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.
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!
Yes Sir, I am a lover of this synth, and I consider is on of the best emulation of an analog synth of all time, it sounds so warm. It's the only synth hardware digital that I'm owner
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 bought mine in 2008 and I still have it. I have also taped a piece of paper on it for my personal bank haha. Other gear has come and gone but the Microkorg stays. Honestly I think it is still underestimated in 2024. Many people see it as a preset machine but it is actually very simple to program and the engine can go surprisingly deep.
I have had dozens of BIG synths many I needed HUGE muscles to set up like my 88 key Korg M3 and 88 key Roland Fantom X6 OMG so heavy. I have never seen this before IM SOLD Im buying one! GREAT review and demo Thank You
Bought microKORG a month ago after SAS-20 and MAM MB33. I am really happy to make sound with them. All new music sessions are different. All music sessions are stunning for me. No need to use virtual synths anymore. No need to use waves anymore. Freedom is gold. +SUB!
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
So I’m in a crutch and don’t know the compatibility with saving patches into Logic Pro. I’m not sure if I should go with Roland jdxi or Microkorg. The strength of Korg is sound quality…. But I feel this takes years to learn the Korg and don’t want to get frustrated with saving patches into Logic Pro
@ I’m not sure if you are familiar with Logic Pro. I only seen videos on a windows computer where you can load pre saved patches from the computer to the device. But I’m not sure if Logic can hold its own version of patches where it can recognize from the program… most of the patches in the program come from vst instruments
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).
@@t55a2 the 3 track modsequencer - the killer feature of the ms2k. There's also a fully editable 16 band vocoder whereas the microkorg has a crippled one The synth engine does remain the same, but with knob per function and the modsequencer you can coax much more out of the MS2K.
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
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.
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 🙏
Yes Sir, I am a lover of this synth, and I consider is on of the best emulation of an analog synth of all time, it sounds so warm. It's the only synth hardware digital that I'm owner
Subbed! Thanks! I just picked up my Microkorg XL from the closet. These series are interesting!
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
I bought mine in 2008 and I still have it. I have also taped a piece of paper on it for my personal bank haha. Other gear has come and gone but the Microkorg stays. Honestly I think it is still underestimated in 2024. Many people see it as a preset machine but it is actually very simple to program and the engine can go surprisingly deep.
Just found this channel, I already love the super chill format and that jam at the end was wonderful :D
I have had dozens of BIG synths many I needed HUGE muscles to set up like my 88 key Korg M3 and 88 key Roland Fantom X6 OMG so heavy. I have never seen this before IM SOLD Im buying one! GREAT review and demo Thank You
Bought microKORG a month ago after SAS-20 and MAM MB33. I am really happy to make sound with them. All new music sessions are different. All music sessions are stunning for me. No need to use virtual synths anymore. No need to use waves anymore. Freedom is gold. +SUB!
I ordered one 3 months ago and it just arrived yesterday and it's so much it's totally overwhelming
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!!
There’s no menu-diving on the Microkorg, all functions are printed on the front panel
Same as the DX7
Thanks for sharing the information . I also love mine!
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...
Love the video and the series idea, thanks!
This final jam deserved to be a separate video! Such a good music bro!
🙏🙏
the best mikrokorg is mk1 and s , this little sinth can blow your mind about sound and programming , i really love it!
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.
I had one a few years ago. Weirdly I kinda miss it, it's such a fun little thing
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.
@@AMSOLO420 What do you recommend? I'm on the market aswell
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.
This video gave me a lot of advice
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.
My favorite synth. I kinda want another lol
So I’m in a crutch and don’t know the compatibility with saving patches into Logic Pro. I’m not sure if I should go with Roland jdxi or Microkorg. The strength of Korg is sound quality…. But I feel this takes years to learn the Korg and don’t want to get frustrated with saving patches into Logic Pro
hi, I don't know what you mean exactly by saving in to Logic? Recording? Guess there's no difference between the 2 synths.
@ I’m not sure if you are familiar with Logic Pro. I only seen videos on a windows computer where you can load pre saved patches from the computer to the device. But I’m not sure if Logic can hold its own version of patches where it can recognize from the program… most of the patches in the program come from vst instruments
Because it remains a great synth and controller, I suppose
And it can be powered by 6x AA batteries
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!
"weaoooww" 3:58
😅
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.
Stripped in what way? It’s just smaller, that’s all
@@t55a2 the 3 track modsequencer - the killer feature of the ms2k. There's also a fully editable 16 band vocoder whereas the microkorg has a crippled one
The synth engine does remain the same, but with knob per function and the modsequencer you can coax much more out of the MS2K.
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.