microKORG
by KORG · Synth · Virtual analog synth and vocoder
Not rated yet
A software version of KORG's best-selling microKORG, made for the hardware's 20th anniversary, with its analog-modeled synth engine and 8-band vocoder.
It raises polyphony to 64 voices and includes 192 presets from the microKORG and microKORG S, for $149.
Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Vocals. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop, Rock & Indie.
Keywords: polyphonic, analog, arpeggiator, simple, Y2K, analog-sounding, basses, classic, ensemble, leads, modern, pads, preset-driven, subtractive, tempo-synced, virtual analog, visual feedback.
What it does
The microKORG plugin recreates the "sound, behavior, and look" of KORG's 2002 synth and vocoder, released for the hardware's 20th anniversary. It keeps the original's compact virtual analog engine and adds more polyphony and a modern browser.
- Oscillators: two per voice. Oscillator 1 has 8 basic waveforms, including audio input, plus 64 DWGS waves, with a real-time oscilloscope; Oscillator 2 has sawtooth, square and triangle, with ring modulation and hard sync.
- Filters and envelopes: four filter types, including a 24 dB lowpass, a distortion switch, and two ADSR envelopes (filter and amp) with a visual display.
- Modulation: two LFOs with sawtooth, square, triangle or sine and sample and hold, key and tempo sync, plus four virtual patch routings.
- Vocoder: 8 bands with formant hold and per-band level controls. It is not supported in FL Studio, Studio One, GarageBand or Komplete Kontrol.
- Arpeggiator: six patterns with octave range, resolution, step count and per-step on/off.
- Effects: a modulation effect (flanger/chorus, ensemble, phaser), a delay (stereo, cross, L/R) and a 2-band EQ.
- Voices and presets: up to 64 voices (more than the hardware), two-timbre layering, skins for the different models, and 192 programs from the microKORG and microKORG S. MIDI data can be swapped with the hardware.
When to use it
The microKORG plugin is the pick when you want that specific 2000s synth and its well-known factory patches and vocoder in one simple instrument. Compared with Sylenth1 or Hive 2 it is a much smaller engine with fewer routings, but it is quicker to learn and sounds like the hardware so many records used. Compared with Serum 2 or Vital it has very limited modulation and no wavetable editing, so it suits playing presets and light tweaks rather than deep sound design. Its built-in vocoder is a plus none of those synths has, though it doesn't work in every DAW.
- Best for: classic 2000s leads and basses, arpeggios, simple pads and vocoder parts.
- Genres: electronic, synth-pop, indie and electro.
- Look elsewhere if: you want deep modulation or modern features (Serum 2, Vital), or you work in FL Studio, Studio One or GarageBand and need the vocoder.
What producers say
Reviewers single it out as one of the most enjoyable plugins in the KORG Collection.
- MusicTech (Stefan Wyeth, 2026, reviewing KORG Collection 6, rated 6/10 overall) called it "one of the most accessible and fun-to-use synth plugin recreations available".
- Praised: MusicTech credited the Collection with high-quality analog modelling and well-designed presets, and noted the microKORG has the newer interface design.
- Criticisms: MusicTech found detailed KORG plugin interfaces hard to use on small displays, and said the plugins face serious competition.
Where to buy
- Plugin Boutique: $149
Tutorials and reviews
- microKORG Plugin
- KORG microKorg Plug-In for Mac & Windows - Classic Iconic Synth - The BIG Sound Test
- KORG Collection 4 microKORG VST ( New Release )
- MicroKorg Plugin Review - Is It Worth It ????
- KORG MICROKORG - World's Best Selling Synth Now In Your DAW
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