KORG Opsix Altered FM Synth

OPSIX - ALTERED FM SYNTHESIZER

A Full-Spectrum Sound Experience

opsix is a digital synth unlike any other, with sounds to match. Instantly explore hundreds of fresh, cutting-edge sounds to inspire your next musical project! Go even further with the power of customization right at your fingertips. Front panel colored controls provide easy access for dramatic shifts in sound characteristics, from icy, sparkling chimes to fuzzy, deep basses. The opsix is an entirely new tool that reveals a world of frequency exploration and a wide range of dynamic possibilities.

Get Illuminated with the Operator Mixer

At the heart of every sound is opsix’s Operator Mixer – a simple set of six faders and knobs that invite exploration. Each part lights up red to indicate a sound or blue for a modulator. Changing the position of these controllers opens up new sound-shaping possibilities to breathe fresh life into your musical ideas. This straightforward, hands-on workflow is part of what makes opsix so unique, just like the sounds it offers.

Direct Hands-On Control

Whether you’re tweaking a preset or building a patch from the ground up, the six data entry knobs on the right give you quick access to the parameters you need and seamlessly sync with the large OLED display, giving you a clear, focused direction to your workflow. Coupled with the mixer, it makes creating fresh sounds super easy and, most importantly, fun!

Select from a full range of analog-style filters, from the radical Korg MS-20 low-pass/high-pass filter to the powerful yet smooth Korg PolySix low-pass filter that gives your sound a vintage feel. There are also two- or four-pole low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-reject filters with resonance.

There’s even a built-in spectrum analyzer and oscilloscope that gives you visual feedback via the screen on the music you’re making.

Six in One Synthesis

The core of opsix is nothing short of exponential. Since waveforms can be arranged and modulated in nearly infinite ways, opsix can easily do the sonic work that is similar to numerous types of synthesis:

Subtractive:

Removing parts of the sound to get the sound you want; the most widely-used synthesis. opsix uses up to six envelopes and multi-modeled filters to achieve many cutting-edge and classic tones.

Semi-Modular:

Rerouting signal paths to change the sound. A spin through the Algorithms section will dramatically reshape the base sound by changing how the six mixer parts work together, and no patch cables are needed.

Analog (Modeling):

Analog-style controls and plenty of stackable waveforms take you from digital to analog-sounding in no time. Enjoy deep basses, crisp leads, thick pad sounds, fuzzy brass tones, and so much more.

Waveshaping:

Adding intentional distortion to the waveforms to achieve aggressive overtones that are either harmonic or inharmonic. This will help you achieve gritty, bitey tones dripping with character.

Additive:

Stacking waveforms and blending their harmonics is key to an expansive range of harmonious, dissonant, and tension-driven sounds. With six operators available, the

complete FM experience is possible, including the ability to go back in time for classic sounds you have heard throughout recording history.

Classic FM:

Last but certainly not least, opsix’s highly flexible and powerful architecture starts with true six-Operator FM. As a result, it easily delivers signature sounds you have surely heard on thousands of hits from the ‘80s on through today, and with far more polyphony than other standalone FM synths available today.

With all of these ways to realize and explore sounds, opsix is uniquely suited as a “future-modern-classic” synth!

Altered Reality

What started as a legacy synthesis has evolved into something completely different. opsix is FM-based, but the similarities to the classic synthesis end there. The Altered FM architecture delivers sounds across a vast spectrum, far wider than any single synthesis has been able to cover before, thanks to new sound components; new waveforms, filters, shaping, effects, LFOs, envelopes, modulations, and more, all translating to its broad assortment of sounds.

Powerful Effects Processing

opsix provides three blocks of 30 types of high-definition effects that you can use together to enhance your sounds even further. There’s everything from a great mix of usable standard effects like chorus, phaser, delay, and compressor to some world-class shimmering reverbs that will elevate your sound to the next level. 

Polyphonic Motion Sequencing

opsix features an incredible step sequencer that rivals groove boxes for flexibility and power. Press the PLAY button on any sound and experience the complexity of the sequences! Every Program has its unique sequence stored with it, or create your very own.

You can record up to six notes per step and edit each note's velocity, gate time, and playback timing. Create long phrases or make subtle shifts in timing to emulate strums or drum rolls, something that’s not possible on a typical 16-step sequencer. The motion sequencer of the opsix also lets you record changes of up to six parameters, creating smooth motion changes in sound within a phrase or building rhythms that change dramatically with each step.

