KORG WAVESTATION - Better than the Wavestate?

Welcome to Wave Sequencing 1.0
The Korg Wavestation was released in 1990, and changed the game forever with what digital synths could do. This thing still sounds incredible. David Wise used this baby to score the Donkey Kong Country series of games for the Super Nintendo and so it's instant member berries for me.
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Of course Korg released the Wavestate last year, but to me, the sound just isn't there compared to the original.

[@ErwinSchrodinger64]

I was barely a teenager when I first heard of the Korg Wavestation. I remember the Korg M1 at our church. Reminiscing about our youth pastor, Johnny, always talking about the church getting a Korg Wavestation. The music director said we had no reason in purchasing a synthesizer that created sounds from "outer space". At the time, I didn't know it, I was to become an electronic music junkie (I've been a techno, progressive house, progressive breaks, ambient, downtempo, and anything sophisticated, in sound DJ for over 20 years). I will NEVER forget the day the youth pastor was taking me home from youth fellowship and asked me if it was OK to go to a music store. It had a Wavestation on display. For the next two hours later, Johnny played on that Wavestation, it was the most mind blowing 2 hours of my life. There was no internet in the 90's or any other medium to hear the latest developments in synthesizer technology. I didn't know music like that could exists. It's 20 years later. While I've been a DJ, earned my doctorate in chemical physics, I've finally built the courage and monetary means in producing electronic music. I've bought a Korg Wavestate and Korg Kronos and a plethora of other gear. Johnny, my youth pastor, died some time ago. He saw the desire I had for electronic music. He told me to NEVER to let it go. I'm keeping my promise. Watching this video reminds me so much how Johnny said the Wavestation was an instrument that was so ahead of its time. Few understood its full potential and power. Thank you, Vulture Culture. You've just reinforced my decision into the entering the synthesizer world. It's not cheap, requires considerable time in learning... scared as hell... but I'm glad I'm here. I can only hope that Korg does a dedicated flagship synthesizer, like the Wavestation soon.

[@VultureCulture]

What a touching story! I too learned a lot playing in youth group bands. The Wavestation still makes me feel "how did they do that??" And she's 30 years old now. Thank you for dropping by my channel and sharing your story, it's people like you that make all the difference in making content. Have fun slaying the keys 🎹

[@travisguide4516]

This was a inspiring comment I too loved hearing music from my youth group and started a band to celebrate the brotherhood I felt and fellowship with the new youth

[@VultureCulture]

A great way to get the Wavestation sound if you don't care about the keyboard.

[@musicman4christjesus]

I was there too my friend. Too poor and too young, but with dreams. We had to settle with the Roland D20. Later when the Korg Trinity came out with a Touch Screen! I was totally engulfed in 🤤 drool. I couldn't sleep, eat or anything I had to have it. Waited for it for so long and finally got the Korg Trinity V3! I still have it after so many years it's my main Midi controller now. But can you believe, I have the Korg Wavestation with all the presets ever made as an app in my. IPad? Seriously! Only $20 bucks and the entire thing is literally there. Unbelievable!

[@dare2win215]

WOW! I read every word. Beautiful story. Thanks for taking us on this journey.

[@quazrmusic]

I was a salesman in the Keyboard Department in the 90s when this keyboard arrived. It was and still is like no other. Thank You Angels for sending me another Wavestation EX 🕊️

[@nachom1971]

The wavestation is an undisputed pad master in the synth universe.

[@VultureCulture]

The Pad Daddy ™️

[@somethingbad2460]

@@VultureCulture PAD DADDY LMAO

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

The thing is for years I used to think ," yeah jd990 is the best early 90s pad machine." Now I'm thinking boy there is something so special about the waveststation sound.

[@VultureCulture]

The JD-800/990 is much easier to interact with, but the Wavestation patches are incredible

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

@@VultureCulture Think you hit the nail on the head brother 👊🏾👊🏾

[@ExilesGate]

Awesome video man! Thanks for posting! Wavestation is one of my favourite synths!

[@VultureCulture]

Nothing beats these patches, even 30 years later

[@leandrusi4533]

I bought Wavestation SR in the late 2000´s. Musicians had stopped using hardware synth modules at that time. This instrument BLEW MY MIND, and it still does. I absolutely LOVE it.

[@VultureCulture]

Still the GOAT

[@JohnMoser66]

Loved this video! I bought my first Wavestation in 1992 used. Then sold it, then bought another back, then sold it, then bought another. You get the picture. Fast forward to May 2023, I own two of them (EX keyboard & A/D rack version) & nearly every card ever made for it. You are so spot on about this synth being in a league of its own. I also owned the Prophet VS but never liked it as I did the WS. Thanks for making such a great video about it!

[@VultureCulture]

I'm glad you enjoyed it 🙏 It truly is one of a kind. I wish WaveState had the same mojo

[@dannymolns3573]

I can grab one for $400 and it's a perfect mint. Worth it? I have the Wavestate VST. Ahh advice plz

[@VultureCulture]

@dannymolns3573 I think that's a great buy!

[@dlichtenberg]

I like your bluntness in your reaction to the sounds... wasn't expected! need more of that on youtube

[@VultureCulture]

I always try my best! Thank you!

[@IndependantMind168]

I had the free Korg trinity vst pack(from unknown sources) back in the mid 2000's and was blown away by the inspiration they gave me in making music on the DAW. So much so that I purchased the latest vst's from Korg recently. They're just so good for inspiration. I specifically remember the wavestation and the M1. They're just so much fun for anyone with any experience level to sit down and play.

