Korg microKorg XL Analog Modeling Synthesizer with Vocoder (black)

by Korg

Product Features

• Vintage design is both fresh and nostalgic
• 37 Key Natural touch keyboard is compact, yet easy to play
• Korg's renowned MMT (Multi Modeling Technology) engine, optimized for the microKORG XL
• 17 powerful KAOSS derived effects
• 16 band vocoder for voice controlled effects

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 25 x 5 x 14 inches ; 7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B001MQUZJ2
• Item model number: MICROKORGXL
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,318 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #93 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Computer Recording > MIDI Controllers

Product Description

Joining the ranks of the top-selling originals microKORG and R3, the 37-note velocity-sensitive Korg microKorg XL Analog Modeling Synthesizer with Vocoder offers Korg’s legendary analog modeling, along with an ergonomic interface, in a lightweight and portable keyboard. The microKorg XL employs full eight-voice multi modeling technology, a 16-band vocoder, on-the-fly parameter editing and USB MIDI connectivity, all packaged with the great-feeling Natural Touch keyboard action. The MMT (Multi Modeling Technology) sound engine is descended from the RADIAS/R3 synthesizers, while the dual effects processors come down from the famous KAOSS line. The black key/white key proportions have been adjusted for easier chording; the key response has been improved for rapid-fire soloing. Together with a sound-bending vocoder and six-pattern arpeggiation, microKORG XL packs a powerful sonic punch. The eight-voice MMT synth engine offers traditional analog waveforms plus a total of seven algorithms, including formant waveforms, noise, and PCM/DWGS waves for those vintage keyboards and strings. Cross-modulation, unison stacking, and VPM (Variable Phase Modulation) let you create sounds that would be impossible for a conventional PCM synthesizer. Sync and ring modulation make it easy to create complex and powerful sounds. Two multi-mode filters, a drive/waveshaping circuit for distinctively distorted sounds, and EG and LFO for creating time-varying tonal change, provide plenty of parameters for serious synthesis. Virtual Patching brings it all together.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not A Bad Machine, But Not the One You Want, November 11, 2009

By 

Matthew Comegys (Ueda, Nagano, Japan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Korg microKorg XL Analog Modeling Synthesizer with Vocoder (black) (Electronics)

The MicroKorg XL is really a MicroKorg in name only. Whereas the original MicroKorg shared a synth engine with the MS-2000, this one uses the engine found in the R3 and Radius. This is not necessarily a bad thing as those are fine sounding synths, but you'd be better of with a synth like the R3 (which is about $100 more). Although the MicroKorg XL has a cool, faux-vintage look, the construction of the board is pretty shoddy and I doubt it would be good for carting away to gigs or traveling with. It's made from rather cheap, weak feeling plastic unlike the far sturdier R3 or original MicroKorg. Also, while the sound editing is arguably better than the oddball matrix on the original MicroKorg, it pales when compared to the easy editing on a R3. Basically, this is not a bad board soundwise, but you'd be better off saving $100 with an original MicroKorg or putting in an extra $100 for an R3. The MicroKorg XL is not a happy medium, and makes compromises that do not benefit the synth user.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome little synth, November 22, 2011

By 

David D Swaintek - See all my reviews

This review is from: Korg microKorg XL Analog Modeling Synthesizer with Vocoder (black) (Electronics)

I was looking for a small synth to add some sonic texture to a rock band. This thing is awesome. The presets are fantastic, and I would maybe dock a point because switching between sounds isn't super easy to do on the fly and there are no presets to save to on the fly, BUT, once you open the software editor you can put whatever sounds you want wherever you want on the menu. So after a little reconfiguring I've got my favorite sounds within a few knob clicks of each other. Also, I bought this as a beginner synth, underestimating how much it can do... once you open the software editor you've got limitless possibilities. Plus the vocoder and arpeggiator? There's a reason so many bands use this little thing (and its predecessor... the microkorg, which, by the way, you can download all of the original sounds from the microkorg and put them on the microkorg xl as well). Awesome, and well worth the price. The keys are a little small, but I honestly haven't had a problem with it, and the small size means I can put it in easy reach on top of main board. Also, it looks really cool. Of all of the instruments we've got in our band, after hearing the synth lines and seeing the vocoder and the cool vintage styling, this is the instrument that people always come up and ask about afterwards. Oh, and it also works as a USB midi controller. The first show I played out with it, I kid you not, a few of the ladies in the crowd were cheering for "more synthesizer". And isn't that what it's all about?

5.0 out of 5 stars My first synth., October 12, 2011

By 

Dave "glassjawslipknot" (N. Logan, UT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Korg microKorg XL Analog Modeling Synthesizer with Vocoder (black) (Electronics)

I run Windows 7 64 bit. Reading other reviews there was a concern that the software editor/USB drives wouldn't work with it. Well, that may have been true in the past but that's not the case now. Worked perfectly. I'm able to export all sounds and import without issues, edit and hear my changes on the fly. No problems at all. The only tricky part was disabling write protection on the microkorg so you could overwrite the factory settings. A quick search revealed how to, had it done in 5 minutes. I'll be using the product to add some texture to music I record. It has endless possibilities with sound. The ability to export and import complete libraries in less than a minute is absolutely amazing. No fear of losing factory presets as long as you save the library before editing. The sound is amazing. The build quality isn't as bad as others make it sound. Yea, if you tweak the knobs hard you'll probably bust them. But since I'm not doing anything live, I don't crank on them to hard. I'm thinking of picking up the original as well.