Programming the Korg Wavestate QUICKLY

[@gnosis6073]

This is really the go to video when people first get their unit and come from subtractive synthesis....will save a lot of frustration.

[@timdanyo898]

This synth will be a future classic. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@positivepig]

plz keep it up, your tutorials for the wavestate are EXACTLY the kind i've been waiting for!

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

Thanks! Will keep it up :-)

[@slithisx]

Agreed!

[@pthomas36]

Agreed!

[@marcopolo9622]

Agree man very helpful indeed

[@gloriaalexander4089]

Yes! I have been in Single Multisample mode for over a year now, I am on my 3'rd setlist of original sounds! This synth is a dream come true in so manny ways. I started making my own sounds manny years ago with only a tiny LED screen and a few butons. the wavestate is the perfect companion to my Roland JDXA and I have no interst in wave sequencing as I can just play and make sounds for hours on end.

[@novalogue]

Does the JD XA even compare with its limited varation options, mediocre effects, and no paning option etc - i feel it is an upgrade - even though i really like the jd xa

[@mrp3783]

Excellent presentation. Very helpful . Thank you

[@trusto1016]

Can you please do more tutorials, you are the only one who takes the time to go step by step

[@marcwav]

Goodness, gracious me. This is the best Wavestate tutorial.

[@BarnardoP]

Thanks for this. I have a major project using the Wavestate as my primary synth, and my timbres will be developed from the multi sample simplicity long before any evolution in the channels is added. Your video is helping me get my head around the menus as I work.

[@music-maker2505]

Really enjoyable tutorial.. Calm voice, and big props for taking this monster and making it friendly for all users (New and advanced) Cheers from Ireland 🇮🇪 🍻🍀

[@secretcircuit]

Man when the stereo kicks in. This thing sounds great.

[@LaymensLament]

This was useful. Wavestate is absolutely fantastic, theres just so much to get out. It just takes a while to get used to since its a bit of an untypical concept. Usual sampler functions in the classical sense, with tons of oscillators and envelopes and then all the sequencing stuff on top. Makes for a very non intuitive UI. But I think its handeled quite well and everything sounds friggin amazing. If nothing else you can use this to create your own sounds to make sample based music (sample stuff out of the wavestate) or use it as a simple (or more complex rompler). Really loving my machine!

[@stephenbertino8373]

A killer title for this video would be: "BlueCliff Shreds!!!!!"

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

Aaah, next time! Thanks for the view and the kind words 🙂

[@audioartisan]

Great tutorial! I've made a few patches that use all 4 layers exclusively this way. You can get some pretty incredible sounds without Wavesequencing Synthesis. The sample content in the WS is top of the line and plentiful. Love your tutorials man

[@BradHamiltonVideo]

Very helpful - This made it much easier for me to dive into the machine. Oddly, the intro to all these parameters also made it a lot easier to get into the wave sequencing part.

[@ryanbrown8622]

Excellent intro to the Wavestate! I just picked one up 2 days ago and really only have played with presets. Showing the Multisample really put the workflow into perspective for me. I have heard people complain about how complex and the learning curve, but honestly this would be a great "first synth" to learn on. Combined with tutorials, the wavestate easily shows how synthesizers work.

[@markkeybscalloway654]

Now we can download our own sample into it make this an incredible musical synth.🎉

[@stephenbertino8373]

7:53 This is great. Users have to know that the Wavestate does not have a simple "copy layer" --> "paste layer" utility. That's a big deal. It took a long time for me to realize that a layer is a program (i.e. a patch), so you have to save that program before you can load it into another layer. It takes some getting used to: having to name and save something before copy-and-pasting it!

[@TheJuzzmezz]

really great tute-easy to understand and absorb thanks

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

glad it was helpful :)

[@CiabaMusic]

Very nice tutorial, straight to the point. Loving my Wavestate

[@Vincenade]

I have used your technique for building great patche using multisample mode on Layers A & B with deep strings (modulated as you do) , and added a step sequence on layer C, adding organic evolving water sound modulated with wheel.... sounds just great! many thanks for your video! it really helped me !

