KORG Modwave Mk II Explained
Join synth expert Alberto Rizzo Schettino for an intensely thorough look at KORG's formidable Modwave Mk II hardware synth. KORG went deep with this synth, and the possibilities within are truly mind-boggling. You'll not only learn about the common components, such as the oscillators, filters, envelopes, etc., but Alberto will investigate two other unique aspects of this synth - Kaoss Physics and Motion Seq 2.0 - at length, providing you with a nearly inexhaustible supply of modulation and motion capabilities and sound design magic. These videos are designed for new Modwave Mk II users.
Videos
• Introduction (04:40) - Join the class and get a short but sweet glimpse at the amazing stuff the Modwave Mk II can do. One of the most brilliant Wavetable-based designs that's both versatile and incredibly flexible, it can create anything from focused, monophonic sounds to some of the most fascinating, ever-evolving soundscapes and drones you've ever heard.
• Block Diagram (02:23) - Let's quickly talk about the signal flow in the Modwave and its various sections. This episode will act as a roadmap, allowing you to get a birds-eye view of the various components and interactions that constitute this synthesizer.
• Overview (11:07) - It's time to familiarize ourselves with the various sections of the layout. Initially, it might seem overwhelming, but you'll soon realize that, with the right approach, navigating the Modwave is extremely fast and rewarding. It also leaves you plenty of choices to tackle parameters through the LCD and its pages, straight from the knobs and its shift-functions, or in a mixed fashion.
• Using Presets (14:11) - The Modwave comes with an impressive array of presets divided into various categories. Creating new sounds is an amazing experience, but few synthesizers share the quality and quantity of the presets in this KORG synth, and sometimes they're you need, with or without tweaking. In this episode, we cover how to navigate the stock sound banks and store your own presets. This will come in handy for future chapters, in which we'll create our own sounds.
• Set Lists (05:33) - Alberto drives you through one simple, yet fantastic feature of the Modwave: set lists. These banks allow you to customize lists of sounds that will be available at your fingertips. Set lists are equally great whether you are a studio composer or a live musician. Even as a studio musician, having your favorite sounds available at any time helps your creative flow and momentum.
• Oscillators (13:12) - At the core of the Modwave are the oscillators with their wavetable capabilities. Alberto explains all they can do with their modes, morphing, and blending features. Being a wavetable synthesizer, this section is the nexus that sets the Modwave apart from many other musical instruments you might have already, since the mod matrix and Motion Seq 2.0 will then take this section and develop it into a galaxy of possibilities.
• Wavetables in Action (04:42) - Sit down with Alberto to test some of the amazing possibilities that these wavetables offer. This is a great way to understand how versatile and powerful they can be when compared to the classic analog oscillators with limited waveforms. Understanding what makes wavetables and multi-samples stand out is key to being able to use a synth like this one to its fullest potential.
• Filters Pt. 1 (13:51) - The Modwave features some legendary re-creations, through its Polysix and MS-20 filters. On top of that, it can be as flexible as you want, through a vast array of filters and intricated combinations of its morphable multi-filter. KORG made this section sound good, and it can process and mangle anything you throw at it, especially given the complexity of the oscillator sections.
• Filters Pt. 2 (08:37) - Continue exploring the filters and the sonic possibilities that lie within.
• Envelopes (15:12) - This chapter covers the various envelopes available to the Modwave for filters, amp, and oscillators. The typical ADSR system is expanded by the various curves and feature additional modulation capabilities.
• LFOs Pt. 1 (16:08) - Another extremely versatile section, with five LFOs to modulate everything available, the Modwave leaves no stone unturned. In this chapter, Alberto discusses the various functions that the LFO pages make available to you, allowing you to transform a sound entirely or simply give it more expressiveness.
• LFOs Pt. 2 (05:43) - Alberto expands upon the LFOs further here, providing even more opportunities for motion and movement.
• Arpeggiator (12:54) - A chapter on its own, the arpeggiator of the Modwave is layer-based and, for this reason, dual. Simple yet powerful, this section can integrate with everything the synth can do and also interact independently with the Motion Seq 2.0 capabilities that we'll explore in a later chapter.
• Performance Properties (12:51) - Alberto dives into the various performance properties that regulate the fundamental parameters and characteristics of a patch in the Modwave. He goes through every function that will help you assign the main features of the sound you are working on.
• Amp & Pitch Sections (13:07) - Here we focus specifically on the Amp and Pitch sections, with their assignments and possible modulations. This is once again one of the most important, frequently used, and fundamental sections to shape the characteristics of your sound.
• Kaoss Physics Pt. 1 (15:24) - Join Alberto in this exhaustive chapter about Kaoss Physics. One of the most important additions to electronic, keyboard musical instruments in recent history, the Modwave takes the Kaoss basics to a whole new level. Learn how Kaoss Physics can add a whole other layer of expressiveness to any sound and is one of the reasons the soundscapes of a Modwave never sound repetitive.
• Kaoss Physics Pt. 2 (19:05) - Continue the exploration of Kaoss Physics with Alberto, as he examines even more capabilities.
• Modulation (14:17) - Here, we concentrate on the Mod button and all it can do. This section is not simple, but KORG has made it possible to quickly create and manage modulation assignments with a few buttons and a twist of a knob. Yet, if you want to still fine-tune the parameters, you can dive deep into the various pages to make sure they're perfect. Once again a cool blend of hands-on approach and extensive features, learn how to master this section and use it when creating your sounds or editing the existing ones.
• Effects Pt. 1 (10:10) - On top of everything the Modwave can do, this synth has one of the most powerful and extensive effect sections available. including pre- and mod-FX, delays, and reverbs, with many types and presets to choose from. The Modwave can stand its own in creating sounds that are 100% ready to go in a live or studio situation, yet it can use its FX creatively to further shape its sounds when utilizing external, additional effects as well.
• Effects Pt. 2 (10:46) - Alberto continues to discuss and demonstrate the effect parameters.
• Utility Page (11:52) - Underrated and maybe not regarded as important as everything else, the Utility page will be one of the sections to which you'll refer more often than not. Alberto takes you through its parameters and functions.
• Motion Seq 2.0 Pt. 1 (16:52) - One of the most impressive sections for expressiveness and creativity, the Motion Seq 2.0 on the Modwave can be a step sequencer, a modulator, a shaper, an arpeggiator, all of the above, or something entirely unique. Alberto takes the time to explain each page and function in-depth, with plenty of examples and references to creative ways to use this ecosystem.
• Motion Seq 2.0 Pt. 2 (13:20) - Alberto covers more possibilities with the Motion Seq 2.0.
• Motion Seq 2.0 Pt. 3 (13:30) - This chapter completes the exhaustive look at Motion Seq 2.0.
• Mod Processors (09:39) - An advanced way of modulating parameters, Mod Processors are the cherry on top of an already complex system. If there's still a type of modulation that the Modwave cannot do through its basic functions, the Mod Processors will certainly do it. Alberto takes this to a dedicated chapter to let you master each function they offer.
• Randomization & Help (04:51) - Last but not least, a powerful function of the Modwave is simply its randomization matrix which can be used to create anything from scratch or to simply spice up some sections. This section brings some immediacy and inspiration to a synth that can also work very technically on a multitude of sound design levels.