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Korg microKORG XL+ Synthesizer with Vocoder

37-key 8-voice Synthesizer with 128 Sounds, 16-band Vocoder, Backlit LCD screen, USB Connection, Gooseneck Microphone, and 17 Effects Algorithms
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Korg microKORG XL+ Synthesizer with Vocoder
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Classic Compact Synth with Vintage Vibe

Korg's microKORG XL+ is a beefed up version of the extremely popular microKORG XL synth. By harnessing the powerful Radias sound engine, the microKORG XL+ now offers 128 sounds — from fat basses to thick pads — and features 17 KAOSS effects right onboard. Updated sound selection knobs let you browse by genre and instrument type, making it easy to pull up a great sound fast. Stack two sounds, create splits, or add in an external audio signal — you'll also find massive vocoding, arpeggiation, USB-connectivity, and three real-time knobs onboard the microKORG XL+.

Rich analog sound, with updated vintage sound set

Korg borrowed technology from their famous R3 and Radias synths, to give the microKORG XL+ its most incredible-sounding engine ever. It offers up 128 sounds right out of the box, including more vintage sounds than ever before. Classic sounds like KORG's SGproX stage piano, the M1, and the VOX organ are on tap and ready for the stage.

Ultra-compact size — with optional battery power

The microKORG has always been Korg's mini-but-massive synthesizer, and now it's even more prepared to be your portable music-making companion. The microKORG XL+ can be powered via AC power when you want, but it can also now be powered by batteries — so you can jam in the car, out in the backyard, or wherever your music takes you.

Built-in 16-band vocoder

Korg has beefed up the vocoder onboard the original microKORG and packed the microKORG XL+ with a 16-band vocoder, complete with an included detachable gooseneck microphone. You can use the attached microphone to perform with wild vocoded vocals. Or, you can switch to the external inputs and run any source through the microKORG XL+'s vocoder.

Easily navigable LCD screen with 3-knob control surface

Get to your sounds more easily than ever, using the microKORG XL+'s onboard LCD screen. Grab its three knobs and explore full edit mode, choosing filters, adjusting AMP, EG, and LFO settings, adding effects, equalizing the sound, and saving it all right there on the spot. There's also a new virtual patch mode, which lets you assign certain aspects of synthesis to control others — maybe let an LFO modulate the filter cutoff, or set the modulation wheel to control EG1's relase time - it's up to you. Up to six virtual patches are available per program.

USB-MIDI connection, with included Editor/Librarian software

The Korg microKORG XL+ features a USB connection, so it can interact with your computer via MIDI. What's more, it also comes with an Editor Librarian, so you can edit your sounds on the full screen and also easily navigate through them and organize them however works best for you.

Korg microKORG XL+ Synthesizer/Vocoder Features:

  • 8-voice Synthesizer with 16-band Vocoder
  • "Big Brother" to the microKORG
  • 37 new "natural touch" mini waterfall keys
  • 128 sounds
  • MMT sound engine (like Radias & R3)
  • Also has PCM ROM for instrument emulation
  • Compatibile with MS2000 and microKorg programs (via downloadable editing software)
  • 2 master effects derived from Kaoss
  • Delays are MIDI-clock syncable
  • 17 effects algorithms
  • 16-band vocoder
  • Level and Pan individually adjustable per band
  • Formant hold and Formant shift buttons
  • Backlit LCD screen
  • USB connection with Editor Librarian software
  • Included Gooseneck microphone

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Keyboard Synthesizer with Vocoder
  • Sound Engine: Analog Modeling
  • Number of Keys: 37
  • Type of Keys: Semi-weighted (Mini)
  • Velocity Sensitive: Yes
  • Other Controllers: Pitchbend, Mod Wheel
  • Polyphony: 8 Notes (4 When Vocoder is Selected)
  • Presets: 128 Programs
  • Oscillators: 2 x VCO
  • Filter: 2 x Multi-mode Filters
  • Envelope Generator: Yes
  • Number of Effects: 17
  • Effects Types: Delay, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Vocoder with 16-band Filter, 2-band EQ
  • Arpeggiator: Yes
  • Audio Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (mic/line), 1 x XLR (for included mic)
  • Audio Outputs: 2 x 1/4"
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4"
  • USB: 1 x Type B
  • MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB
  • Power Source: 9V DC power supply / 6 x AA Batteries
  • Height: 2.87"
  • Width: 21.89"
  • Depth: 9.1"
  • Weight: 4.41 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: MICROXLPLUS

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

AMSS or MMT engine?

