Korg Microstation

Specifications Korg Microstation

The Korg Microstation is the latest addition to the much-loved general category of small Korg keyboards, and with reportedly fearsome quality and capabilities looks set to become a similar industry stalwart.

The 61-mini-keys take pride of place on a small, compact design that nevertheless holds enough power to work hard and effectively in studios and on stages, and could well be the ideal solution for home producers too.

The company’s Enhanced Definition System has allowed serious sonic manipulation, with 512 user programs available (480 which are possible presets to grab your attention) and 384 voice combinations (256 likewise) alongside GM2 compatible presets and a huge number of drum kits, which can also be used as oscillators within programming.

The actual voices are created through virtual oscillators, which can then be altered dramatically via four separate filters (low-, high- and band-pass, as well as band-reject), envelope generators, mixers and an LFO - each can be applied practically, in a way that will make sense to those familiar with true modular synths or looking to learn the trade. The menus allow you to blitz through your sonic adjustments step by step and create the perfect synthesis.

Details Korg Microstation

After you’ve got that down, you can use the comprehensive bank of 134 effects including amp modelling, phaser, flanger, chorus, compressor and limiter - with up to five locked in at once - and master effects to add sheen on top of that.

The Microstation’s aforementioned presets use these to create individual tones, layered sounds, or split-keyboard variations of velocity switches. An Audition feature lets you hear a quick burst of sound, so you can gauge whether or not you like the tone that little bit more easily.

Sequencing is handled by up to 16 tracks at once across 128 songs (with a collective maximum of 210,000 notes, fact fans). The wannabe composer will also find a comprehensive suite awaiting them, with easy-to-find settings that open up loop recording, grid sequencing, dual arpeggiators (which can be synced up with numerous patterns - two at once, in fact, and switched between quickly) and a USB connection that allows access to editing software and a MIDI hook-up.

Speaking of MIDI, 256 GM2 sounds and nine GM2 drumkits are at your beck and call, written and stored easily on the aforementioned SD card.

Further trickery allows you to work with a grid-based visual input for dropping in notes and rhythms. You can also take your recordings and splice them into ’song templates’, pre-scripted styles that give form and context to your meanderings - all the more geared towards bringing out your musicality.

Portable as it is, though, those needing to store sequences away from their desktop will be relieved to find a SD/SDHC slot, allowing potentially unlimited back-ups of sequences and voices. Back at base, the Korg Microstation can be used as a plug-in synth (in VTS, AU and RTAS formats for any DAW-centric work you need to do.