KORG wavestate Sequencing Synthesizer

Developed by KORG R&D, who created the original Wavestation and co-created the OASYS and Kronos, the next-gen KORG wavestate synthesizer delivers compelling sound design with deep flexibility and intuitive hands-on control. Featuring powerful Wave Sequencing 2.0, the wavestate serves up organic, unexpected sounds we at LiveWire Music find extremely exciting and inspiring. We also find that wavestate’s compact 37-key form-factor fits well into any desktop, stage or studio setup. Add in gigabytes of samples, plus a bevy of superb filters and effects, and you have a synth that is as powerful as it is versatile.

Wave sequences re-imagined

The original Wavestation created catchy patterns, but they repeated the same pattern over and over again. The wavestate’s Wave Sequencing 2.0 enables you to create more organic-sounding sequences. The Wave Sequencing 2.0 engine splits apart the timing, the sequence of samples and melody, so each can be manipulated independently. New characteristics also added include shapes, gate times and step sequencer values. Each of these is a “Lane,” and each Lane can have a different number of steps, plus its own start, end and loop points. You can also modulate each Lane’s start, end, and loop points separately for every note, using velocity, LFOs, envelopes, Mod Knobs, or other controllers.

Every time the sequence moves forward, the individual Lanes are combined to create the output. For example, you can take a sample and match it with a different duration, pitch, shape, gate length and step sequence value every time it plays. Lanes can also randomize the step order every time they play, with real-time control over the range of included steps. Individual steps can be randomly skipped, and you can control the probability from 0–100%. Four onboard arpeggiators can interact with wave sequences for even more possibilities.

Expressive, hands-on control

The wavestate puts intuitive, real-time control at your fingertips. All the basics, including filter, envelopes, LFOs and effects, have dedicated controls on the front panel of the KORG wavestate. Plus, eight programmable Mod Knobs allow you to use the knobs in real-time performance, and also save the results as new sounds. Plus, the Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels and Vector Joystick serve up multiple dimensions of real-time expression. Almost all front-panel knobs, and most on-screen parameters, can also be modulated. Mod Processors let you transform modulation signals using quantization, smoothing, curvature and more. You can even modulate settings for individual wave sequence steps.

For even more inspiration, use the dedicated front-panel “dice” button, which generates new sounds via intelligent randomization. Randomize the entire sound or just a part of it, such as the filter, the Sample Lane, or the effects. You can use the results as is or use them as a starting point and build your own creations.

Massive sample library, 64 stereo voices

The wavestate’s sample library has gigabytes of great-sounding raw material for wave sequences, including samples from Plugin Guru, a selection from the Kronos and Krome libraries, and newly developed KORG samples. KORG also provides all of the original Wavestation’s samples (including all options), plus a huge library of Wavestation wave sequences. Play up to 64 stereo voices with pristine clarity, using KORG’s anti-aliasing sample playback technology.

Filters and effects

If you want to add vintage character to your sounds, the wavestate has you covered. The compact synth comes with aggressive, vintage-style MS-20 Lowpass and Highpass filters, plus the strong Polysix Lowpass. Shape and refine with a full collection of resonant 2-pole and 4-pole Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass and Band Reject filters. If you’re looking for something more outside the box, use KORG’s unique Multi Filter, which creates modulatable blends of multiple modes simultaneously.

The wavestate’s superb effects deliver production-ready sounds, and you can use up to 14 simultaneously. Each Layer has three dedicated effects and Performance also adds master reverb and parametric EQ controls. Along with standards such as compressors, EQs, choruses, flangers, phasers and stereo delays, you’ll find distinctive processors such as the Wave Shaper, Talking Modulator, Reverse Delay, Multiband Mod Delay and Overb (from the OASYS), plus modeled effects including VOX guitar amps, VOX wah, multi-head tape echo, and a collection of time-honored stompboxes.

With the wavestate, you can layer up to four Programs together in a Performance–each with their own effects and arpeggiator—for even more rich and complex results. The Vector Envelope and Joystick mix the individual voices of the four Layers, and can also modulate any other parameters.