i think this is just Korg's logical next synth release - they had a big hit with the microkorg/ms2k combo, with more in depth users picking up the ms2k and more NEW synth users picking up the micro - and i think the simpler seeming interface helped a lot with that in addition to the small size of the micro. (speaking of the us market only - i realize these products are designed in japan, which is a different market with different needs than ours - but theyve obviously started to pay attention)
then they release the Radias/R3 combo, which i think took the MS2K interface a little too far. loved the angled panel design, didnt like the cramped panel that much (this coming from a eurorack user haha) and it just felt like even the revamped panel with added controls and fancier menu wasnt enough to harness all that horsepower. it was definitely an intimidating instrument for the non enthusiast, and i would GUESS that they sold poorly even compared with the MS2K. still a cool synth though. R3, i have no idea what happened there. not intuitive enough for the new user and not fancy enough for the established? certainly didnt help that they were competing directly with the microkorg.
this then brings us to King Korg, where i feel like theyve distilled some past lessons about interface design back into a simpler product, with more emphasis on the end user's experience while actually playing the instrument vs packing max features into a VA. i sort of get that, and applaud it - but then the access virus TI looms on an entirely different level, shitting supersaws down onto the polyphony counts of the Korg, with a decent user experience to boot. i dont stack parts like that really, but i know a lot of you do so it would seem to be a tough choice for many people. the King Korg will definitely have to sound good, but its got enough distinguishing features of its own to set it apart i think. we'll have to see. hope those OLED's are color!
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