Synthesis powerhouse with distinctive wavetable timbres, Kaoss Physics, and Motion Sequencing 2.0.

In 1985, Korg's DW-8000 combined digital wavetables with rich analog filters to give users sounds which were impossible to create with analog oscillators. It's still a cult favorite today.

Modwave transforms DW legacy into a modern synth, featuring deep oscillators, stunning filters, flexible modulation, max polyphony, sequencing, and hands-on control for custom sounds and phrases.

modwave introduces Kaoss Physics and Motion Sequencing 2.0, combining an x/y Kaoss pad with modulatable game physics and multiple lanes/real-time recording to create powerful, dynamic, and interactive patterns.

Modwave's evolved wavetable synthesis provides unique sounds & a knob-per-function layout for easy customizing. Hundreds of preset sounds are organized via category buttons; the four Modulation Knobs further customize. Timbres range from aggressive basses & leads to ambient pads - and with an endless source of discovery, you'll find new sounds for a long time. Save up to thousands.

modwave synthesis engine

Wavetable oscillators offer "deep" complexity: 200+ wavetables of up to 64 waveforms, plus 30+ modifiers and 13 morph types to change their character in real-time. Over 230 million variations, plus load custom wavetables/samples in editor/librarian software.

Programs feature two wavetable oscillators, sub/noise gen., 12 stereo filter types (incl. MS-20, Polysix, enhanced Multi Filter), 4 triggerable envelopes, 5 LFOs, dual mod processors, two key-trackers, Motion Sequencing & Kaoss Physics.

Even with all that synthesis power, playing up to four simultaneous wavetables per voice in a single Program, the modwave still achieves 32-voice polyphony, incredible for a wavetable synth. Layer two Programs together for double the possibilities.

Structure

Kaoss Physics

Kaoss Physics models a ball rolling/bouncing on a surface and flicked by a finger or triggered by Gate + Damper. It produces four modulation signals to control any destination: X & Y locations, distance from center, and angle relative to X axis. This automated modulation is a first, producing engrossing & evolving results.

A virtual bump, valley or hill, can be set in height/depth, with different shapes of its slopes. Friction is adjustable and walls can slow/accelerate ball, or be removed to make surface wrap around like an arcade game.

Modeled environment can create mod effects, e.g. centered bump w/ negative height to have mod values return to 0, or bump w/ positive height on side/corner to push mod values away.

Most parameters like Tilt, Friction, Time, and Bump Height/Position are modulatable – even with Kaoss Physics outputs. Interact with your physical gestures, transforming them into musical complexity – and have fun doing it!

Motion Sequencing 2.0

Motion Sequencing 2.0 is evolved from the wavestate’s Wave Sequencing 2.0. Timing, Pitch, Shape, and four sets of Step Sequence values are separated into “Lanes,” each with their own loop start and loop end, 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. For instance, a step sequence value may be matched with 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. Each note in a chord can be playing something different!

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.

Deeper into the synth engine

What's a wavetable?

Wavetables are waveforms arranged in order; their position determines the waveform played. Modulation creates changes in timbre; the modwave can switch or crossfade.

Modifiers

Alter any wavetable with over 30 Modifiers at load time. Isolate harmonics, add weight or vintage character.

Morph

Morph Types stretch, squeeze, reflect, and alter wavetables for changing timbre and added motion. Sync uses one oscillator to create swept-sync timbres. FM, AM, Ring Mod modulate Osc 2 with Osc 1, and apply to samples.

A/B Blend

A/B mode blends wavetables with precision, layering voices in a new dimension of intermediate waveforms to give timbres body and sizzle. Modulate A/B Blend in real-time.

Gigabytes of samples

Wavetables layer great with samples and the modwave oscillators do it with ease; it includes gigabytes of samples from KORG, Airwave, Francis Preve, Plugin Guru, Kronos and Krome.

Filters for days

Shape sounds with MS-20, Polysix filters + gain ctrls; 2/4-pole Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass, Band Reject; KORG's modulatable Multi Filter with preset knob.

Control and modulation galore

Modwave's knobs & controlers offer exploration & expression: oscillators, filters, envelopes, LFOs, effects, Mod Knobs, Hold button, Pitch Bend & Mod Wheels, & modulatable Motion Sequence Steps. Mod Processors let you customize further using quantization, smoothing, curvature, & more.

An arsenal of effects

Superb effects, 3 dedicated per Layer, plus master reverb & EQ deliver production-ready sounds; featuring compressors, EQs, choruses, flangers, phasers, stereo delays, Wave Shaper, Talking Modulator, Reverse Delay, Multiband Mod Delay, Overb, VOX guitar amps, VOX wah, multi-head tape echo, & 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.

Editor/Librarian software

The modwave Editor/Librarian lets you edit and organize sounds via your macOS or Windows computer (including the latest Apple M1-based systems). Using USB networking for high-speed communication, it works like a second front panel for the instrument, so there's no need to synchronize or transfer data. Animations show the effects of modulation in real-time - a great help when programming.

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.

Connections

Balanced stereo outputs connect to recording/monitoring systems, a headphone output for private/onstage cueing, MIDI jacks to other MIDI-equipped instruments/audio gear, and USB MIDI connections to Windows/macOS computers.

Designed by KORG R&D in California.

KORG R&D created the wavestate, OASYS & Kronos, plus tech for other KORG instruments. The modwave delivers sound, flexibility & control via cutting-edge tech, with key sound designers from the wavestate, Airwave & Peter “Ski” Schwartz joining the Korg voicing team.

Free bundle of music software

The modwave comes with a diverse collection of music software to help you take your music to the next level, including Reason Lite for song creation, Izotope's Ozone Elements for AI-powered mastering, Skoove for improving your keyboard playing skills, and software synths from KORG and other brands.

Specifications

System

Keyboard: 37 keys (velocity and release-velocity sensitive)

Maximum Polyphony: 32 stereo voices

Sound generating system: modwave synthesis engine

Modulation

Controllers: Mod Wheel, Pitch Wheel, Kaoss Physics, 4x Mod Knobs

Other Sources

4x Envelopes, 5x LFOs, 2x Mod Processors, 2x Key Track, Seq Lanes A-D, 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 and Poly Aftertouch (external MIDI only), MIDI CCs +/-, MIDI CCs +

Destinations

Most parameters can be modulated, including parameters of individual Motion Sequence Steps.

Depending on Motion 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

Master Reverb

Early Reflections, Overb

Master EQ

4-band parametric EQ

General

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, half-damper not supported), MIDI IN and OUT connectors, USB B port

Power supply

AC adapter (DC12V, 2500mA)

Power consumption

5 W

Dimensions (W × D × H)

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

Weight

2.9 kg/6.93 lbs.

Included items

AC adapter

Accessories (sold separately)

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