Hi, recently I bought a Korg opsix mk2 synth and wanted to play MiDi files from my Win10 & Win11 laptops connected via USB cable ... I also tried USB to MIDI cable and 3 different MIDI file players.
On my laptops, the midi file players can see the output device as opsix - so it has connectivity/drivers and I can send a Test tone OK but there is no sound coming out of the synth when I play midi files. My opsix global setting are default parameters (Global Channel 1 etc). Also, I have less than 10 sound devices on my laptops and I tried to find a Korg driver for the opsix, but there does not seem to be one available.
Is there something unique to use the opsix mk2 synth sounds to play MIDI files?
opsix mk2 - playing MIDI files
Moderators: Sharp, X-Trade, Pepperpotty, karmathanever
Re: opsix mk2 - playing MIDI files
A few things to consider.
When using a USB to MIDI interface, the opsix's "MIDI In" needs to be connected to the USB to MIDI device's "MIDI Out", and the MIDI sequencer/player software's MIDI setting will need to be set to the USB to MIDI interface, and not to the opsix MIDI.
Does the USB to MIDI interface trigger sounds from other sound modules/keyboards, when playing the MIDI files?
Check that the MIDI files themselves contain MIDI data for channel 1. Not all MIDI files do.
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When using a USB to MIDI interface, the opsix's "MIDI In" needs to be connected to the USB to MIDI device's "MIDI Out", and the MIDI sequencer/player software's MIDI setting will need to be set to the USB to MIDI interface, and not to the opsix MIDI.
Does the USB to MIDI interface trigger sounds from other sound modules/keyboards, when playing the MIDI files?
Check that the MIDI files themselves contain MIDI data for channel 1. Not all MIDI files do.
.
Re: opsix mk2 - playing MIDI files
Thank you very much voip.
I have tried both USB-USB and USB to MIDI IN/OUT cables (U2MIDI).
I get sounds from individual MDI channels e.g. channel 8 could be a piano but it does not play a song i.e. all of the MIDI channels because I want to use the Korg polyphony sounds rather than the laptop MIDI synths.
Is there something unique with the opsix mk2 ... why does it not play all channels that have data?
Regards, Karl
I have tried both USB-USB and USB to MIDI IN/OUT cables (U2MIDI).
I get sounds from individual MDI channels e.g. channel 8 could be a piano but it does not play a song i.e. all of the MIDI channels because I want to use the Korg polyphony sounds rather than the laptop MIDI synths.
Is there something unique with the opsix mk2 ... why does it not play all channels that have data?
Regards, Karl
Re: opsix mk2 - playing MIDI files
Hi all, I have found the problem - Korg, you have done it again !!!
The KORG Opsix mkII is not multitimbral. While it boasts a generous 64 voices of polyphony, allowing for complex and layered sounds, it's designed as a single-timbral instrument. This means it can play only one program or patch at a time, unlike multitimbral synthesizers that can play multiple sounds simultaneously on different MIDI channels.
One of the reasons I bought the KORG Opsix mkII was to play MIDI files because older Korg synths can, and nowhere in the Korg documentation does it say it is not multitimbral as it talks about 64 voice polyphony etc. This is so frustrating and so disappointing ... I have bought lots of Korg products in the past ...
The KORG Opsix mkII is not multitimbral. While it boasts a generous 64 voices of polyphony, allowing for complex and layered sounds, it's designed as a single-timbral instrument. This means it can play only one program or patch at a time, unlike multitimbral synthesizers that can play multiple sounds simultaneously on different MIDI channels.
One of the reasons I bought the KORG Opsix mkII was to play MIDI files because older Korg synths can, and nowhere in the Korg documentation does it say it is not multitimbral as it talks about 64 voice polyphony etc. This is so frustrating and so disappointing ... I have bought lots of Korg products in the past ...
Re: opsix mk2 - playing MIDI files
Ah, OK. It wasn't clear from the original posting that the intended result was to trigger more than one Timbre.
Quite a few other Korg synths are polyphonic and monotimbral. The Wavestate and modwave, for example. Although the Wavestate can play up to four different samples at a time, or an evolving sequence of those samples over time, those samples are assigned to different layers within a Performance, and are not individually triggered using different MIDI channels, nor would I expect them to be. It is the nature of the instrument.
As a possible solution, another instrument that is multitimbral, and has a MIDI Thru output (connected to the opsix), might achieve something approaching the desired result.
