In our sound design bureau, we’ve created dozens of sound sets for Korg’s latest series – Wavestate, Modwave, Opsix, and Multi/Poly.
And while the difference between Opsix and Multi/Poly is quite clear – Opsix is an FM synthesizer with subtractive capabilities, and Multi/Poly is a virtual analog with additional wavetables – the distinction between the other two, Wavestate and Modwave – isn’t as obvious.
Let’s figure out what makes each instrument great and discuss the key differences and similarities between these two models.
First, let’s talk about their basic specifications and advantages:
Korg Wavestate
Polyphony
Original – 64 Stereo Voices; MK 2 – 96 Stereo Voices; SE – 120 Stereo Voices
Presets
Ships with 261 Performances, 799 Programs, and 1,042 Wave Sequences.
You can import up to 4 GB of user samples!
Layers & Effects
4 Layers.
- Pre FX: Decimator, Graphic EQ, Guitar Amp, Modern Compressor, Parametric EQ, Red Compressor, Ring Modulator, Tremolo, Wave Shaper
- Mod FX: Black Chorus/Flanger, Black Phase, CX-3 Vibrato Chorus, EP Chorus, Harmonic Chorus, Modern Chorus, Modern Phaser, Orange Phase, Polysix Ensemble, Small Phase, Talking Modulator, Vintage Chorus, Vintage Flanger, Vintage/Custom Wah, Vox Wah
- Delay: L/C/R Delay, Multiband Mod Delay, Reverse Delay, Stereo/Cross Delay, Tape Echo
- Reverb: Early Reflections, Overb
- Performance EQ: 4-band parametric EQ
Sequencer
Wave Sequencing 2.0
Sample Loading & Editing
Convenient user sample loading, assignment to keyboard zones, setting loop start/end points, fades – an advanced system, much more flexible than in Modwave.
Filters
2-pole LPF, 2-pole HPF, 2-pole BPF, 2-pole Band Reject, 4-pole LPF, 4-pole HPF, 4-pole BPF, 4-pole Band Reject, Multi Filter, MS-20 LPF, MS-20 HPF, Polysix
Korg Modwave
Polyphony
Original – 32 Stereo Voices; MK2 – 60 Stereo Voices; SE – no se version
Waves
Start with over 200 wavetables, each containing up to 64 waveforms – from thousands of individual waves.
About 250 factory Performances and many more Programs, Wavetables, and Effects.
You can import up to 4 GB of user samples!
Layers & Effects
4 Layers.
- Pre FX: Decimator, Graphic EQ, Guitar Amp, Modern Compressor, Parametric EQ, Red Compressor, Ring Modulator, Tremolo, Wave Shaper
- Mod FX: Black Chorus/Flanger, Black Phase, CX-3 Vibrato Chorus, EP Chorus, Harmonic Chorus, Modern Chorus, Modern Phaser, Orange Phase, Polysix Ensemble, Small Phase, Talking Modulator, Vintage Chorus, Vintage Flanger, Vintage/Custom Wah, Vox Wah
- Delay: L/C/R Delay, Multiband Mod Delay, Reverse Delay, Stereo/Cross Delay, Tape Echo
- Master Reverb: Early Reflections, Overb
- Master EQ: 4-band parametric EQ
Sequencer
Motion Sequencing 2.0
Sample Loading & Editing
User sample loading, assignment to keyboard zones, setting loop start/end points, fades – a basic system, much less flexible than in Wavestate.
Filters
Multimode: LP+BP, LP-BP, LP-HP, BP+HP, BP-HP, Dry+LP, Dry-LP, Dry+BP, Dry-BP, Dry+LP-HP, Dry+LP-BP, Dry+BP-LP, Dry+BP-HP, Dry+HP-LP, Dry+HP-BP, LP+HP+BP
| Korg Wavestate | Korg Modwave | |
| Polyphony: | Original – 64 Stereo Voices; MK 2 – 96 Stereo Voices; SE – 120 Stereo Voices | Original – 32 Stereo Voices; MK2 – 60 Stereo Voices; SE – no se version |
| Presets/Waves: | 261 Performances, 799 Programs, and 1,042 Wave Sequences | Over 200 wavetables |
| Layers & Effects: | 4 Layers | 4 Layers |
| Sequencer: | Wave Sequencing 2.0 | Motion Sequencing 2.0 |
| Sample Loading & Editing: |
Convenient user sample loading, assignment to keyboard zones, setting loop start/end points, fades – an advanced system, much more flexible than in Modwave. |
User sample loading, assignment to keyboard zones, setting loop start/end points, fades – a basic system, much less flexible than in Wavestate. |
| Filters: |
2-pole LPF, 2-pole HPF, 2-pole BPF, 2-pole Band Reject, 4-pole LPF, 4-pole HPF, 4-pole BPF, 4-pole Band Reject, Multi Filter, MS-20 LPF, MS-20 HPF, Polysix
|
LP+BP, LP-BP, LP-HP, BP+HP, BP-HP, Dry+LP, Dry-LP, Dry+BP, Dry-BP, Dry+LP-HP, Dry+LP-BP, Dry+BP-LP, Dry+BP-HP, Dry+HP-LP, Dry+HP-BP, LP+HP+BP
|
Let’s look at both models in more detail
Korg Wavestate
Is a wave sequencing synthesizer that fundamentally relies on subtractive synthesis and samples. That’s the main difference between Wavestate and Modwave.