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

very happy to hear this! happy patching :-)

[@haydnr1631]

Brilliant tutorial for a brilliant synth. Thanks

[@Stadsjaap]

Man, this is such a cool approach. Big up! 👍

[@laurencevanhelsuwe3052]

Great video. The Wavestate is just an amazing synth on so many levels. The architecture is so rich with possibilities. The price too is just ridiculous.. and puts other manufacturers to shame. Even the Randomize feature is just amazing... you'll want to store so many of the Performances it comes up with !

[@chainsrad6354]

this whole video sounds like twin peaks. thanks.

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

High praise! Much thanks :-D

[@haydnr1631]

Summit?

[@regfield1461]

Thanks, that is really helpful - it is such a complicated synth, and it sounds so good.

[@drindy5166]

Finally!!! Right off the hop exactly what I have been trying to do and find out how to do so. Countless videos on youtube and not one addressed this simple approach. You my dear sir, are doing the synth lords work!!! Lol ✌🧡👍

[@sonarfreq]

This tutorial was the kind of thing I have been looking for here for a while now, thanks so much. I'll take a look at your others now too... and you have a new subscriber, cheers!

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

thanks dude! glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@TheRealG2024]

thank you so much for this. really makes stuff a whole lot easier to navigate and get to working fast which is exactly what im looking to do in terms of workflow and getting the idea out. very good explanation.

[@elijahlucian]

wow this thing is deep

[@wrenkler]

Thanks! This is just what me and my wavestate needs to take it to next base 🔥 more wavestate on this channel

[@Mr_Matrix]

Thanks a lot! 😃🙏 Now I can do a lot more with my Wavestate 🤩🥳

[@HappyQuailsLC]

I particularly appreciate what you are showing here. But may I suggest that you drag and drop your LED display to overlap one of the two areas toward the lower left that you said we won't be using? This way, we can learn from seeing and remembering which buttons you used and how, in the area whose view is now blocked by the image of the display, or place it immediately above the upper edge of the unit, where we now see a blanket underneath, if fact placing it off-center will completely avoid our camera lens and prevent it from effectively creating a cut out. I think it will really assist those of us who only recently bought our Wavestate, and may have the most to learn. Thanks and I hope you'll continue to create these tutorials for us!

[@JaseLovesDub]

Very late to the party (I got mine yesterday) but I found this very useful. Cheers!

[@slithisx]

Very cool. Thank you!

[@williamshaneblyth]

Awesome tutorial thank you so much very clearly done. Of course we could pull up a lane sequencing lane preset in one of the layers too

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

Yep! The lane preset function on this device is very powerful. Might go into this for the next video.

[@MikeUIibarri]

Good stuff.

[@ricknemrecords]

Awesome breakdown....thank you my friend.

[@grege2864]

great tips and ideas. thanks!

[@musicandmore605]

Thank you! This was really helpful. I’ve watched a few other tutorials and they go soooooo in depth so quickly. This is more what I bought it for....creating unique sounds. So I’m excited now!!!

[@kaleurunze3204]

tks a lot dude!!!!

[@lephilb]

Brillant tutorial.. thanks a lot

[@jedisid]

Nice tutorial!

[@ronaldzanders420]

Prachtig (y) Bedankt voor deze uitleg ..

[@digitalperformer7]

Great video, stimulating synapses and contains useful advices to obtain good results in a fair amount of time

[@jawadkazmi8856]

Finally! Thank You 😊 make more for old school dudes oneself. Had it for 5 months and now I can Jam like it was 2025 😆

[@sumchi3690]

Nice one✌️

[@Whoamidontknow17707]

Awesome breakdown! I’m highly considering purchasing a Wavestate. I’m just having trouble with how to actually record my lanes. (My Dad just bought a Wavestate, and I’ve played around with it for awhile but still have trouble actually recording the lanes.)

