Microkorg beginner

danumal · Post by **danumal** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 4:30 am

I would like to buy the microkorg because it is cheap and it looks like a good synth to start on. Basically what I will use this for is for performing at parties and producing some sounds. So I will probably need to connect it to my computer. Do I buy a midi to usb cable to do this? I also know I need amps. What brands are better than others? I want to make songs with multiple layers so do I need a midi device for that? and finally, what software would be good for both performing and making songs? and any other helpful device suggestions would be appreciated!

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:32 am

The microKorg is a great synth but it is starting to get a little outdated.
One of the key strengths of a synthesizer is diving in and programming your own sounds etc to suit your track. in this respect you will quickly realise the limitations of the MicroKorg. Thats not a problem as such, but if you want something that will continue to be fun to program for much longer, Then I would reccommend you at least try out the MicroKorg XL, but preferably the R3 which is a vast improvement over the XL for only a slightly higher price (the XL is crippled in comparison, however still has more deep programming than the original MicroKorg).

The XL and R3 also have nice shiny new software librarian editors and can connect to a computer via USB for MIDI control and editor functions.

But all of these are strictly performance and studio instruments - you can't loop tracks or play multiple different tracks, or record on them. They are the equviliiant of a guitar or a piano - strictly an instrument, that you play to produce a sound.

You could couple this with some form of live looper (like a guitar pedal or other device). Or maybe something completely different. The new Kaossilator Pro might suit you. I would also suggest you check out the Electribe series - they don't have keys but you can be busy doing other things like muting tracks, etc.

danumal · Post by **danumal** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 6:36 pm

okay, so the microkorg isn't what I want? And do I really have to buy a pedal to loop and layer tracks? The sythesizer itself can't produce layers? And couldn't I loop and layer tracks with computer software?

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:08 pm

danumal wrote:okay, so the microkorg isn't what I want? And do I really have to buy a pedal to loop and layer tracks? The sythesizer itself can't produce layers? And couldn't I loop and layer tracks with computer software?

read again:

X-Trade wrote:But all of these are strictly performance and studio instruments - you can't loop tracks or play multiple different tracks, or record on them. They are the equviliiant of a guitar or a piano - strictly an instrument, that you play to produce a sound.

You could use software although someone else will have to pitch in on that - I have no experience with live software loopers. Also there is the mini-KP and KP3. The mini KP has a basic looper. the KP3 I think has a more advanced looper and has built in effects, sampling. All of these things would be in addition to some synth though.

The electribes are standalone grooveboxes aimed at making entire songs from scratch, a less keyboardy version of a workstation.

The microKorg has four voices of poly. you can layer two sounds together but then you only have two voice polyphony - meaning you can only hit two notes at once before it cuts out other notes you hit.

The R3 and XL have 8 voice polyphony, again there is a split/layer mode where you can have two sounds layered together at four voice polyphony. on the R3 you can have separate effects on the different sounds whilst on both microkorgs you have considerably less effects and they have to affect both sounds simultaneously.
In these dual split/layer modes you can route the arpeggiator to one sound and have the other play normally which is handy, but isn't going to produce entire tracks for you on its own.

Gargamel314 · Post by **Gargamel314** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:21 pm

have you looked at the Korg X50 or TR? some of the more conventional ROMplers like these might be more of what you are looking for. Both of these are capable of layering a number of sounds together. You would not need a pedal for any of this (although a damper pedal is always recommended for playing).

If you don't want to be using software at all to create loops, or sequencing, then you would need a keyboard workstation such as the TR, M50, or M3. Anything else, you would need MIDI cables for, or many of these newer instruments use USB MIDI interfaces.

The X50 is the synth engine of the TR without the sequencer, so you would need a computer to record anything. Both the TR and X50 have 60 voices of polyphony, as well as an arpeggiator which you might find helpful.

danumal · Post by **danumal** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:31 pm

yeah, I was thinking of getting the R3 now, after watching and reading more about the microkorg. And think I'll just hook it up to my computer and use software to create music tracks. Doesn't the R3 come with software? and also, does the r3 have ports for pedals? because I saw the microkorg doesn't.....

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:57 pm

Gargamel314 wrote:Both the TR and X50 have 60 voices of polyphony, as well as an arpeggiator which you might find helpful.

actually they have two arpeggiators.

The R3 comes with editing software for editing/creating your own programs (sounds) without diving through the menus on the screen and with the knobs.
It doesn't come with any recording software. As I said it is an instrument like a guitar or piano...

There are some free sequencing and probably looping software available for both windows and the Mac.

Just a few quick google searches throws up:
http://www.flyloops.com/
http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/index.php
http://lmms.sourceforge.net/home.php
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Then there are paid software like:
Cubase, Ableton Live!, Reaper...

danumal · Post by **danumal** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:02 pm

okay sweet, one more thing though-
can you plug in an external audio source like a radio or an ipod to the R3 and play around with it on the synthesizer like you can with the Microkorg?

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:04 pm

danumal wrote:okay sweet, one more thing though-
can you plug in an external audio source like a radio or an ipod to the R3 and play around with it on the synthesizer like you can with the Microkorg?

Yes, the R3 has audio input.

It does all the MicroKorg does plus more.