Korg MicroSampler Review

The Korg MicroSampler may have only been announced a couple of weeks ago, but Sonic State’s Nick Batt has already run the MicroSampler through its paces.

His overview video, above, offers a good look at the hardware itself and how the MicroSampler works.

Batt says:

The microSAMPLER is not going to be a sampling workhorse for you if you require large string libraries or hours of storage, but as a simple loop replay device or maybe sound effects trigger for a theatre production, it could really fit the bill. Where the microSAMPLER’s strength lies is in the ability to quickly set up loops or phrases. With some careful planning and arrangement, I dont see why it couldn’t run the show, negating the need for a laptop – assuming you dont need to run a LOT of audio and backing vocals etc.

If you’re interested in the Korg MicroSampler, don’t miss Batt’s full review.

And if you’ve used the MicroSampler, leave a comment and let us know what you think of it!

18 thoughts on “Korg MicroSampler Review

  1. I think this man should be hired by synth companies to make DVD tutorials.
    God knows manuals are Greek/chinese and martian.
    Always enjoy his reviews.

  2. Nick Batt is great in explaining what the microSampler can do.

    I just got mine yesterday. There are a few more things that people should be aware of. The pattern sequencer can only handle one Keyboard mode sample per pattern. Also, the pattern metronome can be turned off but the volume cannot be adjusted and it's rather shrill. And as explained in the video, but not rather well, you only have one effect to work with on all the samples of a particular bank – if you want more effects, you'll have to resample.

    A neat thing I found out yesterday is that you can use the pattern sequencer as a midi sequencer to drive external devices.

    Also, download the Quickstart guide PDF from the Korg website. The manual doesn't explain the shortcuts to use and is vague on some features and shortcomings.

  3. I would like a sampler that lets me create my own dum kits and then use the onboard sequenecer to create beats with the kits I have ceated. Can the microsampler do this ?

  4. Yes. Keep in mind that sounds must be produced by an outside source and recorded onto the sampler. Also, it helps to watch the youtube videos and read about what this can do on the korg.com site.

  5. To AI_Joe… your write that the pattern sequencer can only contain one keyboard mode record at a time. However you can record to the sequencer, resample the pattern to a key. Change or delete pattern record the resampled key, then play another keyboard sample ontop of it.

  6. I am all for HARDWARE SAMPLERS (I own 7) vs software in a home computer sharing resources. Until you hear the difference its hard to understand for someone who didnt grow up on AKAI and EMU like me. It looks super cool but there are hints that its aggrivating in every review. Also it should have gobs of RAM,RAM is dirt cheap compared to the 1500 dollars1gb once was.

  7. i just buy the micro sampler …. it took me a week to learn this sh**t buy a laptop and a sound card
    instead and a midi player it will save you time … now i use the microsampler for triggering samples live and as a midi player ! wait until the price drop to 200$ if you wanna make a deal !!!

  8. You talking bullshit man! How about external sequencer? Is not working properly, how you setup the external midi sequencer to play just one sound for all keys? I try that 100 times setting up everything follow the instruction and nothing works. It's a toy and piece of junk for babies and amateurs

  9. It's really easy as can be. I don't understand how you can't get this simple, straightforward sampler to work for you. Especially with you being all pro and everything.

  10. Really? So try this, choose the sound of Fender piano, connect this Korg to the other keyboard, set this Korg as a sleve so you can play other keyboard using sound of the Korg, even setup a global – local for off and start to play your keyboard, specially touch the note – d -. Then you tell me why the hell under note d (just d) i get 2 different notes instead note d only?

  11. I really don’t understand why people complain about this piece of equipment. Yeah, it’s only got 14 voices of polyphony and one keyboard part per sequencer track, but, as mentioned before, if you record your sequences as loops and then play them back on keys, you can make really elaborate songs by swapping those loops in and out and playing over them. I use a Korg PadKontrol to control it, and it works superbly. I can even set the PadKontrol Pads to “toggle” mode, to toggle my loops on and off without using the loop hold button. Also, most people don’t realize this, but this is one of the only samplers on the market that can play back 24-bit audio. None of Akai’s samplers can do that. Also, if you are having problems with running out of space to store your samples, do what I do, use the librarian software on your computer to make your PC an external hard drive for samples. This way, through USB, you can use your computer to switch sample banks fluently. This machine can easily be a “centerpiece” in any setup. You just have to think efficiently.

  12. Also, it’s got a sequencer resolution of 480 ppq. That’s much more robust than the akai mpc 1000 or 2500. It’s only real limitations are polyphony (which you can work around easily), and it’s lone effects processor. This effects processor is pretty much identical to that of the Electribe ESX,but offers more control options. Again, if you want to layer effects, resample.

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