Korg opsix

[ElmerJFudd]

[video:youtube]

 

 

$799

 

No AT. But very tangible/programmable FM synthesis through Korg"s filters. 37 full size keys, loads DX7 sysex.

[Radagast]

Yes, no AT. Sigh. BUT...USER CREATABLE ALGORITHMS!!! Finally! Now if synth makers would also allow user creatable waveforms for the operators, the door would be fully open. I believe that was the case with Synclavier 2 FM.

[ABECK]

Would have been nice to have such easy access to the operator parameters when I had a DX7. Well done, Korg. I like it. Very promising. (Where are the rest of the keys for those of us that want to...you know...play with BOTH hands?)

[Bill H.]

The most frustrating thing I had programming my DX7 was that the envelopes (all important in FM) wouldn't update in real time when editing them. I'm not sure that's solved here, but I don't think it is. When he's adjusting the envelopes, he has to keep hitting the keys to hear what he's doing.

 

On the positive side, this goes far beyond traditional DX style FM - with analog waveshapes and filters available along with effects. Many of the patches sound more VA than FM. If I were a younger man I'd be all over this - and I'm sure there are others who will be.

[ElmerJFudd]

It"s tempting. Almost would have preferred a desktop version small enough to plop on top of a nice controller.

 

Maybe Yamaha will take a hint on DX sysex import for the YC-61.

[Markyboard]

The most frustrating thing I had programming my DX7 was that the envelopes (all important in FM) wouldn't update in real time when editing them. I'm not sure that's solved here, but I don't think it is. When he's adjusting the envelopes, he has to keep hitting the keys to hear what he's doing.

 

Interesting. I don"t recall that ever being an issue for me and now Im wondering how FM-8 handles this.

[Bill H.]

Yeah and it was complicated by the fact that DX7 envelopes were rate based, not time based. Rate envelopes are not instinctive if you are used to analog ADSRs, and it took a lot of patience on my part to do anything at all. I was kind of a geeky young'un back then so just rolled with it. I don't know how many custom patches I came up with from scratch... over 100.

 

Envelopes on this new board are ADSRs, so they'll be time based by definition.

[Mark Schmieder]

Yep, no AT means I have zero interest, just as with the WaveState, which I saw the other night but didn't even ask the clerk to enable it for testing as I knew it has no AT.

 

A synth without AT is as soulless and expressionless to me as a sample set of a Moog.

[Bif_]

(Where are the rest of the keys for those of us that want to...you know...play with BOTH hands?)

 

 

This guy is using both hands. His technique is interesting but his video does a nice job demonstrating the instrument and his songs are pleasant as well.

 

 

[video:youtube]

[Josh Paxton]

It's been a long time since I've been interested in FM, but I've gotta say this has got me intrigued. Probably not $800 worth of intrigued, but still it looks like a fun board to program. It's actually got me wondering if any of my long-neglected FM programming chops would come back.

[Mark Schmieder]

I'm getting errors on both videos; did they get pulled?

 

UPDATE: The entire YouTube website is giving me errors with direct video links, and won't even load a basic page when going directly to their site.

[ElmerJFudd]

It"s Armageddon, man. YouTube ain"t playing for me either - any videos. I can see their previews but not play the content.

[ElmerJFudd]

And just like that, they're back. Someone had to restart that server!

[Mark Schmieder]

It sounds like a pretty good take on 6-op FM, almost (to my ears) a bit more like a Casio, but that's not a bad thing as I preferred the CZ to the DX anyway in terms of it having a more rounded sound.

 

Still, it begs for some expression (i.e. aftertouch). I'm not a fan of mod wheels or expression pedals; too coarse and non-tactile in their feedback. Nothing holds a candle to aftertouch.

[ProfD]

The OPSIX looks like it will be a very good FM synth. But. I'll stick with my Yamaha Reface DX.

[DrSynth]

From what I've seen in the specs and all the videos, Korg has done a number of cool things with Opsix.

 

First & foremost for many will be the lighted six knob/slider interface layout, will make quick work of getting around the key FM parameters. Second is distilling some of MOD7's deeper capabilities into their Operator modes to give simple access to timbres that only long time FM nerds know how to build in FM. Third is an very good effects section -- never underestimate the power of effects on the final result.

 

Those three things should strongly appeal to those intimidated by programming FM but want a new/different timbral space to play in the manner of twiddling a few knobs and have neat things pop out.

 

That said, for me truly not a fan of the no AT & keyboard format, and on the fence re: price point. After seeing the mock up at NAMM I was hoping for something more along the lines of a full spec, knobby interfaced MOD7 performance synth.

 

... will need to figure out how to get some time with Opsix to dissect it guts to what else may be hiding in it that expands on or is different/unique

 

 

Yes, no AT. Sigh. BUT...USER CREATABLE ALGORITHMS!!! Finally! Now if synth makers would also allow user creatable waveforms for the operators, the door would be fully open. I believe that was the case with Synclavier 2 FM.

