Korg Wavestate Wave Sequencing Synthesizer | Reverb Demo

Over 30 years ago now, Korg released the groundbreaking Wavestation-a powerful synth that introduced the world to wave sequencing technology. Today, we're taking a look at the second generation of that wave sequencing technology and the even fuller package it's wrapped in. Check out the video above for a hands-on look at the new Korg Wavestate.
Read More on Reverb: bit.ly/2QtEpBD

[@immersiveworlds]

Love the randomization features.

[@filippo21ful]

man that closing LOTR theme... you got me there!

[@artamuslongfellow9920]

I remember the Tagline Line for the Original Wavestation at a KORG Clinic - Zero Cross Fading! That was A Long Time Ago in a Music Store Far Far Away!

[@damelos4039]

Great demo. Much better than others I have seen.

[@cameronv205]

I think Rick Wright the late keyboardist of Pink Floyd used the original Wavestation on their 1994 album "The Division Bell". The Wavestation piano sounds of this synth very much remind me of what's heard on that album. This instrument sounds so cool.

[@urzathehappy72]

Division Bell was the death of pink floyd so maybe keep this comment in ur pocket

[@SPAZZOID100]

Roger [kirbydudelol] Waters are u insane???

[@CrossCuntryFranco]

Rick used Kurzweil late in his career, especially on _Division Bell._

[@cameronv205]

@@CrossCuntryFranco Ah ok, I've seen him use Kurzweil often later in his career and on the DB tour but never knew it's what was used for the piano sounds in the studio recording too. Pretty cool.

[@digitaldiezel5870]

Officially impressed...by Korg!

[@oisinmcphillips2090]

Fuck, that Lord if the Rings theme at the end sounded incredible. Everything sounded incredible

[@GrootsieTheDog]

Nice! I love a synth where you can have enough variation and modulation to perform a whole piece from that basic sequence vs multitracks - Much like a modular synth performance.

[@musiccraftjp388]

Very, very great demostration! 👏👏👏👏

[@HotStrange]

The Wavestation is my favorite poly synth ever. 1000% getting this. Looks and sounds amazing.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Favorite??

[@HotStrange]

Spazzoid Studio ....yes?

[@wildhorse4262]

Most excited I've been about a Korg product since the M1

[@skatechatham]

You should check out the minilogue XD if you haven't, it's pretty versatile and sounds excellent.

[@mistersoulhundhund8178]

Pleace more Keys!

[@courtneyjohnson5839]

Showing ya age

[@DelScully]

@@mistersoulhundhund8178 just connect it to an 88 midi keyboard or something similar and the possibles are endless!

[@mistersoulhundhund8178]

@@DelScully sorry but no!

[@opwave79]

This is fascinating. I might sell some of my old gear to get this.

[@wizetek]

Pretty cool. Cheers from Toronto, Canada

[@Timecop1983]

Nick, you just sold me this synth sir!

[@RunFaster011]

Great job Korg, this new synth sounds amazing! I'm still trying to wrap my head around subtractive synthesis so I probably won't be getting this one but am really excited to hear what people can create with this thing, the possibilities seem endless.

[@MrClarkio]

RunFaster011 for learning substractive synthesis recommend either the app syntorial or the Rob Papen book, "the 4 element synth". The Rob Papen book goes into quite a lot of depth (why use a 4 pole filter as opposed to an 8 pole etc.), but is a bit "open university" feeling, whereas syntorial comes with a simple practice synth with which to complete, match the sound type exercises after each lesson.

[@mattwoodman3017]

@@MrClarkio does the Wavestate come with the basic Oscillator,ADSR option in case you want to create a patch from scratch as well.?

[@MrClarkio]

Matt Woodman it's got adsr on amplitude, filter and pitch envelopes along with envelope depth. It's sound sources are all samples. Some of those samples are of analogue waveforms, but it's not really it's raison d'etre. The power of the wavestate is in it's wave sequencing, like elektron sample switching on steroids. For pure subtractive/analogue you'd probably be much better served by the korg minilogue (xd ideally) or a similarly priced analog competitor, arturia micro freak, or the argon analogue synth or studiosledge. All that stuff is there on the wavestate albeit in digital form but it's a bit more tucked away and lacks some of the (subjective) feel of true analogue.

[@PianoFromScratch]

Very nice sounds!!

[@ProfessorSynth]

Great presentation Nik

[@sanfranfankgo51]

Very well presented. Thank you.

[@lesjayco7785]

Great review cheers

[@abelos1518]

Incredible synth.

