This is a demo video for the modern mini-synth classic, the Korg microKorg synthesizer.

Description:

State-of-the-art analog modeling and multi-band vocoding are available in a compact, portable instrument. With 37 keys and 128 user-rewritable programs, the microKORG Synthesizer/Vocoder is designed for the performer, producer, computer musician or beginner looking for an affordable synthesizer.

Korg microKORG Synthesizer/Vocoder Features:

• 128 user-rewritable programs
• 37-key mini keyboard
• Powerful synthesis
• Classic vocoding
• A full range of effects
• Great sounds and expression
• Flexible arpeggiator (6 types)
• Clear control and classic looks
• Can serve as a compact MIDI controller

EM’s David Battino had this to say about the Korg microKorg:

It’s easy to slip into critic mode and forget that making music is supposed to be fun. The MicroKorg is frustrating if you expect to play and program it like a full-size keyboard synthesizer, but as a portable, creative gadget, it stands alone. If you can justify spending $500 on a terrific-sounding musical toy (and I use that word in a very positive sense), you won’t go wrong with the MicroKorg.

The Korg microKorg retails for $399.

If you’ve used the Korg microKorg – leave a comment with your thoughts!

Specifications:

Sound Generation Method:
Analog Modeling Synthesis System

Synthesizer Program:
Multi Timbral:
2 (max, Normal/Dual Mode)

Voices:
4 voices

Sound Source:
2 Oscillator + Noise Generator
Multi Mode Filter (-24dB/oct LPF, -12dB/oct LPF/BPF/HPF)
EG x2, LFO x2, Virtual Patch x4

Vocoder Program:
Voices:
4 voices

Sound Source:
1 Oscillator + Noise Generator
EG x1
LFO x2
8 Channels vocoder
Level and pan of each channel can be edited
Formant Shift function

General Specifications:
Programs:
128 programs

Effects:
Modulation effects (3 types)
Delay (3 types)
Equalizer

Arpeggiator:
6 types

Keyboard:
37 Keys (mini-keyboard, velocity sensitive)

Inputs:
AUDIO IN 1, and 2

Level switch:
LINE/MIC
[AUDIO IN 1, 2 (LINE)]
[AUDIO IN 2 (MIC)]

Outputs:
L/MONO, R and Headphones

MIDI:
IN, OUT and THRU

Display:
3 characters x1 line with 8 segment LED

Power Supply:
DC 9 V (AC adapter), or six AA alkaline batteries (sold separately)

Power Consumption:
6.4 Watt maximum

Dimensions:
20.63″(W) x 9.13″(D) x 2.76″(H) 524mm(W) x 232mm(D) x 70mm(H)

Weight:
4.85 lbs. 2.2 kg

Accessories:
AC adapter (DC 9 V, 600 mA)
Condenser Microphone

Korg microKorg Resources:

• Official info page
• EM review

Korg has announced “stunning new colour options” for the Korg M50, microKORG XL and padKONTROL.

Now – I love me some Korg gear, especially anything with the word Electribe on it – but there have been a boatload of interesting electronic music gear announcements in the last six months – and Korg is giving us pretty colors for their gear?

Has marketing replaced innovation?

Note to Korg: There are two colors for electronic music gear: black & matte black.

Think I’m being too harsh on Korg? Let me know what you think in the comments!

schokokontrol’s The Shepherd’s Dream is based on a Shepard Scale – overlapping ascending melody lines that create the illusion of an infinitely rising melody.

via schokokontrol:

Working on a track based on a shepard scale, percussion from a Yamaha CS-80

This is an official overview/intro video for the new Korg microSampler.

via KorgUSAVideos:

Introducing the microSAMPLER, from Korg. This dynamic, compact instrument extends the micro family with some of Korg’s most powerful sampling tools and effects, combined with 37 great-feeling Natural Touch mini-keys. Use the included power supply, or install 6 AA batteries for the ultimate in portable sampling.

For more information, please visit http://www.korg.com/microsampler .

This is a demo of a customized Korg micoKORG: The MK-101:

This is my customized microKorg. It was largely inspired by the Roland SH-101 and other vintage synths.

It’s a blast to play. You can hear it used in some songs and find pictures of it at the Polaroids of the Pyramids MySpace page

Nice custom work, performed by Custom Synth.

via PolaroidsPyramids

This video demonstates Talk Box Setting for the Korg MicroKorg

via BHuntJr:

Sorry it took so long. But here are the settings:

Voice-knob3-mono
OSC1-Knob1-VOX
Filter-Knob2-25
PAT1-Knob1-Mod-Knob2-LF.2-Knob 3-33

mik300z is back, with another synth jam, channelling Vangelis’ orchestral electronica sound palette.

This synthprovisation is inspired by Vangelis’ Chariots of Fire soundtrack album, “side two”.

That’s the ‘make out” side, in case you didn’t know. None of that tch-tch-tch-tch-tch–tch.

Leave a comment with your thoughts!

Sunday Synth Jam: Desolation Path-Bladerunner Atmosphere Part II is a luscious bit of symphonic electronica improvisation, via mik300z:

You guys seemed to like my other BR video so thought I would share this. Far as i am concerned I should have called it “Demolition path” for what I have done to this beautiful Vangelis piece! It was quite difficult , way beyond my ability, but enjoyable.

