Korg Modwave Wavetable Synthesiser

Description

Producers, engineers, musicians, and sound designers looking for a powerful, yet easy to use wavetable synthesiser will be thrilled with the Korg Modwave, a synthesis powerhouse with distinctive wavetable timbres, Kaoss Physics, and Motion Sequencing 2.0.

Building upon the legacy of the original DW-8000, the Modwave is an advanced performance instrument featuring deep wavetable oscillators, gorgeous filters, flexible modulation, and 32-note polyphony, as well as comprehensive pattern sequencing and satisfying hands-on control. The modwave delivers unique, powerful, and easily customisable sounds and phrases.

The modwave features two new tools including Motion Sequencing 2.0 and Kaoss Physics. Motion Sequencing 2.0 brings the organic, continuously evolving patterns of the wavestate's Wave Sequencing 2.0 into the world of motion sequencing, including multiple lanes and real-time recording to help you create complex and evolving phrases. Kaoss Physics combines an x/y Kaoss pad with modulatable game physics to create a responsive, interactive controller that is not only powerful, but heaps of fun to explore.

Each of the Modwave's programs utilises two full-featured wavetable oscillators, plus a sub oscillator/noise generator and several stereo filter types, including the MS-20, Polysix, and the enhanced Multi Filter. You can animate almost any parameter using the massive modulation matrix system, which includes four triggerable envelopes, five LFOs, dual modulation processors, and two key-track generators, plus the multi-lane Motion Sequencing and Kaoss Physics. For even more power, layer two programs to play up to four simultaneous wavetables per voice in a single Program.

The rear panel offers balanced stereo 1/4" outputs and a dedicated headphone output for private playing or onstage cuing. The 5-pin DIN MIDI I/O jacks allow for the connection to external equipment and sequencers, while the class-compliant USB MIDI (USB Type-B) port can connect to Windows and Mac computers. A dedicated modwave editor/librarian is available for free at the Korg website. The Korg modwave ships with a power adapter.

Key Features:

At a Glance

• Massive wavetable library and shaping features for completely unique sounds.
• Physics-based KAOSS modulation delivers nonstatic, evolving modulations.
• Motion sequencing 2.0 provides new levels of control over recording and editing phrases, along with fantastic randomisation to spur more ideas.
• Over 200 wavetables to explore with up to 64 waveforms each—more than any wavetable synth—and over 230 million wavetable variations via Modwave's modifier and morph features.
• Gigabytes of samples onboard; blend with wavetables for even more possibilities.
• Two-oscillator structure.
• Two-part multitimbral with key zoning for splitting/layering.
• 32-note polyphonic; highest in its class by far.
• Sequencing with Timing, Pitch, Shape, variable loop points, randomisation, and more.
• Motion sequencing 2.0 provides new levels of control over recording and editing phrases, along with fantastic randomisation to spur more ideas.
• Dual arpeggiators
• Three effects per layer, plus master AEQ and reverb
• Free software bundle, downloadable free editor

Kaoss Physics

• Kaoss Physics models a ball rolling on a surface and/or bouncing off walls. Start the ball by flicking a finger on the x/y pad, or launch the ball automatically using a trigger source such as Gate + Damper. You can also directly control the ball by holding your finger on the pad. The position of the ball produces four modulation signals, which can be used to control any modulation destination you like: the X and Y locations, the distance from the centre, and the angle relative to the X axis. This method of applying automated modulation are reminiscent of the 2001 Lemur Jazz Mutant, and the results are modulations that are engrossing and evolving.
• There is a bump in the virtual surface, going either down or up, like a valley or a hill. You can set the height or depth of the bump, and choose one of several different shapes for its slopes. The surface has adjustable friction, so that the ball slows down as it travels. There are walls on the four sides of the surface, and when the ball hits a wall, it bounces off. Walls can slow down the ball, as if they were padded, or accelerate the ball, like bumpers in a pinball machine. The walls can also be removed entirely, so that the surface wraps around to the opposite edges like a vintage arcade game.
• The modelled environment can create specific modulation effects. For instance, use a centred bump with negative height so that the modulation values always eventually return to 0. Or, position a bump with positive height on a side or a corner, to push modulation values away from that zone
• Most parameters, including Tilt, Friction, Time, Bump Height, and Position, are modulatable. You can even modulate them from the KAOSS Physics outputs—for instance, try modulating Tilt X with KAOSS Y. The result is an interactive controller that amplifies your physical gestures, transforming them into complex musical results.

Motion Sequencing 2.0

• Motion Sequencing 2.0 is evolved from the Wavestate’s Wave Sequencing 2.0. Timing, Pitch, Shape, and four sets of Step Sequence values are separated into Lanes, each with its own loop start and loop end, adding a deeper, more customisable level of phrase and modulation recording.
• Every time the sequence moves forward, the individual Lanes are combined to create the output. For instance, a step sequence value may be matched with a different duration, pitch, and shape every time that it plays. You can modulate each Lane’s loop points separately for every note, using velocity, LFOs, envelopes, Mod Knobs, or other controllers. Each note in a chord can be playing something different!
• Lanes can also randomise the step order every time they play. Finally, individual steps can be randomly skipped, with a modulatable probability from 0 to 100%. The result is organic, ever-changing sounds that respond to your control. The dual onboard arpeggiators can interact with Motion Sequences for even more possibilities.

