KingKORG NEO Quick Start Guide

Connections

Important: Turn off the power of all connected devices before making any connections to prevent damage or malfunction.

Rear Panel

Connect the included AC adapter to the DC 12V jack. Use the cord hook to secure the cable. Ensure you use an AC outlet with the correct voltage for the adapter.

Connect the OUTPUT jacks (L/MONO, R) to your mixer, powered monitor speakers, or other audio equipment.

Other rear panel connections include:

• ASSIGNABLE SW jack: For connecting accessories like pedal switches (PS-1/PS-3) or foot controllers (EXP-2).
• DAMPER jack: For connecting accessories like a damper pedal (DS-1H) or pedal switch (PS-1).
• MIDI IN/OUT connectors: For connecting external MIDI devices.
• USB port: For connecting to a computer. A KORG USB-MIDI driver may be required; check the Korg website for OS compatibility.

Front Panel

The front panel features:

• Headphones jack: Connect your headphones here for private listening.
• Mic jack: Connect the included vocoder microphone here. Align the plug with the jack's pin positions and insert until it clicks.

Figure 1 (Connections) illustrates these connection points and typical setups.

Adjusting Volume and Power

Adjusting the Volume

Use the VOLUME knob to control the output level from both the OUTPUT jacks and the headphones jack.

Turning the Power On and Off

Before powering on or off, turn the KingKORG NEO's VOLUME knob completely down and switch off any external output devices (like monitor speakers).

To turn the unit on, press and hold the power switch on the rear panel until the main display lights up. Repeat this process to turn it off.

The KingKORG NEO features an auto power-off function, which turns the unit off after a set period of inactivity (default is four hours) to save power.

Selecting and Playing Sounds

1. Press the PROGRAM (GLOBAL) button to activate it.
2. Press a category/favorite button to select a sound category.
3. Turn the VALUE dial to choose a specific sound within the category.
4. Play the keyboard to hear the selected sound.

Program Organization

Each sound on the KingKORG NEO is called a "program." A program consists of two timbres (each with its own oscillator, filter, amp, etc.) and an effect section.

Altering How Sounds Play

You can modify the sound's characteristics using:

• The joystick for pitch bend and modulation.
• Keyboard Velocity (how hard you play) for dynamic changes.
• Keyboard Tracking (pitch) for how notes respond to different octaves.

Additional controls include:

• OCTAVE UP/DOWN buttons: Shift the keyboard's pitch range by up to +/- 2 octaves.
• ARP (TEMPO) button: Press this button and play a chord to activate the arpeggiator. You can adjust the tempo by holding SHIFT/EXIT and turning the VALUE dial, or by repeatedly pressing the ARP (TEMPO) button (tap tempo).

Figure 2 (Program, Timbre) shows the internal structure of a program, and Figure 3 (Sound Control) illustrates controls like the joystick and octave buttons.

Editing Sounds

The KingKORG NEO offers extensive sound editing capabilities:

Oscillator Section

• OSC SELECT button: Choose the oscillator type.
• OSCILLATOR TYPE dial: Select from various oscillator types (e.g., ANALOG, DWGS).
• TUNE (LEVEL) knob: Adjusts detuning relative to the base pitch.
• CONTROL knob: Adjusts parameters for CONTROL 1 (or CONTROL 2 when holding SHIFT/EXIT).

FX (Effect) Section

• PRE FX, MOD FX, REV/DELAY dials: Select and adjust effect types and their parameters.
• DRIVE/FREQ knob: Adjusts PRE FX parameters.
• DEPTH, SPEED knobs: Adjust MOD FX parameters.
• DEPTH, TIME knobs: Adjust REV/DELAY parameters.
• EQ HIGH, LOW knobs: Shape the tonal character of high and low frequencies. Use with SHIFT/EXIT to adjust cutoff frequencies.

LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) Section

• LFO SELECT button: Choose the LFO for modulation.
• FREQ knob: Adjusts the LFO cycle speed.
• INTENSITY knob: Adjusts the depth of the LFO effect.

EG (Envelope Generator) Section

• EG SELECT button: Select the EG to control.
• EG VELOCITY button: Enables/disables velocity-sensitive EG adjustments.
• ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN, RELEASE knobs: Shape the ADSR envelope parameters.

AMP Section

• AMP LEVEL knob: Controls the timbre's volume.
• UNISON button: Engages the unison voice function for a thicker sound.

FILTER Section

• FILTER CUTOFF knob: Adjusts the filter's cutoff frequency.
• FILTER TYPE (-) button: Cycles through different filter types.
• RESONANCE knob: Adjusts the filter's resonance.
• EG INT (KEY TRK) knob: Controls how much the EG affects the filter cutoff over time.

Saving a Program

Caution: Do not turn off the power until the "Complete!" message appears on the display after saving to prevent data corruption.

1. Press the WRITE button (it will blink).
2. Turn the VALUE dial to select the desired program number (save location).
3. Press the WRITE button again to save the program.

Press SHIFT/EXIT to cancel the save operation.

Using the KingKORG NEO as a Vocoder

1. Connect the included vocoder microphone to the Mic jack.
2. Press the PROGRAM (GLOBAL) button.
3. Press the SE/VOC category/favorite button.
4. Turn the VALUE dial to select a program where the VOCODER button is lit.
5. Adjust the MIC LEVEL knob so the MIC LEVEL PEAK LED does not light up.
6. Play the keyboard while vocalizing into the microphone.

Specifications Overview

The KingKORG NEO features Korg's XMT (eXpanded Modeling Technology) sound generation system.

• Programs: 300 (200 preset)
• Polyphony: 24 voices
• Oscillators: 3 oscillators, 138 types
• Filter: 1 filter (LPF, HPF, BPF)
• Effects: 3 program effects + 2-band EQ
• Vocoder: 16-band vocoder with formant shift/hold.
• Arpeggiator: Max 8 steps, 6 types.
• Keyboard: 37 velocity-sensitive keys.
• Connectivity: MIDI IN/OUT, USB-B.
• Dimensions: 565 x 338 x 92 mm.
• Weight: 3.1 kg.

Included items: Quick Start Guide, Precautions, AC adapter, vocoder mic, windscreen.