Monster Modulation Matrix

The opsix’s modulation possibilities are genuinely mind-blowing. With six operator modes and 40 preset algorithms, plus the ability to create your own, opsix offers you dynamic sonic options.

This synthesis is supercharged with the processors that come at the end of the signal chain. The MOD section works separate from the operators, with three EGs and three LFOs; and 12 virtual patches for a wide variety of routing possibilities. Use these features for a huge range of modulation to create swirling soundscapes or add rhythmic motion to your sounds.

Throw the Dice

Use the Randomize feature if you’re in the mood for unexpected sonic discoveries. Press the button marked with the die icon to completely scramble the synth’s parameters, generating a new, unique sound. You can use the Randomize feature for all parameters or just for the operators, the algorithm, or the sequences.

You might strike gold with your roll, but if not, just try again or use the result as a starting point for your next new sound.

Free Librarian Software

The opsix Sound Librarian lets you view and organize data on an opsix connected to a computer via USB, and transfer sound data back and forth between the opsix and the computer.

Specifications:

Keyboard: 37 keys (velocity and release-velocity sensitive)

Maximum Polyphony:32 voices (or a max. of 24 voices, depending on the settings)

Sound generating system: Altered FM sound generator

Structure: 6 operators, 1 filter, 3 EGs, 3 LFOs, 3 effects, step sequencer, arpeggiator

Algorithm: 40 presets + user algorithm (unique to each program)

Operator: 5 modes (FM, Ring Mod., Filter, Filter FM, Wave Folder)

Oscillator waveform: 21 waveforms (Sine, Sine 12bit, Sine 8bit, Triangle, Saw, Saw HD, Square, Square HD, Additive Saw3, Additive Sqr3, Additive Tri3, Additive 12345, Additive 1+2, Additive 1+3, Additive 1+4, Additive 1+5, Additive 1+6, Additive 1+7, Additive 1+8, Noise S/H, Noise White)

Filter: 11 types (LPF 12, LPF 24, LPF MS-20, LPF POLY6, HPF 12, HPF 24, HPF MS-20, BPF 6, BPF 12, BRF 6, BRF 12)

EG: ADSR

LFO: 23 waveforms (Triangle, Saw Down, Saw Up, Square, Sine, Sample&Hold, Guitar, Exp. Triangle, Exp. Saw Down, Exp. Saw Up, Step4 Triangle, Step6 Triangle, Step4 Saw Down, Step6 Saw Down, StepRnd:Time, StepRnd:Lvl&Time, StepRnd:Level, Random:Time, Random:Lvl&Time, Triangle + , Saw Down + , Saw Up + , Square +)

V.Patch: 12 routings

Effect: 30 types (Chorus, Unison Ensemble, Phaser, Phaser (BPM) , Auto Pan, Auto Pan (BPM), Flanger, Flanger (BPM) , Rotary Speaker, Auto Wah, Exciter, Enhancer, LFO Filter, 3-Band EQ, Distortion, Guitar Amp, Decimator, Grain Shifter, Master Limiter, Compressor, Delay, Delay (BPM) , Autopan Dly, Autopan Dly (BPM), Tape Echo, Tape Echo (BPM) , Early Reflection, Reverb, Shimmer Reverb, Spring Reverb)

Sequencer: Step Sequencer (up to 16 steps, up to 6 notes per step) , Motion Sequencer (up to 6 lanes)

Arpeggiator: 7 patterns (MANUAL, UP, DOWN, ALT1, ALT2, RANDOM, TRIGGER) fault)

Number of programs:500 (250 preset programs and 250 user programs as the factory-set de

FAVORITE: 64 (16 Slots × 4 Banks)

Controllers: MODULATION wheel, PITCH wheel, RATIO OP 1–6 knobs, LEVEL OP 1–6 sliders, DATA ENTRY A–F knobs

Inputs/outputs: Headphone (6.3 mm stereo phone jack), OUTPUT L/MONO and R (impedance-balanced 6.3 mm TRS phone jacks), DAMPER (6.3 mm phone jack, half-damper not supported), MIDI IN and OUT connectors, USB B port

Power supply: AC adapter (DC12V)

Power consumption: 5 W

Dimensions (W × D × H): 565 × 338 × 90 mm

Weight: 2.9 kg

Included items: AC adapter, Precautions, Quick Start Guide

Accessories (sold separately): DS-1H damper pedal