[@VultureCulture]

The Korg digital VST's are great

[@musicman4christjesus]

Never heard of the Korg Trinity VST pack

[@cmdess]

I just did a short video on how to morph sounds with Logics smart controls because it enables the power to crossfade between different synths. That was before I found out about the wavestation! Those guys totally hit the nail on the head in terms of getting the power of crossfading the instant I heard it it reminded me of the cool percolating grooves of the 90s. Using sample based synths or multiple synths to "crossfade" provides a more powerful impact than traditional synth parameter based crossfading somehow. Once you add the sample architecture that means you can crossfade into anything and then add supplemental effects to further gel the sounds. Yes, the wavestation is absolutely one of the most unique synths I've heard as well, especially for the time. Not only are the morphs good, not only are the grooves good, not only are the sounds rich and unique and musical, but as you mention they have a "life" of their own and continue to modulate in subtle ways the longer you hold the key down. This synth is so insane 2 people can play the same preset and it doesn't sound the same. lol.

[@44lala16]

Lets all join together and love the Wavestation and the Wavestate

[@Dickgoodbody]

Great vid, covered this insane piece of hardware well, thanks ... just sold a Alesis Ion, M1, D50 & JP8000 as needed space, but no way would we ever consider quiting the Wavestation, just luv this sucker waaay to...

[@VultureCulture]

I agree! It's great that Wavestation isn't a crazy expensive vintage synth, both so newcomers can get one and also they're not worth selling if you don't have to.

[@OlegPankoff]

The main wavesequence of the patch at 21:19 ("The Pharaon's Jig") was used by Bjork (or her keyboard programmers) in the song "Human behaviour" from her first solo album. My 3 kopecks. ;-)

[@VultureCulture]

Awesome! Thank you for the tip, that'll probably become a synth quiz

[@Thought-Forms]

awesome overview! agreed that the wavestation is still one of a kind. picked up the A/D rack version a few months ago and its insane. gotta say, programming the rack version is actually very doable unlike most rack mounts. combine that with the amazing sound...thing is timeless

[@VultureCulture]

I've heard the A/D is really the way to go, programming on the EX sucks lol. Plus you have the vocoder right?

[@Thought-Forms]

@@VultureCulture at the very least, at least you get the same "big" screen on the EX LOL. and yea exactly! it has stereo input on the back for some crazyness. also if you haven't (you may have mentioned it), check out the Waverex PCM card. Let's you load your own samples and waveforms into the unit which breathes so much more life into the thing

[@IRIDEHARLEYS]

Digging the sounds so much. Ordered a Wavestate to have some fun with the detailed sounds. It is pretty incredible with headphones too. So trippy. Gotta love what Dave Smith and the Sequential team brought to the table for Korg. Wouldn't have the OG or the Wavestate had it not been for them. I really like how you showcase the sounds in this vid. Looking forward to new videos bro!

[@VultureCulture]

Awesome! I can't wait for the WaveState se! Hopefully I'll have some new synth videos out in the not too distant future

[@IRIDEHARLEYS]

@@VultureCulture I want the Wavestate SE. I didn't want to wait for it so I pulled the trigger and got the Wavestate with the updated firmware to add my own patches. It has some of the original wavestation patches that I love too. I could listen to them all day.

[@VultureCulture]

I didn't know it had any of the original patches! That's awesome. And yeah, those patches just keep evolving. They keep your ear guessing. Still unrivaled.

[@yvanroustan4426]

Hello ! thank you for this video ! a question : is it possible to use all the knobs + joystick of the new wavestate to pilot vst like Omnisphere for example ?

[@VultureCulture]

I don't have a Wavestate so I haven't tried, but in theory you should be able to midi learn every knob and button to function with Omnisphere. You're much better off using one of Omnisphere Hardware Integration synths which have already been premapped for you, like a Prologue or Minilogue XD (if you want to stick with Korg)

[@yvanroustan4426]

@@VultureCulture thank you for your reply !

[@jimibarrz]

Thank you for the showcase of super cool soundscapes! How would you compare this board to the Karma tech like on the M3? Also, does it send midi controls out if you wanted to trigger the sequence to an external module like a Motif or even a Triton Rack?

[@VultureCulture]

So, if I understand your question correctly, the Wavestation does not have an onboard sequencer. Anytime you hear the bass lines that sound sequenced it's actually just the Wave Sequence. So there's no real way to use it as a sequencer, although it does send midi note out and the joystick. I can't compare it to Karma because I've never used one of those synths, but I've heard the recreation of the Wavestation or wave sequencing in the newer korg synths is exceptional, some claiming it's better than the WaveState, which I also have no experience in 😜

[@jimibarrz]

@@VultureCulture got it! Thanks for your answer. The Karma tech is very cool as it pushes your individual note information through midi from the generated sequences created within the hardware. It's a truly magical experience if you haven't experienced it yet!

[@VultureCulture]

I'll have to look into it!

[@Tommy-zh8ko]

Such a gorgeous box this synth is! Recently picked up an EX in top condition complete with noisy keys and dim (but buzz-less) display! Even editing sounds gets pretty straightforward once you get over its menu structure, It's pretty similar to the VST to some extend. RAM1 patch 049 (DebussyonWheels) is no doubt one of the most beautiful sounds I ever heard!

[@VultureCulture]

I really need to learn this synth, I've taken way too long to get there.

[@TokyoScarab]

I was having a read through the manual and it says that each wave sequence can be up to 255 steps :000. Though you get 32 wave sequences per bank and each bank can only hold up to a total of 500 steps between all wave sequences in that bank. So if you wanted, you could just have a lesser number of sequences in a bank but they're long AF lol

[@VultureCulture]

It is truly mind-bending and ridiculously extra for 1990 😂

[@drill2.087]

I bought mine in 95, sold it in mid 2000’s, plan on getting another

[@VultureCulture]

Now's a great time!

[@Setherian]

Can I control like 16 different parameters with external CCs though? If I recall right the midi implementation was simple.

[@VultureCulture]

I believe you can! But that will not even begin to help with the programming there is so much going on under the hood lol

[@markusfritsch6903]

Still got mine, bought in 1990... and loving it! :)

[@VultureCulture]

The greatest of all time!

[@robcosh9754]

Amazing video man! Just grabbed an EX - sooooo much reliving my college days drooling over my buddy's M1 and the O1-W and Wavestation at the local music store. Totally loving it. Any suggestions for an editor/librarian that works on MACOS Catalina?

