I love this series idea. Similar to the recent bad gear episode where he talked about why his TB 3 gets so much use. I don't want to know what is flashy and splashy. I want to know what peopel use day in and day out and why. I want to see how mazing m microkorg can sound when you really push it. And wow you make it sound so good!
Still love it after 15 years of adventures. More than my monologue and minilogue. Easy, reliable, powerful. A classic cheap synth that helps learn a lot.
having had a microkorg for a few years now, I haven’t found a video that so clearly explains how to use the matrix to design such beautiful patches like you made! I’m more of a guitarist so menu diving gets really frustrating and interrupts the creative process for me. I would love to see a video like this about the minilogue, or maybe a comparison video between the two since they appeal to similar users. thanks so much for the video!!
My first synth (from 2007) Been playing live gigs with it for 17 years. The cutoff knob and all keys are broken. But who cares, it has MIDI IN :) I bought another one in top condition. Because who knows...
You really should give all the options a look, if it's gonna be your first synth. The editing of sounds on this sucks, yes it has good sounds but a mininova would make a much better first synth and its probably cheaper. Way better editing and sound capabilities too. I love the microkorg but it's user interface is clunky and limited. Don't underestimate the drive to create new sounds you will get after a while
I just sold my Microkorg S for a hydrasynth explorer because I got really tired of having to rotate each knob to "catch" whichever position the parameter is at, it adds so much time to designing patches. But man, having batteries and an in built speaker was so damn useful for playing around on the fly, and the white look of the S was so beautiful. now I'm starting to regret selling it 😭
yeah, some people (me included) prefer it that way because it tends to avoid abrupt changes when accidentally hitting a knob. Too bad it didn't let you choose between edit modes like some other synths do. Like a "catch mode" vs "direct mode" or something.
They aren't around new. Quit making em in '22. I got 1 of the last 4 new ones in the US about 4 months ago lol. I'd just get the MicroKorg V2 that i think came out in June. Supposedly it's better than this one. This one is cool, but there's tons better out there for the same price. Keep looking, you'll at least find a very lightly used one if u really want this one.
My favourite VA synth. Sounds warmer than any of the modern VA synths. It's a shame they changed the synth engine in the new Microkorg, with 8 voices and the new UI it would have been perfect.
MMT sound engine from the Radias is what powers the Microkorg XL, and the EMX-1 Electribe, it's my favorite analog modeling sound engine from Korg, but I love the MS2000 as well. I think the original Microkorg is unique with its wooden side panels, I especially love the rare "Vintage Gold" limited edition☕🌲❄
Its only real limitation is the 4 voices. Yeah, the keybed is cheap and the programming matrix isn't knob per function, but the sound is absolutely top notch, and this put a great sound at a cheap price in millions of hands. It's a classic in my book.
Only issue is Korg not updating the only software Korg Sound Editor for this dang instrument and older Korgs like it. After nearly a year they still haven’t updated it to work with modern Mac’s.
That new version looks soooo dull with its shades of grey, white rectangular buttons and super-bland knobs. Probably the most boring synth I've ever seen. It seems like they migrated all of the original's playfulness from the casing into the display. Which is a bit ironic because I think a large part of the original's appeal was that it didn't have a display to begin with. All parameters were laid out in that matrix which was right in your face. It was truly what-you-see-is-what-you-get. Talking about the display, the animations are nice but I don't really like the washed-out pastel colors. Combined with the casing it's so depressing. I understand why they kept the genre button as it became part of the original's identity. However, why not add single-line character displays for each category to make them dynamic? Would that really bump the cost so much? I mean, they basically did that with the R3. And then there is that almost indescribable sound quality of the original. Direct and beefy but at times also woolly and lush. Hard to explain but definitely unique. As soon as I hear "new engine" I'm going "nope". Increase the polyphony, add some effects like reverb, perhaps make the distortion adjustable and simply call it a day. How easy could it be!
