Korg Wavestate SEFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 50 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment44%
PROS 44%
CONS 56%

Rank based on 50 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a full-size aftertouch keybed and extra octaves for expressive live performance
  • You value Korg's vector wave-sequencing sound and don't already own a controller keyboard
  • You want a complete package with hard case and higher polyphony for complex patches

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You already own the original Wavestate and could add a cheaper aftertouch controller keyboard instead
  • You're put off by the roughly $2000 price for an unchanged small screen and knob layout
  • You need polyphonic aftertouch or direct sampling rather than this rompler-style engine

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
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
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
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
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
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
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
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
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
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
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
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
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
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 SE
Full-size aftertouch keybedDistinctive vector wave-sequencing sound engineIncluded fitted hard caseSteep price markupSmall, unchanged displaySame knob-per-function-lacking UI
Korg Wavestate SE
Full-size aftertouch keybed
Distinctive vector wave-sequencing sound engine
Included fitted hard case
Steep price markup
Small, unchanged display
Same knob-per-function-lacking UI

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The aftertouch keybed and extra octaves are the SE's biggest, most-loved upgrade. Multiple owners say the 61-key, aftertouch-equipped keybed and extra octaves genuinely enhance expression and performance ability compared to the original Wavestate. One three-month owner reports zero buyer's remorse, calling it inspirational and a tactile pleasure, while others note the higher-quality keybed suits pro-level players who won't settle for a cheap, plasticky keyboard. Fans who already own the mk1 describe the SE as a dream upgrade finally addressing the missing keys and aftertouch.

A large portion of commenters feel the roughly $2000 price is a hard pass given what changed. Many argue Korg simply put the existing Wavestate and Opsix circuit boards into a metal case with a better keybed and charged three times the original price, without redesigning the control panel or knob layout. Commenters call the extra polyphony unnecessary, criticize the unchanged small screen, and say better-equipped competing synths exist near this price point, predicting steep future discounts before it sells well.

Even skeptics agree the underlying sound engine remains uniquely capable. Commenters call the Wavestate possibly the most advanced sample-based synthesizer around, praising its vector synth modulation and wave-sequencing as unlike anything else on the market. Longtime mk1 owners say they still listen to it daily just for the sounds, and multiple new SE buyers report the instrument sounds excellent and exceeds expectations, even while debating whether the SE's extra price is worth it.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?