The microKORG Thread

Ive noticed alot of cats on the boards here are f'ing with the microkorg. I think it would be good if we started a dedicated MPC+microKORG thread. (Ive seen ALOT of threads with microkorg iin the title) Everyone jump in on this and keep it going. Post up any tips and tricks you've learned on Korg's little beast.


Just wondering if any of you use the sound editor program? Ive been messing with it a little bit and its okay, I just find it annoying that for every parameter change, the octave shift resets. Is this an adjustable parameter?? Also, if you are trying to create bass programs, where (what settings) would be a good place to start? Im kind of new to the whole synth game, but it seems like every time I create a program it sounds similar to the last, even if the parameters are different.

Also, just a thought; I know how uptight everyone gets about preserving their sound or whatever, but maybe this could be a place where some user created programs for the sound editor could get posted up and shared.

Are there no Korg forums out there for this sort of thing?

What role does the MPC play in this thread?

What if we all start a thread titled " The [name one of your synths] Thread?

hahahaha...... that ish is so real in da field.... but i don't mind using thee " MICRO..."
lmao.........

microkorg sounds like audio turds

clint246clint wrote:Are there no Korg forums out there for this sort of thing?

What role does the MPC play in this thread?

What if we all start a thread titled " The [name one of your synths] Thread?

Only somebody who doesn't own a microkorg would say that.

The biggest thing it loses out on is that if you create your own sound on the sound editor, you cant save it, but I suppose you pay for what you get.

Some times i wonder why is this site still named "mpc forums"

yall some haters.

yeah ive had them MK since it came out, and i really like the midi sound editor program. u got any good rhode like patches in that beast u could share?

http://www.korg.com/Tech_Tips/microarticle2.htm

Last time around, I covered the basics of editing and creating a program using an initialized program and the edit matrix. Before you try out this new tip, spend a few minutes going through the first microKORG tip, “Demystifying the Edit Matrix”, and then come on back to this one!

This time we will use a few advanced editing tips to create entirely new sounds, based off of a few of the factory programs. One of the features of the microKORG that I dig is the built in FX section. The Chorus/Flange and Phaser effects are great for twisting sounds, so first, let’s work with the FX:

1. For this example select Program B12 in the TRANCE Bank.
2. Now access the MOD FX using the EDIT SELECT 2 knob, and then select “FL9” (flange) as the type of effect, using knob 1/CUTOFF. You can adjust the LFO Speed and Effect Depth using knobs 2 and 3, respectively. For this example, I set knob 2 to a value of “41” and knob 3 to a value of “120”.
3. Try out some of the other MOD FX like Ensemble and Phaser.

I also use the BPM synced stereo delay along with the arpeggiator to create interesting rhythmic patterns.

1. For this example, select Program A63 in the RETRO Bank.
2. Now select a “L – r” (Left – Right) delay using the EDIT SELECT 2 and 1/CUTOFF knobs.
3. Set TEMPO SYNC “on” using knob 2, set the DELAY TIME to “3.16” using knob 3, and then set the DELAY DEPTH to “100” using knob 4.
4. Now adjust the arpeggiator to change the pattern and octave. Select "ARPEG.A" using the EDIT SELECT 2 knob, set the GATE to “0” using knob 3 and set the RANGE to “1” using knob 5.
5. Now change the arp pattern using the PROGRAM NUMBER keys. Press the 2, 3, 5 and 6 keys so that they are flashing, and play some keys on the keyboard.

You can also create some very interesting sounds using the Virtual Patch function. Virtual Patch is like having the sound design capabilities of a mini modular synthesizer built-in. You can use any of eight different modulation sources to modify any of eight different destinations, with up to four different “patches” at the same time. This allows for some pretty twisted sonic possibilities.

