Korg Microkorg Patches

[Jacquelyne Betance]

Ihave a Korg Microkorg synth which is a really fun synthesizer for a beginner like me. I like making patches (tones) and exploring the different possibilites. However, it's a bit annoying to use because the keyboard is very limited, it's basically only there so you can quickly test your patch before exporting it to a project on your computer.

I would love to control my Microkorg using my digital piano (Kawai ES110). I've already done it, plugging the piano as a midi controller allows you to use the keyboard to get sounds from the synth. However, the Microkorg doesn't have an audio output. When I do this, I have to use headphones, or an external amp.

I use my digital piano in my living room, and I don't really like to have a lot of cables, headphones, amps etc there. I would love it if I could plug in the microkorg discreetly in a way that would allow me to use the keyboard from my piano and get the synth's sound directly out of the piano.

I am using Logic for 2 months - and I have tried several times to record sounds from my external midi (a micro korg) , but haven't succeeded yet. I also changed settings from system preferences to make Logic recognize my midi.

In order to record audio from the microkorg you need to plug it into your computer via an audio interface. there are lots and lots of threads regarding which interfaces to use with logic so do a forum search.

First off, please calm WAY down. The question you are asking is so basic that suggesting you do some real research about recording with computers is in no way out of line or ridiculous. It will only help you in the end.

Here is your answer: to record the audio of your synth, you need to run an audio cable from the synth into your interface, an record it as audio, not midi. Period. If you want to use your synth as a controller for the sounds in Logic, a very common setup, then the USB/midi thing is the way to go. But audio comes out of those 1/4" jacks. All you need to do is set up an audio track in Logic and set the input of that track to the audio output of your interface.

I now have the cable and plugged it as you told me to do so. But I still can't get any sound - and the reason is probably Logic does not recognize my interface. I once made my laptop recognize my Microkorg from system preferences by adding a new device. But i don't know actually how to make my interface recognized by logic.

First thing I'd try is to hook up headphones in the headphones of your Korg to make sure it's actually producing sound. If it is you can move forward with the troubleshooting, but if it doesn't then you've got to figure that part out first.

i can set up in environment window and get sounds via midi and manage to have it play back the sounds iv sequenced with the sounds from the microkorg . the thing is it will not bounce the pattern into audio .. what i really want to achieve is being able to play from the micro org and record the audio in real time!

but like i said id love to play and record audio straight up rather than doing it in midi and bouncing!\hope this makes sense.. i have all the cables if u could guide me to where to put the cables to achieve this id appreciate it thanks!!!

wow still having the same problem a year later, searching websites and came across this one which i have already joined and funny enough have just seen the old post i did all that time ago and still havent had a reply. lol

NEW 100 unique, well designed patches for Korg MicroKorg for fans of Boards of Canada, Tycho, Tame Impala etc.Melodic, living sounds ideal for ambient, downtempo, vaporwave or leftfield. Leads, pads, ARPs and textures - see the video or listen to the soundcloud clips at synth-patches.com/microkorg/

If you're thinking that this sounds simplistic, the sixth row takes a bellyflop into the deep end. Labelled 'Full Edit', this opens up every page, parameter and value. If you're already a dab hand at keyhole surgery you'll feel right at home, but for us lesser mortals there are a heck of a lot of options to plough through, including a multitude of synthesis pages, complete with virtual patch cords, arpeggiation, effects and EQ. It doesn't end there either, because Full Edit is also the window to the MIDI and Global setup pages, utilities, controller remapping and more.

It's hard to imagine any user, new or old, getting lost on the Microkorg XL. There are 128 patches on board, selected by two large knobs: Program Genre and Category. These offer eight genres, including House/Disco, Jazz/Fusion, Drum & Bass/Breaks and Favorite (sic), while eight categories encompass Lead, Bass, Vocoder and so on. For the full range of patches, a bank A/B switch performs the necessary multiplication.

The effects include a variety of delays (including a decent tape-delay simulation), which can be coaxed into delivering some impressions of boingy reverb. Putting aside my reverb gripes, though, other effects you'd typically expect are present and serviceable. Alongside the phaser, flanger, distortion, filter and decimator, you'll encounter old friends such as ring modulation and Grainshifter. The latter isn't some large, hungry bovine creature, it's a short sample and loop processor that's ideal for when you've invited Dr Weird to tea.

At times I found it genuinely perplexing that such a wide range of quality tones could be spurted from a keyboard this small and light. So even if, at the current price, the Microkorg XL doesn't tick all the boxes, it's definitely more of a synth than it appears.

I'm not massively fond of computers for tweaking my synths, but I found Korg's editor/librarian for the Microkorg XL to be an essential tool. It's surprising that this vital program isn't supplied on CD with the synth, but to sweeten the download, Korg have included a bunch of converted MS2000, MS2000B and Microkorg sounds in the package. This is jolly kind, if yet another reminder that there are only 128 memory slots to work with.

Finally, when downloading the editor I recommend that you also grab the latest USB driver from Korg's site. This provides full MIDI connectivity, and I am pleased to report no communication difficulties whatsoever with my venerable studio computer. Usually, this ageing PC refuses to talk to any of my Korg gear, but on this occasion everything went swimmingly.

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