Korg Wavestate step sequence lane - what does it do and how you can use it

[@The5thVolt]

This is such a great tutorial! Thank you for putting so much effort into this. I would say that this is now the first "proper" tutorial on how to do stuff on the Wavestate. I hope many more of similar quality will follow.

[@SynthDad]

Thank you so much!

[@sumchi3690]

@@SynthDad yes,thank you ...I agree 🙏

[@JustinUrban1]

I wholeheartedly agree! I can’t wait to dig deeper into this machine.

[@Timetraveller2208]

I agree too. I can't stand the original sample though. I'd like to radically transform it to something very atmospheric. Or has it already been done??

[@kevinclarke9406]

Really appreciate your time and effort in producing this - the Wavestate is most inspiring instrument I have owned in 40 years, and your guides are helping in diving into the depths of a no-doubt future classic!

[@SynthDad]

Thank you so much! Your kind words are encouragement for me to make more videos. I agree the Wavestate is like an endless ocean of sound to explore

[@SquarepulseMusic]

Seconding this!

[@JamesBermingham]

Great demo of the Wavestate. Great to hear and see a fellow irish man giving top synthesis tutorials. 👍

[@SynthDad]

Cheers!

[@md-ps2hx]

#MeToo.

[@billsykes9253]

Had mine just over three years ,only just having the time to dive in.Thanjs for sharing ,makes things so much easier to understand

[@audioartisan]

This was the last feature on the wavestate I was confused about. This video explains in great detail how to de-confuse anyone about the Sequencer Lane! Thank you :)

[@SynthDad]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GeorgeChaidaris]

EXCELLENT tutorial! This is my first ever synth, after a lengthy research on what would suit me best and it proves to be such a deeply creative machine one cannot really appreciate to the slightest extent unless he spends several hours diving in the endless modulation and multidimensional (i.e. lanes) sound constructing possibilities. Feels like money (very) well spent on an absolute keeper.

[@SynthDad]

Glad it was helpful! It is a super deep synth with a lot to learn

[@SynthoidSounds]

Excellent tutorial video. Very straight forward, clear examples of each relevant step sequencer function setting, how they work and sound like. No annoying stories or supposedly entertaining banter, just a well organized demo of the concept, much appreciated. Like yourself, I love my Wavestate, an amazing platform for its relative cost.

[@SynthDad]

Thank you so much for the kind words!

[@TheC0G]

Wow! You are excellent at describing complex subjects concisely, a pleasure to listen to and watch!

[@SynthDad]

Thank you for watching and for the kind words!

[@DubFreakuencies]

Thank you so much for such a clear, to the point tutorial.Really love the dynamic of the presentation, just perfect.This machine is truly inspiring.I own many gear but I don’t remember last time I bought a machine that I had so much fun with.

[@SynthDad]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidrupture8892]

One of the best tutorials, so clear and easy to understand . Thanks ;)

[@SynthDad]

Thank you - glad you found it useful!

[@version12001]

Thank you so much. I had it figured out for the most part but your tutorial made sense of the things that I was missing. Much appreciated!!!

[@SynthDad]

Glad to hear it helped!

[@halcyonwinds1970]

Thank you for this excellent tutorial! Just got this as my first hardware synth yesterday and it’s videos like yours that make it even possible to get started. This is such an incredible and deep instrument. I can’t wait to get comfortable with it.

[@SynthDad]

Great to hear - thanks for watching!

[@music-maker2505]

Hello from another Synth head (from Ireland 🇮🇪) But living and recording in Germany 🇩🇪 I kinda guessed that’s what the Step Seq on the Wavestate was for (Exactly the same principle as the DeepMind12) But checked out your great video just to make sure I wasn’t missing anything.. Really like your Video style.. New Sub here 👍🏼🇮🇪🔉🎶

[@Philandthesynths]

Thanks a lot for this very clear explanation of the use of the step sequencer!

[@SynthDad]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SquarepulseMusic]

Been super curious about the Wavestate, especially given the price drop. This really helped me understand how it all works. Amazing and thanks for this great tutorial!

[@SynthDad]

Great to hear and thank you for watching!

[@clubinsky]

Please more wavestate tutorials. This piece of gear is quite nuts. 👍🏻👍🏻 And you are explaining it like its an toy, so easy but very effektive.

[@SynthDad]

Will do! I have put my Wavestate to one side as I worked on modular gear, but I can come back to it this month

[@InFamousProductions]

Thanks for making this. I have been trying to figure out what that does and now I get it. thanks a million. It's obvious you are no stranger to synths and electronic sound.

[@SynthDad]

Happy to hear that it helped! I'm pretty new to synths, only been using them for about 3 years now

[@TheSynthZone]

When you can juggle this machine just right, it is like a dispensation from the Universal SampleSynth world! Back in the day everyone thought something like this was going to be advertised on Hearts of Space. No wonder Steve Roach went Analog again! The challenger is....

