The MicroKorg, introduced in 2002, achieved legendary status as one of the best-selling synthesizers ever. Its compact size, affordable price, and powerful sound engine resonated with a generation of musicians. However, subsequent attempts to recapture its magic, including the MicroKorg XL, MicroKorg S, and MicroKorg XL+, failed to achieve the same level of success. Now, Korg is back with the MicroKorg 2, a synthesizer that attempts to build upon the legacy of the original while embracing modern advancements in synthesis technology. The question remains: is it a worthy successor or simply a nostalgic cash grab?
The MicroKorg 2 boasts a significantly enhanced sound engine compared to its predecessor. While both are digitally based virtual analog synthesizers aiming to replicate the warmth and character of analog instruments, the MicroKorg 2 offers a vastly expanded sonic palette. Its three oscillators, as opposed to the original’s two, provide greater flexibility in sound design. The inclusion of a configurable noise source and access to a PCM sample library further expands the sonic possibilities, enabling the creation of complex textures and rich, evolving sounds. This sample integration, reminiscent of classic Roland synthesizers like the D-50, allows users to add percussive attacks and unique timbral characteristics to their patches. The continuously morphing multimode filter provides dynamic control over the sound’s harmonic content, enabling everything from subtle shaping to aggressive resonant sweeps.
The MicroKorg 2’s multitimbral architecture, with eight voices compared to the original’s four, is a major upgrade. This allows for complex layering of sounds, such as combining arpeggiated sequences with lush pads, or creating thick, expansive chords. The expanded six-slot modulation matrix, offering a broader range of sources and destinations, provides intricate control over sound manipulation. The enhanced effects section further enriches the sonic possibilities, allowing for everything from subtle spatial enhancements to dramatic distortions. These improvements collectively equip the MicroKorg 2 with a sound-shaping capability that far surpasses its predecessor.
Korg has not only enhanced the sonic capabilities but also significantly improved the user experience. While retaining the familiar large knob for patch selection and the genre-based browsing system, the MicroKorg 2 eliminates the cumbersome table-based parameter access of the original. The addition of a 2.8-inch screen and contextual buttons streamlines the navigation and editing process, making sound design more intuitive and enjoyable. Creating patches on the MicroKorg 2 is now a genuinely engaging experience, a stark contrast to the often frustrating process on the original. This enhanced user interface removes a major hurdle and allows users to focus on the creative process.
Despite the advancements, the genre-based patch navigation system feels antiquated. The categorization of patches into four categories with eight banks and eight programs per bank remains unnecessarily complex. Furthermore, the allocation of only 64 out of 256 patch slots for user-created sounds is a limitation for those who prefer to customize their setups for live performances. While the large genre-labeled knob is a defining feature of the MicroKorg aesthetic, the navigation system itself feels outdated in today’s synthesizer landscape.
The MicroKorg 2 undeniably surpasses its predecessor in terms of sound design capabilities and user-friendliness. Its expanded sound engine, multitimbral architecture, and enhanced modulation matrix provide a wealth of sonic exploration possibilities. The improved user interface, featuring a screen and contextual buttons, simplifies patch creation and editing. However, the persistence of the outdated genre-based patch navigation system is a puzzling design choice. The question remains whether these improvements are enough to solidify the MicroKorg 2 as a must-have synthesizer in today’s crowded market, or if it will be overshadowed by the plethora of other compact and powerful synthesizers available.
The success of the MicroKorg 2 will depend on its ability to resonate with a new generation of musicians while simultaneously appealing to those who fondly remember the original. The enhanced sound engine and user interface are significant steps forward, but the retention of the dated navigation system might hinder its appeal. Ultimately, the market will determine whether the MicroKorg 2 can recapture the magic of its predecessor and establish itself as a modern classic. Only time will tell if it can live up to the legacy of the original and carve out its own place in the annals of synthesizer history.