[@charlesflint9048]

Just got one and I love it

[@annathor6284]

Really nice demonstration. Will there be a similar demo for the Modwave? I would appreciate a comparison between the two in a similar style of this video.

[@grindpeace2310]

Najlepsze wykonanie jakie widzialem :)

[@GrootsieTheDog]

Would be great see some of this randomization and generative quality added to the sequencing functionality of the Minilogue XD in the next update. Like random playback mode.

[@mattwoodman3017]

I'm debating on this Wavestate and OR the minilogue xd.... Does the Wavestate have the basic Oscillator,ADSR's options as well?

[@YungBrendan]

I need one of these

[@etpslick100]

I like it. I’m hoping they’ll make just a tabletop version. If they do, I’m in!😌🎹🎶❤️👍🏾

[@benjaminbrodie9801]

The hobbit and Lord of the Rings theme sold me on the synth, thank you sir! Well done!

[@bestiagrama1276]

Dat howard shore lotr ending was perfect, but dude the flutes you should have used the flutes xD

[@PunguinYoga]

Thanks for mentioning the size of the keys!

[@scoobysienna]

wow brill for soundscapes

[@seandolan1198]

We hope a hit sone features this one beast!

[@GlitchComputer]

Yeah this looks like a nice piece.

[@ghasmiller]

Damned three of four Kraftwerk musicians will loose their jobs

[@CrossCuntryFranco]

Got the joke, but Kraftwerk have been more into software synths, so.... :P

[@devintariel3769]

Love the video where the guy who does the slideshows for the band is just checking his emails right on stage

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

Kraftwerk. They’ve been looking to “phone-in” their performances since the 70s. Now thanks to Apple, they can finally do it. Literally.

[@MrBothandNether]

It will accept input from a keybed with aftertouch, and polyphonic aftertouch, so I certainly hope they release a desktop module.

[@urzathehappy72]

Ya they need one for half the price

[@robertmichalscheck3072]

Roger [kirbydudelol] Waters this thing is amazing for under 900$,wouldn’t complain about price,the thing is fairly compact looking,plus you get you get all those onboard knobs,instead of digging thru menus.

[@urzathehappy72]

@@robertmichalscheck3072 not all of us have 800$ to just spend on toys

[@livefromthepsy-op1170]

Roger [kirbydudelol] Waters If it’s a toy to you then you’re wasting your time. I had an epiphany about 3 months ago. I really believe that certain pieces of equipment can push me to achieve something great in this life with music. Since then I’ve started 2 jobs and work about 80hrs a week. Ive begun amassing gear at a ridiculous rate and soon I’ll be able to quit one of my jobs and enjoy the fruits of this painful labor. I really hope this doesn’t come off as me being a dick, but instead as a push to get you to where I’ve found myself. If you believe as I do that your mission in this life is to create music, you must conquer the obstacle of money. I wish you luck and infinite will.

[@robertmichalscheck3072]

Alonzo Archer I agree,the equipment you have can inspire you to play better.if it’s not up to par,you won’t play as well,it’s all about the sound,I have to get a new keyboard because my grand piano sound I’ve decided just ain’t cutting it.

[@johndean5860]

Does The Joystick Output Midi?

[@shiteshovel6741]

CRAP! I can’t buy one right now, Not available yet. But I’m waiting. Love that Korg Sound since my first 2 MS-20’s back in 1983

[@doug3448]

How do you record patterns/songs on here? I didn't see a rec/play/stop buttons?

[@AfterNothingsEnd]

Instant buy.

[@musicsoundgear]

This is cool.. Thought I heard the theme from the Davinci Code in there :)

[@owenaitken4754]

This synth seems future proofed

[@biggrime]

When i first heard about this i was like wtf but after seeing this video. Its a pretty awesome keyboard

[@sjcongo]

That randomize button sold me

[@nucentury08]

Got mine yesterday 😎🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀

[@gevansmd1]

Does anyone know of a Wavestate demo video that shows how to sequence notes and/or chords?

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

One word. . . Wow!!!

[@knotlock]

I’d buy a Drum Machine in Korg’s ‘Analogue’ line!

[@spartafxrs5]

i know it's like comparing apples to oranges, but what can you say about the minilogue xd vs the wavestate? it would be interesting to do a video comparison for both! :P

[@erielakemusic]

i had a prophet vs and a wavestaion back in the day......i actually still use the software version of the wavestation

[@SUPERCLUBVIDEO]

SAME 😍

[@urzathehappy72]

Hows the software version? I looked at some vids n it didnt look too good imo but maybe its actually good, is it?