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

The lanes unfortunately have to be programmed, there is no way to record knob movement or key input into the lanes in realtime (this would be a welcomed addition in a future update; I believe the modwave has this capability)

[@Whoamidontknow17707]

Oh wow, that’s great to know- thanks so much for replying! I’m currently playing around on a Wavestate right now. This tutorial is really great, think I’m getting a few things down.

[@woodswalker88]

Thanks, this video is great!! I have been climbing up the learning curve for several weeks, trying to understand "lanes" and "wavesequencing" and wondering 'how can I just PLAY this thing!! "

[@StoleYourSnowman]

Really appreciate these, top stuff! Keep it up man

[@Curious_Skeptic]

Love this synth! Wish custom samples could be loaded though.

[@itsumonihon]

They can now, with the new firmware.. Check it out. Just came out around the same time you made this comment.

[@Curious_Skeptic]

@@itsumonihon That is awesome! Wonder if the SE will release soon. I am really intrigued with this synth. The price vs it's abilities, Korg nailed it! The software editor and now custom samples? Too good to be true.

[@koinpusher]

Aw sweet! I ordered one yesterday but had no idea custom samples could be loaded in! Helloooo layered gameboy samples

[@duketranslucent3rd]

Fantastic video. I was considering this synth purely as a multi-timbral synth, without particularly caring for the whole wave sequencing aspect. Your video has shown this is totally viable - although part of me thinks the Modwave is the smarter choice if you're going to ignore the wave sequencing (admittedly that's only two-part multi-tim, though, not four like the WS.)

[@kevanbarrett7411]

Excellent. Just got mine but can’t open the the box until my birthday later this month. I was hoping it was capable of doing this type of synthesis as well as all the advanced performance stuff most people will probably use this synth for.😊

[@trespelos]

ok. now I have to get one :) awesome video

[@strangersun7721]

This is really great stuff. Thanks much

[@gtrgeorge348]

This is great; very nicely done. You went through the stuff quite fast, so I’m gonna have to go back and rewatch a few times, but it’s all there... one thing I became aware of very quickly in trying a big 4 layer sound like this is that real time control gets to be quite difficult; there’s no “global” control for all 4 layers, right? If you wanted to, say, bring down the filter, or increase the release time a bit for the whole sound, you have to do it for all 4 layers individually...

[@jammer777]

Thanks! Very helpful!

[@eti313]

Nice tutorial. I wish we could see your hands on the knobs more.

[@JEBariffic]

Thank you VERY much for this vid. Huge help.

[@heliopijpe]

Atm I'm doubting between the unique yet intimidating creative flow of the Wavestate and the beautiful FM synthesis of the Digitone Elektrone Keys for ambient soundscape design as my main hardware synth ^^ ... choices ...

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

great combo! it could be fun to sequence the wavestate with the digitone and jam out with them together :)

[@yvanroustan4426]

EXCELLENT thank you !

[@Darmstadtiensis]

Thank you very much for your tutorial. Very clear und logical. But... I dont understand the relations between - wave lane - wave sequence - program Also a question about the program: When I load a Single Multisample or a Wave Sequence on A, it shows on the layer programm "Init program". Why? Same issue: On my presets, it shows on Layer programs on one performance on A "Organ1, but on Single Multisample i shows "Syn: White Pad". Why it shows not the same? And more difficult: If I change the program, than the multisample change. If I come back to the program "Organ1", now than it plays "Organ1". Thank you!

[@marcellogorielettrodisagio6640]

Instant Boards of Canada machine!

[@dumbat70]

wow great tute thank you so much

[@portley777]

This is great thank you sir ;)

[@mgeplayer]

Hi there,its no joke, how do I turn off the wavestate,thanks 🤷‍♂️🙏🏼👍!

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

The power button on the back, same one you push to turn it on :-) Good luck!

[@mgeplayer]

@@bluecliffsynthesis6685 thanks a lot,i already figured it out,how stupid i was👍🤷‍♂️🙃

[@kekuskekus5480]

Can someone answer me please if i can sequence one bass hytm preset and play solo\improvisin on another preset separately on this synth?

