Korg Forums

stephenwiley · Joined: 07 Mar 2015 Posts: 8

So I took a leap of faith and jumped at a great deal for a new, sealed in box KK for an unbelievable price. I'm scared to share what I got it for (that good!)

My first synth ever was a Korg Radias but I was far too young to have any clue what I was working with, I literally knew what only a handful of the buttons did so I could never program it beyond using the presets. Ended up finally selling because it was just too complex for me (Pretty funny now that I think back about it considering the Radias has a very straight forward interface!)

I currently own a prophet 08 (probably selling, just dont jive with it), sh201, and Studio Electronics SE-1X. I've previously owned a mopho, roland gaia, virus ti desktop and a snow, and the radias.

I decided on the KingKorg because I literally couldn't find a more smooth sound after considering all popular VA's/FM's below $1500. I compared the KK to microwave xt, blofeld, access virus, nord lead 2/3/4, radias/r3/MK, roland sh201 & gaia, studiologic sledge 2, alesis ion, and ultranova.

After objectively listening to each of these synths (I ONLY listened....I did not consider anything else beyond what I heard) the KingKorg pretty much blew the others away. The blofeld and access virus tired for 2nd place but the KK was the clear winner in my eyes. I didn't care about if it sounded "analog" or whatever. I just listened for the best sound regardless of the instruments interface or "analogness"

I've really never heard a more smooth, polished sound. Is it the onboard FX, filter, or raw oscillator tones that give the KK such a lush tone? I was honestly just expecting a mildly upgraded MMT engine but XMT actually appears to be a big step forward for the company (I wonder if they plan to use it in anymore synths beyond the mild electribe integration)

To be fair, I'm a sucker for big trancey type sounds. My objective evaluation of all the synths was from a pure electronic basis. I found the KK to be shockingly good.

I honestly didn't even want to like the KK. It's price was out of my range and I felt like the keyboard was geared towards performers and not a studio rat which is what I am. I also wasn't a very big fan of the interface having only 1 ADSR for the envelopes and a poor modulation matrix overall. I wanted to like and love the Microwave XT, but there was just no denying the KK.

So, sorry for the long rant. I just wanteed to say hello and hope to become an active member around here. I couldn't be more excited about my KK and will probably have many questions for you experienced owners if that's OK Smile

Any tips/heads up regarding the KK? Things I need to be aware of? (Bugs, updates, must hear patch banks, etc)....

Thanks guys !!!!! Very Happy

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Proud new KingKorg owner

Percivale · Joined: 09 Mar 2015 Posts: 4

I got one coming my way. Do share more on your experience Smile

stephenwiley · Joined: 07 Mar 2015 Posts: 8

It sounds bloody beautiful. Easily the cleanest and smoothest sounding VA on the market.

It desperately needs a vst editor. This is a MASSIVE oversight IMO on Korg's part. The librarian is nice but a vst editor is desperately needed. Hope to god Korg (or someone) is working on one.
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Proud new KingKorg owner

EFM-7 · Joined: 23 Feb 2015 Posts: 6

SanderXpander · Platinum Member Joined: 29 Jul 2011 Posts: 7860

To me the KK is by far the worst for EDM of all thr symths mentioned in this thread.
Still a great synth, it just lends itself far better to vintage emulations Smile

The NL4 can sound pretty smooth imho, even if it isn't really a good "emulator".

black953mj · Joined: 15 May 2014 Posts: 48

I have to agree with SanderXpander on this. You can do EDM on the KingKorg but can do probably it better on others. I personally love my KingKorg for vintage sounds and use my Virus, and even my Prophet 12, for the EDM stuff. I do have to say though, for the price, the KingKorg is a great all around synth.
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Minimoog Voyager - DSI Prophet 12 - Sequential Prophet 6 - DSI OB-6 - Access Virus Ti2 - Korg Kronos 2 - KingKORG - Novation MiniNova - Roland JU-06 - Roland RD-700GX - Novation Bass Station Rack - EMU Proteus 2000 - Various other old musical gadgets and dodads

jeremykeys · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:54 am Post subject:

I love mine but I tend to do more rock oriented stuff. Not much into the EDM so I cna't comment. In my studio though, it shines!
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If music is the food of love, play on and play loud!
Gear: Kronos 73, Triton Pro-X, Wavestation EX, Polysix, King Korg, Monotron and Monotron Duo, Minikorg, Moog Grandmother, 1 Roland U-20, Hammond M3, 4 acoustic and 6 electric guitars, 1 Ibanez 5 string bass, a bunch of microphones and other very cool toys, 1 wife and 3 cats!

Vampyre · Joined: 30 Oct 2014 Posts: 16 Location: New York

I like my KK a lot, but have not used it much to date.

kkorgian · Joined: 24 Nov 2014 Posts: 13

expect to not be able to find the headphone socket !

loads of vids on u tube for sound demos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xqA4-9jV_A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqsMvpFbYVM

its meant to be played not programmed, the controls are close enuf to the keyboard that u can press keys and twiddle knobs with one hand...that was the unexpected win for me. A hidden reason why i got on with it.