Korg has officially introduced the microSTATION Music Workstation– an entry-level mini-keyboard workstation that features the sound of Korgs EDS-i synth engine, effects and new sequencing tools.
The Kort microStation retails for about $600. More details below.
Check it out and let us know what you think!
Korg microStation Features:
- Lightweight, compact, and equipped with 61 mini-keys.
- EDS-i (Enhanced Definition Synthesis-integrated) sound engine.
- Enjoy 512 user programs (480 preloaded) and 384 user combinations (256 preloaded) as well as GM2 compatible preset programs and drum kits.
- 61-key Natural Touch Mini Keyboard
- 16-track sequencer records up to 128 songs and 210,000 notes.
- Template songs, Loop Recording, Grid Sequencing, Dual Arpeggiators, and Auto Song Setup.
- USB Type-B connector offers a direct MIDI computer connection.
- SD/SDHC card slot for convenient data storage.
- Includes both stand-alone and plug-in microSTATION software for detailed sound editing on your computer; plug-in software is VST, AU, and RTAS compatible.
Korg microStation Description:
Compact and portable, the microSTATION features a 61-key mini keyboard, numerous effects, dual arpeggiators, and a 16-track sequencer to transform musical ideas into polished productions. New sequencer features such as Loop Recording and visual Grid Sequencing have been added to benefit the first-time workstation owner and to jump-start any type of music production.
480 programs, 27 drum kits that can be used by drum programs as oscillators, and 256 combinations, each of which combine up to sixteen programs as layers, splits, or velocity switches, and then add effects and two arpeggiators to create complex sonic structures. For compatibility with other MIDI instruments, there are also 256 GM2 sounds and 9 GM2 drum kits. Programs, drum kits, and combinations are rewritable, and you can store 512, 32, and 384 of them respectively.
The programs and combinations are organized into eight categories according to the type of sound. An audition switch is provided, allowing you to hear a repeating riff (phrase) appropriate for each sound when making a selection in Program mode, making it easy to grasp the character of the available sounds
it sounds like the triton… i think it's cool for people who don't actually play but want to make beats with melodies, dick around, etc…
I tried one last week over at Gui^%& Ce^ter and the sequencer was incredibly annoying… way too many button pushes to assign a track, sound, recording settings, etc… awesome idea implemented very poorly.
Even more awesome if fitted with strap buttons and a short length of broom handle…
What's with Korg making everything micro?
$600 seems like a lot of money for anything with a mini keyboard, too. I'd be more interested if it just had a decent standard-sized keyboard, but with a small range.
This is what the Korg MicroX should have been. If the MicroX had a sequencer, it could have rocked the world. And if they could have done it by battery power, even more so. The small form factor workstation, with full size keys, has not been achieved yet.
!!!
I completely agree, I probably wouldn't buy this anyway BUT non-standard key size is a total deal killer for me at all times.
I think that was a keytar analogy but – of course – one can elaborate from there… ;p
I'm the opposite. Range rather than size is my preference. For me, pad/midi controllers other that keyboards I can't get used to. I guess it's down to one's initial musical training. I'm not a trained pianist so the size of the keys doesn't matter much to me. But I am a trained musician so the pad/MPC/trigger type thing is too anti-musician (conceptually) for me in that they trigger musical events rather than control musical notes… It's good that music retains such a large range of equipment to suit all our various approaches. As opposed to, say, the powered vehicle that has only two, three, four or truck-style wheel configurations to choose from… in music, you have other options, like the equivalent of the powered space-hopper 😉
I'm guessing because the MicroKorg and its derivatives were hugely successful. Some people must really like small form-factors.
The mini series continues on Korg and seems that will never stop… There are pro and cons, depending on personal preferences. With microstation Korg doesn't bring anything new, sounds are the same on M3, X50, microX, Triton
The mini series continues on Korg and seems that will never stop… There are pro and cons, depending on personal preferences. With microstation Korg doesn't bring anything new, sounds are the same on M3, X50, microX, Triton
I have very small fingers so this looks sweet.
The size issue is really about screwing up your muscle memory.
When you train your keyboard skills, a huge part of what you are training is the muscle memory in your fingers. This means that when you want to hit a certain interval or sequence of keys, your muscle system automatically remembers which muscles to fire and to what degree in order to execute that move. You don't have to look, you don't have to think about individual finger movements.
The less muscle memory you have, the more you are relying on hand-eye co-ordination which is FAR slower and less accurate.
By using a non-standard keyboard your existing muscle memory is wrong, so you will find it very frustrating to play as you have to revert to hand-eye co-ordination. Furthermore it may even HARM your skill on regular keyboards (by altering your muscle memory) if you spend any significant time playing on a non-standard size.
If you have no problem with small keys, it's probably because you have no significant skill on a regular size keybed, which might be fine if you decide that "Korg sized mini-keys" is your instrument of choice.
Neville Park sez – Been tapping these little microstation keys for a while now and am quite happy with’m. Yes it feels strange now whenever I sit down at an acoustic, but space is at a premium in my highrise apt. situation. ‘Main point is, an i-pad and a microstation seems to me makes the “go-anywhere-do-anything” experience a very easy trade-off.
One question I have at this point though … Can I somehow employ the four parameter knobs in the real-time control section to tweak the values in Kontak 5 software?
hey…i think using a cheap midi 88 key controller may be just right with the microstation. have been testing the sounds…which are quite good for such a toy. felt silly plugging it into a pair of k12s but sounded great. definitely not toylike. may use it when flying to gigs as module, since backline is never quite right. current gigs man piano and b3 and huge strings and typical brass plus wide open synth…this fits easily into a guitar case with sustain pedal and cables where the neck would be. if u try it i strongly advise bringing earbuds to the music store, as the crappy demo systems dont do justice to it….will use it to stand in for trinity,triton,and roland setup.
I think keysguy has the right idea. I use the microSTATION MIDI-ed with a cheap (but decent) Casio Privia P-320 88-key as the controller on stage now, and the end-effect is that I hear the same sound, and feel just as if I was playing my old, heavy, cumbersome full-sized Triton.
Together, a great replacement at a fraction of the weight/size, and a fraction of the price!
This synth once u get to know is the best synth out there for the budget. i own one and i actually love it. i would buy another one in a heat beat. has a seq, 512 + sounds and so much editing. u just have to get to know the screen and where everything is at. once u get that, then the synth can be a very valuable tool. i can do everything on this synth that i can do on a $1,500 synth.
Amazing little Microstation this is.