Korg microKorg Analog Modeling Synthesizer with Vocoder

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List Price: $500.00
Sale Price: $399.99
Today's Bonus: 20% Off

• Sound Generation Method: Analog Modeling Synthesis System
• Synthesizer Program: Multi Timbral=2 (max, Split/Dual Mode)
• Voices: 4 voices
• Arpeggiator: 6 types
• Outputs: L/MONO, R, Headphones

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I have another video review for the Korg M50 61 Key Synthesizer Workstation which is similar to this video review so feel free to check it out if you get chance.

I purchased the microkorg more for the vocoder than the soft-synth but I have to say that both elements are equally stunning. Now this video review of the MicroKorg only covers the very basics think of it as an overview from someone who has had enough time to play with the keyboard, but has yet to fully get into the deep side of the programming. I haven't even skimmed the surface of what this keyboard can do in terms of sound and versatility.

The synth sounds themselves are amazing as you will hear from the video, and that's despite me using the camera's onboard mic to record. And the vocoder is every ELO fan's dream!

Really for the price there's nothing on the market and it should be in every keyboard musician's toolkit, whether you're a studio performer or a live player. I feel that even the 'sequel' to the MicroKorg, the MicroKorg XL,is less useful as it relies more on connection with a computer than hands-on in the field programming that the MicroKorg can do.

Anyway have a look at the video and see what you think. Personally I love it!

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The MicroKorg is probably the finest synth you'll ever get at that price. It's very small (same size as many of those toy keyboards you grew up as a kid, but this is no toy), and has 37 keys, although the big criticisms here is Korg opted for toy keyboard-sized keys, rather than full-sized keys (the similar sized and similarly priced Alesis Micron, also 37 keys, used full-sized keys). It's a four note polyphonic virtual analog synth capable of fantastic analog sounds, with all the great sounds of the '70s, '80s, and '90s! It's essentially a Korg MS-2000 in a small package, but with an 8-band vocoder (instead of 16-band), and a superior arpeggiator, great for all you electronica and techno buffs out there, or those who want to create Tangerine Dream-like rhythms without the bulky gear that group had to use back in the glory days of the mid '70s. I've been aware of vocoders for ages, and of course, was a huge trademark in Kraftwerk's sound (they started using vocoders starting with 1973's Ralf & Florian, which is one album prior to their famous breakthrough, Autobahn), I am so happy to now personally own a vocoder, that is, one included in a synth. It has a condensor microphone for use of a vocoder, although you can hook up any standard microphone too. Like most any synth made in the last 20-25 years, it's MIDI, so you can have it interact with other MIDI synths, drum machines, your computer, or any other MIDI device.

Although it comes with an AC adapter for home and studio use, you'll be happy that you can use 6 AA batteries, so you can bring it with you on your next camping adventure (plus it has a headphone jack too, since hooking it up to speakers might be a bit difficult in the Great Outdoors).

It's also fully programmable, you can alter the sounds already included, or you can erase one of the settings and start from scratch. I really love the features you can do here. You can have it polyphonic, or monophonic for use of soloing, or retro-'70s analog sounds. It has two oscillators, you have many different choices of waveforms. You can edit the arpeggiator so you can get it to do different rhythms (it can do up to a sequence of 8 notes). I also really like the delay feature, to get that echo sound when you release the note, it really gives it a fuller sound. You can get it to pan for that wonderful stereo effect, or select a phasor. You can even program it to have the pitch wheel and modulation wheel do things, such as altering pitch, the resonance, vibrato, etc. There'e two edit knobs, and five more knobs to help you with the programming. But I very much suggest you read the instruction manual, or you might have a hard time programming it. But once you get a hang of it, you'll have a ton of fun programming your own sounds and see what you can do. Despite the keys itself, it's actually a fully professional synthesizer.

The MicroKorg might be geared for the younger audience, thanks to its low price and many of the techno sounds it can do, but Jean Michel Jarre uses one and he's hardly young. Not to mention you can make it do a lot of non-techno sounds too, like classic '70s analog sounds, or '80s polyphonic synth sounds (like what you hear on Van Halen's "Jump") so it doesn't just appeal to the young segment.

It's great see many professional musicians using it from Jean Michel Jarre right down to Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran. I even saw a documentary directed by Hans Fjellestad called Moog, which was about Robert Moog and of Moog synthesizers, and they showed several techno/electronic groups where the main emphasis was on their Moog gear (naturally), but one group was clearly shown with a MicroKorg.

This is no 88 key workstation, that's for sure. In some cases that's a good thing, especially if you like in a small apartment and you're concerned about space, but for such a small synth, I am completely blown away at what this can do. You really need to try and buy this synth, you won't be disappointed!

