Korg Kaossilator Grid Modification (Mod/Hack)

[@Topdoginuk]

It's strange how the manufacturers didn't put this simple grid on to begin with! Well, your video was great and very informative. You should be credited for that. I'd be tempted to glue/tape a grid straight on top rather than dare to take the Ka apart! Top marks for your video.

[@KGridMod]

Hey thanks for letting me know how you feel about the grid design. Its really nice to get this kind of feedback, and I really mean that. When day to day problems and bad attacks of social anxiety get me down its really cool to know that people out there appreciate something I've done! Makes life seem a little less harsh I guess... Cheer psychopath3000!!! TJ

[@KGridMod]

Ha, yeah I did think about selling these, and that's why at the end of the video I say "or buy one from me", but to be honest I'm not sure there's a market. Most people are kind of reluctant to open up their Kaossilators (maybe when people's warranties run out...) and also because of the huge variation due to what sound you are using and what scale you are in, I'll never be able to make so that there is a square for each note. Oh well, I think I'll have to find another way to make my fortune!

[@KGridMod]

That's brilliant! I've been waiting for someone to say they had tried it out, and you are the first so far. Glad to hear that you like it. Yeah, getting the yellow casing apart is damn tricky. Enjoy it! Cheers, TJ

[@KGridMod]

Yeah I guess someone could make a grid for each of the scales, but it would involve a lot of trial and error. As you've probably read, my grid is not based on a scale, just the 45 display symbols. I reckon the best thing to print the grids onto would be those screen protectors that stick on the screeens of gadgets, you could have a whole load that you can peel on and off. I haven't done any more developing of the idea, but am still using my kaossilator and I will always keep a grid in it!

[@JohnGarnerViolin]

Hi there mate. Just wanted to say thanks again for this advice! I'm still using my Kaossilator loads, and ever since I installed the grid, it's been a dream. So, so, so useful. Korg should buy your idea for a LOT of money. If they re-release the Kaossilator with this idea, you should take them to court :D. Cheers!

[@JohnGarnerViolin]

Hey thanks a lot for posting this. I've done this to my Kaossilator today and it is SO useful. It's more like a synth now instead of a random phrase sampler. It's such a good idea that I don't know why Korg didn't think to include it in the design in the first place. You'd better get in there with the patent! Thanks again. I'm going to post a video response to show what I've managed now that I've got the grid installed. (Btw opening up the yellow bit took me SO long lol). Best wishes!

[@KGridMod]

Its up to you. Opening up the device means that you can fix the grid securely in place so that it stays put, but you can try just placing it on top and using some tape if you want. Merry Christmas! TJ

[@skyskraberen]

That is really cool! Thanks for posting this, I might give that a go - beats drawing on the touchpad with a marker. :)

[@JohnGarnerViolin]

Yeah I was considering the same thing. I'll keep experimenting. And I''ll keep an eye on your blog for future developments! Thanks again.

[@KGridMod]

Yeah I like the sound of a EDP Wasp style Kaossilator, I might give that a go! I would like to see more on your notation system idea that you were working on, sounds interesting. TJ

[@Mamiya645]

I was going to have the metal shield of mine painted black for a great waspy look, I recommend it to anyone who still have their Kaossilator. If I still had mine I'd gone and done this mod, what I managed to do a little work on before selling it (needed money for more useful synths) was a notation system, so I could reproduce stuff I worked on, I should put that stuff up on my personal site so people can evolve that system.

[@djcb1]

Nevermind. I saw your great website. Thank You!!

[@KGridMod]

Hey thanks guys! I have now put up the design on my blog so that you can print it out and give it a go. Cheers, TJ

[@Ausut]

Thank you for sharing your great idea! I bought a Kaossilator the other week and this should be a nice improvement. Take care! I hope your economic situation gets better. /Robert

[@KGridMod]

Cheers, for your comments. As I've said, it really doesen't seem to make any difference, BUT... If anyone is worried about a about loss of sensitivity when using a grid, then they might want to consider removing the black plastic layer that korg put on top of the touch-pad. I've not tried removing it myself, but its only attached along one edge, is thicker than the transparency film grid and doesen't serve any purpose other than to add a little bit of protection to the touch-pad...

[@KGridMod]

In theory putting something over the pad should lower the sensitivity, and this question has come up before, but in practical use you'll notice that it doesen't make any difference at all. Its like the grid just becomes the top layer of the pad. As long as people just use thin transparency film I don't think they'll notice any difference.

[@takkers]

you can also print those grids onto a colourless sheet, then put in between the touch pad and the screen protect.

[@KGridMod]

Yeah I thought about maybe using some stuff like you get to protect the screen of a PDA or some other similar gadget. Laminated sticky plastic will do the job, provided its not so sticky that you can't remove it if you wanted to!