 

BTW, Yamaha had user programmable algorithms in the SY77/99. Oddly, not as useful as you'd think in the SY's as the normal AFM operator 'patch bay' allowed you to do 99%+ of the things you'd use the user algorithm for anyway. But cool Korg have it in Opsix as there's otherwise no operator patchability.

 

Manny

[Radagast]

 

 

Yes, no AT. Sigh. BUT...USER CREATABLE ALGORITHMS!!! Finally! Now if synth makers would also allow user creatable waveforms for the operators, the door would be fully open. I believe that was the case with Synclavier 2 FM.

 

BTW, Yamaha had user programmable algorithms in the SY77/99. Oddly, not as useful as you'd think in the SY's as the normal AFM operator 'patch bay' allowed you to do 99%+ of the things you'd use the user algorithm for anyway. But cool Korg have it in Opsix as there's otherwise no operator patchability.

 

Manny

 

Back in the day, when I had my DX-7, I remember playing around with programming on it many times. More than once, I wanted to have a slightly different algorithm to accomplish what I wanted to do. But it wasn't available in the list of 32.

[AnotherScott]

Back in the day, when I had my DX-7, I remember playing around with programming on it many times. More than once, I wanted to have a slightly different algorithm to accomplish what I wanted to do. But it wasn't available in the list of 32.

Wow. Someone who knows how the operators would have to be arranged in order to get the sound you want. Impressive. :-)

[Muad’Dib]

I was half expecting it, too look like the Prototype they had at the last NAMM show?

[Bill H.]

Back in the day, when I had my DX-7, I remember playing around with programming on it many times. More than once, I wanted to have a slightly different algorithm to accomplish what I wanted to do. But it wasn't available in the list of 32.

 

The biggest thing that pissed me off about the DX7 algorithms was the way they utilized feedback loops - which were always where you didn't want them or where you wanted more than one. I remember so many times when I'd get a great sound with an operator stack that had a feedback loop, but couldn't duplicate it in another part of the algorithm for a unison or chorusing effect.

 

That will not be a problem with the Opsix, because it has complex waveforms that go far beyond the sine waves of the DX7. But it sure was back in 1984.

[AquilaRift]

I know it's fairly tiny already, but this thing screams for a desktop version, just like the Wavestate also screams for one. Korg seems to be hell-bent on reusing the same case and [subjective opinion here] shabby keybed for its latest synths. I know that makes sense from a design/cost perspective, but these 37-key formats with no AT are absolutely killing my desire to spend as much money as possible on hardware that I don't need. LOL. I'm just gonna have to start my own synth company. Who's with me?

[GovernorSilver]

I know it's fairly tiny already, but this thing screams for a desktop version, just like the Wavestate also screams for one. Korg seems to be hell-bent on reusing the same case and [subjective opinion here] shabby keybed for its latest synths. I know that makes sense from a design/cost perspective, but these 37-key formats with no AT are absolutely killing my desire to spend as much money as possible on hardware that I don't need. LOL. I'm just gonna have to start my own synth company. Who's with me?

 

Well, you're only safe until Korg decides to issue a module version of this, just like they did the Minilogue XD.

 

In this price range, there's also the Twisted Electrons MegaFM and Elektron Digitone in module form - granted both are 4-op rather than 6-op, and each with its individual pros/cons.

[Adan]

I know it's fairly tiny already, but this thing screams for a desktop version, just like the Wavestate also screams for one. Korg seems to be hell-bent on reusing the same case and [subjective opinion here] shabby keybed for its latest synths. I know that makes sense from a design/cost perspective, but these 37-key formats with no AT are absolutely killing my desire to spend as much money as possible on hardware that I don't need. LOL. I'm just gonna have to start my own synth company. Who's with me?

 

While Korg is doomed to be criticized for its choice, there is a logic to it. A slim-key 3 octave keyboard takes up only a little more space than a desktop version. If I was Korg, I'd say it's not a shrunk keyboard, it's a desktop with an attached keybed good enough for sound sculpting and for playing many synth-type parts. For maximizing chops, connect to a controller just as you would with a desktop.

 

Thinking of the Opsix as a distant relative of the DX7, I would have voted for 4 slim key octaves for two-handed epiano playing. But that would be getting farther away from the desktop+ concept.

[ProfD]

A slim-key 3 octave keyboard takes up only a little more space than a desktop version. If I was Korg, I'd say it's not a shrunk keyboard, it's a desktop with an attached keybed good enough for sound sculpting and for playing many synth-type parts. For maximizing chops, connect to a controller just as you would with a desktop.

Bingo.

