At the NAMM 2020 in January, Korg USA surprisingly showed a prototype of the opsix, an FM synthesizer with six operators. It was not yet possible to try out the opsix, which was separated from the curious trade fair visitors by a pane of glass. But now, after several leaks, Korg officially presents the still-secret digital sound generator in a completely different presentation. But can the synthesizer convince?
Finally, the cat is out of the bag and Korg unveils her new opsix. Under the hood is a six-operator powerful FM synthesizer. But that’s not all. Because the manufacturer promises much more than a copy of the DX7 and SY99. Where digital synthesis ends, the fun with the new sound generator only begins. The actually quite complex programming of an FM synthesizer becomes a child’s play with this hardware. Because routings and the operator mixer are easy to use so that you can achieve the desired sound result even with little prior knowledge.
Externally, the size and presentation hardware reminds of the Wavestate and Minilogue XD. The integrated Korg keyboard comprises 37 keys. The parameter controls are of course located above on the user interface. Here you can bring your sounds to life with three envelope generators, three LFOs, and twelve virtual patch connections. There are eleven different filter types (including MS-20 and Polysix). In the end, there are three FX units with a total of 30 different effects. As in the other newer Korg synthesizers, the sound is also here using a spectrum analyzer and oscilloscope visualized.
A 16-step sequencer should of course not be missing. The FM synthesis works with six operators that you can interconnect with one another using the data entry control. In addition, there are five operator modes and 40 preset factory algorithms available, which raise sound processing far beyond classic FM Synthesizer. If you run out of ideas, you can fall back to the built-in random number generator.
With the opsix you also receive a large software package with iZotope Ozone Elements, the piano learning software Skoove, the DAW software Reason Lite and several iOS apps as well as software for Mac and Windows from Korg.
Korg opsix FM synthesizer price and availability
You can now pre-order the Korg opsix FM synthesizer here at Bhphotovideo.com for $799.99.
Recently Korg has introduced Korg Nautilus Music Workstation that uses a revised Kronos base and wants to redefine the direction in the upper mid-range workstation segment with a fresh concept; and Korg MS-20 FS keyboard synthesizer features versatile patching options, two versions of analog filters, and the ability to process external signals makes this diminutive powerhouse very attractive to the analog synthesizer aficionado.