[@VultureCulture]

I don't know anything about Mac's unfortunately! Glad you enjoyed the video and enjoy the greatest synth ever made 🙏

[@ColdGrayMorning]

You have good broadcast voice 👍

[@VultureCulture]

Thank you very much!

[@CokChopBeats]

This is the same keyboard used to make the Apple startup sound

[@VultureCulture]

Correct!

[@thekaniack]

I had the O1W-FD and miss it almost every day...

[@gerarddip]

“Theodore-Tugboat-wave”

[@VultureCulture]

😂😂😂

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

Any idea if these have anything that tends to need fixing first? Curious about maintenance $$ expectations. Found a great deal on one up here, no cards though

[@VultureCulture]

I did a quick Google search but nothing major seems to have shown up. I have a dead key on mine but that could happen on any synth.

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

Is there any place u can get tons of patches and upload them in similar to the dx7?

[@VultureCulture]

www.danphillips.com/wavestation/ws_sysex.htm

[@drsamurai009]

When it hit the music stores, this was the first instrument I bought brand new. Before this my keyboards were used analog because they were out of fashion due to the DX-7. (I know how lucky I was, believe me.) Between this digital monster, and my Prophet 5 I was in Dave Smith bliss. Still have both today. Korg put out the Wavestation in an iOS app (along with being able to in-app purchase ALL the extra sound cards.) The app has the bonus of a resonant filter. Not quite a Moog ladder filter, but a big step considering the OG was stuck using Yamaha chip technology and they were so dialed into FM, that the synth chips they made had no resonant filters. That's the reason the Yamaha and Korg synths (M-1, 01W and so on) of that era have no resonance. Blame Yamaha. You have to be careful when programming the Wavestation. The Performance is the top level which uses one or more Patches. Basically every Performance is sort of a Multi group of Patches. Because of this, some Performances use the same Patch, and if you edit a Patch for one specific Performance, it will change in the other Performance as well. It's the nature of the beast.

[@VultureCulture]

Yeah - I haven't even bothered trying to program it for that reason. One day I hope for something that sounds like the Wavestation but is easy to program. The wavestate doesn't do it for me - although maybe a "vintage" mode in a firmware update might

[@marksmusicplace3627]

i have the wavestation vst plugin and I love it. Truly amazing sounds

[@VultureCulture]

Really captures 99% of the original. I use the TAL DAC plugin after it to try to get it closer to the lower rez sound of the original

[@g-soul4771]

@@VultureCulture I use isotope neuron mixing rack, I cut the brightness and fullness, bass and clarity.

[@VultureCulture]

I wish the VST had the wavesequencing view where you can see the individual samples!

[@rafaelkalin3877]

The lead sound around 4:30 is incredible. I still love my Wavestation EX. 🙂

[@VultureCulture]

Yes, a powerhouse of a sound!

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

The 1990 Yamaha SY22 had vector synthesis, so the influence from Dave Smith was sure there in Yamaha as well as Korg

[@AnalogFlava]

how is this sy22 compared to this or jd990?

[@VultureCulture]

@AnalogFlava I think the sy22 is a cool little synth but it's not going to compare to the WS or JD

[@pyrexcarrier]

Oh my god, those tones!

[@VultureCulture]

The absolute best

[@andykeys74]

You forget just how stunning some of those Wavestation sounds are. Glorious.

[@VultureCulture]

They are the greatest presets of all time

[@doordedeur]

The Wavestation EX is still my favourite synth. Unfortunately it broke down too many times, so I had to sell it. Many people think the Wavestation is impossible to program, but in fact it is easier to program than many other synths of its time, due to the macro and copy functions. I could reprogram every synth sound by ear I heard on a record by ear on the Wavestation EX, even my old Yamaha Electone organ. No sampler was needed.

[@VultureCulture]

You must be a god to program a WS! 😂

[@doordedeur]

The Wavestation is a deep synthesizer, but for creating Juno-like patches you don't need to do a lot.

[@wesyang]

This video inspired me to buy a Wavestation instead of a Triton at the same price. We'll see if I was taken in by your enthusiasm rather than the sound itself...

[@VultureCulture]

The sound is incredible! The new HCard 101 coming out next month has a lot more "bread and butter" sounds you'd get on the Triton than the internal presets of the Wavestation

[@garyhendrie4001]

I remember demoing it new in Soundcontrol back in the day. Very impressive keyboard. I settled on an sy85 at the time as my first synth. Great box too.

[@VultureCulture]

Would love to try out a SY85 at some point!

[@garyhendrie4001]

@@VultureCulture it was a great synth too. Think i chose that as it gave me more scope for learni g to play as it had a lot more conventional sounds so to speak of. The wavestation wasn't really aimed at that market. Got the software of both the wavestation and wavestate. You should stick with it, you can program some pretty decent sounds out of it. Could never have dreamed of such power back in the day. Got a EX5 and Z1 now, they take care of keyboard duties, but damn im tempted with that wavestate.

[@spacemanonearth]

Have one, an EX with all the cards Ram & Rom, as well as countless presets that were made back them. But it was very hard to program patches. But do have multiple Wavestation software editors and librarians that help a lot. Was and is still a great synth. Thanks for reviewing this 1990ish Synth of old, yea digital but wow, it was my first synth. Is in storage, hope the battery or old computers still have all I need to bring it back into a good state.

[@VultureCulture]

It really is the greatest 🙏🙏

[@Ambientnauts]

One of my first loves. Can't speak for the Wavestate, but people don't understand that with the VST version you won't hear the slightly dirty yet airy digital filter or converter you do on say the EX. Now I have the Wavestation AD. Agree on the mystery, it sounds like something is about to happen. Ghostly X-Files eerie.