Wave Sequencing
Wave Sequencing plays lists of samples and can also modify synthesis parameters like a complex step sequencer, creating lively, rhythmic structures typical of soundtracks and ambient music.
Wavestate’s Wave Sequencing 2.0 brings this to a new level through its modulatable lanes and per-step probability, creating organic, ever-changing sounds that respond to real-time control and are suitable for any modern music style, from soft to Detroit techno.
With Wave Sequencing 2.0, users can modulate lanes on the sequencer to get sounds that react to real-time control, which allows samples in a list to play back as synthesis parameters change.
WS provides better control over sampled sources in terms of sharing and creating complex sequences – something incredibly useful in particular scenarios and for which you’ll be grateful when working with various types of compositions.
Wave Sequencing suits well for leveraging the richness of sampled sources (over 1000 of them) and combining them in unique and interesting ways.
The flip side is that Wave Sequencing is sample-based, and there are limited options for altering the fundamental timbres, but combining samples in 4 performance layers provides everything you need to bring your boldest ideas to life.
Korg Modwave
Is a wavetable synthesizer based on the Korg DW-8000 – an iconic machine first released in 1985 and used by artists such as Depeche Mode and Dream Theatre.
Modwave is primarily a wavetable synthesizer. (It can also play samples, but not wave sequences.) Its oscillators play single-cycle waveforms. Grouped into sets called “wavetables,” these waveforms allow for seamless transformation from one single-cycle waveform to another.
When played without any modulation, wavetables are pretty static – just like analog waveforms. However, compared to samples, there are far more opportunities to modify wavetables in real time.
Since all wavetables are phase-synchronous, you can combine them in ways that create a single new timbre instead of something that sounds like a layer (through Position, as well as A/B Blend modwave and its associated B Position Offset). For the same reason, crossfaded sweeps through wavetables create a continuous evolution in timbre.
In comparison, if you use Wavestate’s Wave Sequencing 2.0 to crossfade between a set of single-cycle samples, such as VS waves, they won’t be phase-synchronous, and you’ll hear each sound fade out as the next fades in. It’s an interesting effect, but it’s different from Modwave.
Since the wavetable output is a single-cycle waveform, even if it keeps changing, you can manipulate it with a selection of “Morph” processes in real time. Some of these are similar to features found in analog oscillators; others are digital only.
Each oscillator has a dedicated LFO for real-time Morph control (of course, you can also use a large number of other modulation sources!).
Morph types include a few different takes on pulse-width modulation/time distortion (Narrow, Stretch, and variations thereof), inverting the waveform at a modulated midpoint (Flip), reflecting it around a center point (Mirror), etc.
Wavetables are rendered at load time, which allows you to change the rendering methods. Modwave takes advantage of this with “Modifiers” that do all sorts of things, including additive-style manipulations (isolating odd or even harmonics, or every third harmonic, or emphasizing drawbar organ harmonics), anti-aliased quantization, saturation, and clipping to add high harmonic content, etc.
Finally, by combining these rendering options with phase-synchronous playback and A/B Blend, Modwave allows you to load both altered and original wavetables into a single oscillator and modulate the amount of rendered processing in real time via envelopes, LFOs, sequencer lanes, etc.
It sometimes sounds like a filter or feels like additive synthesis, or it’s just its own thing!
Motion Sequencing 2.0, featured in Modwave, is an evolution from Wavestate’s Wave Sequencing 2.0. By utilizing each individual lane on the Modwave sequencer, users can now sequence modulations in timing, pitch, shape, and four sets of step-sequencing values. Randomizing the step order is possible at each playback, with modulation added at each loop point in addition to this.
Kaoss Physics
One of the most exciting new features of Modwave is the Kaoss Physics Pad. Located on the top left of the control panel, the Kaoss Pad allows you to control parameters by rolling a ball across a displayed surface.
Since each axis acts as a wall, you can throw or drag the ball to get real-time sound processing. That’s how you can control any modulation direction and set it up with a trigger source (such as Gate + Damper).
Users can edit the “surface” of the Kaoss Pad, changing parameters such as friction and thus generating different ball behaviors. This results in a deep, immersive playing experience that is not possible with traditional joysticks.
FAQ
Conclusion
Both synthesizers are good standalone instruments and excellent complements to each other.
Judging by the sales of our banks, LFO.store users prefer Wavestate.
It’s easy to see by visiting the website and finding that we have over 50 banks for this model 🙂
But Modwave is no less popular, and our advice is as follows:
Buy both plugins in their Native versions. It won’t cost much, but it will allow you to delve deeply into the synthesis architecture of each plugin, listen to factory presets and third-party banks, and decide which of the two appeals to you more.
We’re a studio in Berlin with an international practice in architecture, urban planning and interior design. We believe in sharing knowledge and promoting dialogue to increase the creative potential of collaboration.
If you feel a lack of physical control (you can feel it quite quickly) – please consider the Hardware Version in desktop format, 3 octaves.
If you want a full-fledged instrument with a quality keyboard, aftertouch, and the maximum number of voices, pay attention to the SE version.