ESQ 1 comes in here again as a Yamaha CP-80 electric piano, did quite a good job for the chords at the beginning. A lot of this is nonsense, but fun all the same:)

In this video, like Bladerunner Atmosphere Part 1, mik300z really channels Vangelis’ sound palette. Check out his other Vangelis covers on YouTube.

Leave a comment with your thoughts!

Update: Removed on account of synthtoxication. : (

Here it is – the Vangelis Blade Runner cover that will make you weep.

This is the first time I’ve seen someone really nail the lushness and quirkiness of Vangelis’ soundtrack for Blade Runner. It’s not an exact sonic match, but it’s extremely close, it’s live, it sounds great and and it’s a very musical performance, too.

Give it a listen, crank it up and let me know what you think!

Gear-geek details below.

via mik300z:

The Stars of this video are the ESQ 1 for the Cs80 brass leads and the Juno 6 for it’s authentic sounding electronic beeps. The bells and percussion from the Korg x5 and Juno G. Microkorg on strings.

Really enjoyed this and amazing how a few affordable synths can re-create the unique bladerunner sound.

This is the official Korg intro video for the Korg microKorg XL.

via KorgUSAVideos:

Korg presents the microKORG XL Synthesizer/Vocoder! Features include Korg’s powerful MMT synthesis, 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys, 16-band vocoder with included metal gooseneck mic, and HUGE sound.

Big City Music reports via their blog that the Korg MicroKorg is now the most popular music synthesizer in history:

We were talking to our Korg sales rep. the other day and he mentioned that the 100,000th Korg MicroKorg keyboard just came off the assembly line. Unofficially that makes the MicroKorg the best selling synthesizer of all time. Amazing.

There’s no official ranking that I’m aware of for top-selling synths. If you’ve got more information on this, leave a comment.

And if you’ve got a Korg MicroKorg, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Here’s a audio demo of the Korg MicroKorg that highlights some of the instrument’s capabilities:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Image: Ivo Riemann

This is a demo video, in German, from Musikmesse 2009 of the Microkorg XL mini synth.

via musotalk

Check out this fun user-created stop-motion MicroKorg ad.

via andrewjnorthrop:

An advert me and friends made for the MicroKorg product by Korg as part of our Fda in Video Production.Alternative upload at Vimeo: http://www.vimeo.com/3099098Music: “Seventeen Years” by RatatattMADE BY: Andrew Northrop, Barnaby Bryant and Tony Weinstock.

This is a sort of cheesetastic – an 80s Synth Medley (3 guys, 6 keyboards).

via EnvelopeGenerator:

Three guys, six keyboards, fifteen hits of the 1980s. All played live!

Keyboards:ARP Axxe, KORG MicroKORG, KORG Triton Extreme 61, M-Audio Axiom 61, Roland Juno 6, Yamaha SHS-10 Keytar

via PeterC on Twitter

This video explores creating a Jarre-style “laser harp” sound using a Korg MicroKorg.

via cmatsuoka:

This is my first attempt at creating a program for the microkorg, so I picked up a sound that is easily recognizable. This is certainly not the best Synthex “laser harp” sound recreation around, but it should provide a good start for tweaks and improvements.

The idea should work with any two-oscillator analog or analog-modeled synthesizer with oscillator sync, filtering and some kind of pitch envelope for the sync sweep.

Actual values used in each parameter are shown in parentheses.

This Korg MicroKorg demo looks at making your MicroKorg sound like a classic Roland VP-330, as heard on many a Vangelis track.

It’s a pretty good approximation, don’t you think? Not bad for a cheap synth!

Leave a comment with your thoughts!

via mik300z:

I’ve been asked by a few people to share the parameters on this Roland vp-330 like strings patch, so here it is.

After inputting these settings exactly you’ll have this lovely warm vintage string sound as is heard in the little track I made for the video (inspired by Vangelis’ Bounty soundtrack).

I have about 6 variations of it, if you use the phaser on mod fx instead of ensemble it gives a really nice Jarre-like sound too….enjoy!

This is a nice space music synth jam, via Michael Daniels:

Another demo of various synth sounds made live, using the Juno 6 arpeggiator as a platform.

I’ve also improved the MicroKorg strings to sound more like the vp-330.

I also got a nice effect from the juno 106 using it’s portamento switch and LFO.

This improvisation recalls a lot of classic 70’s synth music.

Let me know what you think in the comments!

I’m a Blade Runner freak, so, this Blade Runner Synth Jam caught my eye:

The opening titles from ‘Blade Runner’ by Vangelis on a microKORG and an ARP Axxe.

I can’t make an Axxe sound like a CS-80, of course… ‘but then again, who does?’

It’s nice to see a fairly reasonable cover done on relatively cheap gear – but nothing sounds like a Yamaha CS-80!

via EnvelopeGenerator

This is a nicely produced and filmed synth jam, via Denkitribe, Coldplay – Talk (microKORG XL and Electribe MX).

In this video, MicroKorg (Drone A82) & a Roland Space Echo are used to create ambient drone effects.

via Rothgar777