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Quite a few other Korg synths are polyphonic and monotimbral. The Wavestate and modwave, for example. Although the Wavestate can play up to four different samples at a time, or an evolving sequence of those samples over time, those samples are assigned to different layers within a Performance, and are not individually triggered using different MIDI channels, nor would I expect them to be. It is the nature of the instrument.
As a possible solution, another instrument that is multitimbral, and has a MIDI Thru output (connected to the opsix), might achieve something approaching the desired result.
.
Re: opsix mk2 - playing MIDI files
That is a great suggestion voip as I have a Korg 05R/W module that has a MIDI through connection ... hopefully it sends each channel individually. I bought the module 30 years ago and a Korg X3 keyboard synthesizer to layer sounds together ... in the days when everything was live and I had a Hammond organ, Rhodes piano, the Korg synths and a Yamaha DX7 synth that I modified to get fat sounds. Regards, Karl
Re: opsix mk2 - playing MIDI files
Hi All,
With anticipation I connected my 30-year-old milti-multitimbral Korg 05R/W synth module Through connector to opsix mk2 and unfortunately, true to its construction the opsix mk2 only played one sound at a time i.e. 1 midi channel at a time.
I paid $1000 for something that I will probably not use in the future as although my Korg 05R/W module has sounds from 30 years ago, it plays full multi-timbral sound layers.
Irrespective if the opsix mk2 has 32 voice polyphony, or 64 voice polyphony, you cannot layer multiple sounds. I did a lot of research but never thought I would get caught out by a deficiency that I didn't have 30 years ago i.e. I bought the wrong instrument from Korg.
With anticipation I connected my 30-year-old milti-multitimbral Korg 05R/W synth module Through connector to opsix mk2 and unfortunately, true to its construction the opsix mk2 only played one sound at a time i.e. 1 midi channel at a time.
I paid $1000 for something that I will probably not use in the future as although my Korg 05R/W module has sounds from 30 years ago, it plays full multi-timbral sound layers.
Irrespective if the opsix mk2 has 32 voice polyphony, or 64 voice polyphony, you cannot layer multiple sounds. I did a lot of research but never thought I would get caught out by a deficiency that I didn't have 30 years ago i.e. I bought the wrong instrument from Korg.
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BlackForest
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Re: opsix mk2 - playing MIDI files
Would it be a solution to purchase the native/app version of your synth, provided you can run multiple instances of it in your DAW (not sure about this, some experts maybe) ?k-man wrote: ↑Thu Aug 28, 2025 6:57 am Hi All,
With anticipation I connected my 30-year-old milti-multitimbral Korg 05R/W synth module Through connector to opsix mk2 and unfortunately, true to its construction the opsix mk2 only played one sound at a time i.e. 1 midi channel at a time.
I paid $1000 for something that I will probably not use in the future as although my Korg 05R/W module has sounds from 30 years ago, it plays full multi-timbral sound layers.
Irrespective if the opsix mk2 has 32 voice polyphony, or 64 voice polyphony, you cannot layer multiple sounds. I did a lot of research but never thought I would get caught out by a deficiency that I didn't have 30 years ago i.e. I bought the wrong instrument from Korg.
Maybe wait for a special, or you might have a voucher when you got your synth?
Modartt Pianoteq, Kronos 2-88 & X73, Kurzweil MicroPiano, Tina Guo Acoustic Cello Legato, Spitfire Albion V Tundra, BBCO Core, Nylon Guitar Ilya Efimov, Xtant Audio Uilleann Pipes - in use
Korg DS-8, Roland D-10, M1Rex, Wavestation, Korg SP-280, JV2080, Wavestate, Kronos LS - all RIP
Korg DS-8, Roland D-10, M1Rex, Wavestation, Korg SP-280, JV2080, Wavestate, Kronos LS - all RIP
Re: opsix mk2 - playing MIDI files
Thank you to everyone for your replies. I will give the opsix to my 17-year-old nephew.
All I want to get is a good recent multitimbral synth module that has good quality presets/samples so I can layer the sounds for playing live.
Although I have 3 high end laptops and I am an IT consultant, I am not a fan of playing live behind a laptop … to me laptops are fine at home/studio but not live /// maybe I am showing my age.
Regards Karl
All I want to get is a good recent multitimbral synth module that has good quality presets/samples so I can layer the sounds for playing live.
Although I have 3 high end laptops and I am an IT consultant, I am not a fan of playing live behind a laptop … to me laptops are fine at home/studio but not live /// maybe I am showing my age.
Regards Karl