Free Update Gives New Superpowers To Korg microKORG 2
The microKORG2 continues to evolve. Announced last year, Korg microKorg 2 is the successor to one of the best-selling synths in music tech history, an enduringly influential instrument that made synthesis affordable, accessible and fun for a generation of music-makers.
Version 2.0 introduces expanded sound engines and effects, enhanced loop recorder functions, support for split performance, and forward-looking features that open new possibilities for sound design.
Today, Korg releases a major firmware update for the microKorg 2 that adds a support for the ‘logue SDK – an open platform that lets you load custom oscillators and effects and tailor the synth to your needs. Upgrade its Loop Recorder with new capabilities and adding a keyboard split function.
This means that you can customize the microKorg 2’s sonic capabilities far beyond the synth’s original design.
Korg shared an intro video, above, that demonstrates how to update the keyboard with the new firmware and how to use their sample oscillator, Waves.
Korg has partnered up with Ukrainian developer Sinevibes to make 15 plugins available to microKorg 2 owners, including the company’s Abledo granular reverb, Corrosion distortion, and Rerun, a glitchy repeater effect. Two new titles are available for free download: the Atom multimode filter and Drift, a stereo panner and “wind turbulence modeller” that simulates the movements of natural phenomena such as wind gusts and boiling water via physical modelling.
microKorg 2’s Loop Recorder has also been upgraded with three new features that make it far more versatile. You can now import loops to microKorg 2 to use in your performances or export loops as 16-bit/48kHz WAV files to your Mac or PC, all via Korg’s Sound Librarian application.
The synth’s new Slice Playback feature automatically slices loops and maps each slice across the keyboard. Combined with the arpeggiator, this can be used to create evolving patterns of chopped-up audio – you’re even able to reverse sample playback with the mod wheel, which is a fun little twist.
An intriguing new Step Recording function makes it possible to record loops of up to 8 bars in length step-by-step, sequencing individual chunks of audio recorded consecutively. Effectively giving microKorg users an audio-based step sequencer, this should satisfy those that bemoaned the synth’s lack of sequencing abilities on launch.
Additionally, microKorg 2’s third oscillator can now be repurposed as an LFO and assigned to any destination in the modulation matrix. This opens up a ton of new modulation possibilities, as you’re now able to use any complex waveshape available for Osc 3 as a modulator or experiment with audio-rate AM and FM modulation.
What’s new in microKorg 2 v2:
- Custom oscillators and FXs via logue SDK
- Flexible sound creation with new sub-oscillator
- New split function
- Enhanced loop recorder with slice and step recording
microKorg 2 owners should check out the Sinevibes site to find out more about their Korg oscillators and effects.
If you want to know more about what’s new in microKorg 2 v2, loopop’s Ziv Eliraz has shared a comprehensive overview of the update and its capabilities:
It is really a pretty massive update, and makes the microKorg 2 a much more powerful and interesting synth, with the potential to expand its capabilities even further as new plugins are developed by the logue SDK community.
Check out the videos and share your thoughts on microKorg 2 v2 in the comments!
Visit the Korg website to find out more.
