Who here(other than myself) is picking one of these up when they soon become available? Some websites have it listed as arriving tomorrow. If I wasn't expecting a Triton extreme this week I'd nab one asap. I'll play with the Extreme for a couple of weeks until I jump on purchasing the new micro XL.
If anyone gets it, start a new thread with opinions!!
The R3 has double the kinds of effects of the XL, and has two insert effects per timbre with one master effect, which is 5 effects per program. The Microkorg XL only has 2 master effects per program. Besides the effects, the R3 has a real keyboard and OASYS style assignable knobs with LED parameter feedback and LCD Displays. The R3 has two independent audio inputs that let you put a stereo input through the synth engine, which is useful if you want to use the effects on them. The R3 has a modulation sequencer that's useful for adding depth to programs without using up polyphony. So is that worth $100? I think so. Except that you can find used R3's for less than the new XL, so you'll get more for less.
The XL has a couple advantages, relatively minor in my view, and certainly not worth giving up so much else. The vocoder structure is a bit different on the XL. The XL has an acoustic piano and slightly different wave set, less than 10 percent different.
I think the truth is...um...nobody cares.
I don't know why, but the R3 is just NOT considered anywhere in the MicroKorg family by most. The R3 was not 'sexy enough' to warrant consideration my many.
I wonder if the Radias would be even more popular if it looked a little bit more like the MS series...
Korg never put out a major campaign to pitch the R3 as the next MicroKorg. I consider the R3 to be a baby Radias anyway. Perhaps its look just doesn't stir the imagination of what it would look like in your studio like the XL seems to.
I've messed with the R3 a few times and it never grabbed me and made me want it. I understand where xmlguy is coming from but if we all got what made more sense, a lot of us wouldn't have what we currently have and that's no fun!
If the Microkorg XL appeals to you, that's fine by me. I haven't seen any descriptions about the Microkorg XL pointing out how limited the effects are compared to the R3. So long as you know the differences, you can make your own informed choice based on what's important to you. The XL is much closer to the R3 than to the Microkorg. The XL is more of a cutdown R3 with a minikeys and battery power.
I think the truth is...um...nobody cares.
I don't know why, but the R3 is just NOT considered anywhere in the MicroKorg family by most. The R3 was not 'sexy enough' to warrant consideration my many.
I wonder if the Radias would be even more popular if it looked a little bit more like the MS series...
Korg never put out a major campaign to pitch the R3 as the next MicroKorg. I consider the R3 to be a baby Radias anyway. Perhaps its look just doesn't stir the imagination of what it would look like in your studio like the XL seems to.
that is absurd.
The new MK is about as close to a MK as my big toe is a pinky toe, but hey! they're both toes! the old MK = mini MS2k ~ entirely different synth engine, entirely different sound, entirely different synth.
The new MK uses the synthesis engine from the Radias and some of the trimmed down feature set of the R3 + a couple rompler sounds. It is a baby Radias, PERIOD. Oh wait, it's not a baby Radias, that's the much more powerful and very affordable R3.. I guess that makes the MKII the whore of a sell out child star trying to make money off it's last name and anyone gullible enough to buy into superficial reasoning.
can't blame a company for wanting to make some money, specially when theres ppl like this out there (which there appears to be plenty of).
im not saying the mkii is a bad synth, but your reasoning is crazy.
but the R3 is just NOT considered anywhere in the MicroKorg family by most
lol again.
To give you an example of Korg's history with this sort of thing and how it's all related over the years in reference and sales methods:
BASED ON SYNTH BOARDS/ENGINES/FEATURE SETS:
Badass -> Less badass -> even less badass but portable
To some extent I agree with that, but the MicroKorg XL does have its charm in being portable and small version of the Radias MMT engine (actually even older than it seems, derived from the Electribe series).
MicroKorg XL seems to be an attempt at getting the populatity of the MicroKorg into the Radias/MMT range. but yes they are unrelated.
Having owned an MK I can understand why they are so popular. they sound great and are a budget synth that almost anyone can afford. it was my first synth and I have some fond memories of it and wish I hadn't parted with it in some ways,
But, if you are really into synths, especially if you are always programming your own sounds, the MK is VERY limited. so I wanted a Radias for years, since it came out - and eventually I got it. just having the two filters, and six virtual patches was enough to sell it, but it also has incredible polyphony compared to the MK. even the R3 and MKxl have 8 notes, which i could only dream of with the MK.
I didn't come here to diss the MK or MKxl but they are really only budget alternatives. great for getting into synthesis, but you really shouldn't be investing in them if you can afford better. the Radias has the SAME sounds and engine, plus four timbres and two step sequencers and unrivaled FX for a synth... plus you can actually play it like a real keyboard. even the R3 is verging on being a toy in comparison. I personally can't understand why anyone would choose the R3 or MKxl over the Radias, if they had that choice to make.
Now the MK and MS2k do have a certain charm to them and they sound nice and warm. people are saying the same thing about the triton compared to the M3/M50. but the truth is that if you are going for that sound then you can still achieve it. its not gone, its just one of many options. with the MK you could only sound deep and warm, but with the new MMT engine you can sound warm or crisp or flat or bright - there's more options.
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
@plosive: You say Absurd and add Lol like you have a counter point to anything I've said. And then have the nerve to actually agree with what I said.
"It is a baby Radias, PERIOD"
And you own chart supports my general perceptions.
MS2000--- Radias
MicroKorg --- R3
Koass Pad --- any of the Kaossilator series
Notice it's not MK -> MKII, there is practically no relation there other than name and size.
And the name and appearance are more than enough for most to draw the obvious comparisons. Which is still my point.
What's new is the XL. As far as I know, Korg have never used an XL designation before. So once you define what XL means to the product line- it could absolutely make sense.
So after all you own observations, my original comment is still going to be the most true.
"I think the truth is...um...nobody cares. "
It will go down in history as the MicroKorg 2-
be filed under MicroKorg...
be bought by many and be considered a success.
The amount of enlightened people "in the know" will not change that.
Now that I think about it, an even better example is the MicroKorg itself. A used MS2000 was a better deal all the way around. More control, engine...keys etc...pricing, BUT no matter how times it was said....
All these bands are playing the MicorKorg on stage and its presets grace a million songs.
did you mean for these to be on two separate lines? the MS-10 has nothing to do with the KP series.
also, i don't get why everyone is arguing as to what makes the mKXL a microKORG proper? it's a synth that uses Korg's current VA engine and it has mini keys. that's it. that's all the qualifiers you need to look at. there is no magic formula, no special qualities it must possess. a synth needn't possess all of its forebears' abilities, or even their sound engine, in order to carry the name. examples:
Nord Lead/2/2x, Lead 3
Minimoog, Minimoog Voyager
Prophet 5/10/600/T8/2000, Prophet 08
what's in a name anyway? use it if you like it; don't if you don't. hating the name or marketing isn't going to make it go away.
I must disagree because it is actually exactly the same. This proven by the fact that sysex data from Microkorg will load into MS2000. Granted the interface is so much better on the MS and wins hands down but apart from the learned ones here, most users only ever tweek the RT controls on the microkorg.
It's nice and also healthy to have a discussion and opinion about products but in the end the world decides. Future Music in the UK just released a shinning review with the exception of an error in the conclusion stating that it makes a a great replacement for the microkorg. They also moan about the cost but maybe they never watch currencies and don't realise how much the £ has devalued against €, JPYEN and $ over the last 6 months. Every manufacturer in the UK that imports products purchased in these currecies has raised prices, those that haven't either have stock piles of currency or may not survive too long.
