Korg Modwave Wavetable Synthesizer - Review
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- I've spent some time with the wavetables of the Korg modwave and here's what I think of this ridiculously modulatable digital machine.
www.korg.com
Korg sent me the Modwave for review but has made no contribution to the content of this video.
Check out my sound demo video - • Korg Modwave Preset So...
And my written review on Gearnews:
www.gearnews.com/review-korg-...
Intro - 0:00
Overview - 2:36
Physicality - 6:31
Architecture - 7:06
Basic Synthing - 8:53
Selecting waves - 13:12
Wavetable Morphing - 16:21
Basic modulation - 17:26
Motion Sequencing 2.0 - 25:44
Pitch - 26:49
Motion Recording - 28:05
Lane and Step options - 28:52
Shape - 30:09
Timing - 33:27
Editing modulation - 33:58
Software Editor - 37:42
Kaoss Physics - 41:51
Final thoughts - 54:18
Here's a patch I made - 58:18
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Robin, thanks for making this. Between you and Loopop, all the bases are covered. I have an abiding fascination with wavetables and making them move, and the Modwave is the first new synth I've gone bonkers for since I really dove back into hardware mid-2020. I just ordered one Friday and am really excited to make it sing! 😃
Well, I love how clear (visually) this video is.
Dude the way you present menus is second to none. You don’t rush it. Fantastic!
Brilliant review, very easy to watch and follow. I do hope some of the sequencer functionality will make its way over to the wavestate. thanks for the video!
Excellent review, cheers. Got mine coming on Monday but this has given me lots of useful info.
Intro + Outro were worth the price of admission alone!
Just got mine today and updated firmware. First play on it sounds fab. 😃
Brilliant review, very easy to watch and follow. I do hope some of the sequencer functionality will make its way over to the wavestate, it is a lot slicker. thanks for the video, I preordered the modwave in January so really looking forward to it (September apparently now in the Uk).
Glad it was helpful!
It's just occurred to me that if you think of a normal wavetable as a 2D surface embedded in a cube with position/phase/amplitude on the three axes... then the Modwave's BLEND/position/phase/amplitude is actually a 3D hypersurface embedded in a HYPERCUBE. This synth is four dimensional and I can't wait to get my hands on one :D
Michio Kaku bought one… So I do
Well done Korg.. looks like a good one.
A great review of what seems like a fantastic machine, thank you very much.
This is a great explanation for a synth that can be daunting.
Quality review Robin, - thanks
Excellent review. Great work.
Great Review! Can't wait to get that Editor Software for my Wavestate. Still on the fence between the Hydrasynth and the Modwave, but this review leaned that decision toward the Modwave. Thank you :)
Same. I like the idea of having a bunch of these small Korg synths on a DJ table. But I love the Hydrasynth. Amazing sound.
Go for the Modwave, it sounds much better.
Great review. Easy to understand. Not like other stuff you see which tends to be people trying to show off how much they know. Like the thing is about them and not what they are showing you.
This is the Korg I want!
“The Korg U Want” is one of my favorite DEVO tunes.
A vocal input and sample recorder/mangler version next please🤞. Great review as usual Robin. Thanks
Great review Robin. Good replacement for my old minilogue methinks.
Korg did a good job streamlining the sequencers as compared with the Wavestate. Changing the number of steps on a lane used to be a menu divy action and now you can just turn a knob. The shape lane could only be assigned to volume easily (rest via mod matrix) and now to any lane. And then an editor. Good progress....
Have the Korg Wavestate Synth. Was pretty mind blowing when I released the capabilities of that model. This model is quite unique. Might be time to upgrade or add this one. Mind you, seems there are different things that Modwave model provides in sounds & options the Wavestate doesn't have. On the other hand it may not possibly have all the unique sounds/banks, the Wavestate model provides in it's own sound banks? Sure you would recommend keeping both models for that reason alone? Thanks for your views, your great detailed demo of the Korg Modwave. Cheers.
Have a good experience my friend !!!🤟
I really hope they do a 61-key version by the time I've saved-up the money. This really seems to be the digital synth to go with my existing analogue and FM synths.
I saw the 61 key Wavestate and immediately hoped there would be similar treatment for this and the Opsix.
@Old Uncle Mick and @Entropy Bentwhistle I will "one up" both of y'all's requests by urging Korg to do a 61-key with all three synthesis incorporated under the same hood. A module to follow that would be highly desired as well.
wed all love that!! weve all dreamed about it too.
I think this is the best demo/tutorial of this instrument. THIS is basically what a synth is supposed to sound like .
