Korg R3 vs MicroKorg XL

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:00 am

Any reason I'd want the MicroKorg XL instead of the R3?

robert_hirst · Post by **robert_hirst** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:27 am

I wrestled with this for a while and for me the plus points of the XL were the fact that it had 'traditional' rompler sounds in it (pianos etc) and that it could be battery powered - I liked the idea that I could cart it around with me on holiday to practice etc (my main workstation is a yammy motif ES7 which is not exactly portable!!) . In the end though I decided that the better synthesis capabilities and the more 'pro' aspects of the R3 were better for what I needed in terms of gigging. I also decided that the mini keys on the XL would annoy me after a while - so far haven't regretted it, I love my R3!!!

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:15 pm

Thanks for the input, Robert. ROMpler sounds aren't important to me, but the battery operation on the XL is a plus. However not a really important point - the wider efx possibilities and the regular sized keys on the R3 are much more important to me. Plus the R3 has arpeggiator step buttons on the case itself, rather than hidden within menus on the XL.

Any other points I should be aware of?

How easy is it to edit sounds on the units themselves, instead of relying on a computer editor?

robert_hirst · Post by **robert_hirst** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:30 pm

Well, it's ok - obviously not like the Radias where most things are right in front of you, but easier than some other synths I've used in the past.
The PC editor is definitely easier and essential if you want to start organing patches and trying downloaded ones, though I would say that having used the PC editor a bit now I find editing directly a little more straightforward as I have a better picture in my head of what the parameters are doing (if that makes sense??)

I definitely find the R3 to be a very 'immediate' synth where I'm happy to twiddle knobs live anyway.

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:36 pm

That sounds great, Robert. I really don't like the idea of being locked to a computer for editing, so standalone operation is very important to me. How do you find the vocoder?

robert_hirst · Post by **robert_hirst** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:42 pm

Hi Hugo - the vocoder is fantastic (probably one of the best bits about the R3) - my only problem is persuading the rest of my band to let me use it (they're not into ELO!!). I think from reviews I've seen that it's regarded as up with the best of them in terms of vocoding. Have you looked on youtube? There are various examples of there of people using the R3 vocoder, if you want to hear it in action.

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:03 pm

Ah, yeah, I watched some clips and it does look very promising indeed. Can't wait to get one. Thanks again for the input.