Korg 37 Keys Modwave Wavetable Synthesizer Overview:

Synthesis powerhouse with distinctive wavetable timbres Kaoss Physics and Motion Sequencing 2.0.

In 1985 Korg’s DW-8000 combined digital wavetables with rich analog filters to give users sounds which were impossible to create with analog oscillators. It’s still a cult favorite today.

modwave builds on the DW legacy and transforms it into a modern monster synth featuring incredibly deep wavetable oscillators gorgeous filters wildly flexible modulation unmatched polyphony comprehensive pattern sequencing and immediately satisfying hands-on control to deliver unique powerful and easily customizable sounds and phrases.

modwave also introduces two unique new tools for creating dynamic motion: Kaoss Physics and Motion Sequencing 2.0. Kaoss Physics combines an x/y Kaoss pad with modulatable game physics to create a responsive interactive controller that is—besides being powerful— a lot of fun to explore. 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 that other step sequencers cannot.

Like Wave Sequencing 2.0 (wavestate) and altered FM (opsix) modwave’s evolved wavetable synthesis delivers its own brand of completely unique sounds and a knob-per-function layout that makes customizing those sounds fast and easy. There are hundreds of preset sounds empowered by this new architecture organized by front-panel category buttons and all instantly customizable via the four Mod Knobs. modwave’s distinctive wavetable timbres start with aggressive basses & leads and lush ambient pads which will add a new dimension to your tracks. But that is just the beginning.

Those who want to dig deeper will find an endless source of discovery; with the modwave’s unique synth architecture you’ll be finding new things for a long long time. Save as many of your sounds as you like; there’s room for thousands more. You can also load your own samples import wavetables in standard formats and create your own wavetables using the free WaveEdit software.

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 center and the angle relative to the X axis. This method of applying automated modulation is a first 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 modeled environment can create specific modulation effects. For instance use a centered 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 etc. 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. Did we mention that it’s fun too?

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 their own loop start and loop end adding a deeper more customizable 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 randomize 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.

Filters for days

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 galore

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 customized 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.

Want to dig deeper? 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 quantization smoothing curvature and more.

An 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 EQ. 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 modeled effects including VOX guitar amps VOX wah multi-head tape echo and a collection of classic guitar

Randomization that inspires.

Looking for even more inspiration? A dedicated front-panel button marked by a “dice” icon generates new sounds via intelligent randomization. Randomize 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.

Features & Specifications

System

• Keyboard: 37 keys (velocity and release-velocity sensitive)
• Maximum Polyphony: 32 stereo voices
• Sound generating system: modwave synthesis engine

Modulation

• Controllers: Mod Wheel Pitch Wheel Kaoss Physics 4x Mod Knobs
• Other Sources: 4x Envelopes 5x LFOs 2x Mod Processors 2x Key Track Seq Lanes A-D Step Pulse Tempo Program/Performance Note Count Program/Performance Voice Count Poly Legato Velocity Exponential Velocity Release Velocity Gate Gate+Damper Note-On Trigger Note-On Trigger+Damper Note Number Aftertouch and Poly Aftertouch (external MIDI only) MIDI CCs +/- MIDI CCs +
• Destinations: Most parameters can be modulated including parameters of individual Motion Sequence Steps.Depending on Motion Sequence length there can be more than 1000 potential modulation targets per Program.

Effects

• Pre FX: Decimator Graphic EQ Guitar Amp Modern Compressor Parametric EQ Red Compressor Ring Modulator Tremolo Wave Shaper
• Mod FX: Black Chorus/Flanger Black Phase CX-3 Vibrato Chorus EP Chorus Harmonic Chorus Modern Chorus Modern Phaser Orange Phase Polysix Ensemble Small Phase Talking Modulator Vintage Chorus Vintage Flanger Vintage/Custom Wah Vox Wah
• Delay: L/C/R Delay Multiband Mod Delay Reverse Delay Stereo/Cross Delay Tape Echo
• Master Reverb: Early Reflections Overb
• Master EQ: 4-band parametric EQ

General

• Inputs/outputs: Headphone (6.3 mm stereo phone jack) OUTPUT L/MONO and R (impedance-balanced 6.3 mm TRS phone jacks) DAMPER (6.3 mm phone jack half-damper not supported) MIDI IN and OUT connectors USB B port
• Power supply: AC adapter (DC12V 2500mA)
• Power consumption: 5 W
• Dimensions (W × D × H): 565 × 338 × 92 mm/22.24” × 13.31” × 3.62”
• Weight: 2.9 kg/6.93 lbs.
• Included items: AC adapter