Description
The Korg Lambda is a full polyphonic synthesizer with 48 keys and presets, launched in 1979. It offers two sound types – Percussive (Electric Piano, Clavi, Piano, Harmonics) and Ensemble (Brass, Organ, Choir, Strings I, Strings II). The Percussive sounds have a simple fast attack and variable decay envelope, while the Ensemble sounds have both preset and variable attack/release envelopes. Each key is articulated independently, so there’s no note stealing, as is the case with synthesizers with only a handful of voices. The Lambda is a solidly built instrument, and its large top is perfect for setting up a few effects pedals and/or a mono synth. Despite its preset nature, the Lambda is a more versatile synth than it first appears, due in part to the quality of its sound, but also to its simple but useful modulation and sound-shaping controls. With a phaser and some reverb, it really comes into its own and is eminently playable.
