- Stylophone – a contrasting touch-based small instrument
- Theremin – another non-keyboard performance interface
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kaoss Pad an instrument or an effects unit?
Both. Different programs turn it into an effects processor, a synthesizer, or a sample-based performance instrument.
Who made the Kaoss Pad?
Korg, first released in 1999, with several updated generations since.
Can the Kaoss Pad process external audio?
Yes. An external audio source can be routed through the unit and shaped by the touch pad in real time.
Image: photograph by Mygrooveshop, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons).