Korg modwave native User manual

modwave native
WAVETABLE SYNTHESIZER
E1

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Contents
Introduction........................................................................................................................................... 1
Main Features................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Structure............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
User Interface Elements ............................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Conventions in this manual ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Getting Started ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Installation and updates .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Play page ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Edit pages.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Sound Browser ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Saving Sounds ...............................................................................................................................................................................................11
Modulation.....................................................................................................................................................................................................13
MIDI Learn.......................................................................................................................................................................................................14
Automation ....................................................................................................................................................................................................15
Copy/Paste......................................................................................................................................................................................................15
Randomize......................................................................................................................................................................................................16
Main Menu............................................................................................................................................17
Settings ............................................................................................................................................................................................................18
User Sample Banks.......................................................................................................................................................................................22
Synthesis page.....................................................................................................................................23
Oscillator 1/2 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................24
Filter ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................29
Common Pitch...............................................................................................................................................................................................33
Amp...................................................................................................................................................................................................................34
Motion Sequencing 2.0 .......................................................................................................................36
Overview .........................................................................................................................................................................................................36
Sequencer page............................................................................................................................................................................................37
Motion Sequence .........................................................................................................................................................................................38
Standard Lane Controls..............................................................................................................................................................................39
Step Probability.............................................................................................................................................................................................40
Master Lane ....................................................................................................................................................................................................40
Timing Lane....................................................................................................................................................................................................40
Pitch...................................................................................................................................................................................................................42
Shape................................................................................................................................................................................................................44
Seq A/B/C/D....................................................................................................................................................................................................44
Motion Sequence Steps contextual menu...........................................................................................................................................45
Arp & Setup page .................................................................................................................................47
Arpeggiator ....................................................................................................................................................................................................47
Layer Setup.....................................................................................................................................................................................................49
Program Setup...............................................................................................................................................................................................50
Zones & Scales page ............................................................................................................................53
Performance Setup......................................................................................................................................................................................53
Performance Scale .......................................................................................................................................................................................54
Keyboard Zones ............................................................................................................................................................................................55

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Velocity Zones ...............................................................................................................................................................................................55
Modulation List page...........................................................................................................................56
Modulation Sources ............................................................................................................................58
Kaoss Physics .......................................................................................................................................61
Overview .........................................................................................................................................................................................................61
Kaoss Physics page.......................................................................................................................................................................................62
Kaoss Physics settings.................................................................................................................................................................................63
Kaoss Launch .................................................................................................................................................................................................64
Envelopes .............................................................................................................................................65
Filter/Amp/Osc 1/Osc 2 Envelope...........................................................................................................................................................65
Filter/Amp/Osc 1/Osc 2 Envelope Curve ..............................................................................................................................................65
Filter/Amp/Osc 1/Osc 2 Envelope Trigger............................................................................................................................................66
LFOs ......................................................................................................................................................67
Filter/Amp/Pitch/Osc 1/Osc 2 LFO..........................................................................................................................................................67
Key Track...............................................................................................................................................70
Filter Key Track ...............................................................................................................................................................................................70
Amp Key Track................................................................................................................................................................................................71
Modulation Processors........................................................................................................................73
Overview .........................................................................................................................................................................................................73
Gate ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................73
Oset ................................................................................................................................................................................................................74
Quantize ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................75
Scale..................................................................................................................................................................................................................76
Curve.................................................................................................................................................................................................................76
Smooth.............................................................................................................................................................................................................78
Sum ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................78
Eects page..........................................................................................................................................80
Overview .........................................................................................................................................................................................................80
Mini Editors.....................................................................................................................................................................................................81
Pre FX ................................................................................................................................................................................................................81
Mod FX .............................................................................................................................................................................................................82
Delay .................................................................................................................................................................................................................83
Reverb & EQ page.................................................................................................................................84
Master Reverb................................................................................................................................................................................................84
Master EQ ........................................................................................................................................................................................................85
Librarian page......................................................................................................................................86
Librarian contextual menu........................................................................................................................................................................88
Import and export........................................................................................................................................................................................88
Importing Wavetables ................................................................................................................................................................................90
Set Lists.................................................................................................................................................92
Set List window .............................................................................................................................................................................................92
Using Set Lists ................................................................................................................................................................................................92
Editing Set Lists .............................................................................................................................................................................................93
Set List contextual menu ...........................................................................................................................................................................94

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Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................................................95
No sound .........................................................................................................................................................................................................95
The sound has clicks, pops, or noise.......................................................................................................................................................95
Sound is delayed...........................................................................................................................................................................................95
Can’t control the software synthesizer from a MIDI device connected to the computer.....................................................95
Specications.......................................................................................................................................96
Operating requirements ...........................................................................................................................................................................96
Support and service.............................................................................................................................97
Before you contact us..................................................................................................................................................................................97
Information to provide when contacting us .......................................................................................................................................97

Introduction
1
Introduction
ank you for purchasing Korg’s modwave native soware synthesizer. To help you get the most out of your new
instrument, please read this manual carefully.
Main Features
In 1985, Korg’s DW-8000 combined digital wavetables with rich analog lters to give users sounds which were
impossible to create with analog oscillators. It’s still a cult favorite today.
e modwave builds on the DW legacy and transforms it into a modern monster synth, featuring incredibly deep
wavetable oscillators, gorgeous lters, wildly exible modulation, sophisticated pattern sequencing, and macro controls
to deliver unique, powerful, and easily customizable sounds and phrases.
Wavetable Oscillators
Start with over 200 wavetables, each containing up to 64 waveforms—from thousands of individual waves. Use the 30+
Modiers to change their basic character, and the 13 Morph Types to process them in real-time. Create new hybrids
from any two wavetables using the unique, realtime A/B Blend.
Expand your palette even more by importing new wavetables using the Editor/Librarian soware. Try the many free
and commercial wavetable libraries in the standard Serum format*, or create your own using the custom modwave
version of the free, cross-platform WaveEdit. Layer wavetables with samples from the built-in, multi-gigabyte PCM
library, or import your own samples using Korg’s free Sample Builder soware.
Kaoss Physics and Motion Sequencing 2.0
modwave also introduces two unique new tools for creating dynamic motion: Kaoss Physics and Motion Sequencing
2.0. Kaoss Physics combines an x/y Kaoss pad with modulatable game physics to create a responsive, interactive
controller that is—besides being powerful— a lot of fun to explore. Motion Sequencing 2.0 brings the organic,
continuously evolving patterns of the wavestate’s Wave Sequencing 2.0 into the world of motion sequencing, including
multiple lanes, asynchronous loops, step probability, and more.
Filters
Add vintage character to your sounds with the aggressive MS-20 Lowpass or Highpass lters, or the strong, sweet
Polysix Lowpass. Shape and rene with a full collection of resonant 2-pole and 4-pole Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass,
and Band Reject lters. Or, step outside the box with Korg’s unique Multi Filter, which creates modulatable blends of
multiple modes simultaneously.
Modulation
Most parameters can be modulated, with up to 2,000 modulation destinations per Performance, and no xed limit on
the total number of modulation routings. You can even modulate settings for individual Motion Sequence Steps!
Mod Knobs put macro transformations under your ngertips, making it easy to explore the sonic worlds inside
each Performance. Tweaking an existing sound? Quickly identify modulation sources using real-time displays of all
envelopes, LFOs, and other primary modulation sources. Easily create modulation routings using drag-and-drop,
and get an overview of all routings via the Mod List. Mod Processors let you transform modulation signals using
quantization, smoothing, curvature, and more.
Layers and Eects
For even more rich and complex results, layer two Programs together in a Performance–each with their own eects and
arpeggiator. modwave native’s superb eects deliver production-ready sounds. Each Layer has three dedicated eects
(Pre, Mod, and Delay); additionally, the Performance has a Master Reverb and Master EQ.
Presets and Randomization
modwave native comes with about 250 factory Performances, and many more Programs, Wavetables, and Eects
Presets. Smooth Sound Transitions let previously-played voices and eects ring out naturally when you change sounds.
Looking for even more inspiration? e “dice” icon at the top of the window generates new sounds via intelligent
randomization. Randomize the entire sound or just a part of it, such as the lter, motion sequence, or eects. Use the
results directly, or as a jumping-o point for your own creations.

