KORG WAVESTATE SEQUENCING SYNTHESIZER MK2

Legendary synthesis, radically re-imagined. 

Extended polyphony, extended possibilities.

KORG’s legendary WAVESTATION introduced the world to Wave Sequencing, transforming raw samples into sounds that no-one had ever heard before. The flagship OASYS and KRONOS keyboards developed Wave Sequencing even further, expanding on its unique palette of lush, evolving pads and driving rhythms. 

In 2020, the acclaimed wavestate brought Wave Sequencing to the next level. Featuring the radically re-imagined Wave Sequencing 2.0, the wavestate delivers astonishing, ever-changing sounds with extensive hands-on control. Far from a nostalgic reissue, the wavestate was designed from the ground up for a new generation of musicians, producers, and composers, taking cues from sources as diverse as modular synths, groove boxes, and algorithmic composition. 

The wavestate also introduced another ground-breaking concept: wavestate native software (*sold separately, wavestate users can purchase at a discount) makes it available inside your DAW, with full compatibility and without compromise. It’s perfect for moving seamlessly between software and hardware workflows.

Now, KORG is proud to present the new wavestate mkII, with improved polyphony (96 stereo voices) and a fresh look.It’s completely compatible with sounds and samples for both the original wavestate, wavestate SE and wavestate native software, including many excellent third-party libraries. Updated sounds and software keep it fresh (and these are available for the original wavestate, too). The compact form-factor, with 37 full-size keys, still transports easily and fits neatly into any stage, studio, or desktop setup.

• Wave Sequencing 2.0
• Extensive modulation with hands-on control

• Gigabytes of samples – and import up to 4GB of your own

• Modeled filters, including MS-20 and Polysix
• 96 stereo voices
• 4 Layers with Vector control
• 14 simultaneous effects
• Set Lists and Smooth Sound Transitions
• Randomization
• Free Editor/Librarian and Sample Builder software for Mac and Windows
• Compact. Great design. 37 full-size keys.
• Designed by KORG R&D in California

Wave Sequencing 2.0

The original WAVESTATION gave each step of a wave sequence a duration, a sample and a pitch. This created ear-catching repetitive patterns, giving rise to entirely new approaches to sound design. But what if the sounds could evolve in organic and unexpected ways, instead of just repeating?

Wave Sequencing 2.0 separates the timing, the sequence of samples, and the melody, so that each can be manipulated independently. It also adds new characteristics, including shapes, gate times, and step sequencer values. Each of these is a “Lane”, and each Lane can have a different number of steps, and its own start, end and loop points.

Every time the sequence moves forward, the individual Lanes are combined to create the output. For instance, a sample may be matched with a different duration, pitch, shape, gate length, and step sequence value every time that it plays. You can modulate each Lane’s start, end, and loop points separately for every note, using velocity, LFOs, envelopes, Mod Knobs, or other controllers. Each note in a chord can even be playing something different!

Lanes can also randomize the step order every time they play, with realtime control over the range of included steps. Finally, individual steps can be randomly skipped, with a modulatable probability from 0 to 100%. The result is organic, ever-changing sounds that respond to your control. The four onboard arpeggiators can interact with Wave Sequences for even more possibilities.

Easily expressive. Exceptionally deep.

Bursting with knobs and controllers, the wavestate invites you to explore. All of the basics–filter, envelopes, LFOs, effects–are at your fingertips with dedicated front-panel controls. Eight programmable Mod Knobs are customized to bring out the most in every sound, often taking them in entirely new directions. Use the knobs in realtime performance, and also save the results as new sounds. Add in the Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels and the unique Vector Joystick, and you’ll always have multiple dimensions of realtime expression.

Want to dig deeper? Almost all front-panel knobs, and most on-screen parameters, can be modulated. You can even modulate settings for individual Wave Sequence steps! Mod Processors let you transform modulation signals using quantization, smoothing, curvature, and more.