[@danielsolomon63]

Thanks! I think i will give it another try, i was getting tired on playing the presets :D Can we note sequence the programs we made like in a normal Note Sequencer environment?

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

You can sequence pitch variations in Wave Sequence mode but not in Multisample Mode, though pitch sequencing doesn't really function the same as a normal note sequencer since it's always a transposition of the incoming MIDI note and the timing is determined by the Timing Lane.

[@StereographicTV]

Thanks so much for this, every other review / focus on this synth just skips past multisample mode - i guess because its not necessarily revolutionary in synths. But for many newcomers by doing this they miss a massively powerful pure synth engine aspect. I only realised this when looking at a modwave and learning that wavetables are just samples and thought, ' so my Wavestate sound be able to be just as powerful a synths (without wavescanning/morphing). As so many people say, this synth is underrated. Wish it had the Korg shimmer reverb from Opsix;)

[@ken10763]

Thanks for the video. Is there a way to use the three parts to replicate a 3 osc synth so the filter and envelopes affect all three parts at the same time (like a moog).without mapping to performance controls .It would take 8 just to map the filter and amp envelopes for example.

[@CoredusK]

What's the difference between the Multisample mode and just using 1 sample per layer in traditional Wave Sequence mode?

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

In multisample mode, you do not have access to the sequencers for pitch, step, timing, etc that you have in wave sequence mode. You still have access to all of the LFOs, filters, envelopes, effects and mapping. While this limits options in terms of programming, it also streamlines the creation process and allows for greater immediacy and simplicity. Both modes have their function and purpose.

[@MrClarkio]

Really interesting, thank you. Why does it sound so out of tune though?, even the piano multisample had me wincing, it sounds almost like the keyboards been set to equal temperament or similar.

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

Oh! There are different tuning modes so I may have inadvertently put it in a different tuning mode >O< apologies for the wincing :P

[@aristotlekumpis7095]

If you use the Wave Sequence mode, aren't there a lot of samples missing compared to choosing a layer and adding samples? I have some 3rd party programs/samples that do not show up under Wave Sequence mode.

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

Interesting! I hadn’t noticed the difference in the sample pool yet, but thanks for the heads up.

[@jamescornwell5235]

Nice tutorial...Such a deep synth. I'm searching for a tutorial that also shows if there are any straight ahead sounds like...synth. brass, leads, regular brass, etc. besides the wave stuff, that we can hear. Do you know of any? Thanks!!

[@pthomas36]

This was awesome. Time to take this beast out of the box again... It really was just too much right off the bat. Question for you, and I'm doubtful the Wavestate will do this, but I'm wondering if it will play arpeggiated sequences like you can on the Minilogue. I've been digging through the manual and it doesn't look like it's designed to do that.

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

I believe the sequencer is different than the Minilogue - I don’t own a minilogue, but from what I gather it has a real-time record function, which the WS does not. The WS does however have a pitch sequencer and an arpeggiator to create patterns with.

[@Getthenderson]

Can you filter each layer independently? and if so, can you then filter all the layers together?

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

Yes, each layer has its own filter. You can create a master filter on the main EQ; or you can assign the filter frequency of each layer to the same macroknob, so that you can tweak the filter frequency of the separate layers simultaneously.

[@yvanroustan4426]

@@bluecliffsynthesis6685 is it possible to assign a different reverb and delay by layer as well ?

[@boratezel]

@@yvanroustan4426 yes you can

[@2010xkr]

Thanks for your excellent tutorials! - One thing that confused me initially is that the Program name stays the same even if you change the Sample within it. So you can, as you have done here, have the same Program in each Layer but each one with a completely different Sample. Makes sense when you think about it but I'm still getting my head around the hierarchy of Sample / Program / Wavesequence / Layer etc. For example I don't fully understand the difference between a Wavesequence vs a Program. And it's slightly confusing that the "Select" button to the left of the screen only invites you to select a Wavesequence or Sample, but NOT a Program, which is "hidden" on Page 2 of the Performance window.

