"As an absolute minimum we would suggest 32 MG and a processor running at 120 MHz. There is no maximum system requirement, but an Apple G3/300 MHz with 64 MB or more would be very cool." -FROM THE BOX OF CUBASE VST, MY FIRST COMPUTER RECORDING/VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT SOFTWARE PROGRAM.
Boy do times change. My current mac blows those specs away, but software has gotten more demanding too. My 1.4 ghZ G4 notebook starts to hicup in Live or Protools with a just a couple of virtual instruments running — sometimes with just one demanding vst. Let's face it, not everyone can afford to get the latest computer every year.
Frustrated by crashes I went out looking for an external voice module to trigger via midi out of my sequencer. My adventure with the JV101 proved less than ideal. I wanted something editable and with more contemporary sounds.
I never even heard of the Korg Micro X when a salesman pointed it out to me. It's keyboard is so short you can barely play it on it's own, but with a controller keyboard (I already had one) and almost any computer (even my lame G4) the sounds, editing and system integration of this machine really shine.
Get this: The supplied editor opens just like a virtual synth inside of your recording software, so you can work seamlessly inside your sequencer, just like with virtual synths, only here the processing chores are all off-board, on the Micro X's back. Free of the CPU load of the virtual synths, my lame mac is running like a champ.
Add to that: Lots of great sounds, ample polyphony, editable, multiple arpeggiators, realtime control knobs and even built in templates for using its knobs as midi controllers for Live and other software, the little thing is a rocket in the pocket with a sequencer, and lot's of fun to play on it's own with it's cool patches and synced arpeggios.
And it comes with an orange case. Well worth the $500.
Wonderfull post! I too am the prowd owner of a Micro X. Only i bought mine second hand from a musician with one too many keyboards and VST's. The last few months i noticed that quite a few first owners of this instrument, put it up for sale again. When i ask them why, every answer starts with, i thought i'd need little or no musical background. and, true, if you play a few presets with the dual arpeggiator powered up - that's the red flashing button - it sounds absolutely fantastic! The trick is to not stick with the presets but to try creating some of your own. And the vst-like editor let's you do just that. I hope the Micro X will be your long time musical friend, in the many musical adventures to come. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteCheers to you mate, Mark
Yea, I agree, the thing gives you instant fun with the arpeggio presets, but that gets old pretty fast unless you dig in and make it your own. And the editor makes it easier than trying to do it on-board the synth.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and come back soon. (I'm going to be updating some past posts with audio clips and doing the same for new ones....)