Thanks! This was really helpful as I was originally planning to get the MicroKorg mk1 and then just got offered the XL for $160! It sounded too good to pass up but your video helped me make up my mind.
Great review. I have the xl, and have mapped out the bcr2000 to control it for easy editing (all parameters) on the fly. It's yet another thing that has be be connected though.
Hi, I'm thinking about buying either a MicroKorg or MicroKorg XL. Overall I like the XL more, but my main concern is the arpeggiator. It would seem that the original's arpeggiator is a lot easier to use and intuitive, am I right? I mean, on the original you can see all the steps on the arpeggiator and modify them there, but how do you modify the steps on the XL?
@alandiaco Yes, the arpeggiator on the original is much easier to program. On the XL you have to use the little knobs on the right and the little LCD display which shows the arpeggiator steps in characters like this "0--00-00-0" with a zero for a note on and a dash for a note off. It's fine if you don't use it much but the big buttons on the original are more intuitive. I also prefer the chunky knobs on the original. Selecting editing items on the XL is a fiddly business.
@THEDANCINDJTRIVIAL both are great for everything... the xl has more polyphony but sounds a bit more digital, while the original sounds a bit warmer. i would get the xl though
@krakatoa47 well i dont have alot of money beacuse i am a aspiring dj and producer and dont have a job so money is pretty tight so i wanna know if i could, for say..... recreate the song dj got us fallin in love on the micro korg, well the bassline at least
@krakatoa47 ok i have enough money to afford either. and i want somthing that does electro house mainly but also does dubstep and can pull of dance bass lines
@THEDANCINDJTRIVIAL if you can afford the microkorg xl, get the EMX-1. its an amazing synth/drum machine and it's great for house, dubstep and dance :D you can find it for $500 new or 300-400 used
So I have a question, which of these synths would be better to do PInk Floyd, Hawkwind like spacey sound effects? If not these can you recommend one that wont break the bank?
Hm, i bought the regular MicroKORG especially to get those Four Year Strong & Amy Can Flyy PowerPop/8-bit sounds. And since the synthist of Four Year Strong & I Karatepunched Earl both got this synthesizer, i chose this one.
id like to do something like owl city, breathe carolina the medic droid, metro station...XL or original? any help would be cool! listen to those bands if you dont know them to get the idea of what would be best for me. thank you! ps- i also wanna do a light synth on my voice, enough to get that synthy kinda techno vibe going but also enough to where you can still hear me singing and it sounds pretty clear (medic droid would be a good example of this..)
Ive just gone and ordered a maschine MIKRO, but i also want a keyboard for easier synth making... Iam thinking of buying the mikroKORG xl but i need to be sure that they are both able to work with eachother...
Can the microkorg be used with the maschine to produce music via the maschine groove production software
Also will i need an audio interface or not? PLEASE I REALLY NEED HELP WITH THIS... Thankyou :)
Im looking at doing a music thing thats kind which id be looking for a new orderish/ kraftwerk/ charlatans/ stranglers keyboard sound. Would the XL be better?
@LegRoom3 That's quite a broad range of styles there, but for Kraftwerk go for the original, and for the others it depends on what parts of the arrangements you want to use the keyboard for. The XL will probably do you a better job of New Order-type sounds as it will also do those organs, pianos and so on. In short, the original is more programmable, spiky and purely electronic. The XL has a wider range of sounds.
@espinela I'd say the XL would be better for Cure covers as it has a better range of more conventional keyboard and string sounds, such as organs, pianos and synth strings for chords.
i want to create a sort of 70/ 80s psychedelia music for example something between the horrors joy division and kraftwerk witch one would you recommend
@elliottvongrim It sounds like you want to experiment quite a bit with sounds, so I think the original would suit you better. It has more of a purely electronic sound that the XL, and you can easily create abstract sounds from the control panel. You would probably find a lot of the XL's sounds irrelevant for that type of music and would then have to spend a lot of time editing your own via the computer, which can be a slow process.
The only reason to get one of these is if you don't already have an MS2000, a DW8000, and a Radias. It is good sometimes to recycle old technology just to make it accessible to a new generation of artists.
hey man thanks a lot for the reviews! One question, i wanna make my own music (trance, dubstep) and am wondering what one either the microkorg or the microkorg xl would be better suited for me? Thanks a lot!
@ssidao12 It depends how you want to use it. In short the XL has a wider range of sounds straight out of the box but it's easier to program the original from the front panel to make new sounds. But if you've got more details on what you want, let me know.
@horganator Hey man, thanks so much for the reply! I think i may go for the old one Just cause there are lots of tutorials on how to make the kind of music i want to on the old one, is there any way i can export the tracks i make onto a computer.
maybe the old one would be suited to make music (like dubstep and trance, type stuff) i will go for that. if the new one is better suited i will get that one? Sorry i am still new with this stuff. I lack knowledge :(
@lloplop They can both make typical trance and dubstep sounds, so the answer to that question is about how you want to use the hardware. The XL has a wider variety of preset sounds, as I said, but that means less specifically angled towards those styles. The original is easier to program but the XL has more potential to make more and better sounds if you're prepared to use the software editor. In short, get the original for trance and dubstep.
@horganator He wants to use it for dubstep. anyone who knows anything about dubstep knows that you need a SHITLOAD of bass. personally, i feel the original has a wider bass range than the xl.
I'd disagree with connection winning on the XL any keyboard whizz would know that having a MIDI thru is a very useful thing, much better than USB as you can connect it to a computer through the MIDI ports anyway using an interface which generally cost a fiver unless you buy a new soundcard which will bring the cost up considerably. I'd probably say that although the XL has pros over the original the original is probably the way forward (or backward as it were)
Hey, love the video man! I have a few questions to ask you before I order one of these:
Can you use the microphone on both of them as a microphone or do they have to be used as vocoders? If so, can you sing and play at the same time?
I want to make sounds like passion pit, Two door cinema club, the chemical bros etc use... is this possible on both? I also want to make sort of dubstep sounds, is that possible on xl?