[@TheSlageSaga]

The iPad app is incredible.

[@erielakemusic]

@@urzathehappy72 the software version sounds and works great IMO....i use it in both reaper and acidpro 7 without a problem

[@silviaevalopezzotto6502]

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

[@cermet1320]

How does this compare with Argon8? Or is it different synthesis formats? Edit: Though I can see the sound is completely different to Argon8

[@HotStrange]

This is vector synthesis. It’s different than wavetable synthesis in a few ways. Here, you essentially blend and mix samples and waves into sounds and sequence them per step. It’s really really cool. I already have an Argon8 and will be 100% getting this as well.

[@cermet1320]

@@HotStrange Thanks! How do you like the Argon8? I currently have a Minilogue OG and look for my second synth.

[@nicolasstrawberry4148]

I’m waiting on my Prologue 16 to be delivered tomorrow, this looks very cool, but I’m wondering since it’s digital will software digital synths sound just as good? I still might grab this though

[@mattwoodman3017]

Yes absolutely! Soft synhs sound just as good ,imo

[@Fallingoverbackwards]

I’m in love

[@chrishill6413]

Can it also play tunes or just random, unconnected chords? Asking for a friend.

[@Santiagoalamo98]

i need to know this. this synth got a secuencer ? or i neer an external secuencer like the arturia beastep pro to secuence melody ? thanks

[@ladobarnovi221]

I dont understand how it works but I love it

[@jrlx86]

Just hit random

[@furotti]

Can anyone tell me what the difference between a poly analog synths& wave sequencer synth is?

[@jrlx86]

I’m not an expert in this but I’ll give it a go :). Poly analogue means it uses analogue circuitry like VCO VCF VCA (voltage controlled oscillators and filters). Generally a lot more expensive to produce (and buy) because you have to effectively duplicate the circuitry for each additional layer of polyphony. That’s why most analogue polys have limited polyphony. This synth is a 100% digital synth, so much cheaper to produce but in my opinion the sounds are far more expansive with this synth. This has a whopping 64 note polyphony if I remember correctly. I don’t think you’ll ever get that on an analogue poly. Analogue tends to sound warmer typically because oscillators can be a bit unstable and there is so called drift in the tuning so they’re naturally detuned. Analogue synthesizers can cut through the mix more easily. Digital synth can sound a bit thinner. Just buy what you like the sound of :) personally I love the sound of both and I think when I get a studio set up I’ll have a couple of analogue synths, really love the Moog Sub37 and the DSI prophet 6 :) wave sequencing is a totally different take on synthesis, you can program and sequence different sounds all on one key. The learning curve on this is fairly big compared to that of an analogue synth, which will have a more traditional type of layout.

[@thetechguyz8645]

I've never had a synth... and I am disappointed with not buying one ten years ago. I've used software synth in the past and software oscillators. This thing sounds amazing though.

[@fuckjimbo]

yooo this shit sound crazy as hell

[@lostevemilano]

@8.30 does anyone know the name of this song?

[@nixcanpor810]

had two wavestation in the past. I read the wavestate manual briefly. pros: -split (key range and velocity) now has Fade -apparently a performance can store own programs and wave sequences so it doesn't get mixed up with other performances. this was a nightmare in wavestation. -price -weight -size for portability -sounds doesn't cut off when changing performance cons: -4 layers only -built-in keyboard is turned off if you want to set midi channel for each layer. Please fix this Korg. -no aftertouch dont tell me I dont need aftertouch. triggering layer via aftertouch was a big feature of wavestation. Im not complaining, because the price is low and I can hook up an external keyboard. the 4 layer limitation is understandable with the huge engine improvements. do I want to buy this? you bet!

[@Jason75913]

_"with the huge engine improvements"_ has to do with price, not tech if this thing is enough of a hit, they may do an upgraded version with more layers, but it will be much pricier

[@powermix24]

SOLD!!! If they made a desktop module and sold it for $700 this would sell like hotcakes.

[@HotStrange]

Darkice Presents This version is only $799.

[@padmad3k63]

It's already so small with the 3 octaves.

[@DelScully]

I'd be surprised if they don't make a desktop version! Hell, I'd love to buy this with the full keys it has and then buy the minilogue xd desktop version.. Especially if they make a way to link them somehow, that'd be nuts.