Hey Robin, you made it to the Synthfluencer top range 🥲
I did, I flippin' did - it's a scary place. I generally prefer to be briefed by Loopop before making a review video but this one i had to do with no outside influence... i think i got some of it :D
13:06 "So yeah, it's a bit synthy" understatement of the century :P I don't meant to be mean though, I just though it was funny to hear after moving across wavetables, mixing oscillators, and morphing waves
Sold!
Excellent over view of this amazing synth. I was disappointed in the WaveState when I found out the sound was all based on PCM. The ModWave is what I had hoped the WaveState was. Korg is absolutely genius in providing this series of FM, WaveState sequencing and ModWave for sound design motion.
You have to understand that Wavestate is a sample based Wavetable synthesizer, it's unique in the sense that you can create a sequence of samples (which you can synthesize into any sound you like, really) but has its own unique approach to playing with samples. The Modwave is an FM synthesizer by nature so it's an entirely different beast. No one of those two synthesizers are meant to compete with each other, but rather complement each other. If you want BOTH the FM synth AND the PCM synth in one - look at the Yamaha MODX or Montage (I have the Wavestate + Montage) and the MODX is a cheap version of the Montage (that combined cost less than modwave + wavestate together) and has a full keyboard to boot, you get 128 + 64(fm) polypony to boot as well, and an 8 operator FM X synth which blows the modwave out of the waters, but the ModWave is WAY easier to use!
@@joonglegamer9898 Thank you. I am a sound designer, musician, composer and recording engineer, so the Modwave is a more editable synth with wave tables instead of the WaveState's PCM samples. You are correct, I may buy both, and maybe the FM too. All make their own sound, and they all sound very good.
@@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene I can understand the eeeewww it's samples / it's only a rompler / these aren't real oscillators point of view, but I gotta say Korg did something great with the Wavestate. Everytime I've finished a sound or a performance that I really love, I'm like wow I can't believe this is based on samples. Do give it a try 🙂
@@xpo3oxhitherto149 Thank you for the info. Yes, I hope to have all three some day. No synth on the market has the ability to sequence a different patch on every note, and that is just the beginning of the WaveState powers!
And now you can have the WaveState as a VST. (199 USD)
Hey Robin thanks for the review. Regarding the lfos it doesn’t matter that they are hardwired to filter amp etc it’s not a limitation. If you have the intensity set to zero you have free lfos to route to any destination (that can be modulated)
I found that as I increased the intensity using the intensity knob it would turn up the hard wired lfo as well as the mapped one.
@@MoltenMusicTech it shouldn’t I’m pretty sure the WS don’t work like that. When you set up a modulation say amp LFO to modulate filter resonance you should have an independent intensity control. That’s something they should fix in a firmware update.
I guess you’d have to menu dive for it. It’s a very long manual.
@@MoltenMusicTech TBh I’m not privy to a preproduction Modwave but on the Wavestate it’s quite simple. Press MOD and +. Wiggle the thing you want to be the mod destination then wiggle/ press what you want to be a mod source. Then dial in the intensity
It's exactly the same but the LFO Intensity knob is still hardwired to the set destination. So i guess what you're saying is that to use it for something else you have to set the Intensity separately on that parameter (like you do with other mods) directly via the value and arrow buttons and stay well away from that nice dedicated knob that's right there wanting to be turned. So while the hardwired nature is still true i didn't really grasp how you can work around it more than I suggested. Well that's good but I'd still rather have 5 LFOs that i can put where i want and fully use their controls, but hey.
Awesome video. Guys, I got one question, I couldn't figure out yet by myself. The Wavetable POSITION can be animated by an envelope, which can't be looped. That means, the env-modulation stops at its endpoint.
I'd rather use an LFO for this, telling it by its amount, how far it should scan the Wavetable and than repeat that cycle. Or even pick up randomized positions with the random LFO shape. Why? It's great fun, to sweep the sweetspots in a wavetable and in particular the transitions between different wavetable steps. Can the Modwave do that and how? Thank you.
I can't get the same sounds from my samples ... not sure if i don't have the correct settings or something but, the sound doesn't vary much if at all when i scroll through each sound ..im a numb scull . any suggestion?
That Rompler sample bank is a strange addition. I would have thought the SDK user oscillators from the Logues/NTS would have made more sense if they had some hardware headroom left. Kaoss pad looks kinda fun though.
Yeah if you already own a wavestate like I do, that basically sold me on the opsix over this one I think.
HAAAA!!! Everybody's reviewing this thing NOW. Been getting one after another pop-up telling me to "Watch Korg Preview...insert name here...Right Now!" Well, because you're a nut as well as intensely smart-mouthed I picked your review to watch & ponder. Just LOVELY Mr.Molten, gold 🌟 star. Actually I don't like big Synths- more into Modular and Jazz Drums- figured your review is only one I could actually sit through!💡🙉💥🎹🎵🔥🌌
Ha! You’re lovely 😊
I so want one
Will there be a desktop version I wonder? That keyboard doesn’t seem too enticing
Is it possible for the kaoss pad to output Midi Cc to control other gear? If so that would ostensibly make it already a great buy i think....