On the XL can you edit sounds live or only on your PC?
@Foals4Life On both the mic is for the vocoder mainly. You can sing through the mic and channel the audio through the effects and filters instead, but not as well as playing normally.
Yes you can make those sounds on both.
The XL can be edited from the front panel but in a more basic and fiddly way than the original, so for full editing on the XL you need the Mac/PC software.
You can "loop sequences" in that you can use the arpeggiator to make certain patterns that loop indefinitely.
@horganator So would you recommend the original for me as I want to be able to edit things without using a computer and I'm not really bothered about the vocoder? What does all the writing say on the microkorg and what do all the knobs do?
@Foals4Life Yes, the original would be better for you. The writing on the panel is a grid of all the different aspects of the sound you can edit. You use the two knobs in the middle to change what the five knobs along the top do. It's difficult to explain in a few words here and does take a bit of head scratching at first, but it's logical enough. It's a way of giving you access to lots of aspects of the sound without making a hardware knob for each thing.
Oh okay, that's what it looked like from the video. Yeah I was only thinking that if you're switching between octaves quickly using a switch like that could be harder than just clicking a button. I know that when I mess around on the korg, I sometimes switch between octaves with a lot of delay and it has a good effect-- im working on a video hopefully it'll be up soon.
Great video, but what would you say about the octave shift knobs between the two synths. I have the original microkorg and it's very easy to switch between octaves, whereas the XL looks a little more difficult. What do you think?
@jamesperla14 Glad you enjoyed the vid. Shifting octaves on the XL is easy - you just push the rocker switch left or right once for each octave you want to go up or down. Did you have a particular reason you think it might be a problem?
If i may ask for instance if you were to play the program A31 on the normal MicroKorg which has that longer recurring sound would you still be able to produce that exact same sound on the XL?
@metalheadbassist123 Yes, if you re-program the XL with the original soundbank file from Korg using the software editor. This is easy and all available from Korg's website(s). Because the two use different 'sound engines', the recreations of the original sounds on the XL have a slightly different texture to them, but you'd hardly notice.
Mine are in different places right now. I just played that sound on the original, I know it well. I'll try it on the XL when I get a chance.
first : great review . now here´´s my question : i´´m playing in a band , and we want a cheap synth to create pendulum/ the prodigy lead sounds. is it possible to create the sounds if you dont have much knowledge , and which one would you prefer ? Thanks :)
@LTDFierce Go for the oriinal for these sounds, especially if you want to create your own. It helps if you know what you're doing but you can still come up with great sounds on the original with random twiddling.
@mercuryl Thanks for that insightful comment. I'm sure it'll be of use to other people who, like yourself, came to this video looking for advice on which of these two synths to buy.
Do the keys have the same feel on the XL as the microkorg original? as i played a bit of original other day and they were harder to press than i thought, and am still stuck on which to buy? :S the first just looks so nice, but yeah the keys? similar?
@owenw871 No, the keys on the XL are much better. The keys on the original are OK but quite basically sprung without much depth. The XL's have a better up/down action that's more piano-like. They're not properly weighted piano keys, but still nicer to play than the original's.
Another question, i have little Sony recorder with a line in and line out jack, can i plug the MK xl straight into the recorder and record it straight on to there? I wanna be able to listen to it, so record it and play it through an amp at the same time.. Sorry if its a noob question, im a synth-noob
@nubcake272 Yes. The best way to record it on your Sony recorder and play it through an amp at the same time would be to plug the Sony into the XL's headphone socket and the amp into the main left+right outputs.
@nubcake272 Yes. Presumably you want to make that bass sound specifically. It's easier to tweak sub-bass sounds on the original with its knobs but the XL can make all the same sounds.
Original Micro Korg wins for me. It just adds so much fun to the synth because you actually arrange all the sounds from the hardware of the microkorg itself. XL is more software based.
HI ! Are the voices/patches the same in microkorg and microkorg xl?because im gonna buy one of the microkorg,and which one is better in your opinion?please answer,thanks a lot!
@version147 They have different preset patches but the XL can be loaded with emulations of the original's sounds using the Korg editor and a file supplied by Korg (free from their website). It doesn't work the other way around though as the original is not capable of making all the XL's sounds.
Which is better? Watch the video again and decide ;-) Or ask me a more specific question. I still use both but for different things, depending on what I want to do.
@horganator HI,me again! Can the microKORG xl record audio to make loops or something? And can I import audio files from my computer using a USB-MIDI cable,and into the microKORG xl and play it? thanks.
Nice video good sir. Been using the ole original for a while but after watching this I really want to get the XL.......the editing can be a pain in the ass sometimes with the ole original
Thanks a ton. I've only ever gotten a chance to play with the original MicroKorg and am considering buying one now, but I wasn't sure which version to go with. I think I'm going to go with the XL.
hello korg lovers :P thanx for the tutorial horganator! question,
very small-experience with keys (Im a bass player) , recently bought KAOSSIL. PRO but already decided to keep it just for looping cause of the lack of keys. for s'one interested in making electronic music (trance, house, DnB etc), which one offers better/more appropriate sounds? I wouldnt be interested in brass for example.. would be grateful to anyone replying..thanx
@horganator thanx so much, I ll keep my eyes open for a good bargain. at the moment, theres a micro x beilg sold around my place for 300 euros which is a considerably fair price. do you have any idea about this one comparing to mikrokorg? thanx again
@Barefoot67 Yes, you can record the MIDI data of your keypresses and knob twiddles into a sequencer for editing on a piano roll display, as well as recording the audio output.
@stochastikos No, not on its own. It doesn't have any recording functions and it's not multi-timbral (well, technically it's bi-timbral) so it wouldn't be able to layer up different sounds and play them at the same time.
