Korg Multi/Poly Unveiled: Exclusive Insights from Dan Phillips at NAMM 2025

[@alteregothehi-qs5774]

THANK YOU Dan for everything you and your team is doing for us KORG lovers / users!!!

[@defenderstargate1447]

I immediately ordered the module. Thanks Korg for listening to your customers.

[@IanDixonTDL]

Have fun!

[@stephenbertino8373]

At this point, it's not a matter of if I get one. It's a matter of when I figure out what kind of rack case to get for it so I can take it on the road as part of my stage rig. Do such cases even exist??? Wouldn't it have to be extremely shallow and have a removable side plate for access to the in/out jacks?

[@stephenbertino8373]

Korg is killing it. Fun and deep engines.

[@kaikiefer8303]

Ian, thanks for getting Don to talk about the journey and story behind this synth. It just now ordered the new module. Great work.

[@asynchronicity]

Korg's range of desktops is amazing!

[@SteveMc870]

The part about envelope shapes is really interesting. Makes it clear how little quirks can really impact sound.

[@awnashed]

Thanks Dan & Ian

[@HarmonicSonics.]

Finally got the chance to sit down and watch this great full interview. I’m considering a multi poly for a few reasons. The key stage actually sounds like a great pair with a module which might work better for my space concerns, and I tend to use my daw with midi note editing workflows. But I tend to use vst mode for my hardware and sending the sounds to my companion hardware synth for live uses. My main curiosity with multi poly are the extent of mod possibilities with the audio rate modulation, the layer rotate, the sounds of the cross mod, and the sounds of the various filters. In short, I’ll meed to properly try one out! Also can keystage remember where a knob position last was, and go from that position. Jump vs catch options I think they’re called

[@GerenM63]

Great interview, and very exciting! Thanks to Dan and the whole Korg R&D team, and thank you, Ian, for bringing us the interview!

[@IanDixonTDL]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@alteregothehi-qs5774]

GREAT NEWS!!!!!

[@HarmonicSonics.]

I still love making all sorts of modwave sounds. Every time I play I end up making something cool. If m/p is anything like that I’ll probably get it

[@besh303]

Modules are awesome! It really helps me save space on my desktop and rack compatibility means you have a lot of utilities (stands, tables...) to choose from. For me this form factor was a strong point to continue my Korg journey! So far I have Minilogue XD, Modwave and Opsix.

[@alteregothehi-qs5774]

On my next wish-list to s a module that contains the typical piano sounds (Grand, CP70, Rhodes , Wurly etc.) It would be great for small stage settings.

[@SouthShoreSonics]

Thank you!

[@IanDixonTDL]

You're welcome!

[@timfguitar]

great interview. Looking forward to your Prophet sound pack!

[@IanDixonTDL]

Thanks, it will be a couple of weeks

[@GeyloFollen]

15:40 makes perfect sense, at first I didn't understand the concept of the multi/poly. If the modelling of SSM2044 filters have been improve since the VST Legacy version I will get one unit for sure.

[@stephenbertino8373]

50:28 Wrap all those R&D engines up into 32-part multitimbral workstations available in 88-key, 76-key and 61-key versions, all with poly aftertouch.

[@TemmeSikkema]

What a great guy and a great interview Ian

[@IanDixonTDL]

@@TemmeSikkema thanks

[@stephenbertino8373]

26:24 Ha! They're applying osc sync principles to the vca eg.

[@ego_share2953]

Great interview! I would love to see a vst version of the 01/W added to the Korg collection

[@IanDixonTDL]

Good idea

[@keytronek]

In other Korg news, the KRONOS is back!!!

[@dr.gregoryf.maassen2637]

You brought up a very good question. What is next as with three rack versions, we have basically the Uber synth in a small form factor. I think the future is in greater software integration and AI. Korg has made the rather silly decision to have the librarian and native vsts as seperate software interfaces. Why can we not use the native vsts to control the hardware? This may change in the future. The second development has to be a revamp of patch design. Why do we need so much human involvement in patch programming if we have AI writing most code nowadays elsewhere. Why can't we have a system where we describe the sound that we want and the system designs a number of patches we can tweak further. Either way, great to get the exclusive rack announcement on your channel. I already have contacted my Sweetwater product specialist.

[@HarmonicSonics.]

I would like to see a 37 key type of physical model engine like on the z1. With a kaoss pad!

[@andybond5002]

What we need is an MPC keys type of device, where you can choose between the different plugins (wavestate, modwave, opsix, multipoly, piano, organ, epiano, m1, triton) with touchscreen and hands on controls, like a modernised version of the kronos that can run plugins.

[@Seekdnb]

If I was Ian Dixon and had the opportunity for giving ideas to R&D, I would say make a Small Form Factor Korg Kronos with Module then Native Plugin.

[@Seekdnb]

Hi Ian, can I pretty please be added to the private list for that so called video you made? Would like to watch it again 😅

[@IanDixonTDL]

Once Korg make the download available I will have a video on it.

[@Seekdnb]

Thank you Ian!

[@Wagoo]

19" rack forever

[@audioillustrator5338]

Korg needs to bring a new Physical Modeling hardware instrument out that goes beyond the already awesome physical modeling VSTi's that are currently available.

[@IanDixonTDL]

I think that makes sense as the next things to work on.

[@markbradley5860]

Korg, please release the Multi/Poly SE with 61 keys, like the Wavestate SE and Opsix SE. There are many synthesists who are pianists or have keyboard skills who like to have a synth with five (or more) octaves, on which they can play full blown melodies that require multiple (five or more) octaves. They can just play an integrated instrument without having to bother fiddling around with connecting a MIDI controller to a desktop module. Don’t get me wrong. Desktop modules, of course, have their uses and benefits. I have them and have a couple of keyboard MIDI controllers. But it’s nice to sit down at a synth with its own large keyboard and play melodies like on a piano or organ. And having an all-in-one synth with live performance on stage is much less complicated than a module that has to be wired up to other modules, a MIDI controller and often a laptop etc. It would be great to have my 61-key wave sequencing synth (Wavestate SE) accompanied by a 61-key analogue modelling synth (the Multi/Poly). They would make a great combo. 😊

[@IanDixonTDL]

Sounds like a good idea to me

[@jakobymaster]

He talks about controlling everything with one controller signal- but as i understand there isn't a function on multipoly to change a parameter on all layers simultaneously? Since you are so close to the "source", could you propose a feature request to have this kind of essential workflow?

[@IanDixonTDL]

You can use any of the contollers eg mod, kaoss to control all layers at once

[@jakobymaster]

Yes but that means separate patching and sacrificing usefulness of the modders like macros or modwheel. But just in the editing and creation process it would be kind of a nonbrainer. (For example elektron boxes workflow)

[@berniehcc]

I‘m waiting for the Plugin, d‘nt any free space in my Studio 🥴🤗

[@IanDixonTDL]

It's here! Dan talks about it in the video

[@garyholden8469]

Great insight. I think there’s definite workflow benefits from having both the hardware synth and the native vst. You normally get a big discount on the software version if you already own the hardware.

[@IanDixonTDL]

Korg just said it was US $49.99 for hardware owners.

[@garyholden8469]

@@IanDixonTDLbargain!

[@PsychologyAcademia]

Sounds very digital. No mojo.