Ahead of the 2024 NAMM Show, being held January 25-28, 2024 in Anaheim, California, Korg has introduced the KingKORG Neo, a new compact synth, with 37 full-size keys, a 16-band vocoder, effects, and virtual patching.
The KingKORG NEO features Korg’s XMT (Xpanded Modelling Technology) virtual analog sound engine. This includes a wide range of oscillator algorithms, from classic sawtooth and square waves to noise patterns typical of analog synthesizers, and extending to PCM/DWGS, to offer a wide range of sonic options.
It also features massive filter selection, including filters based on analog monophonic synths of the ’70s, the polyphonic synths of the ’80s, and the filters from Korg’s MS-20 analog synth.
The KingKORG NEO synth also comes equipped with a balanced XLR input on its front panel, and includes a microphone to make vocoding easy. At the core of the KingKORG NEO’s vocoder is a 16-band filter. This powerful feature allows you to craft classic vocoder tones and more. By shifting the filter frequency with the formant shift function and finely adjusting the level and pan of each band, you can create a wide array of unique sounds.
Timbre B can also be used as a modulator, providing an alternative to the traditional microphone input. This allows the vocoder effect to be seamlessly blended with the synth sound, paving the way for limitless sonic exploration. Moreover, each of the three oscillators, A and B timbres, can be individually selected as a source for the microphone input. This feature enables you to synthesize a rich mix of voice and instrument.
The KingKORG NEO offers three master effect slots, each offering six distinct effect types.
The PRE FX slot brings the grit and edge of effects like distortion and amp simulator. MOD FX infuses your tracks with the classic charm of phaser, chorus, and tremolo. For creating expansive atmospheres, the REV/DELAY slot offers ambient effects including hall reverb and modulation delay. Adjusting and selecting these effects is straightforward, thanks to dedicated dials on the front panel for each slot, complemented by FX control knobs for detailed fine-tuning.
This feature brings the flexibility of physically patching synthesizers into the digital age. With six Virtual Patch assignments available for each timbre, you can virtually connect control signals like EG, LFO, or joystick movements to key sound parameters, including pitch and cutoff. T
The KingKORG NEO comes equipped with a versatile step arpeggiator, a tool that breathes life into your performances by automatically generating arpeggio phrases based on the chords you play. You can choose from different arpeggio types. You can specify the duration, interval, and on/off status of each step, opening up a vast array of rhythmic possibilities.
KingKORG Neo Overview:
KingKORG Neo Audio Demos:
Pricing and Availability:
Details are to be announced, but some retailers have the KingKORG Neo listed to pre-order for about $1000 USD.
King Korg is forever immortalized by Cory Henry in Snarky Puppy’s Lingus video
1000 bucks !??
It looks like Korg is using the same form factor here that they used with the OpSix and WaveState, so I’d expect this to be priced similarly after a few months.
Yes same form and a Raspberry PI inside
Tempt tempt tempt
Nice one Korg but Modal Electronics already got my dough
The price is way off on this. I’m not sure like that form factor for this kind of synth either…
It’s a missed chance by Korg to not take this synth engine and knobby interface, design a 37-minikey housing (or xd-style module) around it, and actually call THIS the new MicroKorg 2 !
If we’ll be seeing this in module form down the road – presumably without the less than stellar keybed and at a significantly reduced selling price – I will be all ears and ready with cash in hand.
I’m willing to bet said cash that we’ll see a KingKorg plugin eventually, before we might be seeing a Neo module (if at all), though. ^^
I’m afraid that the prices we’ve been seeing from Korg lately are a sign of things to come to the gear market as a whole…
MYC I’m afraid you’re right. An updated Kronos seems more and more unlikely.
4 x Arturia Microfreak for that price?
Saw this before I saw the new Korg module releases (OpSix, et al), and had the thought that if the keyboard sucks on this too, I would hope there’s a module version. Now with the other module releases, my expectations are a bit higher.
The Emperor’s New Clothes,
Let’s be honest. This is a, stunning looking, repackaging of an rather unpopular synth. It costs more then Korg’s other digital synths.
What we rly waiting for is the next “logue” synth (replacement for the prologue), then we will forget about the new king again …
If you don’t need/care about the vocoder aspect, why not buy a used KingKorg instead? With the original KingKorg you get more for less $.
As far as I can tell, the OG KingKorg had the 16-band vocoder built in, too!