Overview:

MICRO MAKEOVERS! MicroKorg is getting all decked out in limited edition colors for the 10th Anniversary of Micro. Get your hands on an eye-catching black/red or all-black model before they’re all gone. Available through select retailers late November.

Meet the Synthesizer that Changed Everything!

In the summer of 2002, Korg unleashed the compact and portable microKORG Synthesizer / Vocoder. More than just another synthesizer, the microKORG virtual analog synthesizer opened a new avenue for music-making. Combining mini-keys, battery power, a simple-to-use interface, and phenomenal sound, all at an attractive price, microKORG made the synthesizer available to every musician. Bass players, singers, guitarists, producers, DJs, horn players, all flocked to add the professional sounds of the microKORG synthesizer to their instrument arsenal.

One of the top-selling synthesizers in the world every year since its release, microKORG remains the champion of Korg’s successful microSERIES: the microKORG XL, microSAMPLER, microPIANO, microSTATION, and microARRANGER.

What do Dr. Dre, Beck, LCD Soundsystem, The Killers, Death Cab for Cutie, and Kings of Leon have in common? Answer: They all use a microKORG. Everything about this fat-sounding analog-modeling synth screams "future classic," from its on-board vocoder, to its tiny footprint and retro-style wood case. Chances are, you'll be seeing (and hearing) more and more of this unassuming little monster, so let's take a look at what the Korg microKORG has to offer to indie bands, hip-hop producers, and electronica artists.

microKORG Highlights:

• 37 mini-keys with velocity sensing4-Voice Analog Modeling synth engine
• 128 completely editable presets
• 5 Assignable, tweak-able, realtime edit knobs
• 8-Band Vocoder with gooseneck mic
• Unique Formant Hold and Formant Shift Vocoder features
• Interactive arpeggiator with selectable steps
• External audio processing
• 3 Effects: Chorus/Flanger, Phaser, and Ensemble
• 3 Delay Modes plus a 2-Band EQ
• High-visibility LED display and indicators
• Illuminated buttons
• Retro-styling with solid wood endblocks
• Pitch Bend & Modulation wheels
• Battery-powered portability

With the microKORG analog modeling synthesizer, hardware matters. The built-in vocoder and selectable-step arpeggiator add a new dimension to performing and recording without the need to master new technologies. External sounds can be processed by the microKORG’s filter and more. With dedicated knobs and an index to the sound-editing parameters available on the front panel, microKORG allows each player to go as deep into the sound engine as desired. But for many musicians, just choosing the sounds from the convenient categories provides instant satisfaction.

Classic looks, clear control

With its beige-gold body, wooden side panels and retro-influenced design, the microKORG analog modeling synthesizer has a look that's both vintage and funky. A large dial and LED illuminated buttons provide easy program selection even on a dark stage. There's no complex menu structure - all parameters are listed and accessible from the panel for easy access to any function.

Great sounds and expression

Korg has used all of the microKORG’s synthesizer and vocoder power in the creation of 128 great-sounding presets. They cover a wide range of the latest musical styles plus many vintage favorites. Sixteen vocoder Programs are also included. The Pitch Bend wheel, Modulation wheel and five other knobs provide flexible realtime control over filter cutoff, attack, release and other important parameters. The Edit Mode allows players to fully edit the existing sounds, or to create new ones all their own.

Powerful synthesis

The microKORG synthesizer uses an advanced dual-oscillator analog modeling sound engine. Oscillator 1 features a total of 71 waveforms including traditional analog waves like saw, pulse, sine and noise, plus more unique choices like Vox wave and cross wave. Together they provide a cool selection that can be modulated to produce an extensive range of timbres. In addition, 64 exclusive DWGS waveforms from Korg's classic DW-8000 enable the microKORG to reproduce a broad collection of imitative sounds. Sounds like bells, electric pianos, guitars, basses and more that would be difficult reproduce on an analog synthesizer can easily be produced with a synthesizer vocoder such as the microKORG. Ring and Sync modulation from Oscillator 2 can be applied to create the kind of complex timbres that are the true sign of an advanced synthesizer.

Four filter modes are available, offering -12 dB (2-pole) low pass, high pass and band pass configurations plus an extra steep -24 dB (4-pole) low pass setting. All modes and settings include resonance. Two classic ADSR envelope generators and two MIDI-syncable LFOs provide robust sound-shaping power. Add a Virtual Patch matrix to create advanced modulation settings - routing the Mod Wheel to control filter cutoff or pulse width, using an LFO to control panning or amp level, etc. - and you have performance that is unheard of from a synthesizer vocoder in this price range!

Classic vocoding

The microKORG includes an 8-band synthesizer vocoder with many advanced features. You can capture and "freeze" the formants of your voice, and then play it across the keyboard, or shift the formant frequency to make your voice sound male, female, like a child or just plain wacky! Best of all, the microKORG comes with its own microphone so you can start having fun right away.

A full range of effects

Three types of modulation effects (chorus/flanger, phaser, ensemble), three types of delay effects (stereo, cross, L/R), and a two-band equalizer add the finishing touches to sound of the microKORG synthesizer / vocoder. The delays can be synchronized with the arpeggiator or to an external MIDI clock - a great feature for live performances or for laying down tracks. All effects can be edited to create your own, unique sounds.