[@VultureCulture]

Yes! They could have added an emulation of the converter on the WaveState - called it vintage mode or whatever. I do love the VST though because it does get 98% of the way there. Putting TAL's dac emulation on it gets it even further

[@Ambientnauts]

@@VultureCulture Excellent will have to try. Was adding 6db lowpass filter at 10khz for VST version, to get warmth and body. But didn't quite get there when trying additional things to emulate the converter. It's funny the M1 (to my ears) had no real special character in it's converter but the Wavestation did/does.

[@VultureCulture]

Agreed - or at least that D to A isn't really chewing up the breathy, glassy textures of the WS

[@WesslansFilmprod]

Hi Vulture Culture! Lovely video you made of the "mighty and behemoth" Korg Wavestation EX. The Wavestation EX is very near and dear to my heart. It was my very first synthesizer. Love this "little rascal" to bits.... :P Do you plan to make a video about your own WS patches in the future? I would love to hear what you have cocked up on the Wavestation EX.... :P This synthesizer is actually a "breeze" to program when compered to the DX-7. The only thing that's stopping you to programing it is it's menu system and all the parts per "program" (performance). That's how I felt before I got to know it as I do today. The threshold might sound big but when your over it you find your way around the menus and it's sound structure you will find it very joyful to program (even if you do something very simple). Even to this day I found something new or a new way of doing things within the Wavestation EX. Have owned mine since 2007, you learn a lot from 14 years.... Some of the sounds you played are made by using the 8 parts per "program" (performance) or less as sort of a block or segment. E.g. each of the parts is used as a "segment or block" to construct individual segments that when played together forms the final sound (most of the times a complex end result). But some of the ones you played are even more complex. Some sounds have the segment / block structure within a part to allow the user/programmer to push the boundaries of the 8 parts even more or to have more "room" for even more complexity. I would almost go as far as calling this a "somewhat" a semi modular synthesizer.... And no I'm not kidding. Complexity is it's ace and that's why I love this "little rascal" to bits.... :P 4 waves or wave sequences per part x 8 parts = AWESOME! This is the reason how and why the WS can make big, lush, amazing, awesome and fantastic sounding soundscapes, pads/strings, strange noises, rhythmic craziness, custom made arpeggios, "home made / DIY" wavetable waves and more that are beyond breathtaking for sure. It would be awesome to see more people program this mighty and a behemoth to a synth and see what they can cock up.... As many vintage and modern digital synthesizer this has its "quirks" and so on. And I love them all.... I might plan to film a video series (for youtube) of programming this mighty synthesizer. But first I have to finish another project first. Some of my Wavestation sounds can be found here. soundcloud.com/user-110266488/revolt-demo?si=21bbc1c89a3444838148fac99e7baedc Cheers Daniel, host of Eat and Listen channel

[@VultureCulture]

Wow dude awesome comment; I am not planning on programming my Wavestation unfortunately, the buttons are in pretty bad disrepair, so it's a nightmare. I'd love to see how to though if you have any resources, especially videos

[@WesslansFilmprod]

@@VultureCulture Currently I don't have any videos about the WS. But I plan to make a introduction film and then a programming series of some sort. If you have any idea or want a certain subject for the programming series, I'm all ears.... I do know that there was one guy on youtube who made a video or two (a very long time ago) about programming the Wavestation. Unfortunately that's it when it comes to programming this mighty and behemoth synthesizer, unless someone have else has done a video about this topic (under the radar for me). Cheers Daniel, host of Eat and Listen channel

[@whatistau]

the coolest thing i did was split keyboard into voices or patches and making whole music tracks with it. amazing synth, like i was in 90s neo noir sci fi flick

[@VultureCulture]

Its patches are the greatest of all time!

[@portalcomplexstudio]

This is also my all time favorite synth. I use it in all my comision work and personal projects. Great to see you have the EX

[@VultureCulture]

The greatest sounding synth of all time. Still so inspiring

[@portalcomplexstudio]

@VultureCulture I still haven't received my blue led screen. $150 cad off ebay

[@portalcomplexstudio]

So if this is the grampa the grandson would be the wavestate?

[@VultureCulture]

@portalcomplexstudio what's the middle generation lol?

[@portalcomplexstudio]

@VultureCulture uncle minilouge xd haha

[@barrygroeneveld6901]

I noticed that Tony Banks (Genesis) used one in their Rome 2007 concert. I was quite surprised that he used this "old" beast, while the Triton and Oasys where already in the market... He also had an OASYS in his rig, which he hardly used. It's possible that the WS was also used as midi keyboard, because he used the WS 80% of the time.

[@VultureCulture]

It is a decent midi keyboard, and I think you'd know if it was all he was playing

[@nickfilth]

Whoa an Inaeona shirt! Friends of mine, that’s awesome to see!

[@VultureCulture]

InAeona is the most inspiring band I've ever seen. I hope to one day make music in the ballpark of theirs.

[@nickfilth]

@@VultureCulture my band and theirs played together a lot. My band is called KYOTY we loved playing with them. Unfortunately haven’t seen them since pre-Covid when we last played together.

[@VultureCulture]

Dude that's crazy! I've listened to you guys because I heard you guys played with them! I love your music! I'll have to check out your album Isolation - I haven't kept up with your releases! I took a deep dive into the whole space metal thing after I discovered InAeona.

[@khawk2012]

I bet Dave is laughing at you from above. Saying "you've just touched the surface " 😂.. That synth is amazing! Thanks for covering it...

[@VultureCulture]

Just barely! Thank you!

[@Bigmojo75]

Wavestation has been my favourite synth since it came out. The Wavestate is a real leap forward, it’s immense, especially for the money. But the Wavestation is still a favourite synth of all time and always will be.

[@VultureCulture]

I'm waiting for the SE to bite the bullet on it

[@curtiseverett1671]

can you use the joystick for lead solos, or is it only for cross fading?

[@VultureCulture]

Just for cross fading unfortunately

[@curtiseverett1671]

@@VultureCulture Thx

[@phillipmarnik]

Picking up a Wavestation SR today, will be a nice addition to my setup!

