The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that there are 3 kinds of Korg MicroKorg’s available at the moment.
All of the microkorgs share a common thread – they are relatively affordable, portable, lightweight, can use batteries or a power supply, have a built-in vocoder, are hugely versatile over a number of styles and are very user-friendly. All of them are digital, but use high-quality analog-modelling to recreate analogue-type sounds.
The most common question is “what’s the difference?”
Well, the original, standard Microkorg was released 15 years ago and still going strong! It’s got very good quality analog-modelling sounds, and appeals to fans of a vast array of electronic music from a wide variety of genres. Whilst great for electronic music – all kinds of house, techno, EDM etc, it’s also been used in rock bands of all hues.
Next came the Microkorg XL. This was soon replaced by the current Microkorg XL+ (more or less the same, but with some tweaks). These models looks quite different, and have several new sounds (including piano) that the original doesn’t have. The overall layout was designed to appeal to players that weren’t necessarily from a synth-playing background, but wanted to use those kinds of sounds in a convenient, hands-on way. Another big difference is that the microphone input for the vocoder is and XLR input (much better quality than the mini-jack on the original version). And the gooseneck mic is also much better quality.
Finally, the Microkorg S is essentially the same kind of beast as the original Microkorg, but the main difference being that the ‘S’ stands for SPEAKERS. The other microkorgs require headphones or an external amp/speaker/PA etc. The new S version means that you can play at home, in your bedroom, in the tour van, back of the car etc – wherever inspiration takes you.
All of the microkorgs share a common thread – they are portable, lightweight, can use batteries or a power supply, have a built-in vocoder, are hugely versatile over a number of styles and are very user-friendly. All of them are digital, but use high-quality analog-modelling to recreate analogue-type sounds.
The microKORG XL just got bigger…
With its unmistakably unique exterior and its inimitable sound, the microKorg set the standard for analog modeling synthesizers. The year 2008 saw the introduction of the microKorg XL, which inherited the microKorg's fat and powerful sounds, while adding keyboard staples such as electric piano and the CX-3 organ. And now, in the next evolutionary step, the microKorg XL+ delivers a fresh update to the sounds and design of the microKorg XL, making it the ideal compact keyboard.
Product Features
- Even more vintage sounds, including the KORG SGproX piano, the M1 and the VOX organs
- New program genre selector that fits today's needs
- New yet nostalgic – black panel "new vintage" design
- Featuring MMT – the distillation of Korg's analog modeling technology
- Vocoder feature with included gooseneck microphone
- The powerful effect engine you expect from Korg
- Korg's proprietary natural touch mini-keyboard, designed with an emphasis on playability
- Battery powered operation is supported for increased portability
More Vintage Sounds Than Ever!
Lush analog modeled synthesizer sounds that are characteristic of the microKORG have been freshly added to the microKORG XL+. In addition, for band use, the microKORG XL+ comes equipped with the piano sound from Korg's classic stage piano, the SGproX (famous for its ability to stand out in your band's mix), as well as its hard-edged grand-type electric piano. This compact package also includes sounds from the M1 and the VOX organ, vintage tape-type string and flute machines, as well as other gorgeous sounds from keyboard history. Each of these 128 programs are genuinely usable sounds, giving the microKORG XL+ plenty of variety to serve as your main keyboard or of course as a secondary keyboard in your rig.
Program Genre Selector
The microKORG XL featured a sound selector that lets you choose your sound using two large dials: "music genre" and "instrument category." The new microKORG XL+ offers an additional selection of these "music genres" to fit today's fast-moving music scene. Now you can select a program that matches your song more intuitively than ever. For even more convenience, you can also leave one of the dials fixed and only use the other dial to make program changes during a song (music genre fixed), or use the dial to select vocoder variations (instrument category fixed).
New Yet Nostalgic – "New Vintage" Design
The microKORG XL+ projects a style that's reminiscent of vintage electric pianos, featuring a futuristic yet retro design with a stylish black panel. High-quality parts such as metal levers, dials that move with an audible click, and knobs with a sturdy operating feel are some of the ways that the microKORG XL+ outclasses other instruments in its range and enhances your experience editing synthesizer sounds.
MMT — the distillation of Korg's analog modeling technology
The microKORG XL+'s sound engine uses MMT (Multiple Modeling Technology), borrowing from Korg's well proven wealth of analog modeling technology. The MMT sound engine has been featured on numerous products, and provides two oscillators that generate huge powerful sounds. Oscillator 1 (OSC1) gives you a total of seven types of oscillator algorithm to choose from, including formant waveforms such as human voice, and PCM/DWGS waveforms for vintage keyboard and strings. It also lets you use techniques that cannot be imitated on typical PCM synthesizers, such as cross modulation, unison, and VPM (Variable Phase Modulation). By taking advantage of modulation (sync or ring) with oscillator 2 (OSC2), it's easy to create complex and powerful sounds.
Vocoder Function with Included Gooseneck Microphone
The microKORG XL+ can function as a powerful vocoder that lets you connect a mic and use its audio input to shape the tonal character of the oscillator's sound to create "talking" effects. The vocoder consists of a 16-band filter bank that can simulate the vocoder sounds of the past and also shift the filter frequencies (Format Shift function) or adjust the level and pan of each band to dramatically change the sonic character. Using the Vocoder is an easy way to add sounds that can be found in todays popular electronic music. Since a gooseneck microphone is included, you can immediately start using thevocoder in your songs.
The Powerful Effect Engine You Expect From Korg
Two master effects utilize the effect engine that was brought to perfection in Korg's Kaoss Pad series, giving you a total of 17 powerful effect types including delay and echo effects as well as dramatic effects such as ring modulator and grain shifter. In addition, effects such as delay can be synchronized to MIDI clock for a wide range of possibilities in live performance.
Natural Touch Mini-keyboard
The new Natural Touch mini-keyboard offers an even better playing feel than ever before. The proportion of the keys has been adjusted to make chords easier to play, and the touch has been refined for greater ease when playing rapid phrases. The waterfall-type keys project an aura of sophistication, and they also help when playing a glissando.
Battery-powered for Convenient Portability
The microKORG XL+ can take advantage of the included AC adaptor or it can run on six AA alkaline batteries. Checking in at a mere 22 inches long and 4.4 lbs. in weight (main unit only; not including batteries or mic), the microKORG XL+ is a convenient size to take with you, opening up new performance possibilities on the go.
Expanded Sonic Possibilities via USB
By using a USB cable to connect the microKORG XL+ to your computer and using the sound editor software, you can edit all of the parameters easily from your computer. In addition to this software, you can also download preset program data from the microKORG and the MS2000/MS2000B free of charge to gain access to an even larger number of programs.
Please Note: Cosmetic and Technical specifications are subject to change without notice
