Old Gear Review Number 2: Korg Microkorg

While I’m all for newer and smaller synthesizer technology I am not for the MicroKorg. Like everyone else on the planet I eventually bought one of these back in 2007. Here is an introduction to the accused:

This review is a bit biased. I prefer the sound of analog synthesizers. The MicroKorg is a modeler of analog synth sounds (as well as more current day digital synths). “Modeling” is the key word. The filter on the MicroKorg makes everything sound awfully shiny. The word I’d use to completely and accurately describe this thing is that it sounds like a Korg. If this device had a better sounding filter it would be dynamite. If this device did not have a very specific and Korg-sounding digital delay it would be dynamite*. It has an onboard arpeggiator with a visible step sequencer. Why it even has a vocoder.

If memory serves me correctly I recall the “detuned synth” patch sounding the best. It’s the closest this baby gets to sounding analog at all. Even though I don’t like the MickroKorg at all, for a while it was the only synth I could afford. I can only imagine the amount of shit talk it endured from our house mate’s Moog Voyager while it sat on our plexiglass practice table at night. It was only ever used on one Polygons track that was released on our self-titled album. I sold this synth a little less than a year after I bought it. I then used the money to buy a Roland SH-101. Same size and better sound.

-M.

*Editors Note: The only other delay in recent memory that is more recognizeable and specific than a Korg digital delay is the Line 6 stompbox DL-4 delay modeler. Every single preset on it. Try it for yourself.