Not that I want to confuse the issue at all, but today I got a Novation Ultranova and first impressions are very good. I hope to get a video review of it up on this channel soon.
ok.. I got a steinberg interface, just cant figure out how to record in sequel.. Anyway thank you for the headsup. Im gonna buy a KORG microkrog or XL
@nahojohan1 You need to record it from the audio outputs. These could go direct into your computer's audio input, via an audio interface (for better sound quality), into a mixer or straight into a dedicated audio recorder.
The XL's USB connection is just for MIDI data, including sound editing from a computer. The XL doesn't send any digital audio via USB, so you would record that in exactly the same ways as above.
Hi horganator thanks for the vid. Does the MicroKorg XL have a cutoff switch or something like it, because ive seen some cool sounds with that being used. Does the XL work well with Pro Tools?
@horganator Thanks. Was just wondering. I want to get the XL and just want to check. The cutoff switch looks like a great feature. Thanks for the quick reply. :)
@IMaiden89 No, the XL keys aren't weighted to feel like a real piano, but they do feel more "natural" to play than the keys on the original microKORG. The XL keys have a certain resistance and more depth than the original.
The original's keys feel as if they have a spring beneath them (or more likey, are just levered by the anchor point of the plastic that holds them to the main keyboard array).
If you're used to a real piano, the XL's keys will feel cheaper (and smaller, of course).
The XL is a nightmare to program on it's own panel, and Korg isnt updating their software or drivers for any of their items with USB. Atm NOTHING of theirs have worked with an updated OSX for the past 3 months, and they've known for even longer and done nothing. And it's fast moving the same way for windows-users. Dont be buying anything Korg counting on the USB-connection working...
what is the synth effect called that kinda has a bouncing back feel? i know that doesnt make any since. we butter the bread with butter and Attackattack uses it quite often. i guess i can describe it as having a really smooth almost swoop between note change
I'm buying a synth for the first time, so far ive been recording music through synth programs but i feel the real thing would be much easier and more fun
which synth do you guys recommend, the original microkorg or the xl?
i write lots of different types of electronic music from stuff that sounds like calvin harris to pivot to rnb
@MrJennion I'd like to answer that question but it's just a bit too vague. If you can pinpoint a particular sound in a particular track, I'll tell you if either is good for that sort of thing.
@MrJennion OK. Those tracks don't use synths much at all – they're mostly guitar, bass, drums and vocals. But both microKORGs could do the subtle chords and swooshes quite easily (such as the intro to Electric Feel).
so between the two which one can you do more with? Like it seems like the original seems to have a lot more options in the matrix on the right than the XL. The XL just seems to have a few things you can tweak.
@Badunkawank13 If you use the software editor (which runs on a PC or Mac) you can do more with the XL because it has a broader palette of sound creation tools to play with.
In its fresh, "out of the box" state, the XL has more variety in its presets, but if you want to create your own sounds using the hardware alone, the original can do more because it lets you control more aspects directly from the front panel knobs and buttons.
@horganator hmmm yeah thats my only hang up. like to be able to do more (though fixing it up via a computer is kinda sucky, unless I can midi it somehow = more $), and changing sounds just on the front is a lil more sweet. but then the XL has more! ohhhhh decisions decisions!
I need some help. I have to decide between the original microkorg and the microkorg XL, which one of those u think is the best for synth, and techno stuff?
And would u rather to buy one of those or a korg R3 8 radias?
Please reply this, I'd be glad if you guys could answer to both questions
@Drunkmeonatrip Yes, the original is excellent for psychedelic sounds. You can twiddle those knobs all night coming up with weird noises. It's better than the XL for that sort of thing.
On the other hand, the XL has some organs and electric pianos that are reminiscent of 60s and 70s prog rock, but isn't as immediate for creating the trippy stuff.
@zoozeema The original is more focused on that sort of sound, and it's easier to make your own techno sounds with the knobs on the original, but the XL can make those sounds just as well (and better in some cases) as part of a wider range of sounds.
@MrKORG1980 It has a "tape echo" effect that's quite dubby, and in terms of sounds it has some organs and pianos that could fit well with that style.
It depends how you want to use it. It's probably not great for this if you plan to play live, but you could do some good dub reggae stuff if you spent time tweaking and recording.
Its like guitar stomp boxes vs fx proccessors.. both have their pros and cons.. i think i might go with original korg cos im a stompbox guy who likes fiddling with buttons.. thanks for the review!
@horganator I've had the MicroKorg in the past and sold it in time of need. I'm looking to purchase either one. I think I'd go with the XL only because of the extra 8 Vocoder banks and USB, but miss the layout of descriptions from the Micro. Otherwise, you cannot go wrong with either.
@jordno It's easier to make your own sounds on the original because it has more knobs and buttons. With the XL you need to use the software editor to get deep into creating your own sounds.
If I wna make electronica music like Breathe Carolina type which one would be more suitable ? Also, there are no drum beats in either right ? Thanks :)
@V100BB I mention the fact that the XL has the tempo light and knob in the same place to help illustrate the more logical layout of the XL's panel compared to the original. It's one of a few things that, when combined, make the XL easier to use and less confusing than the original.
Microkorg is the best thing I ever bought. Endless hours editing sounds and playing. For electronic music starters it is in my opinion the best synth to buy because it really isn't tgat complicated and it stimulates editing synth sounds. Did I also mention it is cheap as hell? I was really disappointed when I didn't immediately see how to edit the microkorg XL. That is what I love about the original, no bullshit just knobs.
Hey there! That was a really useful review! I don't know if this would interest you but we are currently running a competition based on producing a video review of a music product with the chance of winning up to £150 off new music gear. If this would interest you, then give me a message and I will link you the full details, or add 'Absolute Music' on facebook and find the link there. Good review though! I've always been a fan of the microkorg but never used the XL. Looks good though!
Thanks! This was really helpful as I was originally planning to get the MicroKorg mk1 and then just got offered the XL for $160! It sounded too good to pass up but your video helped me make up my mind.
argonkila 1 week ago
@argonkila So, which did you go for?
horganator 5 days ago
... you cant use them to control midi sir
kiwiarmada138 1 week ago
Great review. I have the xl, and have mapped out the bcr2000 to control it for easy editing (all parameters) on the fly. It's yet another thing that has be be connected though.
