SeriesKorg micro

The editing software is pretty limited, but it comes in very handy for rough editing (for a sample-detailed work I use Logic) Effects are of good quality, but they are also limited: : You can only use one effect at a time, which in my opinion is a pity. So, using a compressor or reverb + looping in real time on the fly is impossible! You will have to choose. If you want effects and be able to work with the samples in real time, you'll need and external effects processor. The sequencer is very handy (especially to control expanders via MIDI), even if limited to two tracks. USE Very easy to use. SOUND The sound is transparent. OVERALL OPINION I use the microsampler basically as a synthesizer and not really as a sampler. I can sample my keyboards and, thus, have something compact, light at hand, which spares me from having to carry all my gear around with me. I also use it to create sounds from different sound source that I can play with a keyboard, that way I can get very particular and unique ambiances and sounds. That's certainly something you can do from a DAW, but the microsampler has an immediate feel to it that is very nice to create things. It's a fabulous tool to experiment with. However, it's good to know it's limited in some ways: - The controls lack precision: The one that allows you to select the playable sample on the keyboard is not very practical, especially live (2 +/- navigation buttons would've been perfect). - I find it hard to use for sampling on the fly (for beatboxing and similar). Even if possible, I wouldn't recommend it for this use. - As I wrote above, you can only use one effect at a time! It's a real pity. - No octave +/- buttons, which is somewhat of a handicap for what I do. - Sequencer limited to two tracks. Many people criticize the memory limitation. To be honest, given that you can transfer banks to your computer and make backups the same way, I can't follow the criticism. 8 banks of 36 samples, 16 patterns, that may seem limited if you ONLY use the microsampler in your set, but together with other synths and a computer, the memory is more than enough for live applications. It has never annoyed me. For studio use it's totally irrelevant. In the end, this keyboard serves me well and constitutes a truly awesome sound creation tool. It is limited, like all tools, but it suits my needs perfectly. I would definitely buy it again with my eyes closed.

It was launched in July 2013. I needed a small, 3-octave keyboard to accompany my M-Audio Axiom 49 (with the goal of playing pads and accompaniments on the 4-octave M-Audio but most of the leads on a small, sensitive, 3-octave keyboard with mini-keys). There are quite a few options for 37 mini-keys keyboards on the market... but as soon as you start comparing them, the options start shrinking more and more and this Korg is always on top. In the end, this is the only one left standing. Absolutely everything about this keyboard is done to please you. Among the advantages that made me fall for it: - It's velocity-sensitive in a very fine and adjustable way - The keyboard is extremely soft but with a clean Note On triggering, with no odd action. - Octave transposition (it has a range of 7 octaves!) - The two indispensable wheels - There's no need for any particular drivers (you plug into an available USB port, Windows 7 installs straight away its internal driver and you are good to go!) - It doesn't need power supply (unless you use it with an iPad) - It has one USB output and TWO(!) USB inputs! Which broadens the possibilities when you have a micro-computer lacking USB ports for other MIDI devices (it works as a sort of hub for two additional MIDI devices). - It comes with the Korg Kontrol Editor software, which allows you to program it entirely (you can program MIDI messages, assign Control Changes to any key, for example, split the keyboard and assign them to different MIDI channels, modify at will the velocity, create patches, etc.) - A bundle of free software that are no toys, but true VSTIs distributed by big and well-known names (a free license for Korg M1 LE, a free license for Toontrack EzDrummer Lite, a free licesnse for AAS Strum Acoustic Session, a free license for AAS Lounge Lizard Session, a free license for AAS Ultra Analog Session. More than enough to keep you busy for quite some time and it's all of good quality! Plus, 50% off the full Korg Legacy Collection (which is the best of the best when it comes to vintage synths and you can get for only $130!)) UTILIZATION The keyboard is VERY nice. It's truly the best mini-keys keyboard I know. It responds perfectly to velocity, the keys don't have any play, release is instantaneous, you can play really fast (that was my goal when looking for a 37-keys) with perfect control. Even the two wheels are sturdy, perfectly adjusted, without any play and not flimsy at all. There's no aftertouch, but is it really necessary on a keyboard conceived to play fast a fluently? For pads, long sustains and aftertouch I use my M-Audio Axiom 49. Mini-keys with aftertouch is nonsense. Lots of people confuse aftertouch and velocity (which is important on a keyboard with mini-keys to play leads). And the shell of this keyboard is not made of soft plastic like on other models by well-known brands! This small Korg is almost an all-purpose keyboard, despite its 37 keys. I can take it with me when I go into town and also on weekends to the countryside in any bag and I can even take it on holidays without the fear of it getting damaged! Even the two wheels are as solid as on a normal-sized keyboard. One year later it is still in perfect condition despite using it every day for several hours. It is extremely easy to set up: Just plug it in and that's it! (If you want o do more specific things with MIDI messages you can install the Korg Kontrol Editor software and it all works seamlessly). MIDI channel selection is done automatically by all software programs so you don't have to worry any more than you would for any other keyboard. The manual is perfectly clear (in 5 languages). OVERALL OPINION I've been using it every day for several hours since July 2013. What about the value for money, you ask? Unbeatable! I bought it last summer for $150... And now, in March 2014, it sells for only $120 (and in some stores even $110). Would I buy it again based on my experience? Yes, for sure! If I ever need another 3-octave mini-key keyboard in the next months I'll buy this one without wasting any time comparing it to any other products!

