is the microkorg good for production and midi use in daw's?

TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- Production Studio
-- is the microkorg good for production and midi use in daw's?

Posted by discobiscuit on Jul-20-2008 20:05:

is the microkorg good for production and midi use in daw's?

i like the microkorg (mostly for the vocoder). i want something with synth, vocoder, and midi capabilities, but i'm wondering how this will work in ableton and fruity loops. will i be able to switch back in forth between midi to my daw and synth easily? i just want limitless ability to write music and vocode my vocals. i will add the triggerfinger to use as a beat box. still undecided about the midi interface i'll need/get.

thanks in advance,
brad

Posted by cryophonik on Jul-20-2008 22:24:

Here's my opinion and, just FWIW, I have owned a lot of hardware synths over the past three decades. I've played around with the Microkorg at Guitar Center numerous times and it seems like little more than an overpriced, underperforming toy to me. Since you're already planning on buying a MIDI controller with full-sized keys (i.e., not like the mini keys on the Microkorg), you'd be much better off IMO picking up a second-hand Virus A/B, Nord Rack 1/2, or Waldorf MicroQ in roughly the same price range. Any of these synths will leave the Microkorg in the dust performance-wise and some of them (Virus, Waldorf) do have built-in vocoders, which also seem to out-perform the Microkorg's.

As far as vocoders go, the Microkorg's is pretty limited and doesn't sound all that great - you can buy a much better software vocoder for a fraction of the money you'd spend on a Microkorg. Besides, as you'll soon find out, vocoders are fun for about 10 minutes, so I sure as hell would not use that as the determining factor in your purchase. That said, it is pretty convenient to have a built-in, albeit very cheap, microphone, in case you don't have a 'real' mic and preamp in your studio. Also, I can see where that would make it convenient for a DJ to use a Microkorg onstage. But, for serious studio work, you'd be better off buying some serious studio gear, IMO.

HTH

Posted by echosystm on Jul-21-2008 00:54:

Novation KS4/KS5, Novation K-Station, Korg MS2000 (keyboard version)

Posted by atxbigballer1 on Jul-21-2008 01:32:

quote:
Originally posted by echosystm
Novation KS4/KS5, Novation K-Station, Korg MS2000 (keyboard version)
The micro korg has the same sound engine as the MS2000 so its the same beast!

Posted by echosystm on Jul-21-2008 01:47:

quote:
Originally posted by atxbigballer1
The micro korg has the same sound engine as the MS2000 so its the same beast!

the microkorg's vocoder is not as good, afaik. the microkorg also doesnt have a very nice interface in comparison.

Posted by atxbigballer1 on Jul-21-2008 01:56:

quote:
Originally posted by echosystm
the microkorg's vocoder is not as good, afaik. the microkorg also doesnt have a very nice interface in comparison.
Theres all ways the Software Sound Editor! http://www.korg.com/service/downloa...OD_NO=microKORG

Posted by davidbuhau on Jul-21-2008 04:17:

on the cheap (but no vocoder)is the novation xio...

Posted by Eldritch on Jul-22-2008 02:32:

Roland JP-8080. It's one of the more unique synths and it has a very good vocoder.

Posted by Stef on Jul-22-2008 05:53:

i borrowed one for two days... thats how long it took for the thing to piss me off beyond belief.

Posted by DJ Robby Rox on Jul-22-2008 06:07:

I want my Korg back, wtf.

Posted by Maor Levi on Jul-24-2008 06:42:

I Love my MicroKORG
has pretty phat sound for a cheapo synth !!