Deep Synthesis Engine

• Wavetables are sets of single-cycle digital waveforms, arranged in a specific order. The wavetable's Position determines which waveform is played. Moving the Position with an envelope, LFO, or other modulation source creates subtle or dramatic changes in timbre. Some wavetable systems switch abruptly from one waveform to another; others crossfade smoothly between them. The modwave can do either one.
• Modifiers: Use over 30 Modifiers to alter the character of any wavetable at load time. For instance, isolate the odd or even harmonics, add weight through anti-aliased quantisation or saturation, or revisit the gritty character of old-school wavetable synths with the Vintage 8 and 12 options.
• Morph: The 13 Morph Types let you stretch, squeeze, reflect, and otherwise alter the wavetables in real-time, changing their timbre and—when modulated—creating additional motion in the sound. Sync creates classic swept-sync timbres, using only a single oscillator. Three special Morph Types—FM, AM, and Ring Mod—modulate Osc 2 with Osc 1, and even apply to samples.
• A/B Blend: Using the unique A/B mode, oscillators can blend any two wavetables with phase-synchronous precision—different from simply layering voices—opening up a dimension of intermediate waveforms. Add body to otherwise thin waveforms for instance, or add a touch of sizzle to a mellow timbre. Even fade between two different Modifier versions of the same wavetable. A/B Blend can be modulated in real-time.

Gigabytes of Samples

• Wavetables also sound great when layered with samples, and the modwave oscillators handle that with aplomb. Totalling in the gigabytes, the modwave’s sample library includes new material from KORG, Airwave, and Francis Preve, plus a bank from Plugin Guru and a selection from the Kronos and Krome libraries.

Filters

• Add vintage character to your sounds with the aggressive MS-20 Lowpass or Highpass filters, or the strong, sweet Polysix Lowpass—all newly enhanced with gain controls to make it easier to dial in the resonance timbre. Shape and refine with a full collection of resonant 2-pole and 4-pole Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass, and Band Reject filters. Or, step outside the box with Korg's unique Multi-Filter, which creates modulatable blends of multiple modes simultaneously—now with presets on a front panel knob for easier exploration of its many possibilities.

Control and Modulation

• Bursting with knobs and controllers, the Modwave invites you to explore. Oscillators, filter, envelopes, LFOs, and effects are all at your fingertips with dedicated front-panel controls. Four programmable Mod Knobs are customised to bring out the most in every sound. Use the knobs in realtime performance and also save the results as new sounds. The Hold button lets you sustain notes or chords indefinitely, while you explore the front-panel controls or play other gear.
• Add in KAOSS Physics and the pitch-bend and modulation wheels, and you’ll always have multiple dimensions of realtime expression.
• Almost all front-panel knobs and most on-screen parameters can be modulated. You can even modulate settings for individual Motion Sequence steps. Mod Processors let you transform modulation signals using quantisation, smoothing, curvature, and more.

Arsenal of Effects

• The Modwave’s superb effects deliver production-ready sounds. Each Layer has three dedicated effects, plus a send to the Performance's master reverb, followed by a master parametric AEQ. Along with standards such as compressors, EQs, choruses, flangers, phasers, and stereo delays, you’ll find distinctive processors such as the Wave Shaper, Talking Modulator, Reverse Delay, Multiband Mod Delay, and Overb (from the OASYS and Kronos), plus modelled effects including VOX guitar amps, VOX wah, multihead tape echo, and a collection of classic guitar pedals.

Randomisation

• A dedicated front-panel button, marked by a dice icon generates new sounds via intelligent randomisation. Randomise the entire sound or just a part of it, such as the oscillators, filter, or effects. Use the results directly or as a jumping-off point for your own creations.

Set Lists for Smooth Transitions

• Set Lists offer effortless organisation of your wavestate Performances, and deliver instant access at the gig or in rehearsal. Smooth Sound Transitions allow previously played voices and effects to continue to ring out naturally, even once a new sound has been selected.

Free Music Software

• The Modwave comes with a diverse collection of music software to help you take your music to the next level, including Reason Lite for song creation, Izotope's Ozone Elements for AI-powered mastering, Skoove for improving your keyboard playing skills, and software synths from KORG and other brands.

Free Editor/Librarian Software

• The Modwave Editor/Librarian lets you edit and organise sounds via your macOS or Windows computer (including the latest Apple M1-based systems). Using USB networking for high-speed communication, it works like a second front panel for the instrument, so there's no need to synchronise or transfer data. Animations show the effects of modulation in real-time—a great help when programming.