Yes and no - it's complicated. Here's the relevent bit from the manual:
Kaoss Physics and MIDI:
When you move your finger on the x-y pad, the X and Y positions are sent as MIDI CCs 18 and 19, respectively. When you lift your finger off of the x-y pad to “throw” the ball, the release position, direction, and velocity of the throw are sent in high resolution via a single MIDI System Exclusive message. When these MIDI messages are received, they’re processed by Kaoss Physics as if you were playing live on the x-y pad.
Note that the movement of the ball is not directly transmitted or received.
The System Exclusive message includes all of the information necessary to recreate a “throw” (which would otherwise have required many separate CC messages), and is formatted as follows:
f0 42 3g 64 00 (Header; g=Global Channel) f7
pos: 14-bit position, 0…16383. (0,0) is the lower left corner. vel: signed 14-bit velocity, -8192…+8191. 0 is 00 40.
Direction is a combination of x and y velocity
@@MoltenMusicTech yeesh. Ok thanks! Many of those words mean something to me but in terms of actually understanding how to implement them not so much 😬
@@MoltenMusicTech i of course LOVE the fact that we're even talking about "throwing a ball" which outputs midi/data at all though, still looks like a brilliant piece of Kit and thank you for this and all of your videos!!
Thank You...😀
will Modwave be released as plugin like Opsix and Wavestate ?
btw, I like your Batik shirt.
I can't see why not - although Korg haven't said anything about it. And thanks!
How about an Arcanoid type thing that knocks out steps from the motion sequences
Every lane within every step has probability if that's what you mean
How does its sound compares to Hydrasynth? I was kinda unimpressed by the Hydra, I'm looking for something more full-range.
Update: replaced the Hydra with the Modwave, which sounds way better and feels more convenient in every way imo!
I did a sound demo of the Modwave if that's any help
@@MoltenMusicTech thanks for the reply! problem is I've bought Hydra because it seemed like a perfect choice, but IRL I don't like its sound. this is why I'm looking for a direct comparison
I don’t have a hydra so I can’t help you, sorry
re: the display and modulation @ 19:5o - This is why we have ears.
Great review, I enjoyed it very much - the „modulate the modulated modulation“ or something like that at the beginning 😀
I probably have missed something, but what software is running on that tablet thingy (iPad?) behind the Modwave? It seems to be connected to the synth 🤔🤓
It's a Microsoft Surface Pro running the Modwave Editor software
@@MoltenMusicTech Cool 😎
@@MoltenMusicTech Is it available? Found this: www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansicht/keys-frequencies-korg-editoren-fuer-wavestate-und-modwave-synthesizer.html
The Modwave is available after the summer - you can preorder on Thomann and other places i think
@@MoltenMusicTech I preordered it from Thomann a few months ago ☺️ , thank you :-) Did the editor came with the synth? 🤔 I have the wavestate too and the Bonedo article says that the editor also works for the wavestate, so I would be very interested (the wavestate is a beast ;-))
Can't you double tap the shift key to hold it for two handed tweaking? I believe I saw that you can on another video. Try it
Yes you can, I didn’t discover that.
This is a wonderful synth and tremendously powerful for the money, but why oh WHY Korg does THIS come with an editor librarian and the Wavestate still does NOT! It is SO damn frustrating, especially for those of us who were early adopters and given the additional issues surrounding getting the RNDIS USB connectivity working with Windows 10 during that period, which effectively meant we couldn't even update the synth OR use the supplied (eventually) Librarian software... and here we are all this time after initial launch and still NO editor software. Please PLEASE Korg... the Wavestate is a WONDERFUL machine, but Wavestate owners NEED a bloody EDITOR!
I agree
Dan Phillips, Korg USA lead designer, has announced that the Wavestate editor will be made available together with the release of the Modwave and its editor.
@@NicolaLarosa Thanks for the info, but can I ask where on the internet this has been announced please? Do you have a link?
Have you had a chance to play Waldorf M? How do you like it if so?
No, I haven't, sorry
How do you connect the 2nd and larger screen?
It's a computer, a Surface in this case, so you just connect via USB.
I've seen these listed on a local store website, but then we've not been allowed into the stores, many stores list things they don't have in stock, and all of a sudden I see reviews from yourself, loopop and BoBeats within 48hrs of each other. Was this unit promised by Korg and only delivered in the last little while?
They are available after the summer. A few lucky people get to play with the presale models to do reviews etc. I’ve had mine for about 2 weeks direct from korg. I don’t think shops will have demo synths to try until the stock arrived.
