Members selfinflikted Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 Why does it seem to me that most synth people make fun of the MicroKorg so much? IMO it is affordable, sounds great, is highly portable, and looks vaguely retro (I guess?). Yes, it has mini keys, but isn't that really the only downside? It has the same sound engine as the MS2000, and we all agree that the MS2k is a great piece of hardware, right? Why do people hate on this synth so much? EXPLAIN YOURSELVES. NAO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members donaldcrunk Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 because its the de-facto entry synth for guitarists who want to add vague things like "ambience" and "sound fx" to their band, and the interface typically leads them away from actually learning how to program it - resulting in a bunch of microkorg noises for a while and then a FS post on craigslist 3 months later. a generalization, but generalizations tend to have a nugget of truth to them. this one has a whopper of a nugget of truth to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundwave106 Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 That and it was the default hardware synth for any aspiring hipster who wanted to make indie electro. It is pretty good sounding though. No harm there. I'd shy away from it personally mainly because of the mini-keys and the 3-digit-LED programming interface. (Obviously, my personal preference is not the marketplace preference, because the Microkorg / R3 are still in production while the MS2000 / Radias are not.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChristianRock Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 I think it sounds great. I just thought other synths (the Roland VAs in particular) sounded better and had better interfaces. Back when we had guitarists come in here every day to ask what keyboard to add ambiences to their guitar band for under 300 dollars, I made this to show them: Now it seems like the keys-for-guitar-band fad has passed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RichF Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 Just so you know, I love that pic and have shown it to loads of people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jimtheswede Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 I've never cared for the mini-keys, the display, and UI, but other than those issues, I like mine as another sound module midied to a real keyboard. I do like how it sounds overall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bernard Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 I think it is a great synth... Sure the keyboard in that synth case kind of sux in some ways but otherwise it just adds to portability and fun factor.. I just love the way it sounds.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members donaldcrunk Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChristianRock Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 Just so you know, I love that pic and have shown it to loads of people. Heh cool! I never knew it would make the rounds at Korg. Not exactly MicroKorg on-topic, but I'm pretty sure I'll get me a MicroKeys 37 to add mobility to my setup. I love the newer microkeybeds... they feel great to play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members selfinflikted Posted August 28, 2012 Author Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 Ok, so, let me get this straight. It's a highly sought-after entry-level synth that sounds friggin' awesome, is blatantly easy to use, and everybody has one. This somehow makes it bad. Ok, I think I got it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bernard Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 My remainder of 2012 early 2013 predictions... selfinflikted will buy a micro KORG or at least remind me he already owns THE AWESOMEST SYNTH EVA tm keybdwizrd will buy a KRONOS or at least admit he already has... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members selfinflikted Posted August 28, 2012 Author Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 Bernard, Had one when they first came out, loved it, sold it, replaced it with a NL2X(rack). (that's a step in the "right" direction, right?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bernard Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 Bernard, Had one when they first came out, loved it, sold it, replaced it with a NL2X(rack). (that's a step in the "right" direction, right?) I like the SH201 and the NL2 (x) (Rack) in the same way. Not exactly my personal taste but fine synths... I wanted a MS2000 when it first came out... Held on for the Radias, realized it sounded different (not bad just like the SH201 and NL2, it has a newer VA sound). Realized I was mad not to buy the Micro KORG as I liked its sound so much and the smaller unit is a cost space no brainer... It's one of those rare things I am seriously tempted to by a second unit again! If they ever blow the last of them out I will be keen to get a No2... The KORG R3 tempts me every day I just don't want to OD on three octave VA's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cresshead Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 so...microkorg or microkorgXL?which and why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bernard Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 so...microkorg or microkorgXL?which and why? The XL is based on the Radias/R3 synth engine and the effects from the KAOSS line... So my comments above answer which I prefer... Real advantage for those that may prefer a more modern VA sound is extra poly, cleaner Vocoder (may also have a better mic) and lots of ROM sounds like a cool Piano and other stuff.. Still I would pick up another micro KORG before thinking of the XL, that's just me... The R3 would be my preference if I wanted that cleaner VA sound as it has full sized keys and a better step sequencer IF etc.... Although a harder sounding SH32 may be a better compliment to what I have already for instant tweaks and sonic mayhem etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members selfinflikted Posted August 28, 2012 Author Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 After I sold the MicroKorg and got the NL2X, I went and bought an MS2000r. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ElectricPuppy Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 D.Crunk pretty much nailed it on the first reply. I have not actually played one. But I have yet to be disappointed with Korg sounds, so I'm sure that the MK sounds just fine. But since I like to play just as much as I like plink plink noice, I won't have one due to the small keys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bernard Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 After I sold the MicroKorg and got the NL2X, I went and bought an MS2000r. You made the right move!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AnotherScott Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 so...microkorg or microkorgXL?which and why? For live performance, the original. At any time, you can get to any of 8 patches with a single button press, instead of having to rotate a dial. What a bad interface decision that change was. I didn't even know about it having a different engine, I was just thinking about "upgrading" from the reg to the XL when it came out, in order to get the extra polyphony and nicer keys. But once I saw the patch recall mechanism, I stuck with what I had. As it turns out, by many accounts, I lucked out, as it meant I ended up keeping the more "dirty analog" sounding of the two, which I expect I'd prefer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cresshead Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 ah, okay so the 'sound" is different on the origional microkorg..okay cool...i've only played on the XL...the microkorg U.i. looks better to me overall..the arp having real on/off buttons, wooden sides! etc. that and 8 out 10 cats prefer the microkorg! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bernard Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 ah, okay so the 'sound" is different on the origional microkorg..okay cool...i've only played on the XL...the microkorg U.i. looks better to me overall..the arp having real on/off buttons, wooden sides! etc. Yep wood PK screwed into plastic but still a dam cool looking board for sure... dam cool ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bernard Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 Not forgetting the micro KORG has the DWGS waves. Some real classic sounds from those... I think the R3 has those too. Korg really mixed and match to cater for all tastes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zoink Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 The KORG R3 tempts me every day I just don't want to OD on three octave VA's The R3 is a fun little VA. I got lucky and found one for $200 in perfect shape a couple of years ago, and I've had a ball with it. You can sit with it in your favorite easy chair and tweak patches for hours. If Korg would release something similar with Electribe features and an expanded control surface (i.e. more knobs), I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bernard Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 The R3 is a fun little VA. I got lucky and found one for $200 in perfect shape a couple of years ago, and I've had a ball with it. You can sit with it in your favorite easy chair and tweak patches for hours. If Korg would release something similar with Electribe features and an expanded control surface (i.e. more knobs), I'd buy it in a heartbeat. You want to try living here where peeps try to sell gear at higher than street price when they have worn it out.... LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Re-Member Posted August 28, 2012 Members Share Posted August 28, 2012 The R3 is a fun little VA. I got lucky and found one for $200 in perfect shape a couple of years ago, and I've had a ball with it. You can sit with it in your favorite easy chair and tweak patches for hours. If Korg would release something similar with Electribe features and an expanded control surface (i.e. more knobs), I'd buy it in a heartbeat. I had a room mate who owned the EMX-1 and seem to remember it being very similar sounding to the R3. The manual said it had the MMT synth engine, which is what the Radias and R3 had. That was about four years ago though, so I can't say I really remember much about the features it had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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