[@dilano19]

Amazing !!!!!!!!! Perfect for my Synthwave Music. But i will have Problems with 37 Keys, if i play in A/Amoll. Has anybody information about how much the Price is ( think 800 is to low ) and is there a Split Function? Greetz to all

[@oscar4215234]

Metti024 Preorders on guitar center have it listed for $799

[@nixcanpor810]

Metti024 you can split by key range and velocity

[@swz.]

the lord of the rings to play us out 🥺🥺🥺

[@robmlisanti]

9:56 such memories of 2001

[@kidfromfrance]

What's the theme song in that last bit? I'm blanking

[@vvm583]

Lord of the Rings?

[@Paradroidx]

I'll pay Nick to serenade me to sleep with that ambient intro

[@DaveZiffer]

It does "wave sequencing", but does it have a sequencer? I see nothing about "sequencer" anywhere, including in the published Korg specs. Thanks!

[@SPAZZOID100]

Doesn’t need one.

[@DaveZiffer]

@@SPAZZOID100 I don't understand. If I want it to replay a sequence of notes that I specify, how do I do that without a sequencer?

[@johnglennon5623]

Why do you need after touch ?

[@d.ruelle67]

Bientôt j'aurai le mien 😉👍!

[@saxmidiman]

The Happy Accident/Ending machine?😎

[@jhdrummer4815]

Finally everyone can pretend to be like Hans Zimmer :-)

[@mijadevi7445]

Personaly i rather pretend to be like Vangelis on this

[@steve0525]

@@mijadevi7445 i will be ME

[@issiewizzie]

very funny just based on just korg wavestation right :)

[@wgaule]

Why would anyone do that?!

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

6:35 Before the video reached here I was looking to what else is there for me to watch. Should have lead with that performance. Anyhow I'm interested now. Which one to go for? Argon8? Hydra Synth? Wave State? Hmmmm!!

[@HotStrange]

Luke Kage I have an Argon8 and will be getting this. They’re way different in sound and synthesis methods.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

@@HotStrange yes so I see after researching it a bit more. I'm not supposed to be getting anything more synths for the studio but this one might have just changed my mind

[@terensk]

lol love the hobbit theme at the end 😆

[@MRay-zj4ro]

For someone looking for their first synth in the $800 or less range, this? Eh? Maybe the Korg Minologue XD? Something else? The objective is to learn some basic music theory and make some tunes/sound effects for game production. The samples, pads, effects onboard make this seem like a good fit to my amateur brain? Is the lack of aftertouch a huge deal? Is it possible Korg my add it later as a firmware upgrade? Thanks for your thoughts!

[@xnflg3074]

I endorse the MXD constantly because it's probably the best beginner poly analog synth for the price range.

[@WillieG1016]

Minilogue xd definitely. It’s a little more basic, and not in a bad way, it produces raw sounds. If you’re learning music theory this wavestate might drown out your individual notes with all the added layers and bells and whistles. Tougher to learn on. But then again, I mean you’d be best off learning theory on an acoustic piano. I’m rambling, but this is better for pads and two hand playing (8 notes minimum polyphony and full size keys) whereas minilogue is better for learning raw synthesis but is somewhat limited in playability (max 4 notes polyphony). Minilogue xd is also 200-300 dollars cheaper depending on sales and if you’re cool with used.

[@xnflg3074]

@@WillieG1016 Agreed, and I will also add that if you're specifically more interested in learning synthesis and not necessarily playing keyboard, the Microbrute by Arturia was my first analog synthesizer and gives a very good idea of how to utilize stuff like ADSR envelopes, targeted LFOs, oscillators and mixing waves, and it has a multimode filter.

[@Jason75913]

aftertouch can't be added via firmware, it has to come from a keyboard controller built with aftertouch hooked up to the Wavestate with a standard MIDI cable

[@aarons6467]

bro just made the uncut gems soundtrack

[@johnnyraphaell]

Are the lfos per voice or static?

[@Jason75913]

per voice

[@SanplerVarondaro]

perfect

[@EmygdioCosta]

Yeah!

[@jozefbania]

Random is not totally random you choose from list of 'nice sounding' presets without harsh crazy stuff.

[@duckwrth2472]

Should i buy this or the argon 8 as my first synth?

[@SPAZZOID100]

Only YOU can answer that.

[@Jason75913]

Argon8 is simpler, but Minilogue XD is likely an even better choice for a beginner

[@hyperspacecubed]

4:59 Offended Goat Four on the Floor?

[@robertwagner7439]

Sweet

[@Merlincat007]

What kind of price point are we looking at here?

[@alantheisen96]

$800

[@josephwright5921]

Someone said $700.00

[@urzathehappy72]

800$

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

Well, Deepmind 6/12....looks like we’ll be postponing our wedding . See, ...well...I met this other synth, and she gets me, so I’m gonna get her. No hard feelings?

