KORG Wavestate £700
Back in the early-1990s, analogue was dead, sampling was big and everyone was searching for the next big thing in synthesisers and audio programming. Sensing a shift in the waters, Korg caught a huge wave and rode it all the way to the bank with the introduction of its Wavestation series.
Shipping with full-sized keyboard formats, alongside the now legendary A/D and SR rackmounted alternatives, the Wavestation synths gave rise to the wave sequence, a form of live-loop that could be triggered via MIDI to provide a hypnotic, if not mechanical sounds. The Wavestation wasn’t without its issues – often, its sequences wouldn’t trigger properly, which meant having to sample them to ensure that they played nicely timing-wise. Despite these minor inconveniences, news that the Japanese manufacturer is reviving the wave sequence was met with tremendous surprise and anticipation upon its announcement at NAMM in January. But can the new model, the Wavestate, possibly live up to its predecessor?
Key features
• Wave sequencing 2.0
• New wave sequences, plus Wavestation classics
• Vector control
• 64 stereo voice capacity
• 240 Performances and ` 740 programs
• Numerous filter options, including models of the Korg Polysix• •