Flexible arpeggiator

Six types of arpeggio patterns (UP, DOWN, ALT1/2, Random, Trigger) are built in, with control over tempo, gate time, swing, and up to a 4-octave range. Using buttons on the microKORG’s front panel, individual steps can be turned on or off within a pattern, providing the feel and functionality of a step sequencer.

Audio in - Creativity out

Two external audio input jacks are provided, so you can run other instruments, CDs and more through the microKORG's filter and effects, allowing you to process sounds in truly creative ways.

A compact MIDI controller

The compact size of the microKORG synthesizer vocoder is perfect for the musician or DJ looking to add a synth to his or her setup when space is tight and it is a great choice for use in a computer-based music setup. The five realtime knobs on the front panel can transmit MIDI messages (control changes), so they can be used as controllers for software synthesizers. Use the 37-note velocity-sensitive mini-keyboard for controlling other gear or for recording and editing with your sequencer. And thanks to battery-power, the microKORG synthesizer vocoder is the ultimate portable controller when used with a laptop computer!

Specifications:

• Sound Generation Method: Analog Modeling Synthesis System

Synthesizer Program:

• Multi Timbral: 2 (max, Normal/Dual Mode)
• Voices: 4 voices
• Sound Source:

-2 Oscillator + Noise Generator

-Multi Mode Filter (-24dB/oct LPF, -12dB/oct LPF/BPF/HPF)

-EG x2, LFO x2, Virtual Patch x4

Vocoder Program:

• Voices: 4 voices
• Sound Source:

-1 Oscillator + Noise Generator

-EG x1

-LFO x2

-8 Channels vocoder

-Level and pan of each channel can be edited

-Formant Shift function

General Specifications:

• Programs: 128 programs
• Effects:

-Modulation effects (3 types)

-Delay (3 types)

-Equalizer

• Arpeggiator: 6 types
• Keyboard: 37 Keys (mini-keyboard, velocity sensitive)
• Inputs: AUDIO IN 1, and 2
• Level switch:

-LINE/MIC

-[AUDIO IN 1, 2 (LINE)]

-[AUDIO IN 2 (MIC)]

• Outputs: L/MONO, R and Headphones
• MIDI: IN, OUT and THRU
• Display: 3 characters x1 line with 8 segment LED
• Power Supply: DC 9 V (AC adapter), or six AA alkaline batteries (sold separately)
• Power Consumption: 6.4 Watt maximum
• Dimensions: 20.63"(W) x 9.13"(D) x 2.76"(H) 524mm(W) x 232mm(D) x 70mm(H)
• Weight: 4.85 lbs. 2.2 kg

Accessories:

• AC adapter (DC 9 V, 600 mA)
• Condenser Microphone

Front Panel Features:

1.) ARPEGGIATOR TEMPO LED - Blinks at the tempo of the arpeggiator performance

2.) VOLUME KNOB - Adjusts the volume of the output from the OUTPUT jacks and headphone jack

3.) ARPEGGIATOR ON/OFF KEY - switches the arpeggiator on/off

4-5) OCTAVE SHIFT UP,DOWN KEYS  - Shifts the itch range of the keyboard in steps of an octave over a range of +/-3 octaves

6.) PITCH WHEEL- Controls the pitch

7.) MOD WHEEL - Controls the depth of modulation

8.) BANK SELECT DIAL - Selects the program bank

9.) BANK SIDE KEY - Switches between the two sides of each program bank

10.) AUDIO IN 1/2 LED's - These will light if a signal s being input to the AUDIO IN jacks

11.) DISPLAY - Indicates the current program number,the value of the selected parameter or other varous messages

12.) WRITE KEY - Saves an edited program or global setting

13.) SHIFT KEY - By holding down this key and pressing another key you can access various utility functions

14.) PROGRAM NUMBER - Select program numbers (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 keys)

15.) TIMBRE SELECT / FORMANT HOLD KEY - This key allows you to choose which timbre will be edited or sounded

16.) TIMBRE SELECT 1 LED,TIMBRE SELECT 2 LED - This will light to indicate which timbre will be edited

17.) EDIT SELECT 1 DIAL ,EDIT SELECT 2 DIAL - These dials select the section to edit

18.) SYNTH/VOCODER 1 & 2 LED - These indicates whether the selected program is a synth or a vocoder program

19.) EDIT CONTROLS 1,2,3,4,5 KNOBS - These knobs edit the performance edit parameters or the parameters of the section selected by the EDIT SELECT 1 and 2 knobs

20.) SYNTH PARAMETERS - These are the parameters for a synth program

21.) VOCODER PARAMETERS - These are the parameters for a vocoder program

22.) ORIGINAL VALUE LED - This will light if the value of the parameter currently being edited matches the value that is stored in the program

Rear Panel Features:

1.) AC ADAPTOR JACK - Connect the included AC adaptor to this jack.

2.) POWER SWITCH - Switches the power on/off

3.) MIDI - MIDI IN ,MIDI OUT & MIDI THRU Connector

4.) MIC HOLDER - You can attach the included mic to this holder

5.) AUDIO IN 2  - VOLUME 2 KNOB & LINE JACK

6.) AUDIO IN 1 - MIC/LINE SWITCH & VOLUME 1 KNOB

7.) OUTPUT L / MONO , R jacks

8.) HEADPHONES JACKS - Connect a pair of headphones to this jack

Connections: