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
Thanks for providing the MSRP, I’ve been searching for it since yesterday. Now that I can hear it…That’s pretty ridiculous. For that money you could get the full-featured SH-201 or a real analog synth with MIDI controller. I’m sure the street will be much lower…At least I hope.