Korg Modwave Wavetable Synthesizer
Modwave brings Korg's DW legacy to the modern era, featuring incredibly deep wavetable oscillators, gorgeous filters, flexible modulation, comprehensive pattern sequencing and satisfying hands-on control to deliver unique and easily customizable sounds and phrases. Modwave introduces two unique tools for creating dynamic motion: Kaoss Physics, which combines a familiar X/Y Kaoss pad with modulatable game physics, and Motion Sequencing 2.0, which offers organic, continuously evolving patterns with multiple lanes and realtime recording to help you create complex and evolving passages that other step sequencers cannot.
Modwave synthesis engine
Start with over 200 wavetables, each containing up to 64 waveforms. Use 30+ Modifiers to change their basic character and 13 Morph types to process them in real time. Create new hybrids with the realtime A/B Blend function. Load your own custom wavetables – there's room for thousands more – or layer wavetables with samples from the built-in, multi-gigabyte PCM library.
Each Program has two wavetable oscillators plus a sub-oscillator / noise generator and any of a dozen stereo filter types, including the aggressive MS-20, sweet Polysix, and an enhanced Multi Filter. Animate almost any parameter using the massively flexible modulation system, with four triggerable envelopes, five LFOs, dual mod processors and two key-track generators. You can even layer two Programs together for double the possibilities.
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 Kaoss pad or launch the ball automatically using a trigger source. You can also directly control the ball by holding your finger on the pad. The position of the ball produces four modulation signals – X and Y coordinates, distance from center and angle – which can be used to control any modulation destination you like.
You can thoroughly model the virtual environment, too, adjusting the friction of the surface, adding bumps or valleys, tweaking the bounciness of the virtual walls or removing them entirely in favor of 'wraparound' travel. Most environmental parameters, including Tilt, Friction, Time, Bump Height and Position, etc. are modulatable, too. 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, evolved from the Korg Wavestate's Wave Sequencing 2.0, sees Timing, Pitch, Shape, and four sets of Step Sequence values separated into lanes, each with its own loop start and loop end points, 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, meaning a step may have 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. 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.
What's a wavetable?
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. Modwave can do either.
Modifiers and Morphs
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 quantization or saturation, or revisit the gritty character of old-school wavetable synths with the Vintage 8 & 12 options. 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.
A/B Blend
Using Modwave's unique A/B mode, oscillators can go beyond simple layering to blend any two wavetables with phase-synchronous precision, opening up a whole dimension of intermediate waveforms. Add body to otherwise 'thin' waveforms, for instance, or 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, of course.
Gigabytes of samples
Wavetables also sound great when layered with samples, and Modwave's oscillators handle that with aplomb. Totaling in the gigabytes, Modwave's sample library includes new material from Korg, Airwave and Francis Preve, plus a bank from Plugin Guru and selections from the Kronos and Krome libraries.
Filters for days
Add vintage character to your sounds MS-20's aggressive low pass and high pass filters or the strong, sweet Polysix low pass, all 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 low pass, high pass, band pass and band reject filters or step outside the box with Korg's unique Multi Filter, which creates modulatable blends of multiple modes simultaneously.
Control and modulation galore
Bursting with knobs and controllers, 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 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. Almost all front-panel knobs and most onscreen parameters can be modulated. Mod Processors let you transform modulation signals using quantization, smoothing, curvature and more.
An arsenal of effects
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 Wave Shaper, Talking Modulator, Reverse Delay, Multiband Mod Delay,and even Overb from OASYS/Kronos, plus modeled effects including Vox guitar amps, Vox wah, multi-head tape echo and a collection of classic guitar pedals.
Editor/librarian software
Modwave's editor/librarian lets you edit and organize sounds via your macOS or Windows computer, including Apple M1-based systems. Using USB networking for high-speed communication, the app works like a second front panel for the instrument with no need to synchronize or transfer data. Animations show the effects of modulation in real time, a great help when programming.
Set Lists and Smooth Sound Transitions
Set Lists offer effortless organization of your wavestate Performances and deliver instant access at a gig or in rehearsal. Smooth Sound Transitions allow previously-played voices and effects to continue to ring out naturally even after a new sound has been selected.
Connections
Balanced stereo outputs connect to any recording or monitoring system, and a stereo headphone output is provided for private playing or onstage cueing. 5-pin DIN MIDI jacks ensure connection to other MIDI-equipped instruments and audio gear. Modwave supports class-compliant USB MIDI connections to macOS and Windows computers.
Free bundle of music software
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 Ozone Elements for AI-powered mastering, Skoove for improving your keyboard playing skills and software synths from Korg and other brands.
Apps for iPad/iPhone
- Korg Gadget 2 Le music production studio DAW app
- Korg Module piano/keyboard sound module app
Software for macOS/Windows
- Korg Collection M1 Le synthesizer
- UVI Digital Synsations synthesizer
- AAS Ultra Analog Session synthesizer
- AAS Strum Session acoustic guitar
- AAS Lounge Lizard Session electric piano
- Reason Studios Reason Lite DAW music production
- Free 3-month trial of Skoove Premium online piano lesson
- Korg Gadget 2 Le for Mac DAW music production
- iZotope Ozone Elements audio mastering
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | KOR-MODWAVE |
| Vendor | Korg |
| Aftertouch | No |
| Analog Digital | Digital |
| Built In Speakers | No |
| Included From Manufacturer | Power supply |
| Number of Keys | 37 |
| Key Size | Full Size Keys |
| Midi | In, Out, and USB |
| Mono Poly | Polyphonic |
| MPN | MODWAVE |
| Arpeggiator | Yes |
| Control Connections | 1/4" footswitch input for sustain or arpeggiator latch |
| Onboard Controllers |
Kaoss Physics X/Y pad 4 assignable MOD knobs Pitch bend wheel Modulation wheel |
| Effects | Delay (5 types), Reverb, Overb, Decimator, Graphic EQ, Guitar Amp, Compressor, Parametric EQ, Ring Modulator, Tremolo, Wave Shaper, Chorus, Flanger, Black Phase, CX-3 Vibrato Chorus, EP Chorus, Harmonic Chorus, Modern Chorus, Tape Echo |
| Audio Outputs |
1/4" balanced stereo main output 1/4" stereo headphone output |
| Key Action | Synth action with velocity and release velocity sensitivity |
| Product Weight | 6.93 lb |
| Programs/Presets |
Generous program, performance, setlist and wavetable storage limited only by memory Assignable performance category metadata for filtering/sorting |
| Sequencer |
Motion Sequencing 2.0 modulation system 4 lanes of step sequence values with step probability Additional dedicated lanes for timing, pitch, shape Each lane can have a different number of steps, its own loop start/end and direction |
| USB Port (to Host) | MIDI;System Updates;Editor/Librarian/Patch Manager |
| Voices of Polyphony | 32 stereo voices |
| Width | 22.24" |
| Depth | 13.31" |
| Height | 3.66" |
The warranty from KORG U.S.A Inc. covers the first buyer against any defects in material or workmanship for a 1 year from the purchase date. It's important to note that this warranty only applies to products bought within the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico from an authorized KORG U.S.A. Inc. dealer. If any issues arise during the warranty period, KORG U.S.A. Inc. will repair or replace the product for free, as long as it hasn't been misused or improperly maintained. To get service, you'll need to send the product to the place of purchase or an authorized warranty service center in the designated regions, along with proof of purchase.
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