Any knowledge on the MicroKorg XL?

[Psyre]

I played on one of these the other day and really like the simplicity and vintage look. I know absolutely nothing about synth modeling so presets are a pretty big deal for me. Compared to the standard microKorg. the XL looks more my style. Anyone use one or try one?

[Holy Schnikes]

I own the original and love it but I think the XL is far more functional. Some immediate advantages I noted:

1. Full size keys - I don't mind the mini keys but I'm no keyboard/piano player. Many people HATE this feature on the original
2. USB port to enable patch transfers to a computer - fairly important feature, surprises me it wasn't always included.
3. 8 polyphony as opposed to 4
4. Based on the more powerful MMT engine
5. Better display and easier edit procedures
6. Quality XLR input for the vocoder mic as opposed to the flimsy shit included with mine.

Although I prefer the look of the old, I can't see any logical reason to choose the old over the XL....

[hazelwould]

I wants one. Enough?

[kaeth]

XL still has the mini keys.

[Holy Schnikes]

My bad, musta been thinking the Micron

[O Drones]

The bassist in my band has one and he prefers the non XL. Don't know why or whatever but there ya go.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

i like the look of the OG's over the XL's....i saw one w/ inverted keys one time (black for white, white for black)...it was damn sexy.

sounds like the XL's sound palette might be more appetizing tho.

[bronzetalon]

I have an original and I think it sounds great. You really can't go wrong either way.

[hazelwould]

Yea the XL is more simple. But when I messed around with it, it sounded really nice.

[CaptainWampum]

I liked the knobbage on the old one. At least made me kind of feel like I wasn't playing a new digital preset based POS.

[julius_deane]

That POS is in like almost every awesome band from the past decade. Our frontman and I always joke that you're not officially a band until you own a MicroKorg. Don't like the presets? Edit the fuck out of them.
I'll tell you what the fuck sounds like shit out of the box: the Moog Little Phatty Stage II. I've seen some people coax some good sounds out of it, but every single preset is absolute cheesy ass garbage. Great overpriced(?) first key for a Christian band. Take that money and hunt down an old Rogue or something.

As far as why original over XL... used price is crazy low. And I think the presets are better, if that matters. The XL does have a good "normal" piano out of the box, if any of that matters.

It costs a bit more, but I've been likin' this:

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

That POS is in like almost every awesome band from the past decade. Our frontman and I always joke that you're not officially a band until you own a MicroKorg. Don't like the presets? Edit the fuck out of them.

hahaha....so true! i borrowed a friends microkorg for a few months a while back while he was travelling around. i got a bunch of comments from non music friends like "oh microkorg? youre legit now" even tho i had a juno6, and an evolver sitting right next to it....they didnt know what that shit was tho...oh well.

that is surprising to hear about the moog LP....everyone seems to rave about it, but i guessssss thats what knobs are forrr...to edit and make your own patches....the korg radias is kinda like that...the presets blow, but once u start rolling your own....shit is WILD.

[julius_deane]

Well, I think people in St. Louis just don't know how to use the Moog LP for anything other than annoying cutesy indie pop generic bullshit that annoys me.