Hardware (Instruments and Effects) • Re: Korg KingKORG NEO

Got it in today. I can give some brief thoughts

• Build quality: Better than the OpSix I had, does the job but nothing more. Feels like it should be a bit better at this price point.

• Design: I'm not sure this keyboard makes sense. It's set up to be a fast workflow work horse, like a Nord Lead, but it only has 37 keys. They put the 3 effects slots on the front panel with huge controls. I get the idea behind it, the programming interface takes a backseat to performance controls. Seems like it could have been done without taking up so much space but whatever.

• Ergonomics: Compromised. 2 Envelopes using the same set of controls, lots of waveforms and filter choices but they are on button presses, they would be easier to access with knobs instead of buttons.

• Synth engine: It's set up to give you quick access to types of sounds. Raw waveforms, PCM, modulated waveforms etc.
  
  Modulation types are Sync, Ringmod, FM and PM, and not just with sines but a choice of the 4 basic waveform types. So while I don't believe there's any cross modulation between oscillators, you can still get those kinds of sounds. They sound good.
  
  Now there's also dual modes for the 4 basically waveforms, and unison modes. The dual modes are phase locked, so I don't see using them very often, but the unison mode sounds great. Free phase and just like you expect a supersaw (or square etc) to sound. They are mono but these are just the waveforms, the synth itself has up to 4 unison stack with stereo spread & detuning controls.

• The DWGS waveforms are present, the modification you can make is to detune 2 of the same wave form together.

• The PCM waveforms: These are a mixed bag. Of course I'm happy to have them, but I'd say to any one who wants to use this synth in place of a workstation, these aren't going to cut it. They are single samples by the sound of it, not multisampled. For sound design though these are great. In the low end they a very crunchy and aliased. Almost like the kinds of sounds you expect from a wavetable synth, sometimes. No modifications seem possible here. If you like Lo-fi or 90's house, there's a lot of fun to be had here.

• Filters: The filters are excellent. The highlights for me are the Prophet, Oberheim and MS-20 models. Unlike some other digital synths I've used, they have the characteristics modeled very well and in general they just sound very good. You probably won't think "oh this is just like my prophet". but it will make sense that it's called the P5 filter or the OB filter. There's also a Moog and Acid filter.

• Effects: They are mostly OK. I think the chorus is quite nice, not so much the phaser and flanger. I think the distortion is OK but I didn't try it all the much. The plate reverb is nice but the hall rings a lot. The delays are fine.

• Complaints: I miss the sequencer that they included with their other recent synths. I really appreciate the true unison mode and the EQ controls. The EQ is customizable in frequency and amount, but unfortunately is global and does not save with the preset.

It is capable of producing some great sounds with character that is particular to this synth and not generic. Mainly due to its filters and eccentric waveform selection. But does it seems a bit over-priced and there's nothing particularly new here. It's deeper than it needs to be for a performance synth, but limited compared to many other options out there.




I'll post some sound examples/video when I can.

Statistics: Posted by Aiynzahev — Fri Feb 16, 2024 4:10 am

---