Korg Kaptivator - video sampler effects mixer

 The Korg Kaptivator dates from the 1990s

This is a mix between a Roland Edirol video mixer and an Akai MPC style sampling playback machine except its for video clips. 

They are pretty rare so I am luckly to have scored one the last time I was in Japan.

 

Its a mixer, a sampler and a FX all in one.

 Very useful if you have a limited amount of space.

 

My basic video set up usually is either a 

Korg KrossFour (4 channel Mixer and effects)

and 

Korg Kaptivator (sampler, effects & mixer)

with cameras & the odd video synth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or a  

Korg Entrancer (effects)

and

Edriol/Roland P10 (Sampler)

and

1 or 2 cameras for live feed and a video synth.

 

 

each system has its strengths and weaknesses.

The edirol P10 uses SD cards , so is easier to connect to a PC.

The Kaptivator does have a firewire connection which Ive never tested.

 

Combining both is a awesome  way to go, though ,maybe a bit overkill ??

Anyway, the reason for this post....

I was having trouble last night getting my cameras to input a live feed into the Kaptivator.

They just wouldnt sync.

 

 

 Notice the right screen  is divided into 4.

The lower right corner is the video input... its blank

 ----------------------------

Page 14 of the manual is the important bit to read:

 

To select an external video source
Press the INPUT key to select one of the external video sources connected to the kaptivator.

 

The VIDEO INPUT indicator shows the status of the selected input.
Input 1 Lit: Currently selected
Blinking rapidly: No connection, or wrong signal format
Blinking slowly: Copy-protected signal was detected

Input 2 Lit: Currently selected
Blinking rapidly: No connection, or wrong signal format
Blinking slowly: Copy-protected signal was detected

DV Input Lit red: Currently selected (DV set to input)
Blinking rapidly: No connection
Blinking slowly: Copy-protected signal was detected
Green: Indicates that the DV connector is set to “Out”
dark (unlit) Input is off (black screen), or Main Out Capture is selected

For some reason it all works fine today.

The important thing to look for is the red lit numbers 1, 2, DV as you press that green input button

If its Blinking rapidly: No connection, or wrong signal format

You need to see a solid RED 

This is how everything should work if your routing is 3 Layers

This is setting 31

 

There is only one pot  for mixing 3 inputs.

This mixer setting mixes between the two clips 1st then adds the external input last.

This can be changed.

For the record,

the cameras I've successfully used with the Kaptivator for live feeds are:

 

 Panasonic SDR-H80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sony HDR-XR260VE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a standard CCTV camera

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAL setting (as I'm in Australia)

 

The Kaptivator's input 1 is a composite.

Input 2 is S-video

I used a simple composite to S-video cable for this input as both cameras are 

only composite out.