Korg microKORG XL+ Synthesizer

I’ve never used too many synths, being a drummer, but I wanted something not to complicated but that still had polyphony and enough options and depth to give me something to work with. I’ve been very impressed with both the sound and the number of sounds so far in this little Korg. I can tell there’s quite a bit here to keep me interested and busy for quite a while, but it isn’t so deep or demanding that intimidated by that prospect. Out the the box ready to use and easily connectable to a chain of guitar pedals. Definitely glad I got this little guy.

The Korg MicroKorg XL+ Synthesizer with Vocoder is a very nice compact synth. Although its a bit plastikee it has a wide range of good onboard sounds that can be edited via the Korg XL editor. The keys are very smooth and light to the touch.

Big synth, small package

Got the MicroKORG XL (not XL+) about 3 weeks ago, and it's great. Have used it onstage once, and the vocoder was a total hit. The bank of sounds is quite good, modifying the sound parameters isn't difficult, but the menu structure isn't all that simple. The editor software (free download from Korg site) makes this a lot easier. Great little synth, love the small package, it's got a really big sound, I'm quite happy with it. Bonus: it can run on (6) AA batteries if you'd rather ditch the power cord, which can be really nice on-the-fly. Two thumbs up.

Big warm analog sounds.

After a lot of searching and demoing in stores and checking out demos of new and old synths on youtube, and having owns more vintage synths than I can remember.. this is an awesome piece of kit. For a micro synth it has bigger balls than even the latest Roland micro synth. The sounds are all classic and easily editable. Piano, analog bass, sweeping pads and strings, arp etc. No drums but everything else is here and the sounds are authentic and warm. Best little synth around. Looks cool too!

Chopped RADIAS w/mini board-CHEAP construction. Save a few $ and get a R3

I bought this product because I wanted the great RADIAS engine, for live use, in a small package. I have a full RADIAS rack, so I had reasonable expectations. The RADIAS engine does rock and, if you choose, you can get down and deep in the synth engine. The size is perfect for the gig, the key bed is decent (but the black keys are SUPER thin) and getting used to the velocity sensing is tough on the VERY plasticy feeling board. Lack of Verb is a real minus, too, for live. Editing: don't even bother without the software. Nowhere near enough live control for something in this category, especially considering what is under the hood.... Pros: great sound engine and a nice variety of sounds in a small package, VERY nice vocoder. Looks cool. Much improved included mic from ... MoreI bought this product because I wanted the great RADIAS engine, for live use, in a small package. I have a full RADIAS rack, so I had reasonable expectations. The RADIAS engine does rock and, if you choose, you can get down and deep in the synth engine. The size is perfect for the gig, the key bed is decent (but the black keys are SUPER thin) and getting used to the velocity sensing is tough on the VERY plasticy feeling board. Lack of Verb is a real minus, too, for live. Editing: don't even bother without the software. Nowhere near enough live control for something in this category, especially considering what is under the hood.... Pros: great sound engine and a nice variety of sounds in a small package, VERY nice vocoder. Looks cool. Much improved included mic from the original microkorg. Vocoder is outstanding, although it cuts polyphony by half (4 from 8) Cons: Build quality is subpar for an item of this price. $59.00 Casio PT keyboards were built better than this back in the 1980s. It is so cheap feeling, I domt trust using it live, which is a shame, because the size is right, and it's a nice alternative to the original microkorg engine (which is also cool). The pictures make it look great, but it feels like a $20.00 dollar store keyboard. No verb, no aftertouch, minimal front panel control for live tweaks. I own the following shortboards and mono boards to directly compare this to: Novation ultranova; Dave smith mopho and mono evolver keyboard; SCI Pro-1; Moog minimoog, little phatty II, voyager sig; avid venom; Akai MINIAK; Korg microkorg, microkorg XL, micro sampler, R3, Micro X, prophecy; Crumar Spirit; Yamaha CS01, DX100; Casio Cz101, PT10/20/30/50/82, VL1; Roland JP8080, SH1000, SH2000. not related: I also have the RADIAS rack, which this piece is descended from. what did I end up using on stage - the Novation UltraNova and a Korg Micro X. The micro X is essentially a mini triton - it's built decently but is not VA - so it's not a great direct comparison to the microkorg XL. One of my all time favorite VA's is my Novation Supernova II EXP (so the ultranova is great, although monotimbral...). The ultra nova is a little more money but KILLS. Without verb and the VERY minimalistic interface, the MICROKORG XL just does not cut it - - if you like the sound of the Microkorg XL, spend the extra $50-$100 and get a R3 (it is bigger, but I can't stress the lack of faith I have in the XL's build quality) or really treat yourself and find a true RADIAS...

Cool little synth

This is a cool little synth. I bought it for the vocoder and admittedly I'm just learning how to use it, but WOW what great fat sounds. It's something I'll use to play a little lick here and there, the mini keys and overall small size don't make it very playable, BUT if you need special effects, especially the vocoder, this thing can sit on top of your rig and give you that little special effect here or there. I'd think hip hop and dubstep producers would LOVE this thing - small, powerful, big assignable knobs to mod the sound on the fly. Heck, it's so portable you could be putting together new tracks in an airport while waiting for your flight. Crazy noise from a convenient package.

Good sound, lightweight, runs on battery's, small keys. Full of possibilities to play with.

Comes with one key damage, G it goes up because limiter-bar is so thin and easy to brake inside. Have to disassemble and repair with heat solder tools. It sounds awesome, tried to control it with BCR2000 with PunkNew Wave setup overlays and so on. Will use it later with Zaquencer firmware applied to BCR2000 already. Keys are small, have to use M-Audio 88 keys midi keyboard to play it.

Review of Korg MicroKORG XL Plus Synthesizer

Great little portable synthesiser and vocoder. Pair with a looper or connect to your phone and this could be a great idea sketching instrument.

Vocoder and Synth

Nice presets, simple to use.Great for a beginner or a home piece, not for the road.Plastic feels, short key'sI like the vocoder and that's the main reason to keep it in my studio.Use it with external acapella's, thanks to the line input, from my DAWArp is nice but minimum controllable.Arp speed is not in sync with the DAW speed,but you 'll get very creative when turning the frequency knob to find the right arp speed to color the sound that matches your project. So the arp is good and not good!I miss a sound card for this price, Korg!I miss a plugin to control or save the sounds in my projects.Compared to the Mininova, other sounds, other vocoder sounds, but equal possibility's.MicroKorg a little over priced for today's standards, but nice to have.

Wow, I've got my old MS2000B back again!

Wow, the MicroKorg XL+ is excellent! It comes with the editing software, which includes libraries from MicroKorg, MicroKorg XL, MS2000, MS2000B, etc. I found some of the patches I used on my original MS2000/MS2000B, and they sound EXACTLY the same (the MicroKorg XL+ obviously uses the same sound engines as the Radias, R3, MS2000, and MS2000B). With a little tweaking with the included editor, I was able to get the patches to sound exactly as I had manipulated them on the original MS2000/MS2000B! I am a happy camper to have all those wonderful sounds back. The sound quality is also as pristine as the original. I am so glad I made this wise decision to get the MKXL+!!!