RLreedyProductions 1 week ago
I'm thinking about getting an orginal one. Can it be used as a midi controller?
sonofdisaster2 2 weeks ago
@sonofdisaster2 Yes, you can use either of them to control hardware or software via MIDI.
horganator 2 weeks ago
from what i see, the original looks prettier
felipesancho 1 month ago
From what I understand the XL has a higher sound quality.
hehfilms 1 month ago
Hi, I'm thinking about buying either a MicroKorg or MicroKorg XL. Overall I like the XL more, but my main concern is the arpeggiator. It would seem that the original's arpeggiator is a lot easier to use and intuitive, am I right? I mean, on the original you can see all the steps on the arpeggiator and modify them there, but how do you modify the steps on the XL?
alandiaco 1 month ago
@alandiaco Yes, the arpeggiator on the original is much easier to program. On the XL you have to use the little knobs on the right and the little LCD display which shows the arpeggiator steps in characters like this "0--00-00-0" with a zero for a note on and a dash for a note off. It's fine if you don't use it much but the big buttons on the original are more intuitive. I also prefer the chunky knobs on the original. Selecting editing items on the XL is a fiddly business.
horganator 1 month ago
can you set presets on the keyboards and quickly change between them?
tucker3601 1 month ago
@tucker3601 Yes, you can re-program as many of the sounds as you want, then switch between them using those big square buttons and the knob above it.
horganator 1 month ago
@horganator awesome thanks
tucker3601 1 month ago
which would be better for trance type of sound or dubstep?
twinkieangel 1 month ago
which is better for dubstep?
THEDANCINDJTRIVIAL 2 months ago
@THEDANCINDJTRIVIAL probably the original
krakatoa47 2 months ago
@krakatoa47 well what about for like upbeat party music, cuz i wanna do both and i really hope the original can handle it :)
THEDANCINDJTRIVIAL 2 months ago
@THEDANCINDJTRIVIAL both are great for everything... the xl has more polyphony but sounds a bit more digital, while the original sounds a bit warmer. i would get the xl though
krakatoa47 2 months ago
@krakatoa47 well i dont have alot of money beacuse i am a aspiring dj and producer and dont have a job so money is pretty tight so i wanna know if i could, for say..... recreate the song dj got us fallin in love on the micro korg, well the bassline at least
THEDANCINDJTRIVIAL 2 months ago
@THEDANCINDJTRIVIAL if you dont have much cash then i recommend downloading a decent VST synth and getting a midi keyboard
krakatoa47 2 months ago
@krakatoa47 ok i have enough money to afford either. and i want somthing that does electro house mainly but also does dubstep and can pull of dance bass lines
THEDANCINDJTRIVIAL 1 month ago
@THEDANCINDJTRIVIAL if you can afford the microkorg xl, get the EMX-1. its an amazing synth/drum machine and it's great for house, dubstep and dance :D you can find it for $500 new or 300-400 used
krakatoa47 1 month ago
Horganator, how long had you been using the original Microkorg for before you made this comparison?
scottyea 2 months ago
...as you can see, here is my actual size hand. : )
ultimatev17 2 months ago
Great informative video and funny!!
NicoVictoryCollu 2 months ago
In addition do these have some awesome organ and Mellotron like sounds?
ClassicRockLivesOn 3 months ago
So I have a question, which of these synths would be better to do PInk Floyd, Hawkwind like spacey sound effects? If not these can you recommend one that wont break the bank?
ClassicRockLivesOn 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Hm, i bought the regular MicroKORG especially to get those Four Year Strong & Amy Can Flyy PowerPop/8-bit sounds. And since the synthist of Four Year Strong & I Karatepunched Earl both got this synthesizer, i chose this one.
PunkRockCovers 3 months ago
Comment removed
PunkRockCovers 3 months ago
id like to do something like owl city, breathe carolina the medic droid, metro station...XL or original? any help would be cool! listen to those bands if you dont know them to get the idea of what would be best for me. thank you! ps- i also wanna do a light synth on my voice, enough to get that synthy kinda techno vibe going but also enough to where you can still hear me singing and it sounds pretty clear (medic droid would be a good example of this..)
PineGroveBird 3 months ago
Thanks... very helpful
freakpower2008 3 months ago
Hey can someone please help me out?! :)
Ive just gone and ordered a maschine MIKRO, but i also want a keyboard for easier synth making... Iam thinking of buying the mikroKORG xl but i need to be sure that they are both able to work with eachother...
Can the microkorg be used with the maschine to produce music via the maschine groove production software
Also will i need an audio interface or not? PLEASE I REALLY NEED HELP WITH THIS... Thankyou :)
skriIIIIex 3 months ago
You forgot a key factor that drove me to buy the classic instead of the XL: price. Overall I like your review though.
esroopay 3 months ago
Im looking at doing a music thing thats kind which id be looking for a new orderish/ kraftwerk/ charlatans/ stranglers keyboard sound. Would the XL be better?
LegRoom3 3 months ago
@LegRoom3 That's quite a broad range of styles there, but for Kraftwerk go for the original, and for the others it depends on what parts of the arrangements you want to use the keyboard for. The XL will probably do you a better job of New Order-type sounds as it will also do those organs, pianos and so on. In short, the original is more programmable, spiky and purely electronic. The XL has a wider range of sounds.
horganator 3 months ago
@horganator thanks for the reply! So on an XL would you be able to replicate a hammond type sound? That's the kind of thing im looking at doing
LegRoom3 3 months ago
@LegRoom3 i would also like to know this
MrSleepySyd 3 months ago
So cuute thanx for the vid :)
lavivazza 3 months ago
Which one would you recommend to make some covers of The Cure from their 80s albums?