 

That's exactly what I see in these smaller KBs especially in the absence of rackmount tone generators and desktops. I believe the manufacturers are telling us "This Is It.".

[GovernorSilver]

A slim-key 3 octave keyboard takes up only a little more space than a desktop version. If I was Korg, I'd say it's not a shrunk keyboard, it's a desktop with an attached keybed good enough for sound sculpting and for playing many synth-type parts. For maximizing chops, connect to a controller just as you would with a desktop.

Bingo.

 

That's exactly what I see in these smaller KBs especially in the absence of rackmount tone generators and desktops. I believe the manufacturers are telling us "This Is It.".

 

This is it, unless you are willing to pay up for a Kodamo Essence FM rackmount module.

 

Granted you get like 300 voice poly and 16-part multimbral for the extra $$$

[AquilaRift]

[Well, you're only safe until Korg decides to issue a module version of this, just like they did the Minilogue XD.

 

In this price range, there's also the Twisted Electrons MegaFM and Elektron Digitone in module form - granted both are 4-op rather than 6-op, and each with its individual pros/cons.

 

I've considered the Elektron desktops, both the Digitone and Digitakt. I quite like them, actually, and they also import samples, which you can then mangle to death if you like. They've been on my Xmas wishlist for a while. If I were going to get an FM synth with a proper keyboard, I would favor a Yahama SY77 or SY99. Yeah, they are 30 years old and the newer FM synths do a lot more, but I always wanted one of those and could never afford them back in the 90s. Btw, the link in my previous comment is to a post I made about the Wavestate, and how it is unlikely to get a module or desktop version according to Dan P of Korg. It's possible that the Opsix would fall under the same reasoning.

 

While Korg is doomed to be criticized for its choice, there is a logic to it. A slim-key 3 octave keyboard takes up only a little more space than a desktop version. If I was Korg, I'd say it's not a shrunk keyboard, it's a desktop with an attached keybed good enough for sound sculpting and for playing many synth-type parts. For maximizing chops, connect to a controller just as you would with a desktop.

 

Thinking of the Opsix as a distant relative of the DX7, I would have voted for 4 slim key octaves for two-handed epiano playing. But that would be getting farther away from the desktop+ concept.

 

Well, you're right of course. There is logic to Korg's decisions. It's just not *my* logic. LOL. It occurred to me after I made my post, that I could get both the Opsix and a Wavestate and have them placed together side by side on a typical stand. This doesn't solve the AT problem, but I do have several controllers to choose from.

[GovernorSilver]

[Well, you're only safe until Korg decides to issue a module version of this, just like they did the Minilogue XD.

 

In this price range, there's also the Twisted Electrons MegaFM and Elektron Digitone in module form - granted both are 4-op rather than 6-op, and each with its individual pros/cons.

 

I've considered the Elektron desktops, both the Digitone and Digitakt. I quite like them, actually, and they also import samples, which you can then mangle to death if you like. They've been on my Xmas wishlist for a while. If I were going to get an FM synth with a proper keyboard, I would favor a Yahama SY77 or SY99.

 

Kodamo just announced the VFM keyboard FM synths - 37 and 61 key versions. They say the VFMs will have a different synth engine than the EssenceFM, but no details have been provided, other than they will be FM synths.

 

Of course nothing wrong with picking up a Yamaha SY if a great deal can be found.

[Doerfler]

If I were going to get an FM synth with a proper keyboard, I would favor a Yahama SY77 or SY99.

I owned both of these for a while. The SY 99 is a very elegant keyboard indeed.

[ElmerJFudd]

Ah the SY99 et al. I was a synth desiring youth and they were far out of my price range. But I could play them on the floor of the music shop I worked at.

[David Emm]

> Aquilarift: It occurred to me after I made my post, that I could get both the Opsix and a Wavestate and have them placed together side by side on a typical stand.

 

This, in the end. In a sense, they're both like effects units as much as synths. They're clearly aimed, in part, at creating a giant whirl of sound with relative ease. As with any other instrument, GIGO. You won't fully grasp either one in a weekend, but with a little dedication, a month seems about right for 90% of it.

 

Some people behave as if every new variation is an offense to the gods, but don't you notice yourself leaning more towards X than Y? Sit at a piano, EP or organ and just drink it in, solo? Suddenly realize that you just spent more on Eurorack stuff in the past 5 years than you did on actual hardware keys? I thought so! I can't say much, as I'm tweedling the PG-1000 programmer that comes with the soft-D-50, with small but solid gratification. You pick your poison, but also your honey.

 

In addition, these two are banking on nostalgia as much as their other pluses. Younger people will want a piece of the old glory; some of "Us" will like having Korg's take on wave sequencing or FM in tidier packages. I'd like to see the 2-year curve on Wavestate sales, but several 3rd party authors are releasing patch banks for it. That's a small added sign of longevity.