[@VultureCulture]

Nice! Thats a great unit, the rack mount wavestations are great

[@koelekahuna9370]

One Finger LSO is an amazing patch.

[@phillipmarnik]

Found it on ROM 10:33, classic early 90's.

[@VultureCulture]

Heck yes

[@_oscillator]

Have you tried any programming and if so what software do you use? Creating performances, patches and wave sequences is very inconvenient from the front panel of the synth, especially on the SR model.

[@MaladarGaming]

Not gonna lie dude, your synth review hit differently. Every time I watch one of your videos I go looking for that synth on reverb lol. BTW: Have you tried the Wavestation VST or any other Korg vst from the Collection?

[@VultureCulture]

I have the whole Legacy collection. The Wavestation VST is awesome, and honestly I use it more than I use the hardware just because it has so many more presets and sounds great!

[@MaladarGaming]

@VultureCulture Thanks a lot for your input man!

[@lundsweden]

I love the Wavestation too, although I have it on iPad and the VST. I find the complexity of the patches sometimes makes it hard to use in lead sound roles and it can sound hard to place in the context of a song/mix IMO. But if you have the patience to master it, it's still a very, very powerful and versatile synthesizer.

[@VultureCulture]

Yeah I almost never use it for a lead sound, just because the wavestation practically begs to be used as the pad or primary rhythm-based backing element of a song.

[@lundsweden]

The Wavestation also has Sequential Inside! Dong-dong-dong! Well at least the wavetables from the Prophet VS. Actually how similar/different are the two synth?

[@VultureCulture]

Pretty different - almost opposite strengths. WS is all about motion and the incredible Wave sequencing, but don't expect classic analog sounds. VS has that incredible Sequential sound, with the flexibility of hybrid architecture, but don't expect anything as complex and motion-centric as the WS.

[@jjrtech7806]

I'm on the fence on this. There is EX for sale on eBay for around $300, but my question is this: considering that korg have already got this in vst form in the legacy collection and have updated the concept in Wavestate, apart from the historical and physical aspect of it, is it worth buying one in 2024?

[@VultureCulture]

It's for the sound. WaveState is awesome but doesn't sound like a Wavestation at all, instead a very modern clean digital sound like a VST (which it is.) I love the Wavestation VST. It's a little too clean but I think that it comes with all the expansion cards and patches makes up for it.

[@NicolasMelis]

sounds great🎹

[@VultureCulture]

Thank you 🙏

[@danaoldenburg4772]

I bought and still have one of the first A/Ds (which had the expanded ROM….AND analog inputs which could be used for vocoding. They also could be assigned to act as a sound source/oscillator and be vectored in your patch, our be in your wave sequence… You could also use the unit as an fx box in a pinch…). I also purchased the Wavestate, but the WS A/D is still my fave. I bought most of the card library for the WS. It is only fair to mention the iWAVESTATION for iPad. A faithful, programmable version with a few extra tricks up its sleeve. Don’t get me wrong; I’m a hardware guy, but my iPad is chock full of music apps (and their IAPs) especially the Korg apps! Cheers, bro! I enjoy your videos.✌🏻😎🎹🌴🌞 P.S. the entire sound library including a card from the Legacy Collection is either in, or available for the app. -Saw your face on Excalibur patch… Call up ELP’s Black Moon; the first sounds you will hear are the O1W & WS…

[@VultureCulture]

Thank you for the info about the iPad app! And I'll definitely check out that patch! I love the legacy collection version, but I agree that the D to A's on the OG WS is where it's at

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Alex, very interesting.

[@VultureCulture]

Thank you Alex!

[@kevinstoneham1245]

There was a performance on the SR called Debussy on Wheels. It was so good.

[@VultureCulture]

I'll have to check it out!

[@djdigital3806]

I own a Wavestation EX. My favorite. Just as good as my brand new Roland Fantom06 Synthesizer! Subscribed✔️

[@VultureCulture]

Thank you for the sub 🙏

[@percussiveelements470]

Wave sequencing or something similar was available on the ensoniq ts range and the asr I believe and that kinda of wave sequence is what brought me here I’m have to buy one just to see if it’s possible to get it sync with ensoniq wave sequencing beaut synth good review

[@VultureCulture]

It was possible with the TS range for sure but not nearly as deeply as on the WS.

[@percussiveelements470]

@@VultureCulture i know i'm debating the station or the state to add to my colection looks like it will pair perfectly with my ensoinqs

[@ExilesGate]

It was used on the KLF Chillout Tape😎

[@VultureCulture]

Nice!

[@pissmilker2313]

Does it have the "wavesong" and "fire dance" patches from the original wavestation?

[@VultureCulture]

Yes.

[@pissmilker2313]

Those two are my favourites. It would be a real shame if they get left out from Wavestate/ Wavestate SE

[@VultureCulture]

They did. This video is about the Wavestation EX from 1991.

[@pissmilker2313]

@@VultureCulture Ah man, do they at least have the skijam patch on the Wavestate?

[@VultureCulture]

Not that I'm aware of

[@tomstegeman4344]

The preset "Lassie Come Home" on ROM 3 Bank puts me in such a dreamy fog of blissed-out tranquility. Programming seems like it would be much easier on Wavestate. I have Wavestation EX and you are right, the display/front panel looks like a fuckin ipod nano or some fruity metro Ikea coffee table: It's just a minimalist smooth oblong surface with like 4 buttons on it and a little slit for a menu screen. It took me a really long time to learn how to roughly program and understand the parameters of Roland D50 patches. I wouldn't even know where to START with a Wavestation if I wanted to make my own sounds because there is a 5th dimension of complexity multiplied upon the normal parameters of a typical digital LA synth like a D50.

[@VultureCulture]

The Wavestation is unprogrammable by modern standards. Such a shame because I love the sound!

[@IndependantMind168]

Get the VST.

[@offworldsynths2019]

Great video!

