Korg microKORG S Synthesizer/Vocoder

Description

The MicroKORG S from Korg is a synthesiser/vocoder housed in a compact but rugged enclosure and features thirty-seven velocity-sensitive "Natural Touch" mini keys and an integrated high-quality 2+1 sound system. Combining analogue modelling with a vocoder provides the user with a wide range of styles and sounds. The microKORG S features an updated sound set with 256 presets and 64 user sets for saving your own creations. What's more, eight favourites can be saved to the quick programme selection for quick performance sets.

The vocoder consists of an 8-band filter bank that simulates the sounds of the past, while also allowing for filter-frequency shifting (Format Shift), or adjusting the level and pan of each band to dramatically change the overall character of a sound. A gooseneck microphone is included. Two master effects utilise the effect engine from the company's Kaoss Pad series, with a total of seventeen types including delay and echo, a ring modulator and grain shifter. Time-based effects can be synchronised to MIDI clock.

Features

• Built-in 2+1 speaker system ensures a rich and full sound at any volume
• Increased memory and additional factory and user programmes
• Elegant design retains the spirit of the original
• Favourite Select function
• All of the functionality of the original microKORG

Analogue-Modelling Synthesiser
The analogue-modelling system of the microKORG S uses DSP technology to simulate an analogue synthesiser. Starting with a variety of different oscillator algorithms (such as the sawtooth and square waves familiar to users of analogue synthesisers) you can use the various controls located on the front panel to edit any sound, or to create sounds of your own. All sound parameters are organised into “sections”—by selecting the appropriate section and turning the appropriate knob you can edit sounds quickly, easily and intuitively. You can also modify the sound in real time as you perform

• Number of Timbres: Maximum 2 (when layer is used)
• Maximum Polyphony: 4 voices
• Structure: 2 oscillators + noise generator: sawtooth wave, square wave, triangle wave, Sinae wave, Vox wave, DWGS x 64, Noise, Audio In (eight types)
• PWM function, OSC Sync function, Ring Mod. function, OSC Sync+Ring Mod. function
• Multimode filters: -24 dB/oct LPF, -12 dB/oct LPF, -12 dB/oct BPF, -12 dB/oct HPF (four types)
• Filter AEQ, Amp EG, LFO1, LFO2 (LFO: six waveforms, can be synchronised to the arpeggiator or to external MIDI clock)

Vocoder
You can connect a mic to one of the microKORG S's AUDIO IN 1 jacks, and use it as a vocoder – a device that imposes the spectral character of a voice (or other audio signal) on the sound of an oscillator, producing the impression that the oscillator is speaking. The vocoder consists of eight channels (sixteen filters used in pairs). In addition to simulating the sounds of classic vocoder units, you can change the filter frequency and adjust the level and pan of each band to create original vocoder sounds

• Maximum Polyphony: 4 voices
• Structure: 8-channel vocoder, adjustable level/pan for each channel, Formant Shift function, 1 oscillator + noise generator (eight types)
• Filter EG, Amp EG, LFO1, LFO2 (LFO: six waveforms, can be synchronised to the arpeggiator or to external MIDI clock)

256 Built-In Programmes
The microKORG S contains 256 built-in programmes. When shipped, the TRANCE-S.E./HIT banks contain synth programmes, and the VOCODER bank contains vocoder programmes

External Input Source
The waveform of an external audio source can be input via the Audio In 1 and 2 jacks, and processed in the same way as the internal waveforms

Virtual Patch Function
Modulators and controllers such as filter EG, amp EG, LFO 1/2, keyboard tracking, and wheel can be virtually patched (without using actual patch cables) to parameters such as pitch, cutoff, and amp. This gives you even more creative flexibility

Effects
For even greater possibilities, the microKORG S provides three types of modulation effect, three types of delay, and an equaliser. The delay effect can be synchronised with the arpeggiator or an external MIDI clock, allowing numerous applications in live performance

Step Arpeggiator
The microKORG S's arpeggiator lets you produce an arpeggio simply by holding down a chord. You can choose from six arpeggio types, and adjust the duration and spacing of the arpeggiated notes. You can also specify whether a note will be on or off for each of up to eight steps, letting you create a broad range of modified rhythms and other effects