Korg Modwave Module Wavetable Synthesizer CONTROLLER RIG

MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange and polyphonic aftertouch support

With the latest software updates, all models of Modwave now support MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange and easy access to polyphonic aftertouch.

Rackmount and desktop

Modwave Module is cleverly designed for both desktop and rackmount use. The panel is redesigned to fit into a standard 19″ rack width, and the rear jack panel is recessed to allow easy access to cables even with gear mounted directly above. With desktop setups, brackets offer a choice of panel angles: flatter for performing standing up or more upright for working while seated in your studio.

Modwave synthesis engine

Start with over 200 wavetables, each containing up to 64 waveforms. Use 30+ Modifiers to change their basic character and 13 Morph types to process them in real time. Create new hybrids with the realtime A/B Blend function. Load your own custom wavetables – there’s room for thousands more – or layer wavetables with samples from the built-in, multi-gigabyte PCM library.

Each Program has two wavetable oscillators plus a sub-oscillator / noise generator and any of a dozen stereo filter types, including the aggressive MS-20, sweet Polysix, and an enhanced Multi Filter. Animate almost any parameter using the massively flexible modulation system, with four triggerable envelopes, five LFOs, dual mod processors and two key-track generators. You can even layer two Programs together for double the possibilities.

Kaoss Physics

Kaoss Physics models a ball rolling on a surface and/or bouncing off walls. Start the ball by flicking a finger on the X/Y Kaoss pad or launch the ball automatically using a trigger source. You can also directly control the ball by holding your finger on the pad. The position of the ball produces four modulation signals – X and Y coordinates, distance from center and angle – which can be used to control any modulation destination you like.

You can thoroughly model the virtual environment, too, adjusting the friction of the surface, adding bumps or valleys, tweaking the bounciness of the virtual walls or removing them entirely in favor of ‘wraparound’ travel. Most environmental parameters, including Tilt, Friction, Time, Bump Height and Position, etc. are modulatable, too. The result is an interactive controller that amplifies your physical gestures, transforming them into complex musical results.

Motion Sequencing 2.0

Motion Sequencing 2.0, evolved from Korg Wavestate’s Wave Sequencing 2.0, sees Timing, Pitch, Shape, and four sets of Step Sequence values separated into lanes, each with its own loop start and loop end points, adding a deeper, more customizable level of phrase and modulation recording. Every time the sequence moves forward, the individual Lanes are combined to create the output, meaning a step may have a different duration, pitch and shape every time that it plays.

You can modulate each lane’s loop points separately for every note, using velocity, LFOs, envelopes, Mod Knobs or other controllers. Lanes can also randomize the step order every time they play. 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 dual onboard arpeggiators can interact with Motion Sequences for even more possibilities.

What’s a wavetable?

Wavetables are sets of single-cycle digital waveforms, arranged in a specific order. The wavetable’s ‘position’ determines which waveform is played. Moving the position with an envelope, LFO or other modulation source creates subtle or dramatic changes in timbre. Some wavetable systems switch abruptly from one waveform to another; others crossfade smoothly between them. Modwave Module can do either.

Modifiers and Morphs

Use over 30 Modifiers to alter the character of any wavetable at load time. For instance, isolate the odd or even harmonics, add weight through anti-aliased quantization or saturation, or revisit the gritty character of old-school wavetable synths with the Vintage 8 & 12 options. 13 Morph types let you stretch, squeeze, reflect and otherwise alter the wavetables in real time, changing their timbre and, when modulated, creating additional motion in the sound.

A/B Blend

Using Modwave Module’s unique A/B mode, oscillators can go beyond simple layering to blend any two wavetables with phase-synchronous precision, opening up a whole dimension of intermediate waveforms. Add body to otherwise ‘thin’ waveforms, for instance, or a touch of sizzle to a mellow timbre. Even fade between two different ‘modifier’ versions of the same wavetable. A/B Blend can be modulated in real time, of course.

Gigabytes of samples

Wavetables also sound great when layered with samples, and Modwave’s oscillators handle that with aplomb. Totaling in the gigabytes, Modwave’s sample library includes new material from Korg, Airwave and Francis Preve, plus a bank from Plugin Guru and selections from the Kronos and Krome libraries.

Filters for days

Add vintage character to your sounds MS-20’s aggressive low pass and high pass filters or the strong, sweet Polysix low pass, all enhanced with gain controls to make it easier to dial in the resonance timbre. Shape and refine with a full collection of resonant 2-pole and 4-pole low pass, high pass, band pass and band reject filters or step outside the box with Korg’s unique Multi Filter, which creates modulatable blends of multiple modes simultaneously.

Control and modulation galore

Bursting with knobs and controllers, Modwave Module invites you to explore: oscillators, filter, envelopes, LFOs and effects are all at your fingertips with dedicated front-panel controls. Four programmable MOD knobs are customized to bring out the most in every sound. Use the knobs in realtime performance and save the results as new sounds. The Hold button lets you sustain notes or chords indefinitely while you explore the front-panel controls or play other gear. Almost all front-panel knobs and most onscreen parameters can be modulated. Mod Processors let you transform modulation signals using quantization, smoothing, curvature and more.

An arsenal of effects

Modwave Module’s superb effects deliver production-ready sounds. Each Layer has three dedicated effects, plus a send to the Performance’s master reverb, followed by a master parametric EQ. Along with standards such as compressors, EQs, choruses, flangers, phasers and stereo delays, you’ll find distinctive processors such as Wave Shaper, Talking Modulator, Reverse Delay, Multiband Mod Delay,and even Overb from OASYS/Kronos, plus modeled effects including Vox guitar amps, Vox wah, multi-head tape echo and a collection of classic guitar pedals.

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 oscillators, filter or effects. Use the results directly, or as a jumping-off point for your own creations.

Set Lists and Smooth Sound Transitions

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

Connections

Balanced stereo outputs connect to any recording or monitoring system, and a stereo headphone output is provided for private playing or onstage cueing. 5-pin DIN MIDI jacks ensure connection to other MIDI-equipped instruments and audio gear. Modwave Module supports class-compliant USB MIDI connections to macOS and Windows computers.

Editor/librarian software

Modwave Module’s editor/librarian lets you edit and organize sounds via your macOS or Windows computer, including Apple Silicon-based systems. Using USB networking for high-speed communication, the app works like a second front panel for the instrument with no need to synchronize or transfer data. Animations show the effects of modulation in real time, a great help when programming.

Free bundle of music software

Modwave Module comes with a diverse collection of music software to help you take your music to the next level, including Izotope Ozone Elements for AI-powered mastering, Skoove for improving your keyboard playing skills and software synths from Korg and other brands.

Special crossgrade to Modwave Native software

Owners of a hardware Modwave are eligible for a crossgrade license to Modwave Native at a special price via a coupon code tied to the Modwave 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.

Modwave Native

Modwave Native is the fully-compatible software counterpart to the hardware Modwave Module synthesizer. Modwave 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 Modwave Native, and then play the same sounds on stage using the Modwave Module 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 libraries available for the hardware Modwave Module, as well as sample libraries designed for either Modwave or Wavestate.