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

I believe the difference between a wavesequence and program is that the wavesequence is all the information stored within the 7 different lanes, while a program includes everything - the lanes, the LFOs, the modulation matrix, effects, etc. In terms of hierarchy, I believe the Wavestate is organized as follows [Set]->[Performance]->[Program]->[Wavesequence]->[Lanes]. The multisample mode and wavesequence mode are two separate functions, while a program can include either multisample mode or wavesequence mode, which is why I believe they separated these menus from one another. It can be a lot of information, so you are not alone in feeling somewhat confused by this instrument :D I hope this helps add some clarity; happy patching! : )

[@2010xkr]

@@bluecliffsynthesis6685 Thanks!

[@JovBat]

Can you make a pack of your presets?

[@rockhead11]

I am just learning mine now so I really appreciate the tutorials you have posted. I have a question though, is there a hold function? Not the sustain pedal but a way to keep the sound going so that I can play accompanying parts on my guitar or other keyboards? Thanks!

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

There's a latch function within the arpeggiator. The synth is definitely meant for performance though, so it isn't designed for "set & forget" capabilities. You might want to use Ableton or a hardware sequencer to send MIDI In to free up your hands for guitar performance. Good luck!

[@sentokan]

Don't you feel it sounds kind of sterile? Great tutorial!!

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

For this particular example patch, it may sound sterile to some? I don't feel the synth as a whole has a sterile sound; there are lots of routing and modulation capabilities to create constant movement and variation. Glad you found the tutorial helpful!

[@alan93]

I have a question and its driving me crazy when I am trying to follow along, I don't see the same lit buttons as those on the videos. For example when you selected "Single Multisample" mode. 1:20 It turned your "STEP SEQ" button off. Mine stayed on. Someone else selected Category browse and they used the 1-16 buttons to change categories but their "SET LIST" button was off and mine was on. I don't know why and how to turn it off. Also I noticed how you started out going very slow and by the time you where half way through the video you are clicking buttons and changing settings at about a 3 per second rate. Not helpful. I wish I knew how to cancel changes. For example if I change the sound using filters envelopes etc.. and then I change to a different sound, those envelopes and filters changes are applied to new sounds I select. Why? I would expect all changes to a sound to disappear when selecting a different sound. I really wish you would show just a small change and then saving it. And tell the difference between program, performance and set list. These are confusing.

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

Hi Alan, to answer some of your questions - are you certain you changed to Single Multisample Mode? Be sure to highlight the "MODE" option by using the cursor buttons. Whatever is highlighted will be affected by turning the Value knob (the big dial at the top). By default it selects the 2nd option, "PRESET", while you want to be on "MODE". You turn off the "Set List" by hitting the "WSeq Steps" button below it. This changes the function of the step sequencer steps so that they become programmable steps when in "Wave Sequencing Mode" (not "Multisample Mode", as in this video). When you describe "changing a sound", it sounds like you are changing the sample: the beauty of the Wavestate is that it divides a sound into seven layers, which can each be separately sequenced, creating evolving, phasing patterns. Because only the sample is being changed, the Program's parameters stay the same. Performance = 4 Layers (4 different timbres; called "Programs" - each program can be one layer in a Performance) that can be layered on top of each other; each timbre, in wavesequencing mode, has 7 different "Lanes" which act as sequencers. A Set List is a collection of Performances so you can seamlessly change from one set of sounds to the next. Hope this helps!

[@dustrickx]

In this mode does the sequencer work as a normal sequencer?

[@scharly3617]

On minute 8:50 you're having a cut in the video, while adding layer B to double the program. What exactly have you done to find the saved program in that list. I do not find my saved program in that list. I've followed you until that point.

[@scharly3617]

Ok, got it. Write to program instead of performance is the way to go

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

Yep! At 8:05 I show how to write the program, which is then loaded at 8:50 to Layer B. Cheers : )

[@WarriorEsoteric]

Unfortunately I ended up sending my wavestate back and getting the opsix, I think the wavestate is great but is more useful to me in the form of a vst instead of hardware

[@design8r]

Is there a way to copy a whole layer and paste it into another layer? thanks..!