I love my MicroKORG XL+ and the included editor (via download). It says it has the MMT engine (Radias and R3), but the editor allows you to download MS2000 and MS2000B patches, so it must be compatible with the AMSS engine (or has both, don't know). Anyway, the MS2000 patches that I loaded into the MicroKORG XL+ sounded just like I remembered them. The included patches are great and most of them are very usable. I'm actually thinking about purchasing a second one (one for comping and one for leads). I am very happy with the pristine quality of the sound, just like the vintage versions had. I don't regret this purchase one bit. The included mic is very high quality, has a nice windscreen, and fits directly onto the XLR jack on the front panel (whereas the MicroKORG and MicroKORG S use an included white mic with an 1/8" plug that goes into the 1/8" jack on the back). I feel they should have included the same high-quality mic and XLR jack of the MKXL+ on the MicroKORG and MicroKORG 2. So, if you loved the now-discontinued (hoping for a relaunch) MS2000 or MS2000B, you're going to also love the MicroKORG XL+. The editor is a great addition, albeit kind of a small GUI on the screen, but no big deal. I also love the three assignable knobs. Portamento is great, too, and can be set to VERY long, which is an added plus (unfortunately, some portamentos nowadays don't allow for really long glide times and I like extra kibg glide times for certain effects). I suppose that could be set up via the EG, but the portamento would be a separate function and can be turned on and off. Nonetheless, the MicroKORG XL+ is a great little synth, and I think you'll love it, too!
Music background: Musician/songwriter/recordist
Rated 5/5

Its good (Honest and Fair Review)

So I have the Novation MiniNova and just recently purchased the microKorg XL+. While I can't say which device I like better. It will be more fair to say it really depends on application and the sound you are looking for. To give you a quick overview, i have a pro(s) and con(s) list below. However, most the cons are not too critical for me, but may be for you so i figured i would list them out.

Pro(s):
MicroKorg XL is more retro in this layout
Easy to use and manipulate sound
Much warmer sounds
Able to update sounds via USB and Editor software (Awesome sound Libraries)
Effects are great!
Keys feel Great!
I love the fact that it lights up to show you the default setting for any modified value (this rocks!)
Build feels solid!

Con(s)
Lacks some of the features of the miniNova such as Pads and Hold
No Damper pedal plug (But you can use MIDI solutions Foot switch control to add a MIDI damper pedal)
- But to be honest i haven't really missed it (well not yet at least)
Its a love/hate situation for me when it comes to the design and sound selection because i am so use to what other keyboards in this category offer, but it's not a show stopper for me.
Menu system is not very intuitive but not hard to figure out either (miniNova and others i feel are more intuitive)

Overall I really like it, but again I feel it depends on the need and sounds desired.
Do I regret the purchase? Not at all, it's a Korg what's not to love. It just has it's own unique place in my collection of keyboards and vocoders that's all.

Current keyboards own:
Korg Triton ProX 88 (fully loaded)
Korg KornosX 88
Korg PA4X (76)
Korg microKorg XL+ (This review)
Korg PA 900
Novation MiniNova
Roli Seaboard Rise 49
Hohner Melodica Performance 37 (don't judge me..)
And a mint condition Yamaha PSR-520...(Yes its old, around 25 years -- Why?!? It has some decent sounds that I still like..)

Last question, Why the 5 star review? It's because I do like it.
Some of the cons I could live with because i have other keyboards that get me around the issues i may run into. For the sounds and what it offers it's a great addition to any collection. The fact that I can use the MS2000 sounds on this (Library import) its a keeper. If this was my only vocoder I would be slightly disappointed by some lack of features, but just slightly. I couldn't ding it for just these along, because I knew these things before purchasing the product due to images, product descriptions and WEB research (which you should always do before buying anything these days)

Hope this review was helpful.
Music background: Song Writer, Composer, hobbyist
Rated 5/5

Analog Curve

A three osc/voice synth with crystal tuning, perfect for subtle tones with perfect micro-pitched phasing and multiple filter dynamics and resonant characteristics of low and high pass. You will become so entranced that you will find it difficult to continue programming especially using the many effects, becoming lost in the luster of sound. And the vocal shaping is not simple but endless fun.
Rated 5/5

sweet

this is a great synth for the money, the keys feel better than the mininova's, the sounds are great, the vocoder is easy to use, and the editor software opens worlds with ease -
Music background: obsessive hobbyist
Rated 5/5

Best compact synth for budgets

I have owned an MS2000B, a Novation Ultranova and a Mopho. I was somewhat disappointed by all except the mopho and ended up selling the other two after a month or two of use. I have a Nord Stage 2 and I have been looking for a synth to compliment the existing synth section (as sometimes I need up to three sounds at a time). So far I have been using the Mopho where possible for basses and leads but I wanted another VA to make some of the synth textures the NS2 has some problems recreating.

At first, I got it just for the fun of it but I was really expecting to be highly disappointing as the Novation Ultranova was.

But as quick as I played some of the presets I was WOWED with its EXCELLENT sound. Sure some of the presets are useless to me such as the dubstep ones. But if you are like me and use presets as some starting points then the advantage is that with it, you can load preset data from the MS2000, Microkorg and even patches from the original XL.

For those that say that VA sounds thin, that is not true in this case. the MK XL+ can sound extra fat and can also go the digital way. It is truly an extremely flexible synth.

But I have to advice against considering it for the "upgraded" vintage key sounds. Most of them are repeatable in the older XL. only the piano seems to be the only new thing, but it is very bad, although usable.

If you are looking for an affordable, compact and excellent sounding synth that is not monophonic, then look no further, this will not disappoint.
Music background: Music Student and hobbyist.
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