Description
<h1 style="text-align: justify;"><b>KORG modwave MKII</b> is a digital keyboard synth with <strong>60 voices of polyphony</strong>, featuring a powerful synthesis engine that combines wavetable and PCM sample-based capabilities. You can load <b>up to 4GB of audio samples</b> into the instrument, in addition to waveforms in Serum and WaveEdit formats. You can bring any parameter to life using the flexible modulation system, which includes 4 envelopes, 5 LFOs, a dual-mode processor, and two key-track generators, as well as multi-lane Motion Sequencing and the innovative Kaoss Physics. Layer two Programs to double your sonic possibilities! </h1><p style="text-align: justify;">With an impressive <strong>60 voices of polyphony</strong>, approximately double that of the previous version, the <strong>Korg Modwave MKII</strong> stands as the most powerful Wavetable synth ever. Additionally, options have been added to make LFOs independent, such as delayed start and retriggering, a pre/post switch on the reverb send, and new modulation sources. The digital synthesis of the Modwave is truly powerful; you can draw from wavetables with samples from the integrated multi-gigabyte PCM library, or import up to 4GB of your own audio samples using Korg's free <strong>Sample Builder software</strong>. What's more, with <strong>Kaoss Physics</strong> and <strong>Motion Sequencing 2.0</strong>, you can create organic, evolving sounds and patterns without limits, from experimental sound design to practical and direct use in pop and electronic music production. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In 1985, the Korg DW-8000 combined a digital wavetable with a VCF filter to provide users with sounds that could not be reproduced with analog oscillators. This instrument is still a cult favorite cherished by many. The <strong>modwave</strong> builds on the DW's legacy to establish itself as a powerful new synthesizer featuring an extensive wavetable of oscillators, interesting filters, broad and flexible modulation capabilities, incredible polyphony, an intuitive step pattern sequencer, and a significant number of controls that put all modifiable elements of a sound or musical phrase at our fingertips.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Korg modwave is a powerful synthesizer with a rich wavetable of distinctive timbres, featuring the innovative Kaoss Physics control and Motion Sequencing 2.0. <strong>Korg modwave</strong> introduces two new tools to dynamically manage sound: <strong>Kaoss Physics</strong> and <strong>Motion Sequencing 2.0</strong>. Kaoss Physics combines a Kaoss-style X/Y pad with a modulable, gaming-inspired control system for an interactive, powerful, and fun exploration experience. Motion Sequencing 2.0 brings the organic and constantly evolving pattern characteristics appreciated in wavestate sounds to this instrument, including "multiple lanes" and real-time recording to support you in creating complex sounds and evolving phrases that no other integrated synth sequencer can generate.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As with Wave Sequencing 2.0 (<a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/productsFT.php?str=korg%20wavestate"><strong>wavestate: click here for info</strong></a>) and altered FM (<a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/productsFT.php?str=korg%20opsix"><strong>opsix: click here for info</strong></a>), the modwave's wavetable synthesis has evolved to provide you with a unique-sounding instrument with a layout that features a potentiometer for each function to allow for quick, simple, and effective manipulation of sounds. To begin, there are <strong>hundreds of preset sounds</strong> enhanced by this particular architecture, organized by category, easily recallable via dedicated buttons on the panel and immediately modifiable through interaction with the <strong>4 Modulation potentiometers</strong>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The modwave's unique wavetable includes aggressive basses and leads, cinematic, mystical, and lush pads and atmospheres that will provide a <strong>new sonic dimension to your musical productions</strong>. However, this is just the beginning. Those constantly seeking new sounds will find themselves with an <strong>innovative instrument with unexplored horizons</strong>, difficult to achieve with other synthesizers. As soon as you find a new sound, you'll discover that there are many more possible.</p><h2><strong>The synthesis engine of the Korg </strong><strong>modwave MKII</strong></h2><p>When we describe the oscillator wavetable as "<em>deep</em>," we're not joking at all. It starts with <strong>200 wavetables, each articulated into 64 distinct waveforms</strong>: thousands of individual waveforms. With <strong>over 30 Modifiers</strong>, you can vary the basic sonic character, and with the <strong>13 Morph Types</strong>, process them in real-time. Create new hybrids starting from any two wavetables by utilizing the unique <strong>A/B Blend</strong> in real-time.</p><p>Let's do a quick calculation: there are over <strong>230 million possible variations in this wavetable</strong>, without even considering modulations yet! We should stop here, right? No... <strong>You can upload your own waveforms in Serum and WaveEdit formats</strong>; there's enough space for thousands more. Or, <strong>you can layer wavetables with samples from the integrated multi-GB PCM library</strong>, or import up to 4GB of your own audio samples via the <strong>Korg Sample Builder software</strong>.