Anyone with Kronos getting Wavestate?

MichaelJK · Post by **MichaelJK** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 2:31 am

I have a Kronos X-88. It is my main studio controller. I have been watching videos for the new Korg Wavestate that was just announced at NAMM. I know it shares some features with the Kronos (wavetable sequences), but it looks much more "hands on" (more controls, knobs, buttons, etc.). I am wondering if it would be redundant. Thoughts?

Poseidon · Post by **Poseidon** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:10 am

I would consider of getting the Wavestate, if there is 49-key version, an aftertouch, user samples, a substantial chunk of metal, and internal power supply.

something like this:

Hypothetical 49-keys Korg wavestate. ( Wavestate inside Blofeld )

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 2:47 pm

There is some overlap, basic vector sythessis [ been around since the early 90's]
and motion sounds.

I understand the enthusiasm. Korg's and the retail demos are attractive.
Wavestate takes that synthesis type further and its entertaining.

I think there are keyboardists who have certain requirements, and a new board has to closely fit those plans/goals, what have you.

IOW, I am not an impulse purchaser.

for stuff under $400 I am not as picky.

$800 ? I am going to analyze that kind of purchase.
And it has to fit my production long term, 2 or more years.

For my song writing requirements, this $800 purchase falls short. A 37 key is almost useless for me. It doesn't begin to fit my rig configuration. Poseidon made solid points above. I also need a larger LCD with contrast.

I am not much for following the crowd with new gear. I don't do buy and try and return or sell later.

voip · Post by **voip** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 5:05 pm

To go beyond its 37 keys, the Wavestate could be used as a sound module, triggered over MIDI by e.g. the Kronos. It responds to note numbers 0-127, though not all sounds will play across the entire note range.

.

SKung · Post by **SKung** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 5:37 pm

Sorry, not without digital audio output. Don't we live in 2020? According to the manual USB is for MIDI only.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 6:23 pm

Sure. Form factor is almost as important as sound

To emphasize a desktop could potentially fit on the chassis of an 88

Mike Conway · Post by **Mike Conway** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 9:14 pm

I probably won't get the Wavestate, since it doesn't allow user samples. I like the form factor, but the screen is small.

I could see Kronos users buying it for the ready made presets. It would definitely be a nice size travel synth.

BobTheDog · Post by **BobTheDog** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 9:53 pm

If they did a module version and added MPE I would be interested, it looks neat to me.

Lightbringer · Post by **Lightbringer** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 11:11 pm

Probably not me, at least not right now. Just don't think I can justify it in addition to the Kronos, despite it having some new features and hands on controls.

One of the core reasons for me getting a Kronos in the first place was to have one board that does it all.

Poseidon · Post by **Poseidon** » Tue Jan 14, 2020 3:04 am

It's getting hotter for consumers.

Nord Wave 2 - 4-part performance synthesizer combining Virtual Analog synthesis, Samples, FM and Wavetable.

https://www.nordkeyboards.com/products/nord-wave-2

burningbusch · Post by **burningbusch** » Tue Jan 14, 2020 4:46 am

Hell yes, I'm getting one. I love the sounds I'm hearing in the many demos. I guess over time my ears have become bored with static tones and I'm more and more attracted to movement, complexity and the evolution of the sound over time. So the Wavestate hits home for me. Yes, the Kronos does wave sequencing/vector synthesis but to dial in your own sounds requires a great deal of patience. And the Wavestate goes far beyond the Kronos. With the Wavestate, I can imagine finding a preset that's 90% there and with the front panel controls dialing it in and personalizing it. That's the thing. I don't like using presets on my tracks. I like to personalize my sounds and the Wavestate looks like it makes personalizing complex sounds pretty damn straightforward.

Look at the depth of this thing. In a four-layer performance, you can have 4 vector EGs, 12 ADSRs, 16 LFOs, 8 mod processors, four lanes of wave sequences and four arpeggiators. It features nearly limitless modulation routings.

And, to my knowledge, there's no soft synth that does what this can do. I can't say that about very many hardware pieces. Most of the time, software is a better option for me, both in terms of sound and workflow.

Only $800. So yeah, I'm getting one.

Busch.

Poseidon · Post by **Poseidon** » Tue Jan 14, 2020 8:22 am

I would speculate that in a few months we will see Wavestate Pro or XD.
It would probably come out in two versions: module and keyboard, and with expandable samples.

Poseidon · Post by **Poseidon** » Tue Jan 14, 2020 8:30 am

BobTheDog wrote:If they did a module version and added MPE I would be interested, it looks neat to me.

Check Arturia Pigment 2, they’ve added support for MPE control, and has non-destructive randomness. it might be just what you are after.

https://www.arturia.com/products/analog ... verview#en

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXzslIy ... e=youtu.be

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Tue Jan 14, 2020 4:30 pm

Poseidon wrote:It's getting hotter for consumers.

Nord Wave 2 - 4-part performance synthesizer combining Virtual Analog synthesis, Samples, FM and Wavetable.

https://www.nordkeyboards.com/products/nord-wave-2

I haven't heard it ,yet.

On paper and per spec, I prefer Nords thorough approach. I know this is $2600.

In my perfect world , I prefer Korg take the premium performance synth approach. It would be more exciting and long term for what I do.

Derek Cook · Post by **Derek Cook** » Tue Jan 14, 2020 5:14 pm

I love the update of the concept, but hate the form factor (3 octave, no aftertouch) and I have no space for more keyboards. A paid upgrade for HD-1 or a VST version would give me instant GAS!