Synthesist and sound designer Ian Dixon shared this video, offering his take on Korg multi/poly native, which is now available.
Korg multi/poly native is a fully-compatible software counterpart to their recently introduced hardware multi/poly synthesizer.
Dixon is an expert on Korg’s compact synthesizers, and has shared videos and sound libraries previously for the wavestate, modWave and opsix. His latest video, embedded above, showcases the range of the multi/poly, offers plenty of audio demos, and a deep dive into how it works.
Topics covered:
- 01:30 Introduction
- 03:09 What is Multi/Poly Native
04:57 Inspiration - 05:30 Layer rotate
- 07:32 Oscillators
- 14:06 Wavetables
- 16:54 Waveshaping
- 17:59 Filters
- 24:55 Sync
- 26:52 Cross Mod
- 27:27 Ring mod
- 27:52 CMT
- 28:54 Motion Sequencer
- 39:02 Other features
- 42:30 Effects
- 46:24 Sound demos
Check out the demo and share your thoughts on the Korg multi/poly in the comments!
Pricing and Availability:
The multi/poly native for Windows and Mac (VST3, AU and AAX) is available for $149 USD until March 31st, 2025 (normally $199 USD).
I feel the MultiPoly is the most impressive hardware Korg have released in a considerable period of time. The hardware really benefits from gentle analog processing, presumably this is exactly the same.
What do you mean by gentle analog processing?
When I saw how smoothly the editor works with the hardware right in front of you, I discarded the idea of the plugin and go for the module instead. This synth reminds me of lot of the beast that was the Alesis Ion, and I always wanted a return to the hands-on and deep power of that one (in massively reduced size). Hopefully the Multi/Poly also does some sweet aliassing for some vintage VA flair.
Mini screen is good enough. If I need more details (lane editing) I hook the synth up to the computer instead and set that stuff up with touch screen at hand.
Recent Korgs are based on a raspberry pi. No analog stuff inside.
So the pure software version might be very close to the…. pure software version 🙂
I know. They did well to choose Raspberry Pi’s. Why bother reinventing the wheel when you can spend those resources on things that make your synth stand apart? It’s not like electronics are the expensive bit inside a synth anyway. Just look at Behringer and see where cost-cutting needs to be done to make it cheap. Korg curbed their the same way with the MK1s. The price of the MK2s and now this one is just a sign of what’s to come to synth market as a whole….
https://www.raspberrypi.com/success-stories/korg-synthesizers/
Yeah I’d assume they’re identical
?
Personally I run it through external analog filters. As good as the ones on the module are, for me at least, they don’t touch the real thing. However just the gentle saturation added by the circuits themselves (as opposed to actual filtering) is enough to warm up the signal somewhat, to be honest a pre-amp is enough to do this if you aren’t interested in analog filters
Tricky one. Too much saturated in a mix and the sound gets tiring. Some “character” can help, can you get enough with a character plug in or a slight drive option? I will take some saturation in and out of a mix to emphasise sections of a song but only on one or two elements
Absolutely, it’s a fine balance. Also depends on the other sources in your mix for sure
There’s the review to beat! Very useful info, excellent musical parts. The reviewer I saw first never shut up, heh, so this is some welcome fresh air. Now I have a good feel for what’s on offer.
I’m liking the Multi/Poly and seriously thinking about my need for a better VA. It’s almost like glue between the other synths of the line. I like the apparent compatibility with MoDWave patches, as a shameless patch monkey who loves new banks of sounds.
I’ve enjoyed my mass of synths over time, but lately, focusing on the best tools has made it easier to manage. I think the Multi/Poly could easily be the strong VA pillar of a rig. Wavetables are the new sampling in a way, so there’s more than just synth sounds to be had.
The stuff Ian Dixon does for Korg products is awesome!
Now I’m hoping the MultiPoly will support Korg’s SampleBuilder software, eventually. The mere thought of having a sample-playback engine with 4×4 oscillators really warms my heart!