The Korg Microstation Micro has a built in sequencer on it. That was a huge deal with me because most of the similar models that I have used in the past did not have a sequencer on it. So I was very curious has to how good the sequencer actually was on the Korg Microstation. The Korg Microstation is very affordable, it is a 61 key synth that has full MIDI capabilities and 480 professional sounding presets that are ready to go. This keyboard is small and compact, making it perfect for the gigging musician or someone who travels a lot from studio to studio like I do. It does come with a manual that will give you all of the basics of using the keyboard and break down the 16 track sequencer to you. UTILIZATION The Korg Microstation has 512 programs and 480 are preloaded. There are 48 drum kits and most of them are pretty good even though I don’t use drum kits from key boards I still found myself using a few of these kits. SOUNDS Setting up the Korg Microstation was quick and simple, there was nothing to it. Just turn it on and starting going through your sounds. There are 5 insert effects and 2 master effects. With a total of 134 effect types you will never run out of effects on the Korg Microstation. OVERALL OPINION The sequencer has 16 MIDI tracks and 1 master track. There are 128 songs on the Korg Microstation with an on board BPM. The interface is very easy to understand and going through your sounds are easy. There are not a bunch of different menu’s to shift or scroll through to find what you want making it a perfect board for performing with. I fell in love with the Korg Microstation the first time I tried it out.

