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Korg RK-100S 2 37-key Keytar - Translucent Red

37-key Keytar and USB MIDI Controller with Wooden Body, 200 Onboard Sounds, Velocity-sensitive Keys, Dual Ribbon Controllers, Vocoder, and Included Gig Bag - Translucent Red
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Korg RK-100S 2 37-key Keytar - Translucent Red
Korg RK-100S 2 37-key Keytar - Translucent Red
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First released in 1984, Korg's RK-100 set keyboardists free from their old-school static rigs. For the first time, keyboard players could roam the stage and play solos alongside guitarists and singers around the world. Now, the groundbreaking keytar is reborn as the RK-100S! This 37-key keytar is equipped with 37 velocity-sensitive keys, an 8-note polyphonic synthesizer with two oscillators, dual ribbon controllers, and 200 presets that fit any genre and playing style. Setup is easy, simply connect headphones or an instrument cable, and you're ready to rip solos like a guitarist. The RK-100S is USB and MIDI-enabled for use as a master synth in the studio. Combining good looks and ergonomic design with incredibly versatile tones, the RK-100S is a must-have for keyboardists of all kinds.

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200 stage-ready presets

The RK-100S gets its signature sound from Korg's MMT (Multiple Modeling Technology) sound engine. This keytar's MMT is an 8-note polyphonic synth with 2 oscillators and a built-in noise generator that can create an expansive amount of tones. The keytar ships to your door with 200 stage-ready presets that cover all genres and playing styles. An included 6-program arpeggiator provides a diverse range of patterns. For quick access to your most-used presets, just hit the favorites button on the top panel.

Slim keyboard with dual ribbon controllers

Here at Sweetwater, we're impressed by how comfortable the RK-100S is to play. This is thanks to the 37-note slim keyboard that helps keep the keytar sleek and compact. It's also loaded with a pair of ribbon controllers to increase your performance options. The short ribbon located on the neck controls the pitch bend and modulation. The long ribbon located at the top of the key bed can be used to control the pitch or the filter. Together, they enable bold and smooth expression. The RK-100S showcases uncompromising playability and expressive features to fit your playing style.

Useful for the studio as well as the stage

It's undeniable that the Korg RK-100S is great for the stage. However, this keytar is more than meets the eye. It has a MIDI output and USB port that allow it to control a soft synth or an external hardware module. It's not just limited to the 200 presets either. Just plug it into your computer and use the PC editor to download detailed settings for MIDI and the internal sound engine. You'll find that the extra control is perfect for use in the studio.

Ergonomic body design helps you play in total comfort

The RK-100S rebels against the traditional constraints placed on keyboards. It takes more than a few design cues from the electric guitar, including the slim neck and contoured body. The keytar has a lightweight wooden body that feels perfectly balanced on your shoulders. A helpful leg rest is carved into the body to make it easy to play while sitting down. Add in eight-hour battery life, and you have total freedom to roam around the stage.

Included software bundle

The RK-100S comes with a diverse selection of music software to take your recordings to the next level. This bundle includes great music production and learning software such as, Ozone Elements, Skoove, Reason Lite, and many more! Once you unbox your Korg RK-100S, you'll have a variety of tools at your disposal for musical creation.

The KS-100S includes:

  • KORG Collection M1 LE (synthesizer sound module)
  • UVI Digital Sysations (synthesizer sound module)
  • AAS Ultra Analog Session (synthesizer sound module)
  • AAS Strum Session (acoustic guitar sound module)
  • AAS Lounge Lizard Session (electric piano sound module)
  • Propellerhead Reason Lite (DAW music production software)
  • Skoove Online Piano Lessons (3-month trial)
  • iZotope Ozone Elements (Audio Mastering Plug-in)

Korg RK-100S 37-key Keytar Features:

  • Ergonomically designed keytar gives you total freedom onstage
  • 37 velocity-sensitive keys feel great to play
  • 200 programs create powerful tones for soloing
  • Dual ribbon controllers enable expressive performance
  • 8-note polyphonic synthesizer with 2 oscillators creates a world of tones
  • Battery operation provides up to 8 hours of continuous use
  • Vocoder function lets you accent your playing
  • Includes a handy strap and soft case for storage