[@KGridMod]

Hi there, yeah I am probably gonna make more designs in the future, so I could try that. With the Kaossilator it all varies hugely depending on what scale you have selected though, so its very hard to make a grid to suit all situations. Cheers for the comment! TJ

[@EarthVsJazz]

Thanks again. Finally did both, and its a whole new world,!

[@KGridMod]

Yeah, in theory putting something over the pad should lower the sensitivity, and this question has come up before, but in practical use you'll notice that it doesen't make any difference at all. Its like the grid just becomes the top layer of the pad. As long as people just use thin transparency film they won't notice any difference.

[@KGridMod]

Hi there, yeah I was lucky that I already had this mini hole punch that came with a music box kit (you punch out holes in a strip of card with notes on it like a piano roll and feed it through the music box to play the notes). I did wonder if others might be able to carefully use a drill, or dremell? Its one way of doing it neatly I thought anyway.

[@soulsonicfarce]

Nice work! I've been looking online for a while now to see if anyone could be bothered to do this as it is really hard to repeat solo leads and hit individual notes the same time and again. I know it's a robust little machine but I'd be a litttle scared of screwing mine up :-p Maybe I'll have the courage to do this one day...thanks very much for posting and sharing the design.

[@Topdoginuk]

@flux302 I just taken delivery of a Kaossilator Pro! It seems a awesome bit of kit!

[@JohnGarnerViolin]

Just one more thing. To punch the holes in the corner, how have you been making them so neat? I find that the plastic just sticks out on one side, making it difficult to get it in. I'd like to give my MIni Kp a go, but I would like to found out about this first. Thanks.

[@machyr]

It's also possible to print it on normal print paper and then seal it with laminator.

[@Saxofaxo]

Well, I just finished it. Very exciting. I almost fucked up the tap button. When you pull of the silver top, watch out for that button.

[@KGridMod]

Instead of having to open it up you mean? Yeah I had thought of doing something like that. My idea was that you could maybe print the design onto one of those stick-on protective screen covers like people use on pocket PCs. Cheers, TJ

[@Bogoris]

Hi. I have made some useful improvements to that grid and I will be glad to send it to you, so you can publish it on your blog. How can I send you the files?

[@Hochy36]

Can you send it to me?

[@PANDEMONIUMDJ]

When i first got my Kaossilator i thought about doing this and have made little paper points for certain songs. I never though about acetate though! what does it feel like when using it with your finger? does it still perform as good? I have a laser printer so will look into making one. :-) thank you for all your kind help. you are a very genuine guy

[@furrtek]

Great idea ! 'Have to try this as soon as I get mine back :)

[@VJFranzK]

i too thought there should be a grid there ;-) Good video

[@KGridMod]

These look really good man. Cheers for making them and sharing. I wish my printer wasn't broken, but I'll have to wait until Monday now before I can try them out... Does this fit a particular scale?

[@KGridMod]

Yeah, it depends if you are happy taking stuff like this apart! I take loads of stuff apart, and I guess so far I have been lucky not to screw anything up... I reckon the Kaossilator is pretty tough though, just because its so simple inside. Cheers, TJ

[@JohnGarnerViolin]

Thanks man. Just one question... for a stylus, what are you using? I find that with my finger, the sensitivity is not affected, but using the stylus I'm using, I quite often get jerks because the contact has breifly been lost.

[@KGridMod]

Good question! No, as far as I can tell putting a layer of transparency film has not made any difference to the sensitivity of the touch pad at all. If it has made a difference, it is too slight to be noticeable. Try cutting a bit of paper, or transparency film to the size of the touchpad and just lay it over the top to see what you think. Cheers, TJ

[@AdrianCuloare]

verry nice man ... i was thinking the same about some grid .... nice joob ... it looks good

[@djcb1]

Is there any way that I can get one of your grids? Thanks for the great video!

[@TokyoChopSquad]

Plastic wrap/ cellophane works great too.

[@HydroSoulMusic]

Brilliant idea dude !!!! I have the same problem. Thanks for posting !

[@JacoboCastroCristo]

does it afect the sensitivity?

[@KGridMod]

No for some reason that grid keeps disappearing from the blog. I can't understand why, the other one is always fine. Its like every two weeks or so I have to upload another one and replace the link. Weird... Anyway, its back up again now.

[@timrideout]

awesome, man! You could make a gazillion bucks - patent and market this idea, man!

[@GarmrNL]

Wow, I thought of something like putting a paper on the touchpad, but this is even better! Would it be possible to create a sheet for every scale, and make it exactly the same shape as the visible part of the touchpad? If you put the Kaossilator on a table while playing it wouldn't fall off, and this way you don't need to open it up :-) Great work though!

