VOICE up to 8 voices polyphony based on MTM synthesis a mix of 2 elements:
1-
VA analog modeling
2-
PCM sampled wavetable.
VA a XL voice is composed by 2 VA oscillators + a white noise generator, then a special waveshaper function alters the generated harmonics, inspired from the famous Korg 01 series.
Wavehsaper changes the harmonics contents of a wave distorting it with 7 different mathematical models: depth value can be adjusted to 128 different values of effectiveness, in addition, the waveshaper-distortion process can be positioned before or after the filter segment.
1- drive: simply fuzzes the waveform
2- decimator: lowers sampling frequency for a low-fi effect
3- hard clip: cut waveforms above a set threshold
4- oct saw: same as hard clip but inverts the resulting waveform
5- multi tri: phase distortion based on a triangle waveform shape
6- sub osc : 4 different suboscillators set at 1 lower octave
8- lvl boost:
dramatically boosts the original signal.
|
OSC1 |
OSC2 |
analog modeling |
saw, pulse (PWM), triangle and sine |
saw, pulse (PWM), triangle and sine |
PCM wavetable |
yes |
- |
volume |
yes |
yes |
tuning |
yes |
yes |
sync |
yes |
yes |
ringmodulator |
yes |
yes |
WAVETABLE ROM contains 64 waveforms-timbres (multi samples) organized in 3 families:
1- formant voice
2- noise
3- DWGS additive (from Korg DW-8000)
full PCM LIST
PERFORMANCE system handles up to 2 parts with individual settings:
-
split mode: parts assigned to 2 keyboard zones
-
layer : both parts play at the same time
- multimode: each part is individual with own Midi channel
- monophonic mode with portamento
- unison
up to 5 detunable voices can be stacked
- portamento
with time glide and note priority
- analog function: simulates
transistor VCO drift
- 8 velocity curves
- scales 1 editable user slot + 9 preset models: equal, major, minor, arabic, pythagorean, Werckmeister, Kirnberger, slendro and pelog.
FILTER 2 multimode digital filters chained in classic serial or parallel mode, 3 modes:
1- lowpass -12 or -14 dB slope
2- highpass -12 dB slope
3- bandpass -6 dB slope
A keyboard tracking function is implemented for cutoff compensation.
ENVELOPE up to 3 EGs:
1- EG1 filters 4-segments stages
2- EG2 amplitude 4-segments stages (with a amplitude keytracking)
3- EG3 AUX is freely assignable in the routing matrix system.
LFO 2 digital delayed modulators for each part:
|
LFO1 |
LFO2 |
waveforms |
saw / sqr / tri / S&H / rnd |
saw / sqr + / sin / S&H |
hardwired destination |
- |
pitch |
freely assignable |
yes |
yes |
retrig modulation |
yes |
yes |
sync tempo |
yes with dividers |
yes with dividers |
MATRIX MODULATION is the virtual patching system.
Like a modular, the XL handles internal routings that connect a modulation source to a destination.
A list of the matrix elements would be too long, here's a schematic simplification:
SOURCES: |
DESTINATIONS: |
EG 1-2-3 |
OSC1-2 pitch |
LFO1 |
anplitude |
LFO2 |
Cutoff - resonance |
Velocity |
portamento |
keytracking |
EG stages |
MIDI CC# |
LFO 1 -2 rates |
|
stereo pan |
EFFECTS 16 models derived from Kaoss pad machines with a final 2-bands EQ
shelving type.
List: compressor, decimator, pan delay, flanger, resonant filter, stereo delay, delay modulation, vibrato, 4 bands eq, multitap delay, tape echo, phaser, distortion, ring modulator, chorus and grain shifter.
Grain shifter : some short fragments of sounds
are played randomly at set time intervals
VOCODER is based on a 16 analysis filter bands.It
includes many presets ready-to-go including like choruses, talk boxes and robot voices, in addition a formant function shifts the filters frequencies altering the tonal character. The synthesizer comes with a gooseneck microphone that can be plugged into a frontal XLR as modulator source, in addition many carriers are provided using the internal oscillators.
ARPEGGIATOR there are 6 arpeggio types over 4 octaves: up, down, up-down (2 modes), random, trigger or user-edit step editor. Broken chords can be latched, gated and swinged
SYNC LFO, delay, arpeggiators and matrix elements can be all synched together using internal or external Midi clock.
MEMORY
-
128 patches organized in a very elementary category system:
-
first knob selects a kind of music between techno, rap, jazz, fusion, vintage, house, disco...
- second knob selects a sound family between polysynths, basses, leads, arp-motions, strings-pads, keyboards and special effects.
MIDI all parameters can be edited by control changes and data saved by Midi Sysex.
USB synth can be hooked to a computer for total edit and librarian purposes.
The free bundled software is also able to convert original MS2000/ Microkorg classic patches to XL format but vocoder patches result quite different.
RELATED FAMILY:
|
Korg Microkorg classic - first version from 2002 derived from Korg Ms2000 VA synthesizer |
|
Korg Microkorg XL PLUS - minor update with more sounds derived from classic keyboards like KORG SGproX piano, M1 and VOX organs.
Released in various colors.
|
(click for zoom) |
XL exists also in special RED or WHITE-IVORY editions.
|
AUDIO DEMO
Soundcloud Microkorg XL