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Keytar
  • Sound Engine: Multiple Modeling Technology
  • Analog/Digital: Digital
  • Number of Keys: 37
  • Type of Keys: Slim-keys
  • Velocity Sensitive: 8 x Velocity Curves, Adjustable
  • Other Controllers: 2 x Ribbon Controllers
  • Polyphony: 8 Notes (4 Notes Vocoder)
  • Number of Presets: 200 Programs
  • Oscillators: 2 x VCO, Noise Generator
  • Waveforms: Saw, Pulse, Triangle, Sine, Formant, Noise ; Wave Shaping
  • LFO: 2 x LFO
  • Filter: 4-pole Lowpass, 2-pole Lowpass/Bandpass/Highpass
  • Envelope Generator: ADSR (filter, amp, assignable)
  • Effects Types: Compressor, Filter, EQ, DIstortion, Decimator, Delay, Echo, Chorus, Flanger, Vibrato, Phaser, Tremolo, Ring Mod, Grain Shifter
  • Arpeggiator: Up, Down, Alt 1/2, Random, Trigger (6 types), Step Arpeggiator function
  • Audio Inputs: 1 x 1/8" (mic/line)
  • Audio Outputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • USB: 1 x Type B
  • MIDI I/O: Out
  • Features: 16-band Vocoder
  • Software: RK-100S 2 Sound Editor, KORG Software Bundle, Ozone Elements, Skoove, Reason Lite
  • OS Requirements - Mac: OS X 10.6 or later
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 7 SP1 or later
  • Power Source: 6 x AA Batteries (included), 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
  • Height: 2.91"
  • Width: 33.03"
  • Depth: 10.32"
  • Weight: 7.72 lbs. (with batteries)
  • Manufacturer Part Number: RK100S2RD

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Reviews

4.6

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Glad KORG brought this one back
Missed the boat on the last one. Glad the RK 100s2 is back and better than ever. Had to get a replacement midi remote for my roland ax 1. The RK fits the bill ! ! !
by David Eddie Flores from Downey, CA on
After a lot of consideration, this is the best keytar.

I own many keytars, and the Korg RK series has outlived and out-performed all of them. At first, I was unimpressed with the micro-keys, being that the size of the keys is actually smaller than a typical keyboard. It's harder to noodle and solo around the keytar without pressing nearby notes. After a lot of practice, the micro-keys are actually very effective. As intended, it is easier to jump across the keys given the fact that there is less space between them, making large-scale solos and riffs easier. (Which makes sense, as the mobility and easy access is the whole purpose of the keytar, as opposed to a piano or keyboard) There are two ribbons with this keytar, and both serve the purpose of pitch bending and modulation depending on what settings you use. The smaller ribbon which is located on the end of the keytar provides short-range changes to the pitch and sound, while the big ribbon under the key-bed allows for some long-range changes, but is more difficult to utilize given that you have to hold down certain triggers on the end of the keytar while sliding this ribbon with your other hand.


A lot of other keytars will allow you to modulate the sound and pitch bend at the same time, so it may seem like a little bit of a downgrade at first given that you have to manually switch between the pitch bend and modulation options... On the flip side, the ribbons are extremely high quality. I have had many, many issues with other ribbons on keytars. The Roland Ax-synth ribbons are notorious for failing, and my Alesis Vortex 1 ribbon has also developed some issues after time. Plus, let's be honest. Utilizing the long-ribbon looks extremely cool on stage when you are able to slide your whole hand across the keys are to bend out of a solo.


The only downside of this keytar is that the samples and sounds featured on it appear to be retro/analog style synths with some influence of modern techno and dubstep. There are a lot of sounds that could be straight out of 80's pop songs. This is still really cool, but I could see how people would take issue to it. Most notably, there is no convincing acoustic piano/grand piano setting to be found on it. Fortunately, this keytar also allows you to plug into computers and edit the library of sounds, using the software that you can get from their website for free.


