To the left of this are four Layer buttons, and moving down, are the wave sequence lane controls, and then eight white modulation knobs. At the top center is the now all-too-familiar, small, monochromatic LED screen. Since the keyboard is so narrow, all of the controls are directly atop/behind the keys, with nothing on the sides. While it is unclear as to the exact number of built-in samples, Korg also describes this as “gigabytes.” Remember the days when we thought 32 MB of samples was amazing? How far we have come! Korg states there is enough storage for tens of thousands of user Performances, and you can now import up to 4GB of your own multi-samples into the Wavestate (using the new Sample Builder application, for both Mac and Windows). Polyphony is 64 voices, and the massive library of on-board sound includes over 240 Performances, 740 Programs, and 1,000 Wave Sequences. The Wavestate is a wave sequencing synthesizer, and it sports a 37-key keyboard that is both velocity and release-velocity sensitive.

But if you can get past that design characteristic, there’s plenty to love here. It’s a shame that such sonic greatness is married to a juvinile, 37-key keyboard. In fact, Korg is calling it “Wave Sequencing 2.0.” Like it’s ancestors, the Wavestate is capable of producing unique and often fantastic sounds.Įven better, operating system version 2.01 was just released as we were getting to writing (we started at version 1.05), which added new features such as support for user samples (up to 4GB!), an editor/librarian, and a number of other enhancements to add even greater possibilities. There have been glimpses of Wavestation technology in other keyboards such as the OASYS and Kronos, and there’s even Korg’s own virtual recreation of the Wavestation in the form of a plug-in, but the Wavestate is a new piece of hardware, fully dedicated to wave sequencing and synthesis. Players familiar with the classic, early ‘90s Korg Wavestation synths and related sound modules have had a decades-long love affair with the ever-evolving sounds, lush textures, and ambient sounds that the Wavestation was capable of producing. 3.6 stars or better: Outstanding, WIHO AwardĢ stars or better: Suited to specific needs

Korg wavestate reverb