Randomization that inspires.

Looking for even more inspiration? A dedicated front-panel button, marked by a “dice” icon, generates new sounds via intelligent randomization. Randomize the entire sound or just a part of it, such as the filter, the Sample Lane, or the effects. Use the results directly, or as a jumping-off point for your own creations.

An arsenal of effects.

The wavestate SE’s superb effects deliver production-ready sounds. Each layer has three dedicated effects; additionally, the Performance has a master reverb and parametric EQ. Along with standards such as compressors, EQs, choruses, flangers, phasers, and stereo delays, you’ll find distinctive processors such as the Wave Shaper, Talking Modulator, Reverse Delay, Multiband Mod Delay, and Overb (from the OASYS), plus modeled effects including VOX guitar amps, VOX wah, multi-head tape echo, and a collection of classic guitar pedals.

Choose your filter.

Add vintage character to your sounds with the aggressive MS-20 Lowpass or Highpass filters, or the strong, sweet Polysix Lowpass. Shape and refine with a full collection of resonant 2-pole and 4-pole Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass, and Band Reject filters. Or, step outside the box with KORG’s unique Multi Filter, which creates modulatable blends of multiple modes simultaneously.

Gigabytes of samples. 96 stereo voices.

Totaling in the gigabytes, the wavestate’s sample library is more than a thousand times larger than that of the original WAVESTATION. That’s a lot of great-sounding raw material for Wave Sequences. There’s a bank of samples from Plugin Guru, brand-new samples from KORG, and a selection from the NAUTILUS, KRONOS and KROME libraries. Of course, KORG also provides all of the WAVESTATION’s samples (including all options), plus a huge library of WAVESTATION Wave Sequences. Play up to 96 stereo voices with pristine clarity, using KORG’s proprietary anti-aliasing sample playback technology.

4GB of User Samples

Express yourself in your own unique voice. Import up to 4 GB of your own Multisamples into the wavestate via the free Sample Builder application for Mac and Windows. Many third-party libraries are available, too! Use your new samples in Wave Sequences or as single Multisamples, just like the factory Multisamples.

Multiply by four.

With all of that synthesis power, you might think the wavestate would play only one sound at a time. Not a chance. For even more rich and complex results, layer up to four Programs together in a Performance–each with their own effects and arpeggiator. The Vector Envelope and Joystick mix the individual voices of the four Layers, and can also modulate any other parameters.

Set Lists and Smooth Sound Transitions.

Set Lists offer effortless organization of your wavestate Performances, and deliver instant access at the gig or in rehearsal. Smooth Sound Transitions allow previously-played voices and effects to continue to ring out naturally, even once a new sound has been selected.

Plays well with others.

Balanced stereo outputs connect to any recording or monitoring system, and a stereo headphone output is provided for private playing or onstage cueing. Din-style MIDI jacks ensure connection to other MIDI-equipped instruments and audio gear. The wavestate supports class-compliant USB MIDI connections to Windows and Mac computers, and the wavestate Editor/Librarian and Sample Builder programs are available as free downloads from KORG.

Editor/Librarian.

The Editor/Librarian acts as a second front panel for the wavestate. Realtime display of modulated parameter values and Wave Sequences gives you instant feedback on your creations. Copy and paste sounds, envelopes, LFOs, filter settings, and more. Dive deep into Effects with access to all internal parameters and create your own Effects Presets.

(Click here to download the Editor/Librarian)

Designed by KORG R&D in California.

KORG R&D created the original WAVESTATION, co-created the OASYS and KRONOS, and has developed fundamental technologies behind many other KORG instruments. The wavestate reflects their unique aesthetic, delivering stunning sound and deep flexibility via cutting-edge technologies.

Three of the key sound designers from the original WAVESTATION, John Bowen, John “Skippy” Lehmkuhl (Plugin Guru), and Peter “Ski” Schwartz, joined Belgian artist Airwave and the renowned KORG voicing team to create the incredible wavestate sound library.