[@vandera]

Excellent tutorial on an aspect of the WS I was a bit confused on, thank you very much for the clear description! Cannot wait to try it out now 😉

[@SynthDad]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JustinUrban1]

I got this synth this weekend and was having a blast just playing with the simple multi sample wave shapes. I can’t wait to get in to the wave sequencing!

[@SynthDad]

Super - enjoy!

[@m0osebeard]

Good time and a helpful video. I'm new to the Wavestate. Happy to find your channel.

[@SynthDad]

Thanks for watching!

[@simonmorton3746]

Great video as always...as per your question in the video - YES - there is a quicker way to create a step sequence mod routing ....say you want to modulate the filter cutoff with the step sequencer.....shift + right cursor to create a mod slot, then wiggle the filter cutoff (to choose destination), then (instead of menu diving) just press the wave sequencer lane button "STEP SEQ" (to create the source)...much quicker! Also, when entering the "intensity" with the value knob, hold down "Enter" whilst turning, it scrolls up super fast (sorry bet you already know that)! The one thing that I am scratching my head about is the arpeggiator...Synthdad have you got any ideas how to get funky with it? If you have ever had a go on the scatter arp on a Roland system 1 (its brilliant) I'm trying to do something along those lines...kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHeapHqsbM98r7c Thanks as always for the fantastic tutorials!

[@SynthDad]

Thanks for the tips Simon - after making the video I went and read up on that so now I’m better prepared for next time. There are a lot of time-saving tips well worth remembering on the Wavestate. I haven’t gone too deep into the arp beyond the standard settings on it. I’ll take a look at that video and think more on it. Thanks for watching!

[@TheSynthZone]

so intuitive for you a'll apple users =P I got to practice more!

[@davidowner9556]

Really helpful videos well explained and a good learning tool 👍

[@SynthDad]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Torrente70]

the song at the end.. I could listen all the day!

[@SynthDad]

Thanks!

[@ColinPowell_AMultitudeofOne]

A great tutorial that I will find very useful once I am ready to move to that level! :)

[@SynthDad]

Thank you Colin!

[@PrimitiveBaroque]

Thank you this is very informative.

[@md-ps2hx]

Love the accent. Love the content. Well explained. Worth a sub! Your vocal style reminds me of Ivor Cummins.

[@SynthDad]

Thanks - hope you enjoy my videos!

[@starman1603]

Cool Video ~ Thank you for the knowledge

[@SynthDad]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ShawnBrandon888]

Really like the song. Wavestate is very deep.

[@ShawnBrandon888]

I hope you make more WS tutorials

[@yvesbajulaz]

Would have been great if seq had sub lanes, so you could change amount separately for the diff mod

[@SynthDad]

It's been a while since I played with my Wavestate but you could use one of the sequencer steps to modulate other ones I think

[@yvesbajulaz]

@@SynthDad yeah, but sequencer has only one value to affect all the other mod...

[@e-conrecords4665]

I was wondering how to parameter lock the filter to the step sequencer. Thanks!

[@SynthDad]

That's what the step sequencer lane is for - you can use it as a modulation source for the filter so each step of the sequencer changes the filter

[@donator7266]

Great video! I have a question regarding midi start/stop and gate/temp implementation with external devices. Can the Wavestate start/stop and control tempo on external devices, and if so how? I have an external sequencer (Roland D-05) and wav sampler (sp404) with drum patterns that I want to control and I'm curious if the start/stop can ONLY be triggered by pressing and holding down a key. Thanks in advance!

[@SynthDad]

According to the MIDI implementation chart in the manual the Wavestate will send MIDI clock, but not start/stop messages. So I think you'll have to press a key (though you can set the 'latch' mode for the keyboard so the key stays pressed)

[@donator7266]

@@SynthDad Thanks for the reply - seems like it would be better off as a secondary instrument in the midi daisy-chain - wonder how well it syncs with external clocks going in/thru? do you have any experience with said implementation?

[@jantuitman]

Thanks, I am so busy exploring the Wavestate that I didn’t have time yet to arrive at the step sequencer lane. So, this helps. A rather missed chance in the video: somewhere at the start you mention that value and “type” are the interesting parameters of the step sequencer step. But you never come back discussing the different types. I wish you had, because that would make this a comprehensive video about this topic. But now instead, I end up knowing something more about the multi filter 😉

[@SynthDad]

Yes I realise that now looking back, I can always do a second video on it as it is a huge topic!

[@silviaevalopezzotto6502]

Hello... How many simultaneously tracks in step seq ? We're in touch, thnks.

[@SynthDad]

The Wavestate has 4 layers that build a performance. and then each layer has 8 lanes that control the sounds. But it is not a step-sequencer in the traditional sense

[@silviaevalopezzotto6502]

@@SynthDad So how works when I need make a performance with drums, bass & leads all toghether ?