</p><p>Each <strong>Program</strong> consists of 2 full-featured wavetable oscillators, a sub-oscillator/noise generator, and one of twelve filters including the aggressive MS-20 derived, the softer Polysix style, and the new, powerful Multi Filter. You can bring any parameter to life using the flexible modulation system, which includes <strong>4 envelopes</strong>, <strong>5 LFOs</strong>, the dual-mode processor, and <strong>two key-track generators</strong>, as well as <strong>multi-lane Motion Sequencing</strong> and <strong>Kaoss Physics</strong>. Even with all this synthesis power, <strong>playing up to 4 simultaneous wavetables per voice in a single Program, the modwave MKII maintains 60 voices of polyphony</strong>, incredible for a wavetable synth. Oh, and just in case... If you want, you can <strong>layer two Programs</strong> to double the sonic possibilities!</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Kaoss Physics</strong> </h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Kaoss Physics simulates a ball rolling on a surface and/or bouncing from wall to wall. Launch the ball by touching the X/Y pad with a finger, or launch it automatically using triggers such as Gate + Damper. You can also control the ball's movement by keeping your fingers on the pad. The ball's position generates modulation signals that can control any destination of interest: X and Y positions, distance from the center, angle relative to the X-axis. This method of applying automated modulations is used for the first time, and the results are captivating and evolutionary, to say the least.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the surface, there's a virtual bump that can move up and down, like a valley or a hill. You can set the height and width of this element and choose from different shapes and slopes. It's possible to adjust the friction to slow the ball down as it moves. There are walls on all four sides of the surface, and when the ball hits one, it bounces back. The walls can slow the ball down or speed it up like a pinball machine's bumpers. The walls can eventually be removed, extending the surface to the opposite side like in a vintage arcade video game. The modeled environment can create specific modulation effects. For example, set a negative height at the center of the hill to make the modulation value return to 0. Or you can assign a positive value to the hill on the side or at an angle to attenuate the modulation intensity at that point. Many parameters, including Tilt, Friction, Time, Bump Height, and Position, are themselves modulable; you can even control them from Kaoss Physics itself. For example, you could try controlling the X-tilt with the Kaoss's Y-axis. The result is an interactive controller that amplifies human intervention to achieve complex musical results. Fun, don't you think?</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Motion Sequencing 2.0</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Motion Sequencing 2.0 is an evolution of the wavestate's Wave Sequencing 2.0. Timing, Pitch, Shape, and 4 sets of step sequence values are divided into "Lanes," each with adjustable loop start and end points for even deeper and more adaptable modulation of the musical phrase. Each time the sequence moves forward, the automation lanes are combined to generate the output. For example, a step sequence value can match a different duration, pitch, or shape each time it's played. You can independently modulate all loop points of each automation lane on each note, using velocity, LFOs, envelopes, Mod knobs, or other controllers. Each note in a chord can play something different! The step order of the automation lanes can be randomized each time they are played. Finally, each step can be randomly omitted with a modulable probability from 0 to 100%. The result is a constantly changing organic sound that responds to your control. The two integrated arpeggiators can interact with Motion Sequence to provide further sonic possibilities.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>An extensive synthesis engine for the Korg modwave</strong></h2><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>What is a wavetable?</strong></h4><p style="text-align: justify;">Wavetables are sets of single cycles of digital waveforms organized in a specific order. The "position" of the wavetable determines which waveform will be played. Moving the position with an envelope, an LFO, or other modulation sources will create subtle or significant timbral changes. Some wavetable systems abruptly switch from one waveform to another, while others do so more smoothly with crossfades. modwave can do both.</p><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Modifier</strong></h4><p style="text-align: justify;">Use <strong>over 30 Modifiers</strong> to alter the character of each wavetable during playback. For example, isolate even or odd harmonics, add weight with anti-aliased quantization or saturation, or correct the aggressive character of old-school wavetable synths with the Vintage 8 & 12 options.</p><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Morph</strong></h4><p style="text-align: justify;">The <strong>13 Morph Types</strong> allow you to stretch, crush, bend, and alter wavetables in real-time, changing their timbre and—when modulated—adding further movement to the sound. Sync creates classic swept-sync timbres using a single oscillator. The 3 special Morph Types FM, AM, and Ring Mod modulate Osc 2 with Osc 1 and can also be used on samples.