Synthesist Ian Dixon shared this look at sequencing using the Pitch Lane on the Korg modWave, wavestate, and the new multi/poly.
His examples focus on the modWave plugin, but the technique are relevant to the hardware and software versions of these synths:
Here’s what he has to say about the video:
“I demonstrate how you can use the pitch lane feature of the motion sequencer to build your own complex sequences. You’ll learn how to use the motion sequencer to re-trigger envelopes, control the filter, and manipulate pitch. I also show how the Fit to Scale option ensures your sequences play in your chosen scale, and how the Shape Control lets you fine-tune pitch transitions smoothly.
The video includes examples on the Modwave (the process is identical on the Mono/Poly) as well as the Wavestate.
This technique will unlock a world of sonic possibilities for you on these incredibly powerful synthesizers.”
Here’s a roundup of early reviews and demos for the new Korg multi/poly synthesizer, a new synthesizer in their opsix/wavestate format that offers 60-voice polyphony, three types of oscillators, Kaoss Physics, Motion Sequencing 2.0 and more.
Synth guru Ziv Eliraz – In his loopop video, above, – reviews the Korg multi/poly, offering an in-depth look at the new synth, audio demos, and his take on the instrument’s pros and cons. “It sounds great,” notes Eliraz, praising the synth’s synthesis capabilities and sound. On the cons side, he cites the smallish screen, the size of the keyboard and its lack of aftertouch.
The BoBeats doesn’t go quite as deep, but has an extended section demonstrating how to create sounds from scratch on the multi/poly. He recommends the multi/poly for people that really like to dig deep into sound design, but recommends that people that want a more immediate synth look elsewhere.
In the last video, below, sound designer John “Skippy” Lehmkuhl (PlugInGuru) shares his take on the Korg multi/poly, with an emphasis on sound design:
Lehmkuhl is one of the sound designers that created patches for the multi/poly, so his video showcases some of his work, and is probably the best video of the bunch for showcasing the synth’s sound.
He calls the multi/poly ‘a monster’, and praises its sound and capabilities.
Watch the videos, and share your thoughts on the new Korg multi/poly in the comments!
Korg has unveiled the latest in its line of compact digital synths, Multi/Poly, a multi-timbral instrument described by Korg as using ‘next generation analogue modelling’.
Today, Korg introduces the multi/poly synthesizer, a new synthesizer in their opsix/wavestate format that offers 60-voice polyphony, three types of oscillators, Kaoss Physics, Motion Sequencing 2.0 and more.
Korg appears to have learned from the reception of its initial synths in this format, which were praised for their deep synth engines but criticized for the synth’s relatively lightweight build. The new synth more of a premium build, with thick wood end caps, and metal front and back panels.
Inspired by the classic KORG Mono/Poly, the new KORG multi/poly is an analog modeling synthesizer, and is the first instrument to use Korg’s latest analog modeling technology. While Korg reached back to the Mono/Poly for inspiration, the multi/poly is a completely new design, with capabilities that go far beyond the original. And, just as important as the vintage influence, the multi/poly builds on capabilities from other instruments in its compact synth line, like the wavestate and modwave.
What they have to say about the multi/poly synth’s capabilities:
“It’s like a polyphonic modular system in a compact, hands-on package – a limitless playground for synth players and sound designers. Create hardware mash-ups with East-coast, West-coast, and wavetable oscillators and a wide selection of newly-modeled filters. Make them come alive with models of different envelope, VCA, and portamento circuits.
Virtual voice cards produce organic timbral variation. Layer Rotate triggers new Programs with each press of a key. Plus Kaoss Physics, Motion Sequencing 2.0, massive modulation, and more.”
The multi/poly features analog modeling that goes beyond traditional virtual analog to more closely model a vintage analog synth engine. At the heart of Multi/Poly are virtual voice cards, with oscillators, filters, LFOs, amps, envelopes and portamento all designed to emulate the behaviour of analogue circuitry. The result is that each voice has a slightly different character, creating naturally rich timbres. You can dial-in in as much or as little of this variation as you like, and do individually for each sound.
Just like in an analog synth, the Virtual Voice Card also continue to ‘play’, even if you’re not hearing them. Envelopes keep evolving, so that if you play a pad with a long release time, newly played notes “catch” the envelope at its current level instead of restarting from zero. Oscillators and LFOs maintain their phase, and resonance continues to ring. Each oscillator’s pitch can also drift slightly over time, modeling the slight pitch instabilities found in analog hardware.
Envelopes are an often-overlooked factor that contributes to the unique sounds of vintage synths. The multi/poly includes envelope curvature presets for the Mono/Poly, MS-20, “Mini,” “Pro,” ARP Odyssey, and more. Also, analog VCAs don’t respond evenly to voltage, and have different thresholds for turning on and off, which in turn has a strong effect on the Amp Envelope’s character. So, the multi/poly features modeled VCA responses from the Mono/Poly, MS-20, Mini, Odyssey, and Prophet 5, as well as a linear option.
Classic analog synths had different approaches to portamento, too, and so the multi/poly has six different portamento models to choose from.
The synth also has modulation capabilities that go well beyond what an analogue instrument could achieve, with four 6-stage envelopes and five LFOs feeding into a complex mod matrix that can apply modulation processors to alter modulation routings.
Other highlights include Korg’s Motion Sequencing 2.0 technology, which offers independent sequencing of pitch, timing, parameter automation and more. There’s also a capable multi-part effects engine. Multi/Poly also features the Kaoss Physics touchpad first seen on the Modwave, which allows parameters to be modulated across an X/Y space using the movement of a virtual bouncing ball.
Possibly the most distinctive feature here is the Layer Rotate mode, which emulates the way Mono/Poly could alternate its oscillators in a round robin manner with each new note played. Here, however, rather than using individual oscillators, Multi/Poly alternates between its four timbral layers.
The synth hardware itself is similar to that of Korg’s Wavestate, Modwave and Opsix. It features a 37-note semi-weighted keyboard with velocity and release velocity sensitivity. It features MIDI I/O and USB connectivity, which can send/receive MIDI as well as make use of Korg’s Librarian app, for managing patches and uploading user wavetables.
The multi/poly also has a dedicated Editor and Librarian, for Mac & Windows, which can streamline sound design and managing your sound library.
Korg multi/poly Overview:
Korg multi/poly Audio Demos:
The Korg multi/poly synthesizer is available now and Amazon site, priced at $899.99
