Sonic LAB: Korg microSTATION
Korg microSTATION is a 61 key, 120 voice, 16 part multi-timbral workstation with a 16-track sequencer:
Product Details:
There’s 49MB of wave ROM which consists of a lot of the Korg standard sound set with the familliar programs, single sound and combi structure, even though with decreased multi-sample sets.
Waves are processed utilizing the EDSi synthesis engine, that’s based on the exact same engine found in the M50 and microKORG XL. Put into practice, this provides you with an workable set of sounds, if you’re a lover of Korg, then these ought to be okay for a range of applications. Included are 8 effects engines: 5 insert, 2 master and one total effect.
You get 134 effect types, that go over a lots of ground as well as can enhance the most uninteresting single waves, however the synth engine really does a fairly good job by itself.
For real time control, the Korg joystick provides an additional axis, plus the now standard knob matrix for getting at common parameters provides you with four, Cutoff, Resonance, EG Depth and Release as 2 more layers.
Layer 2 – user assignable.
Layer 3 – Arp Gate, Arp Velocity, Arp Swing and Tempo.
Additionally an external MIDI control layer is effective, although I did discover it would constantly default to the user assign position.
USB/MIDI and Editor
USB over MIDI is achievable following installment of the Korg driver so that you can utilize it in the DAW. Whilst you’re at it, you might as well set up the editor, this will make an enormous amount of impact on modifying every aspect of the microSTATION, despite the fact that it isn’t probably the most refined UI. Yet another plus, is the fact that it can operate as an insert in a software instrument type to help you work straight from the DAW and that is a good thing.
Sequencer/Arpegiator
I suppose I’m fairly prejudiced with regards to Korg workstation sequencers, I never actually got on with the M1, then the 01/W which are the workhorses of earlier MIDI configurations of my own. However this one is actually simple and motivational to make use of, the 16 track select switches provide you with a simple way to maneuver in between tracks.
Flicking in to mute mode provides you with fast on/off power over all tracks also. Super easy to record creative ideas possibly using the internal voices or external MIDI gear. Actually, I’m ready to forgive those earlier aberrations based upon this particular sequencer.
Dual poly arpegiators are offered also, however , you have to be in Combi setting to get into both of them. But they’re fairly versatile options with all the normal patterns and 12 assignable pitches and up to 48 steps. An easy task to setup drum patterns from any of the integrated drum kits which in turn is not a bad thing also. Save your chosen riffs in 640 user locations, which should help keep you occupied.
There’s not many negative aspects I can imagine, certainly if smaller keys is not float your boat then you will may need to look somewhere else. My main issue is the fact that there is absolutely no octave transpose buttons. I beleive one may set up the assignable buttons to influence the coarse pitch of each oscillators, nevertheless its not really the same thing. I find it a functional and rather satisfying instrument to work with.
I reckon that if you would like a smaller, efficient unit to work on arrangements or that allows you to gain access to a variety of sounds you don’t curently have, then this is a nice, little option.
On the market now priced at: £449 UK $599 USD.
