2009 Winter NAMM Show: Korg made it NAMM debut of the microKORG XL – an analog-modeling mini-synth with a vocoder (MKXL). The microKORG XL offers eight-voice polyphony, a 16-band vocoder, on-the-fly parameter editing and USB MIDI connectivity.

The Korg microKorg is tough to get excited about.

It’s got a U.S. MSRP of $750.00, which is pretty steep for a mini keyboard. While the microKorg packs a lot of power into a tiny package, the keyboard has a cheesy feel, the microKorg doesn’t feel like a $750 keyboard and it’s got a fairly menu-oriented interface.

Most people would probably be better served by a small control keyboard and a good soft synth. If you really like the idea of a mini-synth, though, you’ll you’ll want to give the microKorg a try.

microKORG XL feature set:

• Engine: RADIAS
• Voices: 8, 2 Osc ea
• Multi-timbral: 2 part
• Keys: 37 Natural Touch mini keys
• Programs: 128
• Effects: 17 KAOSS-derived
• MIDI: I/O and USB (with MIDI interface)
• Vocoder: 16-band
• PCM
• Microphone input: XLR, with gooseneck mic included
• Inputs: 2 x 1/4″
• Step Sequencer and Arpeggiator
• Display: Full Backlit LCD
• Battery or AC Power