Good things always come in pairs, but KORG is treating us with three in time for NAMM.
KORG has announced some new synthesizers at NAMM’s Believe in Music week, delivering modern nods to past innovations with first looks at the ARP 2600 M, miniKORG 700FS and modwave.
ARP 2600 M
The new ARP 2600 M is a modular version of the recent ARP 2600 FS, but in a more compact and portable format with the same features and sound quality ideal for desktop use.
A spokesperson said, “The ARP 2600 is arguably the most iconic and recognizable synthesizer of all time. Having been used in countless records, film scores, TV shows and game soundtracks since its appearance from the 70’s through to today, the ARP 2600’s sound remains an essential part of the music world. When the ARP 2600 FS was announced in January 2020, it quickly became a phenomenal success with musicians all over the world recognizing the faithfulness to the original ARP 2600. The ARP 2600 M is around 60% the original size, making it lighter, more portable and easier to place and use in a studio. It integrates the same analog circuitry and components as the ARP 2600 FS, thus faithfully reproducing the characteristic ARP sound.”
It integrates the same analog circuitry and components as the ARP 2600 FS, thus faithfully reproducing the characteristic ARP sound.
The ARP 2600 M is built in Japan with the same care and extraordinary quality standard as the ARP 2600 FS, and uses the same analog components to accurately reproduce the sound and feel of the original, but at 60% of the size. More than a synthesizer, the ARP 2600 M is a complete sound design studio and serves as a connection between the individual elements of modular synthesis and the immediacy of a production / performance instrument. Included are an ample supply of oscillators, envelopes, a filter and amplifier – all of the building blocks of analog synthesis, as well as a pair of built in monitor speakers. The Korg ARP 2600 M also contains a ring modulation, lag and voltage processors, an envelope follower, audio preamp, a clock-able switch, noise source, a sample-and-hold module, signal inverters, an auxiliary mixer, and even a set of parallel-wired/multi jacks. The Spring Reverb has been re-engineered and adapted to the new size body to the same effect.
miniKORG 700FS
The miniKORG 700 was KORG’s first mass-produced monophonic synthesizer, released by KORG in 1973.
The miniKORG 700FS is an authentic revival of the miniKORG 700S (an improved version of the miniKORG 700), which was released the following year.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
“Our wish is for customers to experience the beauty and awesomeness of the authentic analog sound through the miniKORG 700FS designed by the KORG analog engineers, under the supervision of Fumio Mieda, who designed the original circuitry, ensuring that the elements that go beyond the circuit schematics would be faithfully represented.”
The revised miniKORG 700FS offers added functionality such as an arpeggiator, spring reverb and aftertouch.
The miniKORG 700FS is a fully realized analog synthesizer that was developed in conjunction with the original designer, Fumio Mieda.
modwave
In 1985, KORG’s DW-8000 combined digital wavetables with rich analog filters to give users sounds that were impossible to create with analog oscillators.
modwave builds on the DW legacy and transforms it into a modern monster synth, featuring incredibly deep wavetable oscillators, gorgeous filters, wildly flexible modulation, unmatched polyphony, comprehensive pattern sequencing, and immediately satisfying hands-on control to deliver unique, powerful, and easily customizable sounds and phrases.
modwave also introduces two unique new tools for creating dynamic motion: Kaoss Physics and Motion Sequencing 2.0.
Kaoss Physics combines an x/y Kaoss pad with modulatable game physics to create a responsive, interactive controller. Motion Sequencing 2.0 brings the organic, continuously evolving patterns of the wavestate’s Wave Sequencing 2.0 into the world of motion sequencing, including multiple lanes and real-time recording to help you create complex and evolving phrases that other step sequencers cannot.
No official information on pricing and availability has been released yet.
More information: KORG
