The Korg SV-2 stage piano seemed to be one of the hits at the NAMM event. The SV-2 is the successor of Korg SV-1 which was launched a decade ago.
The SV-2 comes with more than 10 times the sample data of the SV-1, driving more new piano and high quality keyboard sounds – total 72 sounds. Favourites can be stored in 64 memory locations for instant access.
The SV-2 Editor software allows you to create split and layered programs, and there are now 128 note polyphony. In addition to the high-quality and wide range of classic keyboard instruments-including a version of Korg M1 piano and you will find organs, strings, mallets, brass, choirs, guitars and basses.
The Korg SV-2 versions also feature Korg’s RH3 graded-hammer action keyboard, and includes effects like a 3-band EQ, amp models, various pre-FX, modulation FX, reverb/delay and a limiter. Additionally, there are many MIDI and audio connectivity available. However, there is a second version of the SV-2, known as the SV-2S. The Korg SV-2S version has a built-in K-ARRAY speaker system. As such, the SV-2S could be considered as an alternative to a traditional home digital piano.
The Korg Minilogue XD is the updated take on the Korg Minilogue, which was introduced in 2016. The Minilogue XD retains the same chassis, albeit in a black livery, with 3/4-sized keys and a similar overall layout. The Minilogue XD also retains the four-parameter Motion Sequencer of its predecessor, but the synth engine has been enhanced and the four parameter lanes are now displayed on a new, slightly larger OLED display.
The voice structure of Minilogue XD is 2VCO + MULTI ENGINE, 1VCF, 2EG, 1VCA, and 1LFO. The additional sound engine is equipped with three different types of sound generator; noise, VPM, and user slot that enable you to take advantage of a sonic character that is different than analog, and use it at the same time as the analog engine. The Minilogue XD also offers a high-quality digital effect engine and shared the open development API (Application Programming Interface) of the Prologue. Users are allow to extend the possibilities of the hardware via an SDK (Software Development Kit) and dedicated development tools. The modulation effects, reverb, and delay (3 types) can be used simultaneously, enabling you choose from a wide range of options, including chorus, ensemble, warm tape delay, and a diverse variety of reverb. The Minilogue XD has 16 user effect slots that you can customize.
Looking around the back of the unit. stereo outputs have been added, alongside a damper pedal connection, which was one of the most asked for features from users. And to top it off, we are also treated to an additional two CV inputs. The Minilogue XD has excellent analog and digital sounds, especially for pads. User programmable oscillator has tons of potential and lots of physical controls, And at a low price.
The Prologue is a polyphonic analogue synthesizer available in either an 8 or 16 voices. with the 8 voices 49-key Prologue-8 offer 4 octave, while the 16 voices 61-key Prologue-16 offers 5 octave with full-sized keyboard, velocity sensitive, with 3 Oscillators per Voice, Filter with Drive and Low-frequency Compensation, Arpeggiator, and Dual Effects Sections.
The Prologue has three oscillators, with all located to the left of the front panel. VCOs 1 and 2 are identical, offering a choice of Saw, Triangle and Square wave. The third Oscillator, which is described on the front panel as Multi Engine, it is unsurprisingly somewhat multi-faceted. The filter is a fixed 2-pole design offering Low Pass, with the usual resonance and key-tracking. Being 2-pole, it is particularly crunchy, but with a great degree of pot resolution. Two full ADSR envelope are on offer, with one immediately assigned to the filter section, but also offering duties elsewhere, such as the ability to control the pitch of the VCOs. The LFO, on the other hand, can be directed to a number of modulation locations, including the oscillator shape, and can be easily clocked to a given signal, while offering Saw, Triangle and Square waveforms. There is an extensive set of high quality effects available on the backend of the Prologue, with an independent Delay/Reverb section, and a further Modulation section, which include Ensemble and Chorus type effects. One unique feature to the 16 voice Prologue, is the inclusion of a backend compressor. Apart from offering a degree of VU meter eye-candy, the compressor will helpfully both compress and replace some of the low-end frequencies that may be lost along the patch building way.
The Prologue is an astounding synth that merge analogue and digital oscillators beautifully and has a distinct personality in the sound, regardless of the patch you are on, as it is enticing.