Nice series idea! Also really love my Microkorg too! I really think, that people underestimate it's sound design capabilities. Also it is already a modern classic - a lot of great artists used it ( Crystal Castles, Salem, Gorillaz, Prodigy etc.) It is the sound of the 00s for me. People often complain about hard sound editing, but i think, that it is really easy, if you have read the manual of course. I have made a video with 26 free custom patches for it, where i tried to use it's potential to the max (here, maybe it'll be useful to you - th-cam.com/video/iyz9bqvXxOY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=_1qJpP10uyViVvL8 )
i think that's literally what it is...but the small form factor and lower price were selling points that made it so popular. I never had a MS2000 in my hands but am not sure if I've ever seen one on stage or in a studio either.
@@johnnygorillas it has the exact same architecture, however opened up with a much more hands on experience and ofcourse full sized keys. I owned one for a decade or so, but sold it a few years back. The Mod sequencer is the best part of it, which I believe is also missing on the MicroKorg. I'm not very much in favor of miniaturization in synths. When taken too far it often goes hand in hand with loss of functionality and/or playability - and it just looks silly on stage. It also seems to me that Korg are hitting a bit of a creative lowpoint. Quite a large number of new synths have been introduced at NAMM, but all are rehashes in one form or the other. Roland has had this problem for over 2 decades now and it is unfortunate to see Korg heading the same direction. Tatsuya Takahashi leaving his engineering job at Korg Japan a few years back and finally ending up with more of a management job at Korg Berlin may have something to do with that. Ofcourse not all is bad, the smaller boutique companies are now much more prominent (Melbourne Instruments, Gamechanger Audio, Euro(c)rack, PWM).
I don't think anyone seriously thinks this is a top notch synth, but for the price and small form factor it was (and still is?) a great tool in my opinion
I love this series idea. Similar to the recent bad gear episode where he talked about why his TB 3 gets so much use. I don't want to know what is flashy and splashy. I want to know what peopel use day in and day out and why. I want to see how mazing m microkorg can sound when you really push it. And wow you make it sound so good!
Thank you. That’s exactly the idea behind it 🙏
Still love it after 15 years of adventures. More than my monologue and minilogue. Easy, reliable, powerful. A classic cheap synth that helps learn a lot.
having had a microkorg for a few years now, I haven’t found a video that so clearly explains how to use the matrix to design such beautiful patches like you made! I’m more of a guitarist so menu diving gets really frustrating and interrupts the creative process for me. I would love to see a video like this about the minilogue, or maybe a comparison video between the two since they appeal to similar users. thanks so much for the video!!
My first synth (from 2007) Been playing live gigs with it for 17 years. The cutoff knob and all keys are broken. But who cares, it has MIDI IN :) I bought another one in top condition. Because who knows...
I ordered one 3 months ago and it just arrived yesterday and it's so much it's totally overwhelming
Im getting the microkorg as my first synth ever. I’m really excited
You really should give all the options a look, if it's gonna be your first synth. The editing of sounds on this sucks, yes it has good sounds but a mininova would make a much better first synth and its probably cheaper. Way better editing and sound capabilities too. I love the microkorg but it's user interface is clunky and limited. Don't underestimate the drive to create new sounds you will get after a while
Thanks for sharing the information . I also love mine!
I just sold my Microkorg S for a hydrasynth explorer because I got really tired of having to rotate each knob to "catch" whichever position the parameter is at, it adds so much time to designing patches. But man, having batteries and an in built speaker was so damn useful for playing around on the fly, and the white look of the S was so beautiful. now I'm starting to regret selling it 😭
yeah, some people (me included) prefer it that way because it tends to avoid abrupt changes when accidentally hitting a knob. Too bad it didn't let you choose between edit modes like some other synths do. Like a "catch mode" vs "direct mode" or something.
Amazing video. Think I might finally purchase one
They aren't around new. Quit making em in '22. I got 1 of the last 4 new ones in the US about 4 months ago lol. I'd just get the MicroKorg V2 that i think came out in June. Supposedly it's better than this one. This one is cool, but there's tons better out there for the same price. Keep looking, you'll at least find a very lightly used one if u really want this one.
My favourite VA synth. Sounds warmer than any of the modern VA synths. It's a shame they changed the synth engine in the new Microkorg, with 8 voices and the new UI it would have been perfect.
Do you expect the new synth engine to be not that great?
