Korg’s KAOSS series of devices has been redefining live performance and on-the-fly production since the release of the first unit way back in 1999. 

Popularised by artists like Beardyman, the live-looping, sound mangling and sampling capabilities of the KAOSS pads made the units cult classics, and we’ve seen them used by everybody from techno producers to Muse guitarist Matt Bellamy. 

Korg updated and upgraded the KAOSS Pad over the years and released a number of smaller KAOSS-powered devices. However, after the release of the Mini KAOSS Pad 2 in 2012, Korg appeared to shelve the series, much to the disappointment of KAOSS disciples. 

In something of a surprise move, today Korg unveiled a brand-new unit, the KAOSS Replay, a device that appears to be the new flagship model in the series and one that confirms that KAOSS is alive and well. 

With a 5-inch OLED touchscreen, 16 velocity-sensitive performance pads and a host of other buttons and sliders, the Replay is the most feature-packed KAOSS unit to date. 

Each pad contains eight sample banks, with sounds loaded in via live capture or microSD. The unit has up to 32GB of storage, plenty of space for sounds and samples. 

The Replay comes with 128 FX algorithms which, in true KAOSS style, can be tweaked and manipulated using the touchscreen.

In addition, the Replay can be used as DJ mixer. Samples and tracks can be assigned to faders, and there are sync, pitch control and hot cue features available. 

The KAOSS Replay will be available from January 2024 and is expected to ship at a price of €1,099.