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bucks but, this product is frekin awesome, i bought it and i am glad i did, the synths are full programmable, the best thing about this synth is that it is SO versatile, has many banks to make and save sounds on, comes with a manual thats clearly laid out. it has a headphones out (1/4") stereo out L & R (2 1/4") dynamic 1/4" and included condenser mic (with mic in) line in and a midi in, out and thru. i am glad because i can use some other midi device to control its tiny keyboard. one of the coolest things i didnt know about the keyboard when i bought it, was it has a 6 AA battery panel to power it, so u dont need wall outlet, the sound quality is fantastic, i had it hooked up mono so im sure stereo is phatty. the synths have a wide range of dynamic controls, and sound like big bucks, for the money you pay for it. it only has truly 3 downsides

1. small cheap feel keyboard (can be a plus because the unit is quite portable)

2. few knobs to get the job done, so you have to go through each set of sound variables to really program the sound, which makes it difficult to do it live.

but once u programmed your sound to where u want to play with only few variables you have got it down

3. ive noticed that almost always i have to turn the knob to its full range, both up and down for it to activate its function as if it re-calibrates everytime on its range of motion (in order to edit a variable, such as arpegiator gate time)

i do recomend you try the unit at a store before buying amazon, so you can see if this unit is for you,

overall with its limitations, and functionality and quality, i must say this unit IS for me! thank you KORG!

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I purchased the microKorg in conjuction with "Welsh's Synthesizer Cookbook" with the desire to have a good dual-oscillator synthesizer to apply the theory I would learn. I won't comment on Welsh's excellent book here, but what I can say about the microKorg is that it is very powerful and versatile, and well-constructed.

The presets are not that great taken by themselves, but they are good templates for experimentation. When I did a youtube search for microKorg demonstrations, what mostly came up were low-grade recreations of Daft Punk vocoder lines, or standard metallic synth lead sounds. The thing is, the vocoder is a great tool, and it's great at leads, but this synth is capable of so much more.

The real power of this synth is the amount of control one has over the sound, especially at this price. One can get everything from lush pads to sharp stabs, all very well-rendered, the quality of which you might find on tracks made by your favorite producers, any genre, be it hip hop, trance, deep house, drum and bass. I've unintentionally gotten lost for hours at a time shaping sounds and playing with jazz chords. It does much much more than the basic leads you see people using this for, that is, if you invest time in reading the manual and learning synthesizer architecture, either through books like Welsh's, or using the "Sound on Sound Synth Secrets" articles that are freely available online.

What's more, this keyboard is also a good midi controller that you can use to play sounds through your digital audio workstation, like Logic, Reason, etc... With the quantity of buttons and knobs, plus the quality of the construction and layout, this is easily worth $100.00 just for that ability. Plus, it has midi lines in and thru.

Some people complain about the size of the keys, which are smaller than standard piano keys. However, you can look at the positive side of this, which is the ability to play more extended chords or play piano runs you wouldn't normally be able to play with full-size keys. This is matter of preference, but it certainly does not take away from the utility of it.

Others say that the two menus one must go through to access the roughly 80 parameters are convoluted, but forget that. The menus are logically laid out, in fact, according to the manual, they were deliberately laid out so that one goes through the parameters in logical order of how you would design a patch from scratch, starting at pitch and ending with LFOs. Moreover, for the size of the keyboard I'm simply happy that I have such control over the sound at such a good price. Korg worked within the size and price limitations very well.

There are of course better synthesizers out there, but not as powerful at this price. This is perfect for someone who is trying to learn how to program and play synthesizers with hardware, which is more visceral and tactile than doing so with software, and I think I am internalizing the theory and process of designing synthesizer patches more quickly so that I can get to the business of producing tracks. This is why I bought the microKorg. However, it is a studio-quality instrument that will only add to your creative arsenal. It is also good for the simple joy of designing and playing with synths.

I bought this unit, and I was immediately on my way to making new music. The wood panels and knobs give it a retro look, but don't be fooled, as it kicks out the latest jams with ease. If a vocoder is not found in your current gear, then this would be a great addition. I found that it was very interoperable with my existing equipment, so that I could make new fat tunes. The knobs and controls are almost all cross compatible with my Yamaha synth. It should be noted that it does not have an input for the foot controllers, but it does accept sustain from an external controller. Anyway, by itself it is a fine synth too, and the small keyboard is not too small. It comes in handy for a few things, like short rolls, which come off great. People are really showing off their talent with this thing. Check the vids. It comes with a condenser mic, so that you can get underway with the vocoder right out of the box, and it accepts line and stereo in audio feeds. This synth is the right size to carry around, and play it on your lap. It rocks!

It is likely that there is a new model coming out soon, so wait for the new one, wait for the price to come down, or get it now. Your choice. I recommend the latter, as it is already a reasonable price.

Regards,

proclus