Also, thanks for posting this interesting review.
espinela 3 months ago
@espinela I'd say the XL would be better for Cure covers as it has a better range of more conventional keyboard and string sounds, such as organs, pianos and synth strings for chords.
horganator 3 months ago
i want to create a sort of 70/ 80s psychedelia music for example something between the horrors joy division and kraftwerk witch one would you recommend
elliottvongrim 3 months ago
@elliottvongrim It sounds like you want to experiment quite a bit with sounds, so I think the original would suit you better. It has more of a purely electronic sound that the XL, and you can easily create abstract sounds from the control panel. You would probably find a lot of the XL's sounds irrelevant for that type of music and would then have to spend a lot of time editing your own via the computer, which can be a slow process.
horganator 3 months ago
@elliottvongrim Joy Division and Kraftwerk? I think you made my day. Two of my favorite bands.
360Freakoutkid 3 months ago
@360Freakoutkid i personally think that they started it all off with out them two bands music would be very very different
elliottvongrim 3 months ago
Shit yea Editing Matrix sounds bad ass. Original all the way!
iPandylicious 4 months ago
would you say the microkorg XL would be good for using a trance metal type of music
wwaazzuupp100 4 months ago
The only reason to get one of these is if you don't already have an MS2000, a DW8000, and a Radias. It is good sometimes to recycle old technology just to make it accessible to a new generation of artists.
gridsleep 4 months ago
What did he do on the floor? Couldnt find the keyboards?
fleurpleur 5 months ago
Cheers man, just purchased an XL off the back of this comparison. The 16 band vocoder swung it for me.
d4dan 5 months ago
lol i love how you tap the front of the micro
purgatory47 5 months ago
nothing beats the original!! I'm with the microkorg original...
nice video by the way :))
MrBloopBloopy 5 months ago
great video, explains a lot! thanks!
MrIlyaki 5 months ago
wat amp u using ya?
alvintkh 5 months ago
hey man thanks a lot for the reviews! One question, i wanna make my own music (trance, dubstep) and am wondering what one either the microkorg or the microkorg xl would be better suited for me? Thanks a lot!
ssidao12 6 months ago
@ssidao12 It depends how you want to use it. In short the XL has a wider range of sounds straight out of the box but it's easier to program the original from the front panel to make new sounds. But if you've got more details on what you want, let me know.
horganator 6 months ago
@horganator Hey man, thanks so much for the reply! I think i may go for the old one Just cause there are lots of tutorials on how to make the kind of music i want to on the old one, is there any way i can export the tracks i make onto a computer.
maybe the old one would be suited to make music (like dubstep and trance, type stuff) i will go for that. if the new one is better suited i will get that one? Sorry i am still new with this stuff. I lack knowledge :(
Let me know what you think :D
ssidao12 6 months ago
@horganator details? they said trance and dubstep
lloplop 4 months ago
@lloplop They can both make typical trance and dubstep sounds, so the answer to that question is about how you want to use the hardware. The XL has a wider variety of preset sounds, as I said, but that means less specifically angled towards those styles. The original is easier to program but the XL has more potential to make more and better sounds if you're prepared to use the software editor. In short, get the original for trance and dubstep.
horganator 4 months ago
@horganator He wants to use it for dubstep. anyone who knows anything about dubstep knows that you need a SHITLOAD of bass. personally, i feel the original has a wider bass range than the xl.
theredapple94 3 months ago
I'd disagree with connection winning on the XL any keyboard whizz would know that having a MIDI thru is a very useful thing, much better than USB as you can connect it to a computer through the MIDI ports anyway using an interface which generally cost a fiver unless you buy a new soundcard which will bring the cost up considerably. I'd probably say that although the XL has pros over the original the original is probably the way forward (or backward as it were)
moltenriches 6 months ago
Hey, love the video man! I have a few questions to ask you before I order one of these:
Can you use the microphone on both of them as a microphone or do they have to be used as vocoders? If so, can you sing and play at the same time?
I want to make sounds like passion pit, Two door cinema club, the chemical bros etc use... is this possible on both? I also want to make sort of dubstep sounds, is that possible on xl?
On the XL can you edit sounds live or only on your PC?
can you loop sequences
Foals4Life 6 months ago
@Foals4Life On both the mic is for the vocoder mainly. You can sing through the mic and channel the audio through the effects and filters instead, but not as well as playing normally.
Yes you can make those sounds on both.
The XL can be edited from the front panel but in a more basic and fiddly way than the original, so for full editing on the XL you need the Mac/PC software.
You can "loop sequences" in that you can use the arpeggiator to make certain patterns that loop indefinitely.
horganator 6 months ago
@horganator So would you recommend the original for me as I want to be able to edit things without using a computer and I'm not really bothered about the vocoder? What does all the writing say on the microkorg and what do all the knobs do?
Foals4Life 6 months ago
@Foals4Life Yes, the original would be better for you. The writing on the panel is a grid of all the different aspects of the sound you can edit. You use the two knobs in the middle to change what the five knobs along the top do. It's difficult to explain in a few words here and does take a bit of head scratching at first, but it's logical enough. It's a way of giving you access to lots of aspects of the sound without making a hardware knob for each thing.
horganator 6 months ago
@horganator Cheers! Finally, on the Microkorg is it possible to make this synth sound? watch?v=2UEzEwZkCkk&feature=related
Foals4Life 6 months ago
@Foals4Life Yes, that sound would be quite simple to make.
horganator 6 months ago
@horganator Cheers for your time by the way!