</p><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>A/B Blend</strong> </h4><p style="text-align: justify;">The A/B mode is unique in that it allows oscillators to precisely and synchronously blend any two wavetables, a different situation from layering voices, which opens a new dimension to intermediate waveforms. Add body to thin waveforms or more aggression to a soft timbre. Combine two different modifier versions of the same wavetable. Of course, the A/B Blend can also be modulated in real-time.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Gigabytes of audio samples</strong></h3><p style="text-align: justify;">Wavetables sound divine when paired with audio samples, and in the <strong>KORG modwave</strong> distributed in Italy by <strong><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/brands/korg">Algam EKO (click here</a></strong>), the oscillators can host both elements. The included audio sample library with the <strong>modwave</strong> contains various Korg material, a selection of libraries from the <a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/productsFT.php?str=kronos&brand=KORG">Kronos (click here</a>) and the <a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/productsFT.php?str=krome&brand=KORG">Krome (click here</a>), and many new sounds produced by Korg itself, by Airwave and Francis Preve, plus a Plugin Guru bank.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>You'll never run out of filters</strong></h3><p style="text-align: justify;">Add vintage character to your sound by processing it with emulations of the aggressive Lowpass and Highpass filters of the <strong>MS-20</strong>, or apply the powerful but softer low-pass derived from the <strong>Polysix</strong>. All have been improved by introducing a gain parameter for better management at high resonance values. Sculpt and refine with a collection of 2- and 4-pole resonant Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass, and Notch filters. Alternatively, you can experiment with the unique <strong>KORG Multi Filter</strong>, which offers simultaneous and modulable interaction between different filter modes, now featuring presets manageable with a potentiometer for easier exploration of its numerous sonic possibilities.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Limitless modulation and control in the Korg modwave MKII</strong></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Packed with potentiometers and controls, the modwave invites exploration. Oscillators, filters, envelopes, LFOs, and effects are all at your fingertips on the panel. 4 programmable Mod Knobs are assigned to give you the best control experience over the generated sound right from the start. Use the controls in live performances and save the result. The <strong>Hold button allows you to keep notes or chords active indefinitely</strong> while you explore controls or play other instruments in your setup. Add <strong>Kaoss Physics</strong> and the <strong>Pitch Bend</strong> and <strong>Modulation</strong> wheels, and you'll always have multiple dimensions of real-time expressiveness. Want to go deeper? Practically all controls on the panel and many on-screen parameters can be modulated. You can even modulate the settings of a single step of the Motion Sequence! With Mod Processors, you can shape a modulation signal using quantization, curves, and more.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>An arsenal of effects in the Korg modwave MKII</strong></h3><p style="text-align: justify;">The modwave's effects are high-quality, production-ready. Each Layer has three dedicated effect slots, and furthermore, the Performance features a master reverb and parametric EQ. You can load useful effects by selecting them from a list that includes traditional processors such as compressors, equalizers, phasers, stereo delay, as well as various effects with a unique and distinctive character: Wave Shaper, Talking Modulator, Reverse Delay, Multiband Mod Delay, and the Overb derived from OASYS and Kronos, VOX amp simulators, VOX wah, multi-head tape echo, and a collection of the most commonly used guitar pedals.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Randomness as a source of inspiration</strong></h3><p style="text-align: justify;">Do you want to break out of your usual routine and venture into sounds that inspire creativity? A dedicated button, identifiable on the panel by a dice icon, allows you to initiate intelligent randomization processes that will generate new sounds by randomly varying the entire sound or some of its parameters such as oscillators, filter, or effects.</p>You can use the resulting sound as is, or use it as a starting point for creating your own personalized sound.
### **Editor/Librarian software for the KORG modwave**
The modwave Editor/Librarian allows you to edit and organize sounds via your computer with MacOS or Windows operating systems, including new Apple computers based on the M1 processor. Using networking mode via USB for high-speed communication, this application works as a true second front panel for the instrument, so you don't have to sync or transfer data. Animations show you the effect of modulation in real-time, an important aid when you are programming.