[@RevFuchs]

Thank you dude

[@dayoutubeer]

Do you happen to know if there is any alternative/replacement part for the touchpad? I found one of these bad boys at goodwill for $3 a while back and everything works except the touchpad. I open it up and the ribbon cable connecting the screen to the port has been corroded and I'm desperately trying to find a replacement!

[@eterbaires]

did u find any replace , here the same probl.

[@VuelaBand]

Thats a really good idea, Ill be modifying mine soon

[@Fearlessone88]

An excellent idea mate. thanks heaps

[@KGridMod]

To me it seems like the transparency film has not changed the playability and feel at all, but its hard to say without having two Kaossilators to compare between. I'm hoping other people will try it out and let me know what they think about that! Cheers! TJ

[@benelvy1234]

do u reli have to take it apart cudnt u just lay it over the top with liek some stick tape

[@KGridMod]

I've been using a stylus that came with my old Palm, but I know what you mean about losing contact, using something hard is not so smooth sounding. I've been thinking about getting a pencil with an eraser on the end and shaping it! Or something softer like that. TJ

[@PANDEMONIUMDJ]

Was it a laser printer you used to print? Luckily I got one of them afew weeks ago :-)

[@KGridMod]

I look forward to seeing the grid! How did you come up with 7 X 15? Does that just work with all the scales? Will be cool to see it. I think that we are all aware that there are a lot more than 45 selectable parts of the touchpad!! If you read the info on the right, or read my blog you will see the reasoning for why mine has 45 squares... but hey, from the time I have had this video up I understand that not everyone want to read stuff! Anyway, sounds cool, can't wait to see it, TJ

[@kobediahmiller9666]

I'm looking for a place to buy a custom screen protector. Anyone have any ideas?

[@KGridMod]

No I just used an old Inkjet printer with some Inkjet transparency film. (check my blog, a link is in the info on the right) I don't have a laser printer. A laser printer would probably do a better job, but I heard that you have to be careful using transparency film with a laser printer, because the laser printer uses heat, and if the heat melts the film you can shag your printer, so make sure all your settings are correct first! TJ

[@TheChameleon2008]

lol why not stick a screen protector on it and drag on the bottom side?

[@MichaelStoneham]

you should post a link to the template file for others to download and print. great idea.

[@KGridMod]

Sorry to the person who wrote: "very useful mod, man! thanks for sharing!" I just went to click 'Reply', but hit 'Remove' instead! I should learn to be more careful.... Anyway, it would be cool to hear back from anyone who has tried out my design, at the moment I think I'm the only one that has given it a go! (or the only one foolish enough.....)

[@PANDEMONIUMDJ]

Hi. I am interested in buying one of these from you. can you message me the price. Great idea. The downside to having 9 sections on the x axis is that it does not follow the default scale of 15 notes. If you go to A.21 and slowly slide from right to left you will hear 15 different pitches. Maybe a grid with 15 sections could be a consideration for the future. Good work anyways!

[@Polynomial_v]

Is it normal I can't access to the grids ? Tried to open the links and I get send on imageshack.us/my/images :( Anybody whom knows how to access them ? Would be lovely !!

[@Paintwritelive]

what kind of speakers do you use?

[@friendlyflavour]

cool!! can you give me the measures ??

[@matiasmonkeyman]

might try getting some of that for mine.

[@KGridMod]

Sorry, I forgot that you also mentioned buying one. I did consider selling these, and I mention that at the end of the vid, but its a lot easier if people just print out their own. If you have no means at all to make one I guess we could so something out. If you want you can send me a message and we can discus it. TJ

[@slipdpk1]

Great video man! You could easily set up a buisness where people send in there kaosssilators to you and you do the job for them! i know i would! thanks very much...

[@KGridMod]

Hey, grid designs back up again on my blog now.

[@Synthematix]

use inkjet sticker paper and put that inside instead, you can then print graphics on it

[@albinowolf2]

EEEEEEK! I saw a naked kaossilator!

[@matiasmonkeyman]

why not just get a laminated stick back plastic cover and stick it on the front to save dismantling it

[@captswiss]

@fillepo Digital Grylls :D

[@PANDEMONIUMDJ]

You need to take this item back. if you cant, follow the trace from the channel that is damaged. If you dont know much about microtronics then you wont have a clue. it wont be something simple as it happening to both the RCA and 3.5 jack sockets so it will be internal. Sorry to be the voice of doom

[@KGridMod]

I'm not sure I can help you mate, but search on KZbin for 3amsleep, he is a guy who has also got into taking his Kaossilator apart, but from what he says I reckon he's got a better knowledge of electronics than me, hopefully he can help you out or give you some pointers, sorry I can't help you myself. TJ

[@KGridMod]

I have left the metal cover off my Kaossilator as its so much sexier half undressed... Shit, I need to get out more.

[@STUDIOMcCOY]

tá maluco!