Korg has already made a number of bulletins forward of NAMM 2024, and now the corporate’s again with a refresh of its popular Opsix FM synthesizer. The Opsix mk II nonetheless presents an approachable entryway into the world of FM synthesis, and it’s even primarily based on the unique’s “Altered FM” digital sound engine. Nevertheless, that is something however a minor refresh.
The large information is a large enhance in polyphony. The unique had 32 voices, which remains to be loads, however the mk II presents 64 voices of pure polyphonal goodness. This could enable for some actually advanced and multi-layered sounds, or only a burst of cacophony as you attempt to press each key directly.
The six-operator FM engine is, kind of, unchanged, however it may be kitted out with all types of recent “sound elements” that may drastically change the sign. You’ll be able to route it by way of as much as 30 results, together with a 3-band EQ, refrain, phaser, flanger, distortion, compressor, delay, reverb, grain shifter and lots of extra. The sign paths may also be rerouted internally for semi-modular synthesis.
In fact, there are a selection of analog-style filters, together with filters modeled on the Korg MS-20 and Korg PolySix, together with resonant two- or four-pole low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and band-reject filters. You gained’t wrestle to create distinctive sounds right here, as any parameter may be modulated utilizing a devoted matrix outfitted with three envelope mills and three LFOs.
Korg's explicit take FM consists of subtractive-style filters, a semi-modular routing system, waveshaping and loads of hands-on controls. That delivers the whole lot from additive synth sound and analog-esque tones, along with basic FM synthesis.
For these nervous that this refresh would basically change the vibe of the original Opsix, the mk II is absolutely suitable with the sounds and samples from the unique and it integrates with the corporate’s devoted software program suite, providing full entry to quite a few sound libraries. So you possibly can simply load up sounds from the unique, if that’s your bag.
The 37-note keyboard is velocity-sensitive and launch velocity-sensitive, with a programmable step sequencer that provides as much as 16 steps per sample and 6 notes per step. There's additionally an onboard arpeggiator with seven preset patterns. Identical to the unique, the mk II boasts a vivid front-facing display screen and quite a few backlit faders and knobs for making changes. As for connections, there’s a headphone out, a stereo line out, MIDI in/out, a USB-B port and a jack for a damper pedal. The Korg Opsix mk II hits retailer cabinets this March and can price $700, which is $200 lower than the worth of the unique again when it launched.
Korg has a large presence at NAMM this yr, as the corporate additionally teased a desktop module of the Opsix, together with desktop modules for the Modwave and Wavestate synths. There’s additionally somewhat synth known as the MicroKORG 2, which is more likely to promote like the most well liked of hotcakes.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/korgs-opsix-mk-ii-synth-is-based-on-the-fm-sound-engine-of-the-original-but-with-64-voices-164445223.html?src=rss
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