KingKORG NEO Review // Retro character returns in a new compact form

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► Cool Holographic scopes?

The scopes I use aren't real - I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle.

A summary of differences between the original KingKORG and KingKORG NEO (KKN):
► The synth engine is pretty much the same. On the oscillator side, the VA and DWGS oscs are the same. Many of the PCM (sample) sounds are new and there are about 10 more of them. Filters and FX are the same, as are the mod options.
► KKN doesn't have the analog tube circuit at the end of the signal chain
► KKN is white!
► 3 Octaves instead of 5
► Bundled XLR Mic? I don't know if the OG came with one - please let me know if so.
► New presets on the KKN
► XLR on the panel instead of on the back
► Headphone output on the panel instead of up front.
► Compact form factor and button arrangement on KKN

TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:05 vs. KingKORG
1:55 Overview
4:20 Edit mode
5:25 I/O
6:10 Oscillators
6:40 Basic shapes
7:05 Noise
7:40 Dual osc
8:00 Unison osc
8:25 Sync
8:40 Ring mod
8:55 Xmod/VPM
9:30 DWGS
10:20 PCM
12:00 Filters
15:10 Two timbres
16:05 Effects
18:40 Envelopes
19:20 LFOs
21:00 Mod matrix
22:50 Vocoder
24:25 Arp
25:35 Voice unison
26:20 Settings
26:55 Pros & cons
29:45 A few presets

Submit review and video ideas here (sorry I don’t offer 1x1 sessions/setup/purchasing advice):


NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links to stores like Amazon, Sweetwater, Thomann and others. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[loopop]

Hey - a quick update - I don't have access to an original KingKORG to test preset compatibility, but regardless, while the Virtual Analog and DWGS oscillators are identical, and some of the original PCM samples have made it over, others are new and different (and there are about 10 more of them), so a preset on the OG may not sound the same even if you can load it up here. I'll update this comment if there's more info or if I get my hands on an OG...

[illustriouschin]

It was actually a brilliant decision by Korg to make it $1000 because now it is too expensive for Florian to get one and feature on Bad Gear.

[arfcorps]

$1000 price tag is going to kill this synth, buy the original used for $500 instead and get more keys and a vacuum tube drive.

[smaller_cathedrals]

Hmm, that $1000 price tag really kills any enthusiasm one might have for his piece of equipment.

[halcyonwinds]

Love the video, as always. Just wanted to mention that the notes section contains text summarizing differences between two devices not related to this video. Normally your notes section is super useful and relevant so I wanted to mention it in case it was unintentional. Thanks for all you do! You’re the best there is and your videos are a constant reference for me.

[EUZRMUSIC]

I love how I see new synthesizers that I have never heard of (but want to) right here on this channel before I see them anywhere else. These videos must be made by a very hard-working person at the peak of the game. Don't change Mr. Loopop!

[robertlee]

I didn’t notice how logical the layout is until I watched your video. You are a godsend to the community

[isocarboxazid]

Damn, the feeling of finding a loopop video within a minute of it being posted 💰🥰

[MetatronsCube]

Korg has those modern tubes they make, why would they not have the new tubes as a sound modifier of some sort?

[anderslenart]

Desktop version please... Who needs another keyboard?

[MicaelAzevedo]

Korg is going insane. Drumlogue at a crazy price point, Modwave v2 same story and now this? 1000€ for a entry level digital synth?

[fiftyshadesofurban]

15:45 I really love Korg presets.. Rain Pad reminds me of Ice*Rain and First*Snow on the Korg X5.. Absolutely love those presets. It made me fall in love with the synth.

[zukonabts]

Having owned a King Korg for almost 10 years, it's good to see it being finally reviewed as the synth it is and not as yet another workstation!

[matthewgaines]

Not bad but the pricing makes you think if you should spend a more and get a Fantom 06 or MODX6+

[rok_koritnik]

I always liked the sound of the OG KingKORG. I like this form factor more. I just wish they'd give it dedicated set of controls for at least the filter envelope and for both LFO's. There's still enough space on the panel for this. But ok, it's workable the way it is. The sound of this thing - not many modern analogs sound this silky and warm, and it seems it has a very wide sweet spot. I've yet to hear it sound bad, which I can't say for most modern analogs. VA has come a long way, but I have to say that out of the new digital synths you've mentioned, none sound as pleasing, smooth and warm.

[AngMoKio]

No oscilloscope in the synth 🙁
I really like seeing what happens when I change shapes.

[markkilley]

Interesting. Do the manufacturers ever ask the consumer want they want? Can't keep up with the gear that is being released

[raffitchakmakjian]

I've always wanted a KingKORG, was literally just thinking about it the other day, wondering if Korg still makes it. I have a Korg Kaossilator 2, and I love the sounds on that, and I once read somewhere that it uses the same engine as the King KORG, not sure if that's true, but I do think they sound similar. So stoked for this.

[odmusicman]

With Hydrasynth Explorer and Arturia Minifreak at $600, 1K is way out of order. What I am saying is right now at Sweetwater you can get BOTH the Minifreak and Hydrasynth Explorer for only $1, 200 . Korg is way out of bounds here.

[SonicVibe]

Yamaha Seqtrack is a genius move then we have korg just releasing dud after dud drumlogue, Kaoss replay just make a proper ES3 groovebox for pete's sake