Introduction
2
Fully compatible with the hardware modwave synthesizer
modwave native is the fully-compatible soware counterpart to the hardware modwave synthesizer.
You can seamlessly exchange sounds between hardware and soware. Produce in your DAW with modwave native,
and then play the same sounds onstage using the modwave hardware. Create sounds with the hardware’s hands-on
interface, and then share them with a computer-based collaborator.
Structure
modwave native plays one Performance at a time.
A Performance has two Layers (A and B), Kaoss Physics, and a master reverb and EQ.
Each Layer contains an Arpeggiator, a Program, and other settings such as MIDI channel, key and velocity zones, etc.
A Program includes two Oscillators (1 and 2), each of which may play one or two Wavetables (A and B) or a single
Multisample, a Sub Oscillator/Noise Generator, a Filter, an Amp, a Motion Sequence, a set of modulators, a modulation
matrix, and three eects: Pre FX, Mod FX, and Delay.
Modwave Structure
Performance
Layer B
Layer A
Arpeggiator
Program A
Voice
Filter Amp
Pre FX Mod FX Delay
Mod Matrix
EQ
+
Voice Assign
Volume
MIDI Channel
MIDI Rx Filters
Key & Vel Zones
Scales
Tempo
Key Track Key Track
ADSR
2x Mod
Processors
Kaoss Physics
Mod Knobs
ADSR 1-3
ADSR 1-3
ADSR
4x Envelopes
Pitch
Portamento, Slope,
Motion Seq
Osc 2 Wavetable A
Wavetable B
Osc 1 Wavetable A
Wavetable B
Sub/Noise
ADSR
1-3
LFO
ADSR
1-3
ADSR
5x LFOs
Motion Seq
4x Step Seq Lanes
Motion Seq
4x Step Seq Lanes
Motion Seq
4x Step Seq Lanes
Motion Seq
4x Step Seq Lanes
Stereo
Mixer
Reverb
Send A
Send B
User Interface Elements
Selectors
modwave native keeps track of sounds, and some individual sound elements, using a database. is includes
Performances, Programs, Motion Sequences, Motion Sequence Lanes, Eects Presets, Scales, Set Lists, Wavetables, and
Multisamples. In the UI, these appear as Selectors:
Selector
Item nameInc/Dec arrows
Filtered List icon
Save icon“Edited” asterisk
Favorite icon (Performance Selectors only)
is shows the currently selected item. Use the < and > arrows to step through them one by one, or click on the name to
bring up a browser window (see “Sound Browser” on page 9). An asterisk “*” to the right of the name shows that the
item has been edited from its saved version.
Important: the arrows step through the list of items according to the Sound Browser window’s sort order, and
ltered by the window’s Categories, Collections, and search text. Each individual selector remembers these
settings for as long as modwave native is open and unless a new parent sound is selected (for example, the
Program is the parent sound of the Motion Sequence).