[@VultureCulture]

Thank you! 🖤

[@Massivecarcrash]

00:49 Insta nostalgia. It's funny because I cant think of a single piece of music I've heard that synth in, but I've seen so many european and japanese tv shows/films with that sound in it or something very similar.

[@VultureCulture]

The Wavestation is an absolute nostalgia monster!

[@johndean5860]

Do the arpeggiators output midi?

[@VultureCulture]

There's actually no arpeggiator on the Wavestation. Anything that sounds arpeggiated is actually just the Wave Sequencing. Crazy how much they did with so little.

[@towardstar]

the wavestate is missing the important character saturation element that made the wavestation. something that calls itself a successor to the wavestation shouldn't sound crystalline clear

[@VultureCulture]

I couldn't agree more! I can't imagine it would have been hard to add a vintage mode option that bit reduced the output internally. It just doesn't give that character and feeling the original had!

[@towardstar]

@@VultureCulture this is the same dismay I had with the JD XA. people that loved the jd800 are religious about it because it has that early digital sound signature that does a certain thing that nothing before or after has done as well, or maybe been interested in doing as well. it could be the old DACs that is the secret, im not sure.

[@mateodeo9161]

The Wavestate should have had a mode for lower sample frequency rate, which the Wavestation most probably have. I doubt it is more than 32kHz.

[@mateodeo9161]

@@towardstar DACs and the filter, plus sample frequency rate.

[@Gibson1976uk]

@@mateodeo9161 hopefully a firmware might do something for this in the future?

[@alexsmart5452]

isnt the Korg Wavestation basically a Sequential's ProphetVS in KORG clothing? Im new to all this synth stuff but from everything Ive read and watched on the Wavestation that seems correct. But, Is it? assuming thats true, then why is the Wavestation 1/10th the price(used) of a (used)Sequential's ProphetVS? I can get a WavestationEX for $550 bucks, but the Sequential's ProphetVS is $5000-$6000. Is it just the name or is there a reason for the extra $5000?! or am I missing something?

[@VultureCulture]

Actually, the Wavestation is much, much more than a Sequential VS. The VS uses wave tables but without using the joystick there isn't much movement in the sound compared to the wavesequencing of the Wavestation. Not to say that the VS doesn't sound amazing, but its patches would seem very simple next to the WS. Their only connection is Dave Smith worked on both and he brought the joystick of the VS over to the WS. There are a few reasons for the huge price disparity. The biggest is supply / demand. Korg sold the shit out of the Wavestation and was a well-oiled machine at cranking out workstations built like tanks, so most have survived until today. The VS is plagued with issues and hard to come by parts, and was produced at a time when Sequential was facing bankruptcy, so not nearly as many were made. Additionally any synth manufactured by the big American companies that went out of business (Moog, ARP, Oberheim + Sequential) are going to cost way more based on the name. The VS was also Sequential's last synth, adding to the mystique. Finally, the VS has analog filters, which the WS doesn't, and although synth snobs tend to turn their noses up at synths like the DW-8000, which has the same architecture as the VS, they seem to overlook the digital oscillators because Sequential made it.

[@alexsmart5452]

@@VultureCulture Thanks for the reply and the in depth info.

[@amonster8mymother]

Yes it sounds beautiful but when you go to sync with midi you may have to change sequences to match what you are doing not all the sequences are 8 bar or 16 bar. Also you may get 4 sequences max 8f you want to change the sequence length you may have to use only 2 sequences or one. So limited memory at the time limited how you can use the sequences.

[@malcolmgregoire1019]

I was debating getting a Wavestate but found Wavestation patches on the InterWeb for my Kronos SE. They were the KRS-55 patches from KARO on the Korg website. For $29.00 how can you go wrong, unless you don't have a Kronos yet. I think those patches are a step ahead of the Wavestate. I'll save my money for something else, maybe a Montage or a Fantom.

[@VultureCulture]

I didn't know you could load Wavestation patches into a Kronos! That's so cool. I wonder why that's not a feature on the Wavestate

[@jgh548]

The Kronos has the entire Wavestation ROM built in, but not the patches.

[@WVandellHarris]

I finally picked one up and it’s the best synth purchase i ever made! The Effects the WSex are ridiculous😮

[@VultureCulture]

It's an incredible synth!

[@WVandellHarris]

@@VultureCulture and thank you tremendously! It was your spotlight of the EX that made me realize that this was in fact the last stone needed to complete my gauntlet

[@nixinedoesvgm]

and to boot, one of the best feeling synth actions, at least to me. it's clacky but such a satisfying clacky.

[@nixinedoesvgm]

LOL your reaction to glider was my initial reaction to it

[@VultureCulture]

There is a satisfying clack 😂

[@yeotao]

Yes the key action for Wavestation is surprisingly good! The way it reacts after each press n hit and that bounce, even better than the Triton n N364, though these were manufactured later.

[@koelekahuna9370]

@@yeotao It's the standard Yamaha pro keybed used in the M1, T-series, O1/W, WS, Trinity, Triton etc. The Z, N, X all used a Fatar keybed.

[@ShallRemainUnknown]

@@koelekahuna9370 Yes, it's a Yamaha FS keybed, used in all top Yamahas since DX7, and Korgs from M1 to Triton.

[@amonster8mymother]

The drum pad!!!

[@mitchelstephen7536]

Sweet. But when I bought my Prophet VS, I gave my Wavestation to my daughter.

[@VultureCulture]

I'm glad you passed on such a classic instrument to a new generation!

[@fortheloveofnoise]

not all of us can afford a Prophet VS 😅

[@diversionesconvenuslausinr8791]

I have had an ex wavestation like this and it was difficult to program anything. It is much easier like the m1, the dx7 if it is terrible. I changed it for a boutique sh 01a and I regret the wavestate doesn't sound the same. and in the mixes it sounds huge. in fact this week i am going to buy a wavestation A/D with new screen and all the cards !!!!

[@VultureCulture]

That's awesome!