[@chuckvicious]

Enjoyed the song at the end. Lyrics please!?

[@xXsanchoaXx]

hello, i have a minilogue, and im quite good with it, i wanted to take the next step and buy a wavestate. the feature i use the most is the secuencer in the minilogue, but its only 16 steps, that has always bothered me, ¿does the wave state present too much of a complicated interface and parameters for a "amateur" like me?

[@SynthDad]

Great question. The Wavestate doesn’t have a sequencer in the traditional sense. The sequencer is used to move between sounds that build up in layers to the overall final sound. This can be a confusing concept if you haven’t used wave sequencing synths before. So if you’re looking for a synth with a sequencer I’d skip the Wavestate

[@xXsanchoaXx]

@@SynthDad thank you so much for this answer, i really apreciate it. Follow uo question, in the video, you press play, and it plays a secuence, thats basicaly what you are saying now, you biuld up layers of sound that play one after the another. So, if i like to do live performances and improvisation, do you still recomend the wave state? Or what should i look for said things? Thanks!

[@TheSynthZone]

Nice information, did you save a lot during the recording? Will you multitrack and try a Force or a sequencer? 🎇

[@SynthDad]

I think I did save a lot. I sequence the Wavestate using my Deluge so I can control each layer as a single MIDI channel

[@wurlinnawurl]

How many different synths can you control with the sequencer with midi? Can it be a master controller for other synths?

[@SynthDad]

Unfortunately they Wavestate sequencer does not send MIDI from the internal sequencer to external synths. If it did that would be amazing!

[@harrymooresmith564]

Best youtuber ever

[@4ThoseAbout2RaxxWeSaluteU]

Does it actually record sequences or is it just the waveform?

[@SynthDad]

It sequences different samples which you can load into it. Those samples can be anything from simple waveforms to full sounds

[@rockhead11]

Ok, I bought this on the premise that it was a sequencer. But, correct me if I’m wrong, IT IS NOT. ??!! Weird, since it’s called a “sequencing synthesizer”. So the only way for a “sequence” to play is to hold down a key as opposed to all of the other synths I own...Minilogue xd, Microfreak, etc that actually play created sequences so that you can perform on more than one piece of gear. (And I’m not talking about latching the arpeggiator) I’m hoping I’m wrong so I don’t have to send it back.

[@SynthDad]

Good question. The Wavestate is a sequence in the sense of it sequences a series of samples in response to a key press. If you explore the programs it comes with you’ll see that they are composed of a unique sample on each ‘step’ of the sequence. And the various lanes (timing, sample, etc) have their own sequencers, complete with probability and variable lengths. And you can set the note ‘hold’ function in the program settings (it’s in the manual) so the sequence stays latched and plays continually once a key is pressed (or MIDI note on is received). So in that regard it is a sequencer. It’s just a different implementation of the standard concept of a sequencer.

[@InFamousProductions]

with enough patience, a person could create almost the entire song at once. Like your jam at the end. I wonder if the Korg people know how far this thing will go. I have had one for a while, and I have mostly just been doing randomize and tweaking those so they work, but after watching this, I think it's time to actually program , because then it's under full control. the problem with random, is that there are areas the you don't want random and have to find and fix them and then a lot of the time, it ends up sucking hahaha.

[@SynthDad]

I think that is the power of this synth; you can build an entire song on it using the layers from percussion and melodies, and then build up parts of the performance into the slots so you move between them.

[@TheSynthZone]

The Korg folk in California included a major designer from Wavestation. Rumour says the Korg Wavestate SE will be "slightly " different. Either way, the machine makes you program or sound like a cheeto ad from the 1980s. Hey, thats an idea....cheetos

[@azizylmaz8276]

Thank you for this great tutorial... But, i see that in tutorials, those who use wavestate have to talk for at least half an hour before taking any action. After that, only one or two notes are heard and moving on to the next topic. This instrument makes you talk more than making music:) Although I use a lot of synths, I hesitate to buy this machine.

[@SynthDad]

Well it’s kind of hard to make a tutorial video about a synth and *not* talk about it. That’s the whole point of a tutorial…

[@azizylmaz8276]

@@SynthDad Actually I didn't criticize your tutorial, you explain it well. just this, in my opinion, is the most complex korg synth ever released. when I watch a tutorial than i give up on buying this.

[@tomhawkins6349]

This is not a good tutorial, you’re talking as if everyone knows their way around this synth already and the camera is too far away from the screen , I quit before the end because you just went too quickly , this is a tutorial for the advanced programmer

[@manuriga5856]

its a synth for advanced users . for new synth users this synth is far too complex . but hitting the random key can get you some great sounds

[@SynthDad]

Thanks for the feedback Tom. I did assume in this video that you know the basics of the synth (how to navigate menus, how to set up modulations, how the sequencing works) so I could focus on the step sequence lane features. I’ll be sure to make this more clear in future videos. Keep on watching!