@@MoltenMusicTech Mystery solved. Thanks for the reply.
nice :)
does it support aftertouch from an external midi keyboard?
yes
do you think that the modwave is totally different or even better than the wavestate.
Different i think - i've never played a wavestate but this is about wavetable waveforms rather than chained samples
I must ask what’s your opinion on the Opsix?
Never tried it. I quite like the software version which feels really intuitive for an FM synth with some great presets.
lol whats this Software i CANT FIND IT ANYWHERE?
www.korg.com/us/support/download/product/0/880/
can you importing own samples meanwhile?
There's a mac-only sample builder - www.korg.com/us/support/download/software/0/880/4812/
Ive had this thing for a while now. I was gonna put it on craigslist about a week ago but i needed to play with it more. it was the sequencer ir whatever it is that baffles me. still. i am really dumb when it comes to the modwaves motion sequencer. what dont i understand? everything. its not anybodys fault who tries to explain it. i just am not getting it. in any case i love it and will most likely hold on to it then give it to my young daughter if ever when she is interested. she most likely will be
i have modwave and it baffles me -
Just wondering🤔 if the sample library is actually that bad...
Wavestate is looking better😊
The sample library is great if you like that sort of thing :D
Just wondering ..has this any modulation possibilities? not really sure
Are you joking?
@@MoltenMusicTech yes of course lol
On a serious note how dyuo get the WT that are named such as cymbal /drums to play likea cymbal/drum ect ??I dont get it its very baffling
I'm not really sure what you mean. I havent played the Modwave in a while so.... you'll have to expand on what you're trying to do. I don't remember there being drum kits.
Can it do serum style gnarly basses?
probably
In the loopop review, he does import wavetables from Serum.
Maybe I need to get Serum also... lol. That would be awesome. Some of my favorite sounds ever come from Serum. But I’m NOT a DAW person
Wow, the wavetable morph parameter is effectively symmetry (which is effectively PWM, if your wavetable spread is basically lots of on-ish followed by lots of off-ish)
I already have a wavestate and knew I wanted the Opsix or Modwave to go with it and I have to say that I am having kind of a brutal time making a decision here but I’m leaning opsix.
The Opsix is more different i think so would perhaps be a better contrast to the Wavestate.... but then those waves :D
Personally, I feel that the sounds that the Modwave makes are more comprehensive than the Opsix. I really want to like the sound of FM, but wavetables are just so vast, familiar and alien at once. The Modwave is 100% the synth for me.
Try some other video demos of it, the presets are pretty crazy
I just went ahead and got all three. Already had opsix and wavestate, which are amazing, and the modwave comes tomorrow lol. These new korg digi synths are really good!
@@voodoohex72 Is it worth to have all 3? Make us a review
@@rtomas47 well I can say that the mod wave is very similar to the wavestate. On wavestate you can have different samples on each step though. That is the biggest difference I see so far but at first glance the mod wav can do a lot of what wave state can do. I might end up selling the wavestate if the overlap is enough for what I use it for. Loving the mod wave too! Very cool design!
Wavestate or modwave?
Depends on whether you want wave sequencing or wavetables
Adding your own wavetables? thought that wasn't possible as yet...?
Possible yet in the universe because of science or because of the firmware?
seems like you can your own wavetables but not samples.
KORG ; MODWAVE ; NEW MODEL ;
Controller ; Kastryn ; phisics ;
Arpeggios ; Controller : Ritmos ;
Tons ; Timbres ; Effectos ;
Parameter ; Gráficos ; KORG ;
MODWAVE ; KORG ; Manufacture :
in. JAPAN....
I bought one so I could sound like Stars of the Lid and John Maus.
Fast button presser. Is this really a tutorial? I don't think so.
No, it’s a review
Did you have the mic on the desk? Got a lot of thumping when you used the keyboard.
I do yes, i enjoy it
I think you replied to a different question, 'cause this doesn't make sense.
No it was this comment I was replying to - I have a mic on the desk, it's what I do, it is what it is and i don't see that changing any time soon - it works for me. Sorry for the thumping.
The reply doesn't make sense indeed. How can it "work for you" when it clearly impacts the quality of the video sound?
Lol, what i meant was that in the many mic configurations i've tried this one has been the least likely to fail and has served me well - in fact it's been bloody awesome. I'm not able to radically change what i'm doing unfortunately and comments like this are very rare - but i'm not often playing a keyboard. So the feedback is appreciated and i've spent the morning trying unsuccessfully to find little desktop mic stands with sorbophane feet. You must forgive my slightly snarky intial reply but Mr Mopp pops up with a functional criticism for almost every video i do and to be a bit cheeky with him is a defense mechanism so i don't actually just get depressed and go and do something else with my life.