I will say that there is a huge learning curve to this editor, it has taken me probably dozens of hours to figure out how to maximize the expressiveness of some of the synths. While the samples are limited, and the polyphonic voice is also somewhat limited, you do have the ability to assign all sorts of functions to certain synth behaviors. For instance, you can pan the keybed output to the left or right speaker depending on where you are pressing on the scale. You can also create rotary effects, (like those old prog organs) and you can modulate cut off with how hard you press the keys. If you are clever, you can even implement some wah-pedal effects on the mod ribbon, and then run it through a distortion effect, giving it a straight guitar sound. Again, this will take some practice to edit, but even with the limitations, the possibilities for a truly living synth sound are absolutely endless. On top of all of this, the keyboard also supports a really excellent vocoder. I also own a Korg Kross keyboard, which is one of the higher-end standalone keyboards, and the vocoder on that device still does not hold a candle to this one. There is also an easily adjustable sensitivity switch on the side of the keytar which controls how much input is received from the microphone, making it much easier to eliminate feedback from a live setting. (May I just say, thank God for that!) You can also assign favorites to five separate banks making it easy to switch between the 200 settings that are able to be stored on the keytar.


As a live show device, it's very reliable. I am sad to say as a keytar fan that this is somewhat of a rarity. Many keytars start developing issues with the ribbons, knobs, and even electronics. Sometimes, the paint on this keytar has been known to chip, which might affect the visual aesthetic, but aside from that, the build quality on this keytar is absolutely phenomenal. Lets just say the ones I own have suffered their fair share of abuse.



It also doubles as an excellent MIDI controller, which is one of the issues that I have with other Keytars in the market like the Roland variety. You can easily and quickly switch between the different MIDI channels, and the immediate messages that are sent from the ribbons also work more instantaneously than even the Vortex 2, which is a $ keytar that only works as a MIDI controller, meaning there are no sounds on it as a standalone device.



To finish off, I would also just like to say that the USB output which is used to connect to the computer and edit the sound library has never failed me. I have had two of these RKS keytars for several years now, and it may be literally one of the only keytars or keyboards at all that has not had a malfunctioning USB output. For some reason, the female USB output on keyboards and keytars has been extremely shoddy over the entire market. These connections will often get bent or pushed back inside of the keyboard itself, unable to function or connect properly. If this was an issue, you would no longer be able to edit the sound library on the keytar, but I have not had an issue with this keytar alone, so I think it is the most reliable, and best keytar on the market, and will not just serve you for one or two gigs, but several years. Highly recommended. I would not consider myself married to any particular keyboard production company, but the Korg RKS series and the Korg Kross may have changed my mind. Big fan of Korg, and this review was written only after several years of use!

by Samuel Risser from Normal, IL on
Really nice to look at, listen to, and take to the stage!
Worth the wait on this one. Korg got it right with the S2 version of the RK. Nothing on the market has this quality of build. The stained wood is sooooo nice. Love that it's a microKorg XL+ on the inside. Lots of cool control include two ribbons for neat note and filter tricks.

Looking for a standout keytar, look no further.

Oh, and the slim keys are not that big of a deal. I got comfy with them in about 20 minutes. Really cuts down on weight and size!
by Jimmy from Melrose, CA on
Music background: Keyboardist, live, cover and original electronica
This thing is a lot of fun!
Synth sounds are ok, others not so much...BUT, this thing is so much fun. I have only used it at home and at a few rehearsals to amuse my band mates. They beg me to bring it to the shows because it's just a fun instrument. I use batteries and a wireless system to get mobile and it's a blast.
by David Shreeve from Lakeland, FL on
Great synth and controller with style!
This instrument was worth the wait. I've played a lot of different keytars, and I really appreciate the Rk's features and feel.

The 37 slimmer keys were really easy to adapt to, and that cuts down on the size of the product which I like very much. It's a solid piece; I believe the only keytar on the market that has a wood body. the synth engine is the same as Korg's micro Korg Xl plus which is a great 8-voice engine. For me, playing solos and chords, it's more than plenty. Rich analog modeling. The scaling and arp features add a nice zing to performances as well!
by Sweetwater Customer on
Music background: Producer, Performer
See also: Key Synths, Korg, Korg Synthesizers