Foals4Life 6 months ago
Oh okay, that's what it looked like from the video. Yeah I was only thinking that if you're switching between octaves quickly using a switch like that could be harder than just clicking a button. I know that when I mess around on the korg, I sometimes switch between octaves with a lot of delay and it has a good effect-- im working on a video hopefully it'll be up soon.
jamesperla14 6 months ago
@jamesperla14 Cool. Message me when you get the video up and I'l have a look.
horganator 6 months ago
Great video, but what would you say about the octave shift knobs between the two synths. I have the original microkorg and it's very easy to switch between octaves, whereas the XL looks a little more difficult. What do you think?
jamesperla14 6 months ago
@jamesperla14 Glad you enjoyed the vid. Shifting octaves on the XL is easy - you just push the rocker switch left or right once for each octave you want to go up or down. Did you have a particular reason you think it might be a problem?
horganator 6 months ago
Also can you use the XL as a midi controller like the older MicroKorg?
metalheadbassist123 6 months ago
@metalheadbassist123 Yes.
horganator 6 months ago
If i may ask for instance if you were to play the program A31 on the normal MicroKorg which has that longer recurring sound would you still be able to produce that exact same sound on the XL?
metalheadbassist123 6 months ago
@metalheadbassist123 Yes, if you re-program the XL with the original soundbank file from Korg using the software editor. This is easy and all available from Korg's website(s). Because the two use different 'sound engines', the recreations of the original sounds on the XL have a slightly different texture to them, but you'd hardly notice.
Mine are in different places right now. I just played that sound on the original, I know it well. I'll try it on the XL when I get a chance.
horganator 6 months ago
Hey man,
first : great review . now here´´s my question : i´´m playing in a band , and we want a cheap synth to create pendulum/ the prodigy lead sounds. is it possible to create the sounds if you dont have much knowledge , and which one would you prefer ? Thanks :)
LTDFierce 6 months ago
@LTDFierce Go for the oriinal for these sounds, especially if you want to create your own. It helps if you know what you're doing but you can still come up with great sounds on the original with random twiddling.
horganator 6 months ago
@horganator ok thanks man :)
LTDFierce 6 months ago
Get your teeth done.
mercuryl 7 months ago
@mercuryl Thanks for that insightful comment. I'm sure it'll be of use to other people who, like yourself, came to this video looking for advice on which of these two synths to buy.
horganator 6 months ago 6
Thanks for the video was very helpful!
Machiismo 7 months ago
Do the keys have the same feel on the XL as the microkorg original? as i played a bit of original other day and they were harder to press than i thought, and am still stuck on which to buy? :S the first just looks so nice, but yeah the keys? similar?
owenw871 7 months ago
@owenw871 No, the keys on the XL are much better. The keys on the original are OK but quite basically sprung without much depth. The XL's have a better up/down action that's more piano-like. They're not properly weighted piano keys, but still nicer to play than the original's.
horganator 7 months ago
@horganator awhh okay, thank you. I think shall try get the XL then :) the new knob instead of 8 buttons seems more practical to, thank you :)
owenw871 7 months ago
Another question, i have little Sony recorder with a line in and line out jack, can i plug the MK xl straight into the recorder and record it straight on to there? I wanna be able to listen to it, so record it and play it through an amp at the same time.. Sorry if its a noob question, im a synth-noob
nubcake272 7 months ago
@nubcake272 Yes. The best way to record it on your Sony recorder and play it through an amp at the same time would be to plug the Sony into the XL's headphone socket and the amp into the main left+right outputs.
horganator 6 months ago
Probably a stupid question... but ive seen tons of videos of people making Dubstep on the original MK, can it be done on the MK xl?
nubcake272 7 months ago
@nubcake272 Yes. Presumably you want to make that bass sound specifically. It's easier to tweak sub-bass sounds on the original with its knobs but the XL can make all the same sounds.
horganator 6 months ago
Original Micro Korg wins for me. It just adds so much fun to the synth because you actually arrange all the sounds from the hardware of the microkorg itself. XL is more software based.
Minilogu3 8 months ago
check out my channel and blog to see loads of stuff like microkorg patch tips and demos.
synthception 8 months ago
HI ! Are the voices/patches the same in microkorg and microkorg xl?because im gonna buy one of the microkorg,and which one is better in your opinion?please answer,thanks a lot!
version147 9 months ago
@version147 They have different preset patches but the XL can be loaded with emulations of the original's sounds using the Korg editor and a file supplied by Korg (free from their website). It doesn't work the other way around though as the original is not capable of making all the XL's sounds.
Which is better? Watch the video again and decide ;-) Or ask me a more specific question. I still use both but for different things, depending on what I want to do.
horganator 9 months ago
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version147 9 months ago
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version147 9 months ago
@horganator HI,me again! Can the microKORG xl record audio to make loops or something? And can I import audio files from my computer using a USB-MIDI cable,and into the microKORG xl and play it? thanks.
version147 9 months ago
@version147 The microKORG XL cannot record any audio, and you cannot load it with audio files from your computer or other sources.
If you want to do that you should look at the microSAMPLER. I have a review of that on my channel.
horganator 8 months ago
You look shy... Funny..!
AndroidLife 9 months ago
Do you have a hand that's not actual sized?
sbradydrummer 9 months ago
Great review mate. Absolutely helpful!
fsalim 9 months ago
Does the USB-port on the Microkorg XL transfer sound as well? Or does it transfer just midi-signals?
mrjdeee 9 months ago
@mrjdeee The USB on the XL is just for MIDI in and out (and communication with the Mac/PC editor). Audio is limited to the analogue outputs.
horganator 9 months ago
Nice video good sir. Been using the ole original for a while but after watching this I really want to get the XL.......the editing can be a pain in the ass sometimes with the ole original
HamDaddyRolex 9 months ago
Great Video, exaclty what I was lookin for.. Thanks mate!
