Korg Wavestate MKII Wave Sequencing Synthesizer

KORG’s legendary WAVESTATION introduced the concept of wave sequencing, turning raw samples into sounds no one had heard before. The flagship keyboards OASYS and KRONOS took wave sequencing even further, expanding the unique range of lush, evolving pads and driving rhythms.

In 2020, the wavestate took wave sequencing to a new level. With the radically redesigned Wave Sequencing 2.0, the wavestate delivers amazing, constantly changing sounds with easy handling. Far more than a nostalgic rehash, the wavestate was built from the ground up for a new generation of musicians, producers and composers, drawing on sources as diverse as modular synthesizers, grooveboxes and algorithmic composition.

Another groundbreaking concept was introduced together with the wavestate: The wavestate native software (*available separately, wavestate owners receive a discount) makes the wavestate available within your DAW, with full compatibility and without compromises. It's perfect for seamlessly switching between software and hardware workflows.

KORG is proud to present the new wavestate mkII with expanded polyphony (96 stereo voices) and a fresh new look. Wavestate mkII is fully compatible with sounds and samples for the original wavestate, wavestate SE and wavestate native software, including many excellent third-party sound libraries. The updated sounds and software keep you up to date (also available for the original wavestate). The compact form factor with 37 full-size keys makes it easy to carry and fits seamlessly into any stage, studio or desktop setup.

Wave Sequencing 2.0

The original WAVESTATION gave each step of a wave sequence a duration, a sample, and a pitch. This created wacky, repetitive patterns that enabled completely new approaches to sound design. But what if the sounds could evolve in organic and unexpected ways instead of just repeating themselves?

Wave Sequencing 2.0 separates the timing, sample order, and melody so they can be manipulated independently. New features are also added, including shapes, gate times, and step sequencer values. Each of these properties is associated with a 'lane' (track), and each of these lanes can have a different number of steps and its own start, end, and loop points.

Each time the sequence moves forward, the individual lanes combine to create the output signal. For example, a sample can be given a different duration, pitch, shape, gate length, and step sequence value each time it is played. You can modulate each lane's start, end, and loop points separately for each note, using velocity, LFOs, envelopes, mod knobs, or other controllers. So even every single note in a chord can play something different!

Lanes can also randomize step order on each play, with real-time control over the range of steps contained. Finally, individual steps can be skipped at random, with a probability that can be modulated from 0 to 100%. The result is organic, ever-changing sounds that respond to your controls. The four built-in arpeggiators can interact with wave sequences and thus offer even more possibilities.

Impressive expressiveness

The wavestate is packed with knobs and controls and invites you to discover it. All the basic functions - filters, envelopes, LFOs, effects - are at your fingertips with the appropriate controls on the panel. Eight programmable Mod Knobs bring out the best in every sound, often taking it in entirely new directions. Use the controls in real-time performance and save your results as new sounds too. With the pitch bend and modulation wheels and the unique vector joystick you always have control over your sounds.

Do you want to dive even deeper? Almost all panel controls and most on-screen parameters can be modulated. You can even modulate the settings for individual steps of the wave sequence! Mod processors let you transform modulation signals using quantization, smoothing, curvature, and more.

Coincidences that inspire.

Looking for even more inspiration? A special button on the front, marked with a dice symbol, generates new sounds through an intelligent random number generator. You can choose the whole sound or just a part of it, e.g. B. change the filter setting, the sample lane or the effects at random. Use the results directly or as a starting point for your own creations.

A huge effects collection

The wavestate mkII's premium effects deliver production-ready sounds. Each level has three dedicated effects; in addition, the performance offers a master reverb and a parametric EQ. In addition to standards such as compressors, EQs, chorus, flangers, phasers and stereo delays, you will find distinctive processors such as Wave Shaper, Talking Modulator, Reverse Delay, Multiband Mod Delay and Overb (from OASYS) as well as modeled effects such as VOX guitar amps, VOX -Wah, multi-head tape echo and a collection of classic guitar pedals.

Filter power at its finest

Add more vintage character to your sounds with the aggressive MS-20 high-pass or low-pass filter, or use the rich, warm Polysix low-pass instead. Shape and refine your sounds with a full range of resonant 2- and 4-pole lowpass, highpass, bandpass and band-reject filters. Or explore entirely new sonic territories with KORG’s unique Multi Filter, which creates modulable mixes of multiple filter modes simultaneously.
gigabytes of samples. 96 stereo voices.

The wavestate's sample stock is several gigabytes and is over a thousand times larger than that of the original WAVESTATION. That's a lot of great sonic material for wave sequences. There is a bank of samples from Plugin Guru, brand new samples from KORG and a selection from the sample libraries from NAUTILUS, KRONOS and KROME. Of course, KORG also provides all samples of the WAVESTATION (including all original extensions) as well as a huge library of WAVESTATION wave sequences. Play up to 96 stereo voices in crystal clear quality thanks to KORG’s proprietary anti-alias sample playback technology.

4GB of user samples

Express yourself with your own unique sounds. Import up to 4 GB of your own multisamples into the wavestate via the free sample builder application for Mac and Windows. Plus, many third-party sound libraries are also available! Use your new samples in wave sequences or as individual multisamples, just like the factory multisamples.

And the whole thing times four

With so much synthesis power, you might think that the wavestate could only play one sound at a time. Not even close. For even richer and more complex results, you can layer up to four sound programs in one performance - each with its own effects and arpeggiator! The vector envelope and the joystick mix the individual voices of the four layers and can also modulate all other parameters.

Editor/Librarian Software

The editor/librarian software acts as the second control panel of the wavestate. The real-time display of modulated parameter values ​​and wave sequences gives you instant feedback on your creations. With simple “Copy & Paste" functions allow you to paste sounds, envelopes, LFOs, filter settings and more. Dive deep into the world of effects by accessing all internal parameters and creating your own effect presets.

Developed by KORG R&D in California

KORG R&D California developed the original WAVESTATION, co-designed the OASYS and the KRONOS, and is responsible for underlying technologies of numerous other KORG instruments. The WAVESTATION reflects the unique claim of maintaining high-quality sound and flexibility through the use of the latest technologies.

Three of the original WAVESTATION's key sound designers, John Bowen, John “Skippy" Lehmkuhl (Plugin Guru) and Peter „Ski" Schwartz, have teamed up with Belgian artist Airwave and renowned KORG voicing team to create the incredible wavestate sound library.

Free software package included

The wavestate is delivered with an extensive software bundle. Included are “Ozone Elements” from iZotope, a comprehensive mastering tool for beginners and professionals, “Skoove”, a learning tool that improves your piano playing technique, as well as software synthesizers from KORG and other manufacturers.

In other words, from the moment you hold the wavestate in your hands, you also have a range of professional tools at your disposal to take your music to the next level.