Korg WavestateFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 53 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment60%
PROS 60%
CONS 40%

Rank based on 53 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want evolving, cinematic, ambient textures and pad sounds
  • You enjoy deep sound design and don't mind menu diving or using the editor/VST
  • You can find a good used MK1 price or value the improved firmware 2.0 features

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a fast, straightforward workflow for finishing complete songs
  • You require full MIDI-controllable knobs/buttons or a premium keybed with aftertouch
  • You're not willing to spend significant time learning wave sequencing and patch programming

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
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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
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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
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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
31Premium
Korg Wavestate
Evolving, cinematic sound designDeep modulation and sound-shaping powerImproved via firmware and software editorSteep learning curve and menu divingRisk of preset-dependent, non-productive workflowHigh price relative to hardware/build
Korg Wavestate
Evolving, cinematic sound design
Deep modulation and sound-shaping power
Improved via firmware and software editor
Steep learning curve and menu diving
Risk of preset-dependent, non-productive workflow
High price relative to hardware/build

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound design and evolving textures are the Wavestate's biggest strength. Commenters repeatedly describe the Wavestate as producing icy pads, evolving ambient textures, and cinematic movie-score-like sounds that feel emotionally resonant, especially for those who grew up with 90s synths like the original Wavestation. Holding a single chord can generate 40 minutes of evolving music. Many call it a modern classic for ambient and soundtrack work, though some warn the 'wavestate sound' risks becoming cliche with overuse.

Programming complexity divides users between overwhelmed and enthusiastic. Many reviewers describe menu diving, wave-sequence complexity, and the sheer number of parameters as intimidating, comparing it to notoriously difficult synths like the Kawai K5000 or Kurzweil K2000. Others counter that the randomize button and simplified workflow (starting with single-channel patches) make it approachable quickly, and firmware improvements plus the editor/VST have reduced the learning curve significantly since launch.

Hardware build, keybed and MIDI limitations draw consistent criticism. Several users criticize the keybed for lacking aftertouch and feeling cheap or plasticky for the price, with one comparing build quality unfavorably to a 'big Korg Volca.' Another long-time owner calls the hardware MIDI implementation 'a joke,' noting most knobs and buttons don't send MIDI or sysex, while the same parameters are automatable in the VST version, causing frustration among hardware-focused buyers.

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