Korg wavestate mkII 37-Key Wave Sequencing Synthesizer Keyboard

The Korg wavestate mkII is an advanced Wave Sequencing 2.0 synthesizer designed for modern electronic music production, cinematic sound design, and expressive live performance. Building on the original wavestate platform, the mkII refines the workflow, expands polyphony, and enhances real-time control while preserving its core concept of generative, evolving sound creation based on modular sample sequencing.

At the heart of the wavestate mkII is Wave Sequencing 2.0, a unique synthesis engine that separates sound into multiple independent “lanes” such as timing, pitch, sample selection, gate length, and modulation values. These lanes evolve independently and can be randomized or modulated, resulting in continuously shifting textures, rhythmic patterns, and evolving tonal landscapes that go far beyond traditional sample playback or wavetable synthesis.

The instrument delivers up to 96 stereo voices of polyphony, enabling dense layered performances, complex evolving pads, and intricate rhythmic structures without voice dropouts. This makes it particularly well-suited for ambient music, film scoring, electronic production, and experimental sound design where layered complexity and clarity are essential.

The wavestate mkII features a 37-key velocity-sensitive keyboard with release velocity, providing responsive playability in a compact form factor. Despite its small footprint, it offers deep expressive control through dedicated modulation wheels, a vector joystick, and eight assignable mod knobs, allowing real-time shaping of evolving wave sequences during performance.

Each performance consists of up to four independent layers, each with its own program, arpeggiator, key/velocity zones, and effects chain. These layers can be blended, stacked, or split, enabling highly complex arrangements within a single patch. The vector envelope and joystick allow smooth morphing between layers for dynamic, evolving sonic movement.

A powerful modulation system allows nearly every parameter to be controlled via LFOs, envelopes, step sequencers, and external MIDI sources. Importantly, even individual steps within a wave sequence can be modulated, enabling micro-level control over evolving patterns and making the wavestate mkII one of the most deeply programmable performance synthesizers in its class.

The onboard effects engine provides production-ready processing with multiple insert effects per layer and global reverb and EQ. It includes high-quality modulation effects, delays, compressors, filters, and creative processors, all tightly integrated into the synthesis architecture for sound design that evolves both tonally and spatially.

Key Features

• Advanced Wave Sequencing 2.0 synthesis engine
• Up to 96 stereo voices of polyphony for complex layered sound design
• 37-key velocity and release-velocity sensitive keyboard
• Four-layer performance architecture with independent programs
• Vector joystick for real-time sound morphing and blending
• Over 1,000 wave sequences and 799 programs included
• Gigabytes of internal sample content from Korg and third-party sources
• Deep modulation matrix with extensive routing flexibility
• Multiple filter types including MS-20, Polysix, and multimode filters
• High-quality multi-FX engine with per-layer and master effects
• USB MIDI and standard MIDI connectivity for studio integration
• Compact, lightweight design optimized for stage and studio use

Wave Sequencing 2.0 Engine

Wave Sequencing 2.0 is the defining technology behind the wavestate mkII. Instead of playing static samples, each sound is broken into independent parameter lanes that control timing, pitch, sample selection, and modulation separately. These lanes can be independently randomized, looped, or modulated in real time, resulting in constantly evolving sonic behavior.

This architecture enables generative-style sound design where each note can evolve differently, making it possible to create complex rhythmic textures, evolving pads, and organic soundscapes that continuously change over time without manual intervention.

Performance & Expression

The wavestate mkII is designed for expressive real-time performance. The vector joystick allows smooth blending between four sound layers, while the mod knobs provide instant access to performance macros that can dramatically reshape sounds in real time.

Combined with velocity sensitivity, release velocity, and external modulation support, the instrument responds dynamically to playing style, making it highly expressive despite its compact keyboard format.

Sound Design & Modulation Depth

Nearly every parameter in the wavestate mkII can be modulated, including individual steps within wave sequences. This allows extremely detailed control over evolving patterns, making it possible to design sounds that shift in rhythm, timbre, and texture at a granular level.

Ideal For

• Film, TV, and game composers requiring evolving soundscapes
• Electronic music producers focused on ambient and experimental genres
• Sound designers building generative and motion-based patches
• Live performers needing expressive real-time control
• Producers seeking deep sample-based synthesis workflows

The Korg wavestate mkII delivers a refined and powerful evolution of Wave Sequencing 2.0 synthesis, combining deep generative sound design capabilities, high polyphony, and expressive performance controls into a compact instrument built for modern production environments.