Korg microKORG XL+ Synthesizer with Vocoder Reviews

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!

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.

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.

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 -

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.

First off, I love the sound,size and versatility of this synth. It covers so much territory and it is very easy to use, but it feels really cheap! Mine does not sit flat on my desk so I have the manual permanently underneath one side so it doesn't bounce around when I play it. Having it mounted on a keyboard stand would easily solve this problem, but I like it next to me when I'm working. Also, the switches and knobs feel like they could snap off if they are not babied. The octave switch on mine will occasional stick in the down position and I have to physically move is back to center instead of it just snapping back like it's supposed to. The plastic casing is also very thin. I wouldn't gig this thing, but it does help me out a lot in the studio. If it had the build quality of the original micro I would give it 5 stars.