This is a digital synth that has three octaves. There are connections for a microphone (input) as well as a 1/4" output for amplifiers and PAs. There's also an XLR out. The Microkorg has a built-in vocoder which is the reason for the microphone. There are wheels to adjust pitch, modulation, and sustain. It can be used for monophonic or polyphonic purposes. The sounds on this machine are finite, meaning you cannot update them with a computer. UTILIZATION Using this machine is pretty simple overall. While there are a bunch of sounds, there isn't an astronomical number of them, meaning you can get around them pretty easily and program your favorite ones for easy access. THe hardest thing about using this keyboard is the size of the keys. These keys would be relatively small for any player who isn't a child, and my hands happen to be quite large, so I sometimes struggle to fit the notes in. However, I think this is a relatively small problem considering that my main use of this synth is for single note lines, though. The manual is really good at explaining how to work the synth, and it definitely made things easier once I got started. SOUNDS I love the sounds that come out of this synth. Don't let the size fool you; this guy really brings it! My favorite sounds are ones that can best be described as throwbacks to 80s new wave and 90s dance music. I think that if this is what you are looking for, these sounds are great. It also does a decent job of emulating mellotron and organ sounds, which I wasn't expecting. I wouldn't buy it specifically for those things, but they are a nice bonus. To top it all off, the Vocoder is undoubtedly one of the best features of this synth, and almost worth it for this alone. The sounds are only as realistic as a synth can be. It emulates synth sounds, not the sounds of real instruments, so I'd say they are overall pretty realistic. There isn't much in the way of touch sensitivity, but the sounds that come out of this guy aren't really the kind you'd need a whole lot of sensitivity on anyway. I like some of the effects, particularly the modulation and reverb effects. I haven't had a single complaint with any of the sounds that have come out of this synth. OVERALL OPINION This synth came highly recommended by a few friends of mine. They didn't steer me wrong. I am very happy with this purchase. I like the diversity of synth sounds, the vocoder, and the relatively compact size of this keyboard. It's a bit pricey but I am very much convinced that it's worth it. I think that the sound quality is solid throughout, and assuming you use the right amp or DI this thing can work wonders. If broken, I would certainly replace it.

The MicroKorg XL can be purchased in a few different versions and colors. I have the limited Edition all black MicroKorg and it cost 515 dollars brand new. It has 37 keys and comes with a built in 16 band vocoder. There are a total of 128 sounds on the MicroKorg XL, and the reason that I got this limited edition version is just because I like the “all black” design. Everything is black even the “white” keys are black. There is only silver knobs and writing on it. They also make a standard version but it looked really boring compared to this version and they were both the same price so I went and got this one. UTILIZATION The 16 band vocoder is awesome. I have not performed with it yet, but I plan on really getting out there and doing some live stuff with this vocoder that the MicroKorg has. The microphone is a goose neck mic and can be adjusted to different positions depending on where the user wants it. SOUNDS There is an LCD screen on this board too; there are 3 knobs that basically control all of the functions for the LCD screen. It is very easy to choose your filters and add effects with the screen. The overall sound of this board is very classic, the 128 sounds that it comes with are all very good and have value right way without having to do anything too them. But if you want to tweak the sounds to make your own you can do that without a problem. OVERALL OPINION This board can be run off of batteries or from wall AC power making it very portable. The board didn’t come with a carrying case or any type of protection so I am not going to be traveling with it too much just yet until I get a case for it. This synth is well worth the money spent and I recommend getting the “limited edition” one because it looks way better than the standard one!

On delivery of this little keyboard wonder, I first thought: "KORG have put out a toy piano". However, on powering it up and pressing the keys, I was soon to realize this was no toy! I tried out all the pre-programmed instruments, from both the A & B banks. Easy! I also found the controls (knobs and dials) were robust and easy to use..Switching between instruments - again easy; just a turn of the Genre and Category dials and a new instrument was ready for play. UTILIZATION Shortly after receiving the MicroKorg XL, I just had to experiment with all those cool looking options on the right hand side of the keyboard. A change in timbre, filters, effects, arp'ing and so on. Plenty there to keep me up late while I experimented. I was pleasantly suprised with the supplied goose-neck microphone with its' XLR connection! The vocoder is the real "FUN" part. SOUNDS The only disappointment was in the ultra-light weight body;it felt a little too much like a toy., compared to the knobs and levers on top of the keyboard unit. But the sounds are not toy like, they are very professional. OVERALL OPINION Overall, a great addition to your musical instrument collection; it it light and very portable - so much so, that KORG have even enabled it to run off 6 AA batteries, so you can take it camping, to the beach, a party, or wherever! I love the overall feel of it and the way it sounds, I don’t have a single complaint with this any more, I do admit when I first felt it , it seemed pretty cheap. But after you mess around with it and see how powerful it really is, you will regret saying anything like that. This is a great board with great stock presets that you can use and will keep you occupied for quit some time, you wont need to upgrade for a while!