From the demos I have heard it sounds more like the radias engine than the MS2000. A lot colder and a more digital sound.@@johnnygorillas
@@hufftalbot9296 ok, I see what you mean. That would be a shame...
MMT sound engine from the Radias is what powers the Microkorg XL, and the EMX-1 Electribe, it's my favorite analog modeling sound engine from Korg, but I love the MS2000 as well. I think the original Microkorg is unique with its wooden side panels, I especially love the rare "Vintage Gold" limited edition☕🌲❄
Agreed. 😔 All I really want them to do is to give us an ‘S’ [internal speakers] version, but with 8 voices and this og colour scheme. 👍🏼👍🏼
Its only real limitation is the 4 voices. Yeah, the keybed is cheap and the programming matrix isn't knob per function, but the sound is absolutely top notch, and this put a great sound at a cheap price in millions of hands. It's a classic in my book.
My favorite synth. I kinda want another lol
Only issue is Korg not updating the only software Korg Sound Editor for this dang instrument and older Korgs like it. After nearly a year they still haven’t updated it to work with modern Mac’s.
That new version looks soooo dull with its shades of grey, white rectangular buttons and super-bland knobs. Probably the most boring synth I've ever seen. It seems like they migrated all of the original's playfulness from the casing into the display. Which is a bit ironic because I think a large part of the original's appeal was that it didn't have a display to begin with. All parameters were laid out in that matrix which was right in your face. It was truly what-you-see-is-what-you-get.
Talking about the display, the animations are nice but I don't really like the washed-out pastel colors. Combined with the casing it's so depressing.
I understand why they kept the genre button as it became part of the original's identity. However, why not add single-line character displays for each category to make them dynamic? Would that really bump the cost so much? I mean, they basically did that with the R3.
And then there is that almost indescribable sound quality of the original. Direct and beefy but at times also woolly and lush. Hard to explain but definitely unique. As soon as I hear "new engine" I'm going "nope".
Increase the polyphony, add some effects like reverb, perhaps make the distortion adjustable and simply call it a day. How easy could it be!
Nice series idea! Also really love my Microkorg too! I really think, that people underestimate it's sound design capabilities. Also it is already a modern classic - a lot of great artists used it ( Crystal Castles, Salem, Gorillaz, Prodigy etc.) It is the sound of the 00s for me. People often complain about hard sound editing, but i think, that it is really easy, if you have read the manual of course. I have made a video with 26 free custom patches for it, where i tried to use it's potential to the max (here, maybe it'll be useful to you - th-cam.com/video/iyz9bqvXxOY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=_1qJpP10uyViVvL8 )
Gonna check these out .
never been interested in one - alway saw it as a stripped and poor man's version of the MS2K.
i think that's literally what it is...but the small form factor and lower price were selling points that made it so popular. I never had a MS2000 in my hands but am not sure if I've ever seen one on stage or in a studio either.
@@johnnygorillas it has the exact same architecture, however opened up with a much more hands on experience and ofcourse full sized keys. I owned one for a decade or so, but sold it a few years back. The Mod sequencer is the best part of it, which I believe is also missing on the MicroKorg.
I'm not very much in favor of miniaturization in synths. When taken too far it often goes hand in hand with loss of functionality and/or playability - and it just looks silly on stage.
It also seems to me that Korg are hitting a bit of a creative lowpoint. Quite a large number of new synths have been introduced at NAMM, but all are rehashes in one form or the other. Roland has had this problem for over 2 decades now and it is unfortunate to see Korg heading the same direction. Tatsuya Takahashi leaving his engineering job at Korg Japan a few years back and finally ending up with more of a management job at Korg Berlin may have something to do with that.
Ofcourse not all is bad, the smaller boutique companies are now much more prominent (Melbourne Instruments, Gamechanger Audio, Euro(c)rack, PWM).
I still have my MS2000B and will never sell it, despite having much ‘better’ synths.
One of the most overrated synth in history.
I don't think anyone seriously thinks this is a top notch synth, but for the price and small form factor it was (and still is?) a great tool in my opinion
Yo momma is overrated - despite everyone telling me how compliant she is. 😉
Micro korgs have very powerful synth engines.