Korg N264
Music Workstation (1996)

76 keys version of famous rompler popular workstation N364.

KEYBOARD (76 dynamic keys with aftertouch).
Main panel features a backlit display, 42 buttons and 2 sliders. On the left side a 4-axis joystick.

Back panel terminal connectors:
- main signal out
- 2 assignable outputs
- headphones
- Midi Interface
- sustain pedal input
- assignable pedal input (program change, start/stop, bypass and filter cutoff).

 

VOICE main CPU 70433 (V55PI) manages 64 voices based on 16-bit Korg AI2 "Advanced Integrated System"- DAC is TDA 1305 model.
A basic patch is composed by 1 or 2 PCM (single/double) oscillators with individual settings:
- volume gain
- stereo panning
- octave set

WAVETABLE internal 8 mb ROM contains 645 samples split in 2 groups:
- PCM A:430 multisamples, various sounds including acoustic and electronics
- PCM B: 215 drum shots

PERFORMANCE combination system handles 8 parts or with individual settings:
- joystick can be assigned to pitch, filter, LFO rate/depth
- Midi channel
- transpose
- detune
- keyboard zone
- velocity switch
- volume / panning (also assign to individual analog out)
- interval transposes the OSC2 pitch to keep a constant interval above first OSC values.
- Special RPPR Real-time Pattern Play & Record function allows to assign some short sequences or musical phrases to selected keys.

 

 

FILTER lowpass non-resonant filter at 4 poles.

ENVELOPE there are 5 EGs:
- EG1: osc1 amplitude 4 segments + 4 times
- EG2: osc2 amplitude 4 segments + 4 times
- EG3: osc1 filter 4 segments + 4 times
- EG4: osc2 filter 4 segments + 4 times
- EG5: pitch EG has only 4 segments+ 2 times

 

 

LFO there are 3 delayed modulators called "MG":

	LFO1	LFO2	LFO3
destination	filter	osc 1 pitch	osc 2 pitch
sync	-	yes	yes
depth	yes	yes	yes
fade IN	-	yes	yes
shapes	triangle, pulse, saw up-down, random	triangle, pulse, saw up-down, random	triangle, pulse, saw up-down, random

SEQUENCER notes can be entered in real-time or step (resolution 48 or 96 PPQN); edit functions are: loop section, punch IN record, copy and insert. The N-364 imports standard Midi SMF 0-1- 2 also retrocompatible to older X or I format sequences.
ARPEGGIATOR 5 preset direction modes with gate / length option: up, down, alternate 1-2, random and special custom (up to 10 notes can be recorded).

EFFECT 2 DSP generators that can be chained in parallel or serial path- a total of 12 algorithms including reverb, chorus , flanger, distortion, EQ, autopan and exciter.

MEMORY:
- 200 ROM patches + 136 ROM GS/GM patches
- 200 ROM combinations
- 4 ROM 4 drum kits + 8 ROM GM drum kits
- 200 RAM programs + 200 RAM combinations
- 4 RAM drum kits
- 16 RAM tracks+ 10 RAM songs
- 100 RAM patterns
- 32000 RAM notes
TECH: MEMORY RAM may need battery change, it is a Cr2032 3V soldered to mainboard.

 

 

MAINTENANCE there are 2 common issues: - disk drive failure: it is not standard and has a custom flat, generally the belt has to be replaced or directly replaced by third-part USB module. - display gets dark: needs e-foil backlight replacement. Same model as X2 X3 X3R N364 synths.

RELATED FAMILY

KORG N364 features 61 keys instead of 76 with same 364 technical characteristics

AUDIO DEMO

Factory song 1 Factory song 2 Factory song 3 piano: standard piano: echoed piano: DX tines organ: b3 hammond prog brass mallet: jmj calypso choir: full layer strings: NY1997

synth: 8 bits game synth: brillant tone synth: m1 like synth: mellow xmas synth: not a mooga pad: sun pad: monkey noise pad: a wavesation? percussion: space debris drums: a tr909?

 

YOUTUBE VIDEO CLIP SELECTION   Demo Demo - Patch