microkorg midi tracks

was lookin into microkorg lately: cheap, small, versatile little synth.

But let's say i want to midi it using mpc as sequencer : is it possible to have more tracks going on, with different patches?

For example, i make three midi tracks in the mpc: one for bass, one for chords and one for the lead; obviously they'd call each for their respective patch.

Can the korg play it all simustaneously? different midi track = different patches, sounds that overlay (i read it's 4 voice poly) etc etc?
Is there somebody who uses it this way mainly, or it's all about straight sampling it and playing back chops? Thatd be difficult for long bass and lead synths line tho...

im all ears:)

Phra*DOC wrote:But let's say i want to midi it using mpc as sequencer : is it possible to have more tracks going on, with different patches?

For example, i make three midi tracks in the mpc: one for bass, one for chords and one for the lead; obviously they'd call each for their respective patch.

Can the korg play it all simustaneously? different midi track = different patches, sounds that overlay (i read it's 4 voice poly) etc etc?

No.

It is 4 voice polyphonic, but only really mono-timbral.

It does have 2 timbres, but you can not set them up on different channels like a 'real' multi-timbral synth which responds to different MIDI channels for different timbres, usually setup in some sort of 'multi' setting.

You need a different synth for multiple/different patches/sounds on separate MIDI channels/tracks, or more synths.

ouch:( ty simon. what synth would you suggest with that feature and averagely the same cost, if there are any?

most likely not possible, because the microkorg is not a multitimbral soundmodule and can only play two "timbres" at a time, but they can not be adressed over two different midi channels.

look here: http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&p=914982

or here: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan03/articles/microkorg.asp

if you like to have a virtual analog synth with more multitimbral abilities (8 voices 8 part multitimbral and besides the vocoder a little better va sounds overall, but a little flimsy controls and programming) then look into the alesis micron (that is more than an ion in a little housing!) or the akai miniak (wich is the same synth in another housing with slightly different controllers and a better microphone connector).
when i had to decide on that same matter i went with the micron, because a microkorg could be found in every second studio i visited, but the micron was few and far. also i like the bigger keys and the aluminium housing of the micron. and with micron au as a plugin the programming is way easier than with the two line display and the encoder, even if there is the great function of jumping to the categories with the synth keys. those categories are a bit hard to read on the micron in certain light conditions due to them being red words on silver. on the miniak those words are printed white on black and are much better to read in dim light. and for fast composing there are several hundred (!) patches on that synths, plus heaps of patterns, drumpatterns and combinations and also a little phrase record function which i do not use that often, because i sequence from the mpc. but it brings a lot of fun sometimes, just sitting on the sofa wth the micron alone and make whole song ideas just with that little machine!

peace, jo

Just buy two more microkorgs, duh!

thanks jo! but micron and the akai synth seem really limited for what concernes shaping sounds. do you think they're as versatile as a microkorg could be, hiphop-wise?

if you like to shape new sounds with the onboard controllers only, the microkorg with its matrix wins hands down - if you memorize the printed functions you can even use any parameter in the darkest setting... ...but those mini keys are...

...but if you like the more versatile synth, that can also be used as an effect, because it has stereo inputs and a whole lot of virtual filters in it, and can also be tweaked somewhat fast when using those shortcuts with the keyboard (which is a cool concept, but you still have to use that one knob way too much) then take the micron.

if you use a daw, programming the micron is better because you can use the micron au plugin, which allows realtime patch control and automation. look here: http://mysite.verizon.net/retroware/

try both if you can, i bet you can get results with the microkorg faster, but to me the micron is the better synth in the end, that can do much more usable va sounds (that analog drift function is gold alone).
if you spend some time with it, removing some of the factory effects on certain patches, or if you do your own sounds from scratch, it can do some very convincing analog sounds including drums, some really nice pads and keys and over all some really nasty basses.

peace, jo

or take both:

thank again selecta. nice studio btw well, i was hoping that the microkorg had both the features of those two machines, but now i see.. to get a machine like that i'd have to spend more money. So right now i think i'll stick with my current set up, and later on i will know my needs better and maybe i'll be able to choose.

however right now i have a minimal, 100% sample based setup (mpc + 950, wax and thats it), and its perfect for me; the only problem is when i cant find a suitable sample (not easy to find good-round-crisp-punchy synth sounds on wax!). Most of the time it's a problem with the bass, not the really sub-bas ones (cause they can be obtained by filtering) but those when youd want more character and texture, i usually use two basses at one time, check this video at 3:20 to see what i mean

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkskMD0qs7s


maybe all this could be resolved by getting better at sampling and learning my craft instead of wasting money... at least for the moment.. if i dont find a cool & cheap microkorg clone for sale, that is

You could certainly always sample the microKorg; come up with various patches, sample them, then layer that in with any wax. . . .

electric dragon wrote:You could certainly always sample the microKorg; come up with various patches, sample them, then layer that in with any wax. . . .

That's the answer I was waiting for