### **Set List and seamless sound transitions**
Set Lists allow you to organize your modwave Performances, ensuring immediate access during live performances or in the rehearsal room. Thanks to Smooth Sound Transition, all previously played voices will have a natural decay, including any effects, even when you load another sound.
### **Korg modwave connections**
Balanced stereo outputs allow connection to any recording or listening system, a stereo headphone output allows you to play in privacy without disturbing others. MIDI DIN connectors ensure integration into traditional MIDI setups, while the class-compliant "B" type USB port connects to Windows and MacOS computers for MIDI data transmission and reception.
### **Designed at KORG's California R&D headquarters**
KORG's California-based Research and Development department created the wavestate and the original Wavestation, participated in the development of OASYS and Kronos, and developed fundamental technologies used in numerous KORG instruments. The modwave reflects their aesthetic concept, provides exceptional sounds, and offers extreme flexibility thanks to modern technologies. The main sound designers of the wavestate, Belgian artist Airwave and Peter "Ski" Schwartz, Francis Preve and Richard Devine joined KORG's renowned "voicing team" to create the modwave's incredible sound library.
## **Korg modwave MKII Technical Specifications**
**Keyboard**: 37 keys sensitive to attack and release velocity
**Maximum Polyphony**: 60 stereo voices
**Sound Generation System**: modwave synthesis engine
**Modulations**
**Controls**: Mod Wheel, Pitch Wheel, Kaoss Physics and 4 Mod Knobs
**Other sources**: 4 Envelopes, 5 LFOs, 2 Mod Processors, 2 Key Tracks, Seq Lanes A-D, Step Pulse, Tempo, Program/Performance Note Count, Program/Performance Voice Count, Poly Legato, Velocity, Exponential Velocity, Release Velocity, Gate, Gate+Damper, Note-On Trigger, Note-On Trigger+Damper, Note Number, Aftertouch and Poly Aftertouch (MIDI only), MIDI CC +/-, MIDI CCs +
**Destinations**: Most parameters, including parameters for each individual Motion Sequence step. Depending on the length of the Motion Sequence, there can be up to 1000 potential modulation destinations per Program.
### **modwave Effects**
**Pre FX**: Decimator, Graphic EQ, Guitar Amp, Modern Compressor, Parametric EQ, Red Compressor, Ring Modulator, Tremolo, Wave Shaper
**Mod FX**: Black Chorus/Flanger, Black Phase, CX-3 Vibrato Chorus, EP Chorus, Harmonic Chorus, Modern Chorus, Modern Phaser, Orange Phase, Polysix Ensemble, Small Phase, Talking Modulator, Vintage Chorus, Vintage Flanger, Vintage/Custom Wah, Vox Wah
**Delay**: L/C/R Delay, Multiband Mod Delay, Reverse Delay, Stereo/Cross Delay, Tape Echo
**Master Reverb**: Early Reflections, Overb
**Master EQ**: 4-band parametric EQ
**Audio Outputs**: L (mono) and R on 6.3mm (1/4") TRS jacks
**Headphone Output**: 6.3mm (1/4") TRS (stereo) jack
**MIDI Connections**: MIDI IN & OUT DIN; MIDI via USB type "B"
**Pedal Input**: Damper Jack 6.3mm (1/4"); half-damper NOT supported
**Power Supply**: Adapter (included) AC KORG KA-390 (DC12V)
**Consumption**: 5 W
**Dimensions and weight**: 565×338×93mm; 2.9KG
**Included**: AC Adapter (KORG KA-390)
**Compatible Accessories** (sold separately): [DS-1H damper pedal](https://www.algameko.com/it/accessori-tastiere-pianoforti/korg/ds1h), PS-1 pedal switch, [PS-3 pedal switch](https://www.algameko.com/it/tastiere-pianoforti/korg/ps3)
*Specifications and images are subject to change without notice.
*All company and product names are registered trademarks or property of their respective owners.
## **Free software included with Korg modwave MKII**
The Korg modwave entitles you to free licenses for software such as iZotope's "Ozone Elements", "Reason Lite" and various virtual instruments produced by Korg and other brands. In addition, you will be entitled to a "Skoove" subscription: an application dedicated to interactive music lessons.
**NB**: Algam EKO is NOT responsible for technical and/or commercial support for software or music applications provided free of charge and/or via download with the distributed hardware product. For more information, please consult the website [http://www.korg.com/bundle](http://www.korg.com/bundle) directly and contact the software manufacturers with whom you will enter into a contract during download and/or installation.