[@johndean5860]

What about cv ins and outs?

[@LVCID777]

Imagine if Tangerine Dream had one of these is the Eighties

[@craigdamage]

...they would have sounded way less shitty. Their 80s sound was pretty wretched.

[@SPAZZOID100]

craigdamage Shitty?? Prophet-5, PPG, Fairlight, etc. Awful instruments. Sure. 😎

[@cnfuzz]

@@craigdamage td sounded great up till optical race , especially the early 80s ,so much unique tones

[@johndean5860]

No audio inputs for external material ???

[@zerocrossing]

People who are afraid to use software are finally getting some cool new synths.

[@urzathehappy72]

Whats good software to get instead of this?

[@zerocrossing]

Roger [kirbydudelol] Waters The list is huge. Lots of great stuff. I’d head over to KVR and lurk for a bit and see what people are chatting about. One of the All time favorites is Zebra. Not a wavesequencing monster, but it has wave sequencing and a ton more. The HZ version (an add on for $100) includes the well modeled filters of classic analogs, so that’s more like the Wavestate’s analog filter models. Wusikstation also has wavesequencing, but I’ve never had much luck with it. These days a lot of wavetable synths allow you to build your wave table and sequence it. Many, like Serum and Icarus will let you create wavetables from any sample. Then there are powerhouses like Omnisphere 2 and Falcon that have tons of synthesis capabilities.

[@johndean5860]

Can I Import My Old Wavestation Patches?

[@HotStrange]

John Dean according to guitar centers website, this comes with all the original Wavestation sound packs.

[@johndean5860]

Thanks I Didn’t Know

[@crimsonweather]

This Synth will be amazing in creating cheesy-90s-lovescenes-in-horror-movies!

[@MRay-zj4ro]

Don’t music for early 2000’s angst ridden indy flicks...

[@SPAZZOID100]

Mostafa El-Sayed ??????

[@crimsonweather]

@@SPAZZOID100 ??????????????

[@Riktenstein]

Reminds me of Omnisphere.

[@MrClarkio]

Riktenstein totally agree. Omnisphere is my favorite soft synth so I'm very tempted by this, it sounds like it has a very useable palette. I guess one difference is omnipshere does actually have oscillators with hard sync ring mod etc. It's not entirely samples (although most of it is)

[@ardehekmat]

Anybody knows?

[@Matt4star]

You could use this for mono bass lines as wave changes too, right? Just curious, everything is about the poly wave change side. Just would like to know if it can fit that versatility.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Why should it??

[@Matt4star]

Spazzoid Studio I’m thinking about buying it so I would like to know. The scape transitions are sweet.

[@nelseninc]

Does it have built-in speakers

[@jrlx86]

No

[@MicaelAzevedo]

yes

[@darwinsaye]

Everybody whinging about how it should have been a module - you know you don’t *have to* use the keyboard ffs. But some of us appreciate it being there.

[@darwinsaye]

lonkchase I know why some people would want modules, but there are still players out their who like to play more than one synth at a time. Module’s should be offered as a less expensive option for folks who might want that, but a keyless module shouldn’t be the only option of a synth offered.

[@vladimirkovalenko7298]

Don't get it. Why its called synth if its a rompler?

[@Kkidzz]

I love the Argon8

[@BubbaSatori]

Must be using Apple Maps.

[@drumlesstrance]

Wait, a multi-timbral polysynth with tons of voices and a... three octave keyboard with no aftertouch? Why do synth companies do this?

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Because the keyboard is just for reference or using in a tight spot....but most of the time you will have it hooked up to your master midi keyboard.

[@dikkeskieven484]

@@fortheloveofnoise if that were the case, then they should put out a desktop version instead of this half assed keyboard

[@Zwopper]

Agree, and no aftertouch! What gives?

[@HotStrange]

This style of synthesis and synth doesn’t make use of aftertouch much. It’s also pretty far down the list of features for *most* people and it’s expensive. I can see why they left it off.

[@padmad3k63]

@@fortheloveofnoise What a load of BS. That will suck for live playing. It should have 61 keys PERIOD! All poly synths with a keyboard should have 61 keys! Which stupid asshole decided to attach a 3 octave keyboard to this synth? They could better release it as a module, that would make way more sense. You can't play with two hands on this synth at all because of the 3 octaves.

[@Jason75913]

daaaang

[@dirkkeersmaekers4343]

WOWOWOWOWOWOOOOOOOOOOWWWW