Senj1n 10 months ago
@0:27
I didn't know you had a hand that wasn't actual size...
sbradydrummer 10 months ago
ty for the awesome review man, keep it up
MuLt1hAcKeR 10 months ago
@MuLt1hAcKeR Thanks. I'm trying to get a review of the Novation Ultranova up at the moment but I haven't had a moment to film it yet.
horganator 10 months ago
Thanks a ton. I've only ever gotten a chance to play with the original MicroKorg and am considering buying one now, but I wasn't sure which version to go with. I think I'm going to go with the XL.
risonhighmer 10 months ago
hello korg lovers :P thanx for the tutorial horganator! question,
very small-experience with keys (Im a bass player) , recently bought KAOSSIL. PRO but already decided to keep it just for looping cause of the lack of keys. for s'one interested in making electronic music (trance, house, DnB etc), which one offers better/more appropriate sounds? I wouldnt be interested in brass for example.. would be grateful to anyone replying..thanx
akypar 10 months ago
@akypar They're both good for trance, house and D&B sounds, but if you want purely synth sounds, the original is more focussed in that area.
horganator 10 months ago
@horganator thanx so much, I ll keep my eyes open for a good bargain. at the moment, theres a micro x beilg sold around my place for 300 euros which is a considerably fair price. do you have any idea about this one comparing to mikrokorg? thanx again
akypar 10 months ago
great review, when you record with it is it then limited to audio only or can you record the sounds as midi and edit them in piano roll?
Barefoot67 10 months ago
@Barefoot67 Yes, you can record the MIDI data of your keypresses and knob twiddles into a sequencer for editing on a piano roll display, as well as recording the audio output.
horganator 10 months ago
Can the microKORG/XL record, loop and overdub in a live setting?
stochastikos 11 months ago
@stochastikos No, not on its own. It doesn't have any recording functions and it's not multi-timbral (well, technically it's bi-timbral) so it wouldn't be able to layer up different sounds and play them at the same time.
horganator 11 months ago
Not that I want to confuse the issue at all, but today I got a Novation Ultranova and first impressions are very good. I hope to get a video review of it up on this channel soon.
horganator 11 months ago
ok.. I got a steinberg interface, just cant figure out how to record in sequel.. Anyway thank you for the headsup. Im gonna buy a KORG microkrog or XL
nahojohan1 11 months ago
thank you. Thing is, how do I record the sounds and export to wave if it doesn´t have a usb? I guess I´ll buy the XL.. I haven´t quite decided yet
nahojohan1 11 months ago
@nahojohan1 You need to record it from the audio outputs. These could go direct into your computer's audio input, via an audio interface (for better sound quality), into a mixer or straight into a dedicated audio recorder.
The XL's USB connection is just for MIDI data, including sound editing from a computer. The XL doesn't send any digital audio via USB, so you would record that in exactly the same ways as above.
horganator 11 months ago
Hi horganator thanks for the vid. Does the MicroKorg XL have a cutoff switch or something like it, because ive seen some cool sounds with that being used. Does the XL work well with Pro Tools?
21Placebo 11 months ago
@21Placebo Hi, yes, it has a cutoff control for the filter. You can use this to filter the internal sounds or any sounds you feed to the audio input.
horganator 11 months ago
@horganator Thanks. Was just wondering. I want to get the XL and just want to check. The cutoff switch looks like a great feature. Thanks for the quick reply. :)
21Placebo 11 months ago
Thanks for the help!
DJGRANDE423 11 months ago
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IMaiden89 11 months ago
@IMaiden89 No, the XL keys aren't weighted to feel like a real piano, but they do feel more "natural" to play than the keys on the original microKORG. The XL keys have a certain resistance and more depth than the original.
The original's keys feel as if they have a spring beneath them (or more likey, are just levered by the anchor point of the plastic that holds them to the main keyboard array).
If you're used to a real piano, the XL's keys will feel cheaper (and smaller, of course).
horganator 11 months ago
@horganator im currently on a Yamaha psr e 423 so cheapness isnt an issue but i'll think ill go the XL great vid
IMaiden89 11 months ago
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IMaiden89 11 months ago
@horganator just brought r3 loving it full size keys
IMaiden89 11 months ago
The XL is a nightmare to program on it's own panel, and Korg isnt updating their software or drivers for any of their items with USB. Atm NOTHING of theirs have worked with an updated OSX for the past 3 months, and they've known for even longer and done nothing. And it's fast moving the same way for windows-users. Dont be buying anything Korg counting on the USB-connection working...
MarctheDarc 1 year ago
does a program or anything come with the XL. Can I record made up stuff on my PC??? thanks :)
21Placebo 1 year ago
what is the synth effect called that kinda has a bouncing back feel? i know that doesnt make any since. we butter the bread with butter and Attackattack uses it quite often. i guess i can describe it as having a really smooth almost swoop between note change
MCchuckers 1 year ago
im disapointed korg didn't put a midi thru on the microkorg xl, they forgot about us oldschoolers that still use midi daisy chains..
Macgreez 1 year ago
the good thing is that XL can connect to the comp which we can hav wider options..
injune5 1 year ago
Thank you for this comparison!
spacep0d 1 year ago
@spacep0d No problem, glad you found it useful.
horganator 1 year ago
Does the MicroKORG make pretty much the same sounds as the MicroKorg XL?
raps4loosers 1 year ago
@raps4loosersThe XL can be loaded with accurate emulations of the original's presets, but has a wider variety of sounds to call upon.
horganator 1 year ago
im pretty sure the bass would be in the
'drum and bass' part of it..maybe..ya know..
xxidot45xx 1 year ago
@xxidot45xx Not necessarily. The Drum and Bass section is more about the kinds of sounds you'd use in breakbeat drum & bass styles.
horganator 1 year ago 2
@xxidot45xx that was a kinda ignorant thing to say, drum n bass is a genre mate....
humblelaurie 1 year ago
hey guys
I'm buying a synth for the first time, so far ive been recording music through synth programs but i feel the real thing would be much easier and more fun
which synth do you guys recommend, the original microkorg or the xl?
i write lots of different types of electronic music from stuff that sounds like calvin harris to pivot to rnb
cheers
jonnoandreas 1 year ago
are either of these good for an atmospheric kinda sound, like empire of the sun or mgmt?
MrJennion 1 year ago
@MrJennion I'd like to answer that question but it's just a bit too vague. If you can pinpoint a particular sound in a particular track, I'll tell you if either is good for that sort of thing.
horganator 1 year ago
@horganator
empire of the sun - walking on a dream
mgmt - electric feel
kind of psychedelic sounds if you get me?