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

The way to do this would be to save the program, then load it into the other layer, as demonstrated at 8:00. It would have been great to have a very quick, easy copy/paste shortcut on the device, but unfortunately I do not know of a quicker way to do this.

[@design8r]

@@bluecliffsynthesis6685 thanks! yes maybe a future firmware update could address this. and include an undo button while they're at it :)

[@Max10_B]

All those damn buttons and they couldn’t put voice mode for the sounds on the front :/

[@Goth108]

A sampler samples external audio. This isn't even a sample player. It's just a normal rompler with a lot of functions and great sounds.

[@filiprasmussen]

"Programming the Korg Wavestate QUICKLY" = 17 minute video

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

I'm moving slower than in real time because it's a tutorial. When not narrating the whole process, and being extra deliberate for ease of learning for those watching, it is a much quicker way of programming the synth. Try it out.

[@filiprasmussen]

@@bluecliffsynthesis6685 Will do! Thanks for your reply and efforts in the videos

[@rockfebres6601]

I HAVE A REQUEST MAESTRO: Could YOU make a HURDY GURDY PATCH!! 😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

Will try! 😄

[@rockfebres6601]

That would be AWES❤ME THANK Y😇U; there are hurdy gurdy midi players but the patch would be awesome on the WAVESTATE!! 😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

[@SourDiesel69]

The tutorial helps but it doesn’t unlock the potential of the synth. It’s basically disregarding synthesis and using it as a rompler.

[@PalmBobo]

Nice tutorials, honestly, but the keyboard is horribly out of tune on this vid, ouchhh. Strangely nobody here including the maker seems to notice.

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

Yeah, someone else mentioned this and it's mildly embarrassing haha. I think I was absorbed in the video's creation, and had been playing with the irregular tuning for sometime prior to recording, and so didn't catch it. Hope you still found the tutorial helpful! Sorry for the wonky tuning :D

[@PalmBobo]

Oh no need to apologize, I appreciate your vids, very well done. My Wavestate is arriving tomorrow, so I am preparing for some serious learning curve. I have the VST, but the VST and the editor seem to have a differently structured GUI, so I wait for the hardware version to start my journey.

[@gdebakker]

But that out of tuneness just sounds awesome! Gives this digital beast a gloomy analog feel. Would you perhaps know what tuning mode this was in?

[@tha1unknownmusic]

Imagine you could actually update it with out building nasas space station tho , korg is goofy for this one

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

Haha XD. Updating is a pain, but thankfully it doesn't happen too often. The new update is totally worth the effort too for the ability to use your own samples.

[@tha1unknownmusic]

@@bluecliffsynthesis6685 I figured it out and wanna make a video to help others but I’m shy as a mf on cam lol

[@hostnik777]

Ok this is great, but it assumes you already have a deep knowledge of HOW to program a deep synth+sampler like Kontakt etc. Trying to LEARN this on the Wavestate with all that menu diving... good luck.

[@stephencharlton2024]

started well but went down hill quickly... too fast

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

did the tutorial progress too fast? apologies! it does assume a working knowledge of samplers/synthesizers. feel free to pause and rewind at any point :) thank you for the constructive feedback!

[@RobertWrightOneManCovers]

Why is it so horribly out of tune?? Are you using some weird microtuning or something?

[@cantordedios3890]

This is not for me! It’s waaaay too complicated. I bought this sinth about 3 years ago and have hardly used it

[@lopezmontequila]

Piano sounds off tune :))

[@bluecliffsynthesis6685]

hehe yeah it is! i forgot that i had changed the tuning parameters, and my focus was elsewhere. good ear! ;)

[@Timetraveller2208]

Having spent £700 on one of these recently, the sound that was produced throughout to to end was really pretty mediocre. Maybe the people who are loving this sound are very easily pleased. I'm not.. there are some amazing sounds this machine can accomplish. It's these amazing sounds that we want to learn to program into it. Even a cheap Casio can make sounds much better than that...