Superbooth 23: KORG microKORG Crystal – Celebrating 20 Years
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microKORG Crystal · Source: KORG
microKORG Crystal - Underside · Source: KORG
microKORG Family · Source: KORG
microKORG with microphone · Source: KORG
microKORG Rear · Source: KORG
microKORG Crystal · Source: KORG
microKORG Crystal in Clear Case · Source: KORG
To celebrate two decades of what is, statistically, the biggest selling synth of all time, KORG have reincarnated the microKORG and you can see what it had for dinner!
The Biggest Small Synth of All Time!
Released in 2002, KORG’s microKORG rapidly became one of their most successful synthesizers ever and it even surpassed other KORG big sellers, including a previous record holder for biggest selling synth ever, the M1. microKORG’s soon sprung up everywhere and were seen in studios big and small. Many artists used them on stage and they brought a hugely useable palette of sounds to bedroom musos everywhere.
Source: KORG
A Bonafide Classic
Why were they so popular? It was a simple formula that involved packing a huge amount of sonic capability into a small and very affordable package. It even had a vocoder! A simple interface with enough hands on control and decent connectivity meant there was something for everyone in a microKORG. Marry all of this to battery power and a great collection of useable sounds right out of the box and you had an instant classic.
Source: KORG
The microKORG Crystal
KORG recently immortalised the microKORG in their KORG Collection of software instruments and now, to celebrate its 20th anniversary, KORG have launched the microKORG Crystal. Internally identical in every way, the microKORG Crystal features a new case that betrays its internals in all their glory. Even the knobs are clear! The front panel is now a mirror-finish stainless steel affair. Capping the whole thing off are new aluminium side panels. Korg have even created a transparent carry bag for its new microKORG.
Source: KORG
Micro Size, Maximum Features
As mentioned previously, it’s internally identical so everything you already know and love about the microKORG is there. This includes four voice polyphony, bi-timbrality, multi-mode filter, a vocoder, FX, arpeggiator and 128 presets. The package contains the synth, PSU, microphone and the clear carry bag.
Source: KORG
More Information
The microKORG Crystal will retail for €539.00 and is expected to ship in July 2023 in limited numbers so snap yours up quick.
Is that price a bit steep for a 20 year old classic? It’s a fair to ask because since the original microKORG’s success, almost all synth manufacturers have adopted some or all of the microKORG’s features. For around the price of the microKORG Crystal you can get any number of more capable or powerful instruments. Take Arturia, for example. Their ‘Freak’ range offers all sorts of wonderful and powerful features for around the same price (MiniFreak) or less (MicroFreak).
The fact that KORG are celebrating 20 years of the microKORG is testament to its staying power and popularity with punters so I’m sure the new kid on the block will do well. But if the microKORG Crystal doesn’t float your boat, then you can still pick up the original for a snip. There’s even the microKORG S and XL should you hanker after something a bit meatier!
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2 responses to “Superbooth 23: KORG microKORG Crystal – Celebrating 20 Years”
Pricey…but cool. I guess I will have to stick with my see-through Behringer clones because I am a peasant. 😂😅
I don’t understand why KORG still hasn’t made a desktop version of this synthesizer.