[@kptamc]

As a previous owner of a Wavestation and a recent purchaser of the Wavestate and Modwave, I agree wholeheartedly with the author of this video. I thought the Wavestate would be much better than the Wavestation but it wasn't. I was just reluctant to pick up up a 30 year old piece of electronics so I bought the newer ones. Korg would have been better of making a reproduction of the original (61 keys + after touch) and adding more samples. After touch on the keys allowed you to do some impossible modulation of the wave samples.

[@VultureCulture]

Such a shame! Maybe one day we'll get a vintage mode on WaveState - that would be worth it for me

[@kptamc]

Today I was lucky enough to receive on a deal off Reverb a Wavestation SR! Using the Wavestate as the controller. WOW! I forgot how really good the Wavestation was. Even though I don't have aftertouch on the Wavestate keyboard, it is great to have the Wavestation SR paired up. Also using a Modwave on the MIDI chain. I just couldn't find a Wavestation EX in good enough condition to justify taking a chance on it.

[@VultureCulture]

That's amazing! I can only imagine how cool it would be to have a WaveState controlling the Wavestation!

[@dennisristow2102]

Got my (first) Wavestation when they first came out in early 90's. Upgraded it to the EX when that came out. I only wish Yamaha would have made a chip with resonant filters back then. The reason all the Korgs from this era, like the M1, Wavestation, 01W didn't have better filters is because none of the chips manufactured by Yamaha had resonant filters. You can almost program a sequence of a filter sweep with resonant sequential waveforms but it only gets so close. VST and iOS help some by adding this type of filter but it's not quite a hardware filter.

[@VultureCulture]

Agreed. If it had analog filters like the prophet vs it would be pretty untouchable.

[@IndependantMind168]

External filter?

[@fortheloveofnoise]

​@@IndependantMind168Yep, you can do that.

[@hellitastenfan]

Hello,...a nice adventure in the world of sounds bye the Wavestation. I love this heavyweight in the truest sense of the word.😆🤣😉 greetings

[@VultureCulture]

It really is a nasty beast!

[@nichttuntun3364]

Great video. Awesome instrument with tons of vintage character, the new Korgs do not have. I sold my Wavestation A/D long time ago 😢

[@VultureCulture]

I wish there was a way to make WaveState take on the sonic character of the Wavestation!

[@nichttuntun3364]

@@VultureCulture I guess that's impossible. It's the build and used components of vintage gear and they don't do it like this any more. They got the dirt and instability out. It's like comparing a dirty indipendent 70th movie shot on gritty Film stock and a modern digitally made Hollywood flick. Horrible. The latter of course. 😂 I got the Wavestate and the Opsix. I like both a lot, but recently I switched on the old Korg DS-8 and imidiately felt its unique character, no other synth has. Opsix with that vibe and life inside would be a dream, but one I couldn't afford; like the 3rd Wave synth. 😁 So I try to appreciate the new ones for what they are, and not to compare - what is rather difficult sometimes.

[@Bananskuden]

The Prophet 12 can do a lot of the VS-like swirly pads just as well as the Wavestation, but with a much better interface and analog filters. You have to bring your own effects though.

[@VultureCulture]

The Prophet 12 is a powerful, powerful synth. But the Wavestation's wavesequencing is on an entirely different level.

[@Bananskuden]

@@VultureCulture Wave sequencing and also the joystick are indeed very nice.

[@Mazdak1986]

picked the ex up for 150$ yesterday. not regretting. sounds timeless!

[@VultureCulture]

Awesome steal!!

[@Mazdak1986]

Still can't get over how good some of those patches are. Had tears in my eyes a few times today. Feel like many later 90's synths include cheap imitations of what this beast delivers with depth and clarity. And I find the menus not that hard to navigate. Not compared to some Yamaha stuff anyway 😆

[@williamshaneblyth]

I'm waiting for your Wavestate 2.0 rave

[@VultureCulture]

I'm currently not planning to get a Wavestate until the SE model comes out. Then I'll do a full review and full comparison.

[@gydur]

Arwesome! Are these factory presets, or u made them urself?

[@gydur]

I have a Wavestate, and it super cool...but this sounds really really really

[@VultureCulture]

These are factory presets. Unfortunately trying to program the Wavestation is a nightmare compared to the WaveState. But the Wavestation really has a certain sound.

[@gydur]

@@VultureCulture Wow ...thats great. No need to change these presets so much then

[@gydur]

Maybe they deliberately made the W almost impossible to program...so nobody would mess with their wonderful presets...:)

[@gydur]

I may be able to buy a Wavestation for 350 eu soon. In great condition...

[@jaggass]

So many dance tracks could have been made on the Wavestation.

[@chintimin]

Just a reminder that Wavestation comes with the Gadget vst pack

[@VultureCulture]

That's a good reminder!

[@alan93]

Nice demo, never really noticed this one much if ever, hard to believe. But why does the title have "Wavestate" in it? I saw/heard little about it. I saw more in the comments which were helpful.

[@VultureCulture]

Because WaveState is Korg's updated version of the WaveStation. They both use essentially the same idea of sequencing waves to create evolving motion over time.

[@alan93]

@@VultureCulture Thanks, I get the idea that they can be compared and one was before the other but I expected to see a comparison of and/or a reason given for a "better" determination. I think a better title might have been "KORG Wavestation - Famed Predecessor to the Wavestate." Still, a good demo and I appreciate your enthusiasm for the original.

[@amonster8mymother]

Downside is sequencing externally.

[@damiangolfinopoulos9164]

Tell me more... I'm hoping to sequence with a deluge

[@brianschiller4053]

My Wavestation died a couple years ago, so I got the Wavestate. If they had introduced the larger version last year then I would have gotten that instead. All the waves and wave sequences are included from the Wavestation but for some odd reason they didn’t rebuild the old sounds. Mini lead, Northern Lights, Warm Strings were my favorites. IWavestation is pretty cool, it has all the presets and an interface where you can better see what was going on in the original sounds.

[@VultureCulture]

I have the Wavestation vst which I think is equivalent to the iWavestation. I really wish they had rebuilt the old sounds.

