MicroKORG

Dichotomy · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 4:26 pm Post subject: MicroKORG

I didnt know where to post about hardware synths so I posted it here.

Has anyone used this piece of equipment? I have heard so many good things about it and I am looking to get it. Not ONLY for the synth but for the vocoder as well.

I usually use software stuff, but I can also use this as a MIDI controller as well.

Just seeing if anyone is familiar with it, or has heard anything about it.

elektro80 · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 4:53 pm Post subject:

I have used it. It is pretty cool, but I guess I like the MS2000 better.

I think it is not possible to find anything wrong with the MikroKorg but you will have to figure out if you can learn to love the minikeyboard or not.

Bottom line: The MicroKorg rocks!

Dichotomy · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 5:27 pm Post subject:

I dont think the small keys would be a problem, after all Im used to controlling soft-synth with the keyboard on my laptop.

I like the fact that is it compact and can be used as a MIDI controller via a midi interface.

elektro80 - Have you used the vocoder?

Mohoyoho · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 7:50 pm Post subject:

It's not a bad keyboard, but like Electro80 suggested the MS2000 is preferable. You can find plenty of used ones. If price is the consideration, then I would have to say the Alesis Micron is a much better option than the Micro. The Micro sounds very good, but I think the build quality and those tiny keys are a minus. Plus you get twice the polyphony with the Alesis for the same money.

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 4:25 am Post subject:

Yup, I have played the vocoder too. I really liked the sounds it could make, but I did not explore all the options in detail. Frankly I found the Novation A-Station just as fun.
I don´t really use vocoders much for that traditional kraftwerk vocoder sound. I think I found the MicroKorg vocoder "very promising".

Dichotomy · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 11:27 am Post subject:

There is a track I am working on right now that I want to do vocals Skinny Puppy style with a vocoder. But Im thinking I can pull it off without actually using a vocoder. Hm.

I did look into the Alesis Micron and it has more voices than the MicroKORG.. and almost matched the look of my MPC1000! hehe

The Alesis has a vocoder too, interesting....

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 12:48 pm Post subject:

The only thing wrong with the Ion is the interface. The features are great .
The interface does not have to be a problem in the studio.

Mohoyoho · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 1:57 pm Post subject:

There's a lot of menus to go through with the Micron, but the keys are nicer than the MicroKorg and the sounds are wonderful. It has features I wish the Ion had. I would love that step and phraze sequencer in my Ion. Maybe they'll include those in the next OS upgrade.

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 2:02 pm Post subject:

Sorry guys, I meant the Micron... not the Ion.

And Mohoyoho is dead right about the Micron. The features are great. The sequencer is really something.

Dichotomy · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 2:55 pm Post subject: Sequencing

I DO like the ability to sequence, as that is one of the things I do best.

I am probably going to go with the Micron instead of the Korg. Maybe Im just attached to the name Korg and I do not own anything from Korg.

Choices, choices, choices...

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:04 pm Post subject:

I really like the MicroKorg, but the minikeys are damned shitty. I am used to standard sized synth keys.. and the only reason I would get a MicroKorg was to use it as a lead synth and for noises and vocoding. However, I am completely unable to handle those small keys well. i simply cannot play fast leads on those keys. the MS2000 is however pretty cool.
The micron is probably the smartest thing ... but I do like that nice MS2000 interface. Pretty useable on stage. Very Happy

egw · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:38 pm Post subject:

I chose the Micron over the MicroKorg.
Full size keys, more voices, also the knobs are assignable.
I don't like the way the knobs are used on the Korg.
Also, the Korg does not have a sustain pedal jack.
One thing, however. I've heard that the Vocoder sucks on the Micron,
and is much better on the Korg. I don't use the vocoder so I can't comment.

Dichotomy · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:52 pm Post subject:

I read most of both manuals and it seems like the Alesis is much more professional. It contains much more programs than only 128.. something like 512, and all which are re-writeable.

But I think I just got an interest for the ION, instead of the small version. I do need compact, but I dont have a good hardware synth. I don't want to purchase the Micron or the MicroKORG and then want to purchase a full-sized synth.

Might as well shoot for the ION.

egw · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 7:47 pm Post subject:

But the Ion isn't quite full sized either. Only four octaves.
The extra mod wheel is nice.
The Ion lacks some of the effects and rhythm pattern features of the Micron.

Mohoyoho · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 10:55 pm Post subject:

I own an Ion and love it. I don't need a full keyboard, and when I need to extend the range of the 49 keys the octave key is easy to hit. EGW is right about the effects; paltry on the Ion, but since I play it live through a mixer with outboard effects that's not a big issue with me. I have never used the vocoder, but it does have several patches dedicated for vocoder. Another con about the Ion is the arp. It's not editable, whereas the Micron has much more going for it in the sequence and arp dept. Rumor has it that the Ion's will be improved with an OS upgrade. Sure hope so. The Ion (and the Micron) sound great. It amazes me how they cut through a mix. Very warm and Moog-ish for a VA. A great synth, especially for the money.

egw · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 7:12 am Post subject:

A couple more things about the Micron.
I agree with Moho, the sound is great.
It's cool that you can turn patterns into arps and vice versa, but I really wish it had a random arp. (I have the same complaint about the Andromeda).
I was able to use the tracking generator to create something resembling a random arp, but it's not quite the same.
Also, I had some trouble with the tempo-based delays, when synced to external midi clock. I often get some digital noise in those, whereas the time-based delays are quiet. I thought maybe it's because the incoming midi clock is not 100% stable.

deknow · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 8:41 am Post subject:

...i had a microkorg for a while, and would probably get one again (they are available fairly cheap used...i sold mine to buy an evolver). the ms2k has the same synth engine and many more knobs...in addition, there is a "modulation sequencer" that can sequence knob movements (cool). the thing i liked most about the mk was the arpeggiator...you can do some very cool things by choosing an odd number of notes for the arpeggio, and an odd rhythmic pattern. the sound is great.

deknow

thebookofkevin · Joined: Feb 18, 2005 Posts: 8 Location: santa cruz

if you mess around with the arpegiator on the microkorg enough, you can turn it into a small sequencer. my roommate has one and it makes some great sounds.

yeah, the keys are small, but it's not a huge problem for what he does. also, the whole unit is pretty damn compact, which is a huge bonus if you're trying to conserve space.

i haven't had any experience with the ms2000 or the alesis synths though.

Yorky · Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 244 Location: Boston, UK

If the small keys on the MicroKorg are a problem, just plug a standard midi keyboard into the midi in socket - there that was easy Wink