Introduction
3
If some items are hidden due to the selected Categories, Collections, and search text, the Filtered List icon
appears between the < and > arrows. To clear the lters and show all items in the list, click the Filtered List
icon. Alternatively, open the Sound Browser and adjust the lters as desired. For more information, see
“Sound Browser” on page 9.
Press the Save icon to bring up the Save dialog. Note that this does not appear for items which can’t be edited within
modwave native, such as Multisamples and Scales.
Right-click/control-click (macOS) on the name to bring up a contextual menu. For most items, this includes options
for saving and renaming. For Programs and Motion Sequences, it also includes Copy and Paste.
For Performances only, the Selector includes the Favorite indicator. is lets you quickly mark Performances as
favorites. You can then nd them later via the “Favorite” Category. Other data types can also be marked as favorites
from the Sound Browser and Librarian, but there wasn’t room to include the icon in the smaller Selectors.
Favorite icon (Performance Selectors only)
O On
Knobs and sliders
To edit knob values, drag vertically.
To edit slider values, drag in the direction of the slider.
Most knobs and sliders can also be edited by hovering the cursor over the control, and then using the mouse wheel or
dragging on the trackpad. e exception is when the controls are in a scrolling list, such as the Mod Inspector panel
or the Mod List. In these lists, the mouse wheel and trackpad drag are used for scrolling, and so they are disabled for
editing (to avoid unintended changes).
Double-click knobs and sliders to center them.
Graphic editing
Envelopes, LFOs, Key Track generators, Key & Velocity Zones, Filters, and the Master EQ can be edited directly in their
respective graphics. To do so:
1. Hover the cursor over the graphic to show a colored handle.
In most cases, this is either a dot or a line. For LFOs, the entire waveform serves as a “handle.”
2. Drag the handle to edit the value.
To edit Envelope Curve settings, use the yellow handles in the middle of the A/D/R segments.
To edit the Fade ranges of Key & Velocity Zones, use Option-drag (macOS) or Alt-drag (Windows).
Conventions in this manual
In this manual, the following text styles indicate:
• Parameter Names
• Parameter Values

Getting Started
4
Getting Started
Installation and updates
modwave native uses the Korg Soware Pass application for installation and updates. Optionally, modwave native can
check for updates automatically; see “Check for Updates” on page 18.
Your soware license is registered to your Korg ID. You can download the Korg Soware Pass application and manage
your Korg ID at https://id.korg.com.
Where are sounds stored?
e sound database and factory Multisamples are stored in a dedicated folder structure. is can be created anywhere
during the installation process, but as defaults we recommend:
• macOS: /Users/Shared/KORG/modwave native/System
• Windows: \Users\Public\Public Documents\KORG\/modwave native/\System
User Multisamples can be stored anywhere.
Play page
1: Performance Select
7: Main Menu
10: Layer B Osc 1
12: Layer B Filter
3: Play/Edit/Librarian modes 4: Hold2: Kaoss Physics 5: Volume 6: Randomize
10: Layer A Osc 1
9: Layer A On/O
11: Layer A Osc 2
12: Layer A Filter
13: Layer A Arp
& Motion Seq
14: Online Help
8: Layer A
Program
11: Layer B Osc 2
8: Layer B Program
13: Layer B Arp
& Motion Seq
16: Undo/Redo15: Mod Knobs
e Play page gives you everything you need to play sounds and make quick edits.
1: Performance Select
e Performance, with its two Layers, is the main way of selecting, editing, and saving sounds.
is shows the currently selected Performance. Use the < and > arrows to step through Performances one by one, or
click on the name to bring up a browser window (see “Sound Browser” on page 9). Note that the sounds available
via the arrows may be ltered by settings made in the Sound Browser, such as selected Categories or Collections. Right-
click/control-click (macOS) on the name to bring up a contextual menu for saving and renaming.