Free bundle of music software.

The wavestate comes with a diverse variety of music software from Izotope including “Ozone Elements” which lets you not only create songs but also master them using AI, “Skoove” which will help you improve your keyboard playing skills, as well as software synths from KORG and other brands.

In other words, the moment you get your hands on this synthesizer you’ll have a variety of tools to help you take your music to the next level.

Special crossgrade to wavestate native software.

Owners of any version of the hardware wavestate are eligible for a crossgrade license to wavestate native at the special price of US $49.99, via a coupon code tied to the wavestate hardware’s unique ID. Using the hardware and software versions together, you can have the best of both worlds: a physical instrument that responds to your touch, and complete DAW integration. To generate the coupon:

1. For owners of wavestate mkII and wavestate SE: download and install the latest version of the wavestate Editor/Librarian.

For owners of the original wavestate make sure that you’re using wavestate system version 2.1.0 or later and wavestate Editor/Librarian 1.1 or later. If necessary, update your wavestate hardware, and install the new Editor/Librarian.
2. In the Editor/Librarian, open the File menu and select “Get Plug-in Coupon…”
3. A dialog will appear, with the coupon code; follow the on-screen instructions to use the coupon in the KORG Shop.

wavestate native

wavestate native is the fully-compatible software counterpart to the hardware wavestate synthesizer. wavestate native is available in VST3, AAX, and standalone formats on both macOS and Windows, as well as AU on macOS. You can seamlessly exchange sounds between hardware and software. Produce in your DAW with wavestate native, and then play the same sounds onstage using the wavestate hardware. Create sounds with the hardware’s hands-on interface, and then share them with a computer-based collaborator. Plus, you can use any of the many third-party sound and sample libraries available for the hardware wavestate.

Specifications

Keyboard

37 keys (velocity and release-velocity sensitive)

Sound generating system

Wave Sequencing 2.0

Maximum Polyphony

96 stereo voices

Sounds

Ships with 261 Performances, 799 Programs, and 1,042 Wave Sequences

Storage for tens of thousands of user Performances

Structure

Performance

4 Layers, Reverb, EQ;

all edits are stored in the Performance, DAW-style (saving as separate Programs, Wave Sequences etc. is supported but not required)

Layer

Program, Arpeggiator, Key and Velocity Zones

Program

Wave Sequence, Filter, Amp, Pre FX, Mod FX, Delay

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

Modulation

Controllers

Mod Wheel, Pitch Wheel, Vector Joystick X/Y, 8x Program/Performance Mod Knobs

Other Sources

3x Envelopes, Vector Envelope, 3x LFOs, 2x Mod Processors, 2x Key Track, Step Sequencer Lane, Step Pulse, Tempo, Program/Performance Note Count, Program/Performance Voice Count, Poly Legato, Velocity, Exponential Velocity, Release Velocity, Gate/Gate+Damper, Note-On Trigger/Note-On Trigger+Damper, Note Number, Aftertouch/Poly Aftertouch (external MIDI only), MIDI CCs +/-, MIDI CCs + 

Destinations

Most parameters can be modulated, including parameters of individual Wave Sequence Steps. Depending on Wave Sequence length, there can be more than 1,000 potential modulation targets per Program.

Effects

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

Inputs/outputs

Headphone (6.3 mm stereo phone jack)

OUTPUT L/MONO and R (impedance-balanced 6.3 mm TRS phone jacks)

DAMPER (6.3 mm phone jack)

MIDI IN and OUT connectors

USB B port

Power supply

AC adapter (DC12V, 2500mA)

Power consumption

5 W

Dimensions (W x D x H)

565 x 338 x 92 mm/22.24” x 13.31” x 3.62”

Weight

2.9 kg/6.93 lb.

Included items

AC adapter

Accessories (sold separately)

DS-1H damper pedal, PS-1 pedal switch, PS-3 pedal switch