Korg microKORG XL Reviews

Sweetwater Advice

Carson McClain

This is the keyboard you are going to see dominating the stages at small clubs and local shows. The original MicroKorg is still a hit worldwide, so Korg decided to take this to the next level. I love that this has 128 sounds, a 16-band vocoder, and a USB connection. This even has a piano patch. Domo arigato, Korg.

Daniel Fisher

This is the easiest prediction I'll ever make: "The microKorg XL is going to be a slam dunk hit." The ratio of pro-quality sounds and features to its small weight, size, and price is huge. It looks like a toy but I promise that it's not. You can take this keyboard with you any time there's even "a chance" that you might get to jam. It can do rock, blues, funk, electronica, dance, hip hop, and maybe even a little jazz. Put a wireless transmitter on it and you can jam anywhere you want. For those of you who geek on synth features, try this: Go to korg.com and download the Mac/PC Editor. You'll see everything presented neatly on the screen. Then you'll understand why I'm crazed about this keyboard.

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Customer Reviews

Carl
from NW Pennsylvania
October 27, 2012Music Background:
Pro Musican

Sounds great!

I love the sound, but I do not like the mini-keys. It will be great for putting in my backpack for trips, which is the main reason I bought it. It is fun to use and I will use it a lot, But, I will not buy any other keyboards with mini-keys in the future.

Kristin
from Harrisburg, PA
July 31, 2012Music Background:
avid musician

Fabulous Classic Synth Sound

Until purchasing the microKorg XL, I had never owned a synthesizer before. A few years ago, I bought a Casio Privia PX 330 on the advice that it had the best sampling of real grand piano sound (and it does), so I didn't need another instrument that had that. What I found lacking in the Privia was the archetypal Wurly and classic organ sounds, and this little Korg has those and lots more!!

I did a lot of research on the synths out there and how user-friendly they were; I wanted to be able to use it right out of the box without having to take a "beginner's course" on how to use it. Yes, there are a few things one should learn about the way a synthesizer works, but it can be done on the fly as you use it; it's quite intuitive and easy.

The things I like best about this Korg: the large, easy-to-find (in a dark room/gig) retro knobs; the easy-to-read digital display; its light weight; the ease with which the presets can be altered to make unique and signature sounds; but best of all-- the amazing LARGE and classic sounds this little keyboard makes.

Highly recommended!! I am very satisfied with my choice!

Angela H Evans
from Melbourne, Australia
August 4, 2011Music Background:
Songwriter

Micro in size - Mighty in music!

On delivery of this little keyboard wonder, I first thought: "KORG have put out a toy piano".
However, on powering it up and pressing the keys, I was soon to realize this was no toy! I tried out all the pre-programmed instruments, from both the A & B banks. Easy!

I also found the controls (knobs and dials) were robust and easy to use..Switching between instruments - again easy; just a turn of the Genre and Category dials and a new instrument was ready for play.

Shortly after receiving the MicroKorg XL, I just had to experiment with all those cool looking options on the right hand side of the keyboard. A change in timbre, filters, effects, arp'ing and so on. Plenty there to keep me up late while I experimented.

I was pleasantly suprised with the supplied goose-neck microphone with its' XLR connection! The vocoder is the real "FUN" part.

I found the software editor program just as easy to use.No hassles in setting this up or having the hardware talk to the software.

The only disappointment was in the ultra-light weight body;it felt a little too much like a toy., compared to the knobs and levers on top of the keyboard unit.

Overall, a great addition to your musical instrument collection; it it light and very portable - so much so, that KORG have even enabled it to run off 6 AA batteries, so you can take it camping, to the beach, a party, or wherever!

Thanks KORG,

A great little all-round

Elizabeth Windau
from Cincinnati, OH USA
August 12, 2012Music Background:
Pro Musician and Teacher

Big sound in a small package

Amazing, huge sounds packed into a compact keyboard - this thing is great. The sounds are perfect for live applications and impressive enough to take into the studio. (I use it for pop, hip-hop, funk and rap sounds.) Very user-friendly without hard-core tweaking; playable within minutes of powering up. (It IS quite tweakable, but I'm more a player than a knob-twister.) It's extremely lightweight - I can even toss it onto the top of a grand piano for a little extra "pop" on a lounge gig. I like that it can run on batteries or with a power supply (wish the power supply wasn't so proprietary). The only reason I can't give 5 stars is because the keys are teeny-tiny and the action feels flimsy.

Kevin
from US
December 21, 2010Music Background:
engineer, student, producer...

Good for starters.

This thing might look small and wimpy, but don't let appearances fool you. The sounds that this thing puts out are HUGE. It has 128 voices (and a great variety of sounds), an arpeggiator, a vocoder, and a whole bunch of effects that you can use for any sound. I mean, come on! For that price, why not get it just to add a whole bunch of sounds and flexibility to your arsenal without breaking the bank. You also have the option of running this thing through nice outboard gear to warm it up. Software synths don't compare. I'll summarize the review with this, if you want the perfect starter synthesizer, let this be the one.