Getting Started
5
2: Kaoss Physics
Press the power button to turn Kaoss Physics on and o. Presets let you store and recall all of the Kaoss Physics settings.
Use the < and > arrows to step through Presets one by one, or click on the name to bring up a browser window.
Start the motion by dragging and releasing the on-screen ball with your mouse or trackpad. You can also directly
control the ball by dragging without releasing.
e Concentric rings indicate the selected Shape. Black and white shadowing indicates Bump Height; darker for
negative (“hole”), and lighter for positive (“hill”). Red shadowing indicates Tilt. Edge brightness indicates Bounce
settings; darker for negative (absorptive), and lighter for positive (accelerating).
For more detailed control, use the Kaoss Physics page; see “Kaoss Physics” on page 61.
3: Play/Edit/Librarian modes
e buttons in the top of the main window select whether you’re on the Play page, digging in deep on the Edit pages,
or working with the Librarian. For the most part, you can simply switch between these modes without thinking about
it. It’s important to note, however, that some menu commands are available only in Librarian mode, and that undo is
handled separately for the Librarian and Play/Edit modes.
Menu commands
Menu commands for le operations, such as importing, backing up, and restoring, are available only when the
Librarian is active.
Undo/Redo
Undo/redo history is maintained separately for the Librarian and Play/Edit modes. e names of the undo/redo
commands change to reect this; for example, “Editor Undo: Value Change: Cuto” or “Librarian Undo: Update
N a m e .”
4: Hold
[O, On]
Use Hold to hold notes or chords, leaving your hands free for knobs and modulation. is works dierently from the
Damper Pedal. When Hold is On, notes or chords are held indenitely until you play a new note or chord, at which
point the previous notes are cut o and the new ones will sound.
Hold applies only to Layers on the Global MIDI Channel.
5: Volume
is controls the overall volume of the Performance. Use the slider or numeric readout to make adjustments, and view
the results on the meter behind the slider.
6: Randomize
is brings up a window which can randomize either the entire sound, or selected elements of the sound. For details,
see “Randomize” on page16.
7: Main Menu
is menu gives access to overall settings such as CC assignments and the User Sample Bank, undo/redo, user interface
size scaling, “About” information, and Librarian-specic commands. For details, see “Main Menu” on page 17.
8: Layer A/B Program
is is the Program assigned to the Layer (see “Structure” on page 2). Programs contain all of the settings in the
Synthesis, Sequencer, and Eects pages. Use the < and > arrows to step through Programs one by one, or click on the
name to bring up a browser window. Right-click/control-click (macOS) on the name to bring up a contextual menu for
saving and renaming.
9: Layer A/B On/O
e power buttons turn the Layers on and o.

Getting Started
6
10 & 11: Layer A/B Osc 1 and Osc 2
ese areas include the basic settings for the two oscillators in each Layer, including Mode (single Wavetable, double
Wavetable, or Sample), Volume, Wavetable selection, and Wavetable Position and A/B Blend. For more information,
see “Oscillator 1/2” on page 24.
12: Layer A/B Filter
ese areas include the basic settings for the Layer’s lter, including Cuto, Resonance, and Envelope Intensity. For
more information, see “Filter” on page 29.
13: Layer A/B Arp & Motion Seq
ese areas include on/o and preset selection for the Layer’s arpeggiator and Motion Sequencer. For more
information, see “Arpeggiator” on page 47, and “Motion Sequencing 2.0” on page 36.
14: Online Help
When you hover over a parameter or control, this area shows a brief explanation of what it does or how it works. is
area also shows the specic action that will be aected by Undo and Redo; see below.
15: Mod Knobs
e Mod Knobs can control any number of parameters in any of the Layers; they will do dierent things depending on
the specic sound. e knob values are stored, and can themselves be modulated. You can use the Mod Knobs in real-
time performance, and also save the results as new sounds.
16: Undo and Redo
modwave native supports multiple levels of undo and redo for most actions, including importing data, deleting,
renaming, editing Set Lists, editing parameters, and so on. For instance, you could import a bundle le containing a
thousand objects, edit Filter Cuto, rename all of your Programs, and nally add a new modulation routing to Amp
LFO Frequency, and safely undo all actions in turn.
e counter-clockwise arrow (“go back”) is Undo, and the clockwise arrow (“go forward”) is Redo. Hover over the
arrows, and the Online Help area shows the action which will be undone or redone.
Undo Redo
Undo/redo history is maintained separately for the Librarian and Play/Edit modes. e names of the undo/redo
commands change to reect this; for example, “Editor Undo: Value Change: Cuto” or “Librarian Undo: Update
N a m e .”