MrJennion 1 year ago
@MrJennion OK. Those tracks don't use synths much at all – they're mostly guitar, bass, drums and vocals. But both microKORGs could do the subtle chords and swooshes quite easily (such as the intro to Electric Feel).
horganator 1 year ago
so between the two which one can you do more with? Like it seems like the original seems to have a lot more options in the matrix on the right than the XL. The XL just seems to have a few things you can tweak.
What do yah say?
Badunkawank13 1 year ago
@Badunkawank13 If you use the software editor (which runs on a PC or Mac) you can do more with the XL because it has a broader palette of sound creation tools to play with.
In its fresh, "out of the box" state, the XL has more variety in its presets, but if you want to create your own sounds using the hardware alone, the original can do more because it lets you control more aspects directly from the front panel knobs and buttons.
horganator 1 year ago
@horganator hmmm yeah thats my only hang up. like to be able to do more (though fixing it up via a computer is kinda sucky, unless I can midi it somehow = more $), and changing sounds just on the front is a lil more sweet. but then the XL has more! ohhhhh decisions decisions!
or can someone suggest to me anther great synth?
Badunkawank13 1 year ago
bOOOOORING
clickswitchh 1 year ago
@clickswitchh What did you expect? A fight to the death between two keyboards?
horganator 1 year ago 20
I need some help. I have to decide between the original microkorg and the microkorg XL, which one of those u think is the best for synth, and techno stuff?
And would u rather to buy one of those or a korg R3 8 radias?
Please reply this, I'd be glad if you guys could answer to both questions
lzn1806 1 year ago
Could I change program/sound fast like on an old one, in XL? Can i save one sound on the button?
TheCokeAddiction 1 year ago
wat r the demensions im getting one in a few weeks and im going to try to build a platform for it
dcsk8r71 1 year ago
@horganator Hi. Please, do you know if the original microkorg is good for psychedelic and/or progressive rock?
Drunkmeonatrip 1 year ago
@Drunkmeonatrip Yes, the original is excellent for psychedelic sounds. You can twiddle those knobs all night coming up with weird noises. It's better than the XL for that sort of thing.
On the other hand, the XL has some organs and electric pianos that are reminiscent of 60s and 70s prog rock, but isn't as immediate for creating the trippy stuff.
horganator 1 year ago
@horganator Thanks. Peace man.
:)
Drunkmeonatrip 1 year ago
So performance wise, do you think the original microkorg has better electronic/techno sounds.
zoozeema 1 year ago
@zoozeema The original is more focused on that sort of sound, and it's easier to make your own techno sounds with the knobs on the original, but the XL can make those sounds just as well (and better in some cases) as part of a wider range of sounds.
horganator 1 year ago
@horganator hi please tell me, is microkorg xl good for the dub reggae effects? please reply me.. thanx man.
MrKORG1980 1 year ago
@MrKORG1980 It has a "tape echo" effect that's quite dubby, and in terms of sounds it has some organs and pianos that could fit well with that style.
It depends how you want to use it. It's probably not great for this if you plan to play live, but you could do some good dub reggae stuff if you spent time tweaking and recording.
horganator 1 year ago
Its like guitar stomp boxes vs fx proccessors.. both have their pros and cons.. i think i might go with original korg cos im a stompbox guy who likes fiddling with buttons.. thanks for the review!
defmusik1 1 year ago
great rewiew!
luuus1 1 year ago
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staygoldjake 1 year ago
MicroKorg has 2 banks of 8...making it 16 per setting. Shift between A and B, no?
RaguelAngelofBalance 1 year ago
@RaguelAngelofBalance Yes (I just figured out what you mean).
The microKORG has eight sound groups, each of which has 16 sounds split into two groups (A and B). 128 sounds in total.
So does the XL.
horganator 1 year ago
@horganator I've had the MicroKorg in the past and sold it in time of need. I'm looking to purchase either one. I think I'd go with the XL only because of the extra 8 Vocoder banks and USB, but miss the layout of descriptions from the Micro. Otherwise, you cannot go wrong with either.
RaguelAngelofBalance 1 year ago
its the same shit... the same shit, very nice synth though. i own the r3 and its..the same cool shit
krieg820 1 year ago
which would you say is easier to just save presets of your own sounds that you come up with?
jordno 1 year ago
@jordno It's easier to make your own sounds on the original because it has more knobs and buttons. With the XL you need to use the software editor to get deep into creating your own sounds.
horganator 1 year ago
@horganator That is so much bullshit! I have the XL and if you know what your doing you dont need the software at all...
player042 1 year ago
If I wna make electronica music like Breathe Carolina type which one would be more suitable ? Also, there are no drum beats in either right ? Thanks :)
sunshineloveshappy 1 year ago
So you're unable to twist a dial without looking at it and the tempo light?
V100BB 1 year ago
@V100BB I mention the fact that the XL has the tempo light and knob in the same place to help illustrate the more logical layout of the XL's panel compared to the original. It's one of a few things that, when combined, make the XL easier to use and less confusing than the original.
horganator 1 year ago
This is my actual sized hand.
personNumber0123 1 year ago 11
Microkorg is the best thing I ever bought. Endless hours editing sounds and playing. For electronic music starters it is in my opinion the best synth to buy because it really isn't tgat complicated and it stimulates editing synth sounds. Did I also mention it is cheap as hell? I was really disappointed when I didn't immediately see how to edit the microkorg XL. That is what I love about the original, no bullshit just knobs.
philateliceun 1 year ago
Hey there! That was a really useful review! I don't know if this would interest you but we are currently running a competition based on producing a video review of a music product with the chance of winning up to £150 off new music gear. If this would interest you, then give me a message and I will link you the full details, or add 'Absolute Music' on facebook and find the link there. Good review though! I've always been a fan of the microkorg but never used the XL. Looks good though!
absolutemusicuk 1 year ago
useful, enjoyable. thnx
Taldanmus 1 year ago
i wanna get the micrkorg but i worry ab the keys being to small.
blitxzar 1 year ago