Korg opsix – Altered FM Synthesizer
This year’s NAMM tease finally launches, claiming to deliver a more accessible form of FM. But it seems to have walked through Dr. Frink’s Shrink Ray…
As a bit of an FM fan, when I saw the opsix on display at NAMM in January (way back when we could mingle and NAMMthrax was the worst bug you could pick up!), I was seriously excited by the prospect of a more accessible form of FM synthesis, and an implementation that was based on Yamaha’s own.
So when I saw the leaked images of the Korg opsix last week, my heart sank somewhat. There is a place for 37 note keyboards, for sure, but not on polyphonic synths. Reading the specs made my heart sink lower still when it became clear that there was no aftertouch on the keyboard either. Many would argue about whether AT is necessary these days (I’m not one of them) but to omit it from an FM synth whose very synthesis engine can make the most of such expressive control is beyond me. A real dropped ball.
However, the way they have created a UI that is simple to understand and use, which exposes the core elements of FM for real time manipulation and has an, albeit small, effective display, is commendable. In a conversation with an expert FM programmer of some 30+ years, we both agreed that this synth represented a delivery of FM for beginners and that is not a bad thing at all. If the opsix brings people to the FM world, where they may once have been put off by the likes of the DX7 or FS1R, then it HAS to be a good thing.
Watching the numerous videos that all dropped at the same time, as is the way these days, it certainly seems to have sonic clout but doesn’t seem to do anything that can’t be done with even the more vintage FM gear if you know what you’re doing. It brings a few new things to the game, such as Operator Modes, but again, an SY77/99 can deliver most of those sonic outcomes when in the right hands. And the FS1R and more recent FM-X engine can go beyond.
But I don’t think that’s the point here. This is 21st century FM. It has improved much, and delivers adequately well.
It seems, much like Modal, that Korg have settled on a platform and the 37 note, Raspberry Compute Module based approach is probably going to do very well for them, assuming that the opsix shares the same internal core as the Wavestate. For the most part, it succeeds, but a few glaring omissions take the shine off a bit.
Maybe Korg can send me one to try out? Korg? Anyone? Beuller?
I’ve been hovering over the buy button on a Kodamo EssenceFM, and have held off, waiting to see what opsix was all about. It isn’t perfect either, not least in terms of the price, but it brings way more to the game, as it should.
All that said, however, I will wait until I’ve used one until I pass final judgement. Until then, my DX5, TX7, DX7-IIFD, DX11, SY22 and FS1R will suffice 😉
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