For this example we are going to use an initialized program:

1. To initialize a program, press and hold the SHIFT key and then press the PROGRAM NUMBER 3 key twice. Now assign LFO2 to modulate pitch by selecting PATCH 1, using the EDIT SELECT 2 knob.
2. Select “LF.2” using knob 1, then “Ptc” using knob 2 and then select a MOD INT value of “63” using knob 3. It should sound like this.
3. Now use LFO 1 to modulate the cutoff by selecting PATCH 2. Select “LF.1” using knob 1, then “Cut” using knob 2 and then select a MOD INT value of “-63” using knob 3. It should sound like this.
4. Next use LFO2 to also modulate panning by selecting PATCH 3. Using knob 1 select “LF.2”, then select “Pan” using knob 2 and then set the MOD INT to a value of “-62” using knob 3. It should sound like this.
5. Now let’s get a little nutty and also modulate pitch using LFO1! Select PATCH 4 and then “LF.1” using knob 1, then select “Ptc” using knob 2 and then set the MOD INT to “-63” using knob 3. It should sound like this.

Mick Bulb wrote:The biggest thing it loses out on is that if you create your own sound on the sound editor, you cant save it, but I suppose you pay for what you get.

Not really sure if this is what you mean but to save your patches. you just shut the protect function off by pressing SHIFT+8 then turn the first knob til the screen says off. Then you just hit write and figure it out from there.

As far as the microKORG goes i love the thing. It's a cheap functional synth that you have to work and tweak to get awesome sounds out of. I don't like or use most of the presets which is a plus for me because i like being forced to work for a good and unique sound. I also like the flow of the editing grid.

it seems like most people who critique it are either:
audio snobs who think any module under $2000 is a childs toy
or
impatient musicians who want their gear to tweak itself to their standards (in which case, they get a micron)

i'm sure there are other reasons that people dislike it. i'm just saying a majority of haters fall into those categories. i'm not saying its the end all to synths. but for $400 dollars new, its a pretty versatile and valuable synth.

The only people who shun microkorgs are those who cannot program synths in a basic subtractive fashion. It has 2 oscillators, and amp envelope, a filter, a filter envelope, etc. It is basic synthesis. GET BUSY. DO WORK.

Most people get it and base opinions on presets. Lame.

Initialize a patch and start from scratch to create your own patch.

You don't need a specific guide for the Microkorg. Any subtractive synthesis tutorials will work.

F*ck the editor. Use the knobs. You'll learn a lot.

I had a MK already and sold it. Its not the best synth to use in a small set-up with an MPC especially not being multi-timbral. I didnt like a lot of things about the synth like the small keys, the user interface, the A & B patch selection nonsense, the saving patches nonsense......

I could go on.

Some nice sounds, just didnt fit my way of doing things.

The MK didn't disappoint me because I went in buying understanding it wasn;t gonna allow me to layer multiple patches and have them all accessed through different midi channels like more power synths. It's modeled to be a retro analog synth. Those could only access one patch at a time as well (not multi timbral) (moog, studio electronics, most modular synths). I use it strictly for bass anyway until i can muster enough funds for something like an SE1 so it works fine along with my samplers as a bass module. If I want other sounds I have a motif es rack for that.

The A and B banks never bothered me and saving is fairly easy Each genre has an A bank and a B bank, basically doubling your save locations. It's a bit cryptic but it is easy once you have the steps down. Just press the write key, choose what area and what program button you are going to save over, press write again. Bam. Saved.

I never bother with 1 and 2 timbre selection (Playing 2 patches simultaneously, but not independently on their own channels).

So yea, one can't expect it to work as a huge multitimbral synth, but it does have all the basic features any analog monophonic synth would, and therefore can teach you a lot about subtractive synthesis (oscillation, pulse, filtering, envelope generators, routing, etc) that can be applied/to and from another synth very easy. It might be a very frustrating machine (any manual synth will be) if basic synthesis is a foreign language.

I do agree on the keys being wack, but most people I know who use the MK a lot have another keyboard that acts as a controller for other racks/gear in the set up. I use my Ensoniq EPS16 sampling board with the MPC to control synths/racks.

yerr I definately need to read the manual

clint246clint wrote:I had a MK already and sold it. Its not the best synth to use in a small set-up with an MPC especially not being multi-timbral. I didnt like a lot of things about the synth like the small keys, the user interface, the A & B patch selection nonsense, the saving patches nonsense......

I could go on.

Some nice sounds, just didnt fit my way of doing things.

Exactlyt why I got rid of mine. And I picked it up when it first came out.

korg r3 destroys microkorg all day