Checking out the KORG microX Synthesizer
The MicroX is a compact and portable music synthesizer with the typical Korg Triton HI sound synthesis (64MB ROM), advanced control and computer-based music system integration. Although it has the word ‘Micro’ in common with other instruments in the Korg line-up, the more significant family connection is with the X50, a general purpose, entry-level synth that was launched at the same time as the Micro X.
Although its appearance may suggest it’s intended for techno-style music-making, one of the selling points of the Micro X is that it is a keyboard for all seasons. Its 640 preset Programs include a great many ‘conventional’ instruments — pianos, organs, guitars, strings, tuned percussion and so on. Plus you’ve got the GM soundset — which doesn’t float my particular boat, but it would make the Micro X appealing to people looking for an easily portable instrument to use in conjunction with a MIDI file player. But that’s to say that the Micro X doesn’t cut the mustard when it comes to more contemporary styles. Also on offer is a wide variety of digital and analogue-style keyboard pads which are both fresh and inspirational. Korg have developed many of these specifically for this keyboard, so you won’t find them anywhere else.
The overall quality of the voices is very, very good indeed: the pianos are particularly excellent, the organs are exceptional, the strings sublime. Even the acoustic guitars are pretty convincing. Among the more ‘synth-y’ type presets there are loads of fresh-sounding and really quite inspirational sounds. Also worthy of a mention are the drum sounds — a bonus here being that you can assemble them into your own kits.
For ease of selection, all the sounds are grouped into logical categories, which Korg have made easy to navigate with the provision of both a data wheel and what they call a ‘Click Point’. Looking like the miniature air nozzle you get above your aircraft seat, it’s a sort of cross between a joystick, a trackball and a mouse. To help you decide which voice might be right for the job, the Micro X offers an audition button, which triggers the sound with an appropriate musical phrase.
For real-time tweaking, the Micro X provides four controller knobs, plus a button to switch their function between three sets of parameters, giving you fast access to 12 controller parameters in all. Four of these are user-programmable per Program, four control the filter/envelope, and four cover the arpeggiator. When you’re using the Micro X as a controller keyboard, the knobs can be switched to control 12 soft synth parameters or DAW functions. You can program and store up to 64 different setups of this type, and to get you started, Korg give you a set of preset templates covering popular software packages and programs such as Reason, Garageband, Cubase and Korg’s own Legacy soft synth collection.
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