[@brianschiller4053]

@@VultureCulture I saw a video from Korg, they have a full size Wavestate with aftertouch in development. There were no price details or ETA given. The biggest drawback of the Wavestate is the size, this is a board that works much better in a 61 key format like the Wavestation.

[@museonfilm8919]

@@brianschiller4053 I have a Wavestate, but the keys are flimsy and the case is cheaply made. But, very, very nice sounding synth! I hope the Wavestate SE, is far better built.

[@ErraticFaith]

It will be Japanese made, ofcourse the SE will be much better built. If I remember what Dan (Phillips) said to us though, it will clock in at 1599 possibly more. So a large leap up for that basic keybed, which may not (following trends) be all that feature rich. Whether people are going to see worth once those prices start to be hit - over the next gen Fantoms and stuff like that will remain to be seen.

[@VultureCulture]

Ugh that's a brutal price. I really hope it's more reasonable

[@DMTCYMATICSDreamMusicTemple]

Got it on Korg Gadget. Obviously not as tactile as the actual hardware, but is otherwise excellent.

[@VultureCulture]

Honestly the hardware isn't worth it, Korg Gadget is where it's at

[@RayyMusik]

I have a Wavestate but somehow the Wavestation sounds better to me. Is it about the resolution, making the Wavestate too polished and perfect? Something like vintage vs. modern analog synths? Anyway, the Wavestate is much easier to program, particularly with the software editor. Waiting for the SE version …

[@VultureCulture]

I can't wait for the SE! I wish there was a vintage mode that emulated the bit reduction internal to the wavestation

[@RayyMusik]

@@VultureCulture … like Waldorf did in the M. Since the SE is not yet being produced, maybe @Korg is listening to us?

[@SeverityOne]

Looks like I won't be changing my Wavestation SR for a Wavestate any time soon. If nothing else, I don't have space for either a desktop unit (which doesn't even exist) or a silly little keyboard.

[@VultureCulture]

SR is great because it has the vocoder too, right?

[@SeverityOne]

@@VultureCulture Um, no, it doesn't even have an audio input (unlike the A/D). What's good about it is that it's 1U, and of all hardware Wavestations, it has the largest number of wave sequences etc. But programming it is, shall we say, somewhat challenging.

[@VultureCulture]

Ah I was thinking of the A/D! That is the great Achilles heel of the Wavestation - the programming is poisonous

[@BenjaminKanarek]

I still have my like new Wavestation AD... Haven't used in quite a while though.

[@VultureCulture]

That's awesome!

[@ushnicyuvnikof2748]

Can you make your own presets?

[@VultureCulture]

I am not smart enough to program my own presets for this beast lol

[@rafaelkalin3877]

Screamer is a great lead! 🙂

[@VultureCulture]

Totally awesome!

[@vladimiro83]

and you only tap on presets come n this thing is hughe

[@VultureCulture]

It is huge! Unfortunately programming it is next to impossible

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Just picked up an OG first version for a good deal the other day ($238).

[@VultureCulture]

That is a great deal!

[@javaally1203]

Depeche Mode made very similar sounds using an Ensoniq in the mid 80s(some great reward era)

[@VultureCulture]

I have an ensoniq sq-80 and a mirage. Looking forward to making some videos about them

[@Ancaja123]

Not Ensoniq, Emu Emulator, and later Emax. You CAN get some wavestation esque sounds from the mirage with some tricks/different OS

[@javaally1203]

@@Ancaja123 they sound the same to me sure they are an entirely different synthesis

[@fortheloveofnoise]

They also used the Wavestation in the 90s, a rack mount version

[@amonster8mymother]

It does ms20 as well as vs

[@CorciPorci]

Is your screen’s backlight gone, too?

[@VultureCulture]

It's very dim, I'm thinking about replacing it

[@jaggass]

I've put an LED screen in mine the downside is that you have to take apart the whole keyboard just to replace it

[@amonster8mymother]

I wrote a song with dw8000 and wavestation. 😎

[@jaggass]

You look like Michael Stipe. I'm getting a Wavestation EX and planning to cover Aquatic Ambience in the future as David Wise couldn't use the keyboard at the time as it would have exceeded the 64KB audio ram the SNES had. I did have a Wavestation A/D 2 years ago and couldn't stop playing it.

[@VultureCulture]

The wave station was sampled by wise for the soundtrack of DKC, along with his Alpha Juno

[@jaggass]

@@VultureCulture I don't have an Alpha Juno sadly. I've figured out all the parts on Aquatic Ambiance and will use sounds off the Wavestation EX that sound the closest.For the voice type sound at the beginning i'm triggering it from my onboard sequencer off my K2500X so i can fade it and out along with panning it L/R and the arp harp as i'm not skilled enough to play it live. The rest will be done live and recorded onto a 16 track recorder.

[@VultureCulture]

Can't wait to hear it, please send it my way when it's done!

[@jaggass]

@@VultureCulture Will appear on my KZbin account sometime this year. Got to get round to getting a mixer, 16 track and a decent cam. Before i sold the Wavestation A/D i was wrote a demo on it so at least with the Wavestation EX will be put to good use. Such an under explored synth.

[@jaggass]

I've got the Wavestation EX and have started to do some sound matching for Aquatic Ambience? Can you only have 3 banks at a time?

[@khajub]

Korg wavestat SE 61 WITH AFTERTOUCH IS ABOUT TO BE RELEASED 😊

[@VultureCulture]

I cannot wait!

[@IRIDEHARLEYS]

Korg website still showing: Future Product Preview as opposed to Coming Soon (like the Modwave), which implies the SE is off a bit in the distance to be released sadly.

[@kptamc]

Two years later after the initial announcement and we are still waiting!!

[@VultureCulture]

What's funny is I would have dropped whatever it cost on it back then. Now that WaveState native exists and I've been less than impressed by it I would not drop that money anymore

[@amonster8mymother]

It sounds like a korg.