Korg microKORG SFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 57 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment52%
PROS 52%
CONS 48%

Rank based on 57 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an easy-to-understand screen for learning synth programming
  • You loved the original microKORG and want its vocoder/sound engine with modern tweaks
  • You need a compact, portable synth/vocoder for gigging or small studios

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're on a tight budget and can find similarly priced or cheaper competitors with more features
  • You need full-size keys, USB connectivity, or higher polyphony
  • You already own an original microKORG and don't need the vocoder upgrade

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Korg microKORG S
Intuitive screen for learningNostalgic familiar sound engineGood value for beginners/musiciansHigh price relative to competitorsCheesy genre knob and dated UI elementsMini keys disliked
Korg microKORG S
Intuitive screen for learning
Nostalgic familiar sound engine
Good value for beginners/musicians
High price relative to competitors
Cheesy genre knob and dated UI elements
Mini keys disliked

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The new screen is the standout upgrade for learning and sound design. Multiple commenters single out the large, colorful screen as transformative, making it far easier to understand parameters, LFOs, and patch editing compared to the original's confusing knob-matrix system. Some longtime owners say it finally helped them grasp programming after over a decade of only using presets. New users also find it visually intuitive, though a few feel it doesn't fully fix the underlying complexity of sound design for true beginners.

Price is the most contentious issue among commenters. Many reviewers compare the microKORG S unfavorably to competitors like the Hydrasynth Explorer, Novation Mininova, Modwave, and Wavestate, arguing those offer more for similar or better prices. Others defend the price as fair for what it offers, noting Korg's reputation and build quality. Expectations for pricing near the original's $429 launch were common, with actual pricing seen as a premium jump that frustrated budget-conscious buyers.

Missing modern conveniences like USB and full-size keys frustrate some users. Commenters repeatedly note the absence of a USB port for patch storage or firmware updates, reliance on AA batteries instead of rechargeable USB-C power, and continued use of mini keys that many find uncomfortable to play. Limited polyphony (4-voice) and no sample-loading or proper loop recording also disappoint users wanting more flexibility, though the vocoder and harmonizer improvements are still praised as meaningful upgrades.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?