Korg modwave mk II 37-Key Wavetable Synthesizer Keyboard

The Korg modwave mkII is an advanced wavetable synthesizer designed for modern electronic music production, sound design, and expressive live performance. It builds on Korg’s original modwave platform with expanded polyphony, enhanced modulation capabilities, deeper wavetable manipulation tools, and improved performance control, making it a powerful instrument for evolving textures, aggressive digital tones, cinematic soundscapes, and experimental synthesis workflows.

At its core, the modwave mkII is driven by Korg’s dedicated wavetable synthesis engine, combining high-resolution wavetable oscillators with sample-based layering and virtual analog-style processing. Each voice supports multiple sound layers with independent modulation routing, allowing extremely complex motion-rich sounds that evolve over time without external processing.

The instrument features a 37-key velocity-sensitive keyboard with release velocity support, giving performers nuanced expressive control over dynamics and articulation. Despite its compact footprint, it delivers deep sound design capabilities typically found in larger flagship synthesizers, making it suitable for both studio production and live electronic performance setups.

A key strength of the modwave mkII lies in its extensive modulation architecture. With multiple LFOs, envelope generators, key tracking sources, and motion sequencing lanes, it supports an extremely high number of modulation destinations per program. This enables intricate evolving patches where virtually any parameter can be animated in real time, supporting complex rhythmic movement and timbral evolution.

The instrument also features Korg’s Motion Sequencing system, allowing parameter automation to be recorded, edited, and looped per step. This transforms static wavetable patches into dynamic, continuously evolving performances, ideal for modern EDM, ambient, techno, cinematic scoring, and experimental sound design.

A powerful multi-effects engine further expands its sonic capabilities, offering pre-FX, modulation FX, delay types, and mastering-grade EQ and reverb. These effects can be heavily modulated and integrated into the synthesis architecture, enabling complete sound design without external plugins or hardware processors.

Performance control is enhanced through the inclusion of mod wheels, pitch bend, Kaoss Physics control, and assignable macro knobs. These controls provide immediate hands-on access to multiple parameters, enabling expressive live manipulation of complex wavetable structures.

Designed for both standalone use and DAW integration, the modwave mkII includes USB connectivity, MIDI I/O, and deep editor/librarian software support. It can function as a full hardware synthesizer or as a tightly integrated controller for its software counterpart, ensuring workflow flexibility across studio environments.

Key Features

• Advanced wavetable synthesis engine with multi-layer architecture
• 37-key velocity and release-velocity sensitive keyboard
• 60-voice stereo polyphony for complex layered sounds
• Extensive modulation matrix with 1,000+ potential modulation destinations per program
• Motion Sequencing system for evolving parameter automation
• Multi-engine oscillator design with wavetable + sample integration
• Kaoss Physics and real-time macro controls for expressive performance
• Comprehensive multi-FX engine including modulation, delay, and mastering effects
• USB/MIDI connectivity with software editor integration
• Compact, performance-oriented hardware design

Sound Engine & Wavetable Architecture

The modwave mkII’s synthesis engine is centered on wavetable scanning, where digital waveforms are dynamically morphed over time using modulation sources. Each program can combine multiple oscillators, filters, and modulation paths to create evolving textures that range from clean digital tones to highly aggressive, harmonically rich soundscapes.

The engine supports deep parameter modulation, allowing nearly every aspect of the sound—including wavetable position, filter behavior, amplitude shaping, and effect parameters—to be modulated in real time. This enables extremely detailed sound design with motion-based evolution as a core creative principle.

Motion Sequencing & Modulation System

The Motion Sequencing system is central to the modwave mkII workflow, allowing users to record parameter changes and sequence them over time. Unlike traditional step sequencers, it focuses on parameter automation, enabling complex evolving timbres and rhythmic transformations within a single patch.

Combined with multiple LFOs, envelopes, and key tracking sources, the modulation architecture supports highly intricate sound design workflows where movement is continuously generated and reshaped during performance.

Effects & Sound Processing

The onboard effects system includes pre-FX processing, modulation-based effects, delay types, and mastering-grade EQ and reverb. These can be routed and modulated within the synthesis engine, allowing effects to behave as dynamic components of the sound rather than static processors.

Performance & Workflow

Designed for expressive control, the modwave mkII provides hands-on performance tools including macro knobs, pitch and modulation wheels, and Kaoss Physics interaction. These controls allow real-time shaping of complex patches without deep menu navigation, making it suitable for live improvisation and studio performance recording.

Ideal For

• Electronic music producers working with wavetable synthesis
• Sound designers creating evolving cinematic textures
• Live performers needing deep modulation control
• Experimental musicians exploring motion-based synthesis
• Studio producers integrating hardware with DAW workflows

The Korg modwave mkII stands as a high-density wavetable synthesis platform focused on modulation depth, motion-based sound design, and real-time performance control, offering one of the most flexible digital synthesis architectures in its class.