Host Ziv Eliraz offers a comprehensive overview of each of the synths and covers what’s new with the wavestate platform since the original was introduced in 2020.
Watch the review, and share your thoughts on the new wavestate synths in the comments!
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Korg today revealed Wavestate MKII and Wavestate SE & Wavestate SE Platinum, a premium 61-key version of its wave sequencing synth with aftertouch.
Korg introduced the original wavestate at the 2020 NAMM Show, is a 21st-century reimagining of the Wavestation, a digital wave sequencing synth produced by the company in the ’90s, which takes the legendary Wavestation’s Wave Sequencing synthesis to the next level.
Today, Korg has revealed an updated Wavestate MKII and announced the release of an all-new 61-key version of the synth, the Wavestate SE, also available in silver as the Wavestate SE Platinum. Like the original Wavestate, both synths are based around Korg’s Wave Sequencing 2.0 synthesis technology, but have been updated with redesigned hardware, workflow tweaks and new features.
Here are the highlights of Korg’s new wavestate synth line:
Korg Wavestate mkII
Boasting a (moderately) refreshed visual aesthetic, the MKII expands the Wavestate’s polyphony from 64 stereo voices to 96 and features a variety of newly-designed Wave Sequences and Programs. There’s also an expanded 4GB (up from 2GB) of internal storage for loading your own sounds into Wavestate using Korg’s Sample Builder application.
Korg have also replaced the Wavestate’s Sound Librarian companion software, which lets you design sounds for the Wavestate on your computer, with the Wavestate Editor/Librarian, a redesigned tool that adds the ability to edit Performances, Programs, Scales, Wave Sequences and Wave Sequence Lanes and edit internal effects parameters from your Mac or PC.
Features:
Wave Sequencing 2.0
Extensive modulation with hands-on control
Gigabytes of samples – and import up to 4GB of your own
Modeled filters, including MS-20 and Polysix
96 stereo voices
4 Layers with Vector control
14 simultaneous effects
Set Lists and Smooth Sound Transitions
Randomization
Free Editor/Librarian and Sample Builder software for Mac and Windows
Great design. 37 full-size keys
Korg Wavestate SE & Wavestate SE Platinum
Originally announced in 2021 but only officially unveiled this week, the Wavestate SE is a premium version of the Wavestate: the synth has a 61-key keyboard with aftertouch, and has been outfitted with an appealingly solid all-metal design (the Wavestate and Wavestate MKII are mostly plastic) and metal-plated knobs.
The SE can handle 120-note polyphony, and many of the onboard patches and presets have been redesigned to take advantage of the performance capabilities that the aftertouch offers. Korg have also unveiled the Wavestate SE Platinum, a silver version of the SE pictured below.
Features:
61-key natural-feel keyboard with aftertouch
Hundreds of updated sounds
Road-worthy metal construction
Exclusive hard case included
Limited Platinum edition option
Wave Sequencing 2.0
Extensive modulation with hands-on control
Gigabytes of samples – and import up to 4GB of your own
Modeled filters, including MS-20 and Polysix
120 stereo voices
4 Layers with Vector control
14 simultaneous effects
Set Lists and Smooth Sound Transitions
Randomization
Free Editor/Librarian and Sample Builder software for Mac and Windows
Special crossgrade to wavestate native software
The Wavestate mkII is available to pre-order now, with a street price of about $700. The Wavestate SE is and Wavestate SE Platinum are also available to pre-order, with street prices around $2,000 & $2,200. Find out more info on the Korg website.
Behringer has announced that its Bode Frequency Shifter 1630, a Euro-format knockoff of the rare Moog Bode Frequency Shifter 1630 module, is now shipping from its factory.
Like the original which was released in 1974 and was an intriguing and creative part of the Moog Modular system, the Behringer 1630 is designed to shift the entire frequency spectrum of the source signal from -5 to +5 kHz. Using small shifts, it can create subtle stereo phasing effects, while at large shifts, it can create sonic mayhem.
Behringer says that the circuit design is 100% analog and identical to the original, but the module is designed to be manufactured at a fraction of the cost of a full-size Moog format clone of the original module.
The Behringer Bode Frequency Shifter 1630 is now shipping to retailers, priced at $149/£129. The company says that it should be available to pre-order soon from retailers, and in stock in 8-16 weeks, depending on their location
