Ride the Wavestate
Building upon the success of the original Wavestation and harnessing the power of the flagship OASYS and KRONOS keyboards, the Korg Wavestate Digital Wave Sequencing Synthesizer is an advanced performance instrument capable of generating an organic and inspirational pallet of lush, evolving pads and driving rhythms that are ever-changing. Taking its cues from modular synths, groove boxes, and algorithmic compositions, the compact 37-note form factor transports easily and fits neatly into any stage, studio, or desktop setup making it well suited for musicians, producers, composers, and sound designers.
At the heart of the Wavestate lies Korg’s latest Wave Sequencing 2.0, which splits apart the timing, the sequence of samples, and the melody, so that each can be manipulated independently. Also added are new characteristics including shapes, gate times, and step sequencer values. Each of these is a lane, and each lane can have a different number of steps and its own start, end, and loop points. Every time the sequence moves forward, the individual lanes are combined to create the output. Lanes can also randomize the step order every time they play, with realtime control over the range of included steps. Individual steps can be randomly skipped, with a modulatable probability from 0 to 100%, resulting in an organic, ever-changing sounds that respond to your control. Additionally, four onboard arpeggiators can interact with Wave Sequences for even more possibilities.
The rear panel offers balanced stereo 1/4″ outputs and a dedicated headphone output for private playing or onstage cuing. The 5-pin DIN MIDI I/O jacks allow for the connection to external equipment and sequencers, while the class-compliant USB MIDI (USB Type-B) port can connect to Windows and Mac computers. A dedicated Wavestate editor/librarian is available for free at the Korg website. Also included are several Mac/Windows applications and instruments including Korg Gadget 2 LE, iZotope Ozone Elements, and Reason Lite. The Korg Wavestate ships with a power adapter.
General Features
- Wave Sequencing 2.0
- Extensive modulation with hands-on control
- Gigabytes of samples
- Modeled filters, including MS-20 and Polysix
- 64 stereo voices
- 4 Layers with Vector control
- 14 simultaneous effects
- Set Lists and Smooth Sound Transitions
- Randomization
- Compact. Great design. 37 full-size keys
- Designed by Korg R&D in California
Wave Sequencing 2.0
- Created organically evolving and ear-catching patterns
- Each step of a Wave Sequence has a duration, a sample, and a pitch
- Wave Sequencing 2.0 splits apart the timing, the sequence of samples, and the melody, so that each can be manipulated independently
- Add additional characteristics including shapes, gate times, and step sequencer values.
- Each characteristic has a dedicated lane and can have a different number of steps and its own start, end, and loop points
- As sequence movers forward, individual lanes are combined to create the output
- Lanes can also randomize the step order every time they play, with realtime control over the range of included steps
- Individual steps can be randomly skipped, with a modulatable probability from 0 to 100%
- Four onboard arpeggiators can interact with Wave Sequences for even more possibilities
- Example
- A sample may be matched with a different duration, pitch, shape, gate length, and step sequence value every time that it plays. Modulate each lane’s start, end, and loop points separately for every note, using velocity, LFOs, envelopes, Mod Knobs, or other controllers. Each note in a chord can be playing something different
Deep Expression
- All basic controls are at your fingertips with dedicated front -anel controls including filter, envelopes, LFOs, and effects
- Eight programmable Mod Knobs are customized to bring out the most in every sound, often taking them in entirely new directions
- Use the knobs in real-time performance and save the results as new sounds
- Add in the Pitch Bend, Modulation Wheels, and the unique Vector Joystick for multiple dimensions of real-time expression
- Most front-panel knobs, and onscreen parameters can be modulated, including modulation settings for individual wave sequence steps
- Transform modulation signals using quantization, smoothing, curvature, and more
Randomization
- Press the Dice button to generates new sounds via intelligent randomization
- Randomize the entire sound or just a part of it, such as the filter, the Sample Lane, or the effects
- Use the results directly, or as a jumping-off point for your own creations
Production-Ready Effects Engine
- Onboard effects deliver production-ready sounds
- Each layer has three dedicated effects
- Performance has a master reverb and parametric EQ
- Effect Types:
- Compressors, EQs, choruses, flangers, phasers, and stereo delays
- Wave shaper, talking modulator, reverse delay, multiband mod delay, and Overb (from the OASYS),
- Modeled effects including VOX guitar amps, VOX wah, multihead tape echo, and a collection of classic guitar pedals
Filters
- Add vintage character with the aggressive MS-20 low-pass or high-pass filters, or the strong, sweet Polysix low-pass
- Shape and refine with a full collection of resonant 2-pole and 4-pole low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-reject filters
- Multi Filter creates modulatable blends of multiple modes simultaneously
Massive Sample Library with 64 Stereo Voices
- Gigabytes of samples, more than a thousand times larger than that of the original Wavestation
- Sample Banks:
- Plugin Guru
- Selections from the KORG KRONOS and KROME libraries
- Original KORG Wavestation’s samples and wave sequences (including all options)
- Play up to 64 stereo voices with pristine clarity, using KORG’s proprietary anti-aliasing sample playback technology
Four Program Layering
- Layer up to four Programs together in a Performance, each with their own effects and arpeggiator
- Use the vector envelope and joystick to mix the individual voices of the four Layers and modulate any other parameter
Set Lists and Smooth Sound Transitions
- Set Lists offer effortless organization of Wavestate performances
- Delivers instant access at the gig or in rehearsal
- Smooth sound transitions allow previously played voices and effects to continue to ring out naturally, even once a new sound has been selected
Included Software
- Mac/Windows
- Applications
- Wavestate Librarian (edit and save Wavestate Programs)
- Izotope Ozone Elements (mastering)
- Reason Lite (DAW)
- Korg Gadget 2 Le for Mac (DAW)
- Skoove (online piano lessons – 3-month Trial)
- Instruments
- Korg Collection – M1 Le (Synthesizer Sound Module)
- UVI Digital Synsations (Synthesizer Sound Module)
- AAS Ultra Analog Session (Synthesizer Sound Module)
- AAS Strum Session (Acoustic Guitar Sound Module)
- AAS Lounge Lizard Session (Electric Piano Sound Module)
- iOS (iPad/iPhone)
- Korg Gadget 2 Le (Music Production Studio DAW)
- Korg Module (Piano/Keyboard Sound Module)