Alesis AirFx vs Korg Mini KP vs Kaoss Pad 1

anotherbassist · #1 12-19-2007, 10:33 AM

I've been intrigued by these "virtual" effects processors. They range in price from $100-$150 and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with using them and how they sound. I like the Alesis because it has a scratch (dj type) feature but it seems harder to use and I've heard the only way to stop using it is to disconnect it from your signal. I've heard mixed reviews about the korg kaoss pad 1, but it seems like that one is the cheapest. Does any one have any info they can throw my way?
Thanks

anotherbassist · #2 12-20-2007, 08:54 AM

stabbicus · #3 12-20-2007, 09:31 AM

OK, my guitar player has the blue Alesis AirFX as well as the...well, I can't find the exact model, but it looks just like the AirFX, but it's red, and I know it's not the same thing. Anyways, he runs both of them as well as a Kaoss Pad 1. What you head about disconnecting to stop using it is untrue. His setup is basically like this:

Guitar > some multieffects processor by Yamaha > DOD 250 > the red Alesis > Kaoss Pad 1 > blue Alesis AirFX > Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier.

He does some pretty cool stuff with it all. During songs, he uses the head stock of the guitar to utilize the AirFX units. During intros he'll use all three to create some cool ambience. He needs some kind of volume control on both of the Alesis and the Kaoss Pad. Some of the stuff is waaaay too loud. Sorry for derailing, but can anyone suggest something I can recommend to him to control the volume with his current setup?

Swimming Bird · #4 12-20-2007, 09:37 AM

Huh. Searching the Alesis I'm seeing a number of apparent flaws -- limited beam range (it seems you have to be within about four inches for it to do anything), oversensitivity of the beam (little movements = big effect changes), limited sounds (only 50 patches) and no delays or reverbs. It also has been discontinued, so good luck finding one. I'm not even seeing any on the 'bay.

Hmm... the AirFX probably disengages in a similar way to the Kaoss Pads: take your hand off of the controls. In this case, you'd have to get about four to six inches away.

You should save up your money and get a Kaoss Pad 3. I have one and it is amazing. Of the three that you talked about, the Mini-KP is probably the way to go. No sampling though...

Swimming Bird · #5 12-20-2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stabbicus

]He needs some kind of volume control on both of the Alesis and the Kaoss Pad. Some of the stuff is waaaay too loud. Sorry for derailing, but can anyone suggest something I can recommend to him to control the volume with his current setup?

Have him get a limiter pedal. I think Boss still makes one and it should do the trick. Assuming he believes it's way too loud.

stabbicus · #6 12-20-2007, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimming Bird

Hmm... the AirFX probably disengages in a similar way to the Kaoss Pads: take your hand off of the controls. In this case, you'd have to get about four to six inches away.

The Kaoss pad disengages when you take your fingers off the pad. It's not a proximity trigger.

bassguppy · #7 12-20-2007, 03:25 PM

I use an Alesis AirSynth (I think it's a precursor to the AirFX). To me it is what it is. You need to be within a couple inches of it while using it. With the AirSynth there are only 4-5 sounds that I feel are useful for me. It's good if it has something you want. I'm not sure if this would be something you're interested in but it was recommended to me to look into the Roland SP404 Sampler.

K2000 · #8 12-21-2007, 01:19 AM

I have an Alesis Air Synth and I love it (if anyone wants to sell one, please PM me. I'm afraid mine will go "kaput" one day, with no backup).

The Air FX and Air Synth have RCA inputs and outputs (no 1/4). They were designed to be a tool for DJs. I do not play my bass through my Air Synth. Because it takes one hand to really operate it, it's hard to imagine anyone playing their bass "through" the Air FX.

anotherbassist · #9 12-21-2007, 09:04 AM

Hmm, I think I might have narrowed it down to between the Korg Mini KP and the original Kaoss Pad. Does anybody have experience with either of these, especially the original Kaoss Pad?

D.A.R.K. · #10 12-21-2007, 09:21 AM

i've used kaoss pads extensively for on stage effects and for mixing.
i love 'em, one of the best interactive musical effects created to date, imho. i've used every version since the first, and dabbled with the mini in the store. i will go with the previous suggestion of using the kaoss pad 3, the most recent version. it is much more consistent than the first two versions, has more visual feedback with the pad, and is overall quieter.
the first version is very noisy, lots of hiss and artifacts. they have definitely improved with each release. the minis are cool, but limited in function to the point that for the cost, so i believe the version3 is the way to go. in an fx loop they work great, but if you intend on running in front of a rig i'd suggest a preamp pedal in front to give you more signal/noise ratio control.
in my experience these work fine if you use 1/4" to dual rca adaptors
for the i/o.
my .02

anotherbassist · #11 12-22-2007, 09:08 AM

anybody else?

anotherbassist · #12 12-24-2007, 02:57 PM

marty durlam · #13 12-29-2007, 10:24 AM

I have used and owned all three at one time: the Alesis AirSynth(orange), Alesis AirFX (blue), and the Korg mini Kaoss pad.

Here's the lowdown:

A-Airsynth(orange) CAN NOT alter an input signal. It generates its own signal, so you will need a separate line out for it.

A-AirFX(blue) CAN NOT generate its own signal. It needs an input signal to work, ie. guitar, keys, CD player, etc. It doesn't need a separate line out, meaning you can keep it in your signal chain.

Korg mini Kaoss pad- this is like the Alesis FX AND the Alesis air synth combined. It WILL generate its own signal AND modify a signal you put through it. The main difference is size and touch.
The Alesis are big and you don't have to touch them to work. You can use anything: arm, leg, flashlight, drumstick, etc.
The Korg is small, and you do have to touch it to work.
Both the Alesis and Korg have a "hold" feature.

If I were you, I would buy the Korg-mini and mount it on your bass near the knobs or something, and THEN run it into the Alesis AirFX.

anotherbassist · #14 12-30-2007, 10:24 AM

Thanks marty, did you ever use the scratch feature that is on the alesis? Thats one of the main reasons I'm looking at the Alesis over the Korg.

marty durlam · #15 01-02-2008, 10:58 AM

no, i never used the scratch feature.
I mainly used my foot to control the Alesis AirSynth while I also played bass, generating two distinct sounds at once instead of just effects on my bass.
Word!