4 effect blocks including delay, reverb, phaser, Chorus & distortion
Step sequencer with motion sequence
Arpeggiator
The Korg modwave mk II at a glance
Korg'smodwave mk II is a full-featured wavetable synthesizer that takes the legacy of the DW-8000, introduced in 1985, and elevates it to the next but one Level. Two oscillators draw on over 200 waveform banks and can fuse two of these wavebanks per tone generator. The almost infinite sound spectrum is complemented by a sub-oscillator and a noise generator. If you think of cleverly routed modulations, it should be clear that so much is possible in the oscillator section alone that you will discover new things even after years. The filter section is also digitally solved and holds no less than 12 different models, covering the Korg classics Polysix and MS-20 Lowpass, among others. The final touch is given to the sounds with the effects processor, which holds 30 cutting-edge effects such as reverb, delay, chorus, Phaser and Distortion ready for refinement or further alienation. The keyboard with 37 full-size keys is velocity- and release-dynamic, which allows for very defined playing with regard to the flexible sound generation including the modulation options.
Version mk II
The mk II version is equipped with 60 voices instead of the 32 of the predecessor, has an improved keyboard with ReleaseVelocity and the revised design now goes more into the reddish. In addition, the LFOs are now able to run freely and therefore no longer have to necessarily follow the Clock. The 4 GB memory contains the sample Library along with 1042 wave sequences and several thousand performances and patches. The 800 presets are only a fraction of what the modwave mk II is capable of.
Filters and effects
In the modwave mk II both are not neglected: twelve filter models have been implemented to meet every taste. Among them are the Korg classics MS-20 Lowpass and MS-20 Highpass, which have a much more biting sound, and the powerful, round Polysix filter. There are three effect blocks per layer, which offer different Delay algorithms, modulation effects like Phaser or chorus, but also equalizer, compressor and special effects. The whole thing is rounded off by the higher-level reverb effect.
Sounds for eternity
The modwave mk II is an eldorado for sound tinkerers. Modulations and variations of what one might rather expect from a well-equipped modular system enliven the sound of this synthesizer amazingly. The bulging sample memory with several gigabytes of capacity also contributes to this. If there is a lack of inspiration or if you want a new variant that you haven't thought of yet? Just press the cube button and the intelligent random function recomposes a part of the sound or the whole layer.
Kaoss Physics
The top left pad is much more than just an X/Y pad controller that can be assigned to different targets. The pad controls a modeled sphere, which you nudge in a definable environment. Simplified, it behaves like murmuring in a sandbox: hollow, hill, texture of the surface; all this contributes to the movement of the ball. These movements, jumps and, depending on the position, also resting states can be assigned to synthesis parameters for modulation.
Modulation & Sequencer
In addition to the usual modulation sources such as velocity or the modulation wheel, five LFOs and four envelopes bring life to the sounds, which are complex in themselves. What is not directly assigned or should modulate more than one target can be animated with further entries via the modulation links. The polyphonic step sequencer allows the inclusion of numerous parameters including timing and Gate time, which when cleverly combined makes for polyrhythmic sequences. Recorded controller movements (motion sequences) do not have to run through the entire pattern; they can be played back individually as a loop for each track. A versatile adjustable arpeggiator acts as a further playing aid.
Free music software
For free with the modwave mk II Korg provides a comprehensive software package as download. For changes and runability on Windows and Mac systems, please refer to the Korg homepage.
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