Vintage Synth Explorer

Korg • MaxiKorg 800dv

A popular duophonic/monophonic classic from Korg. It's got 2 analog oscillators that can be used for one fat monophonic sound or 2 VCO's per voice for a fat duophonic sound. Flexible design with 2 VCF filters and even a ring modulator. The MaxiKorg is a great source of early Korg sound that rivals competitors like the OSCar and Roland SH-synths. No MIDI, no memory, but good bass and screechin' leads! It has no CV input either, though it can be modified to accept externnal control from the less standard Hz/V protocol (also used by Yamaha).

Most people usually understand it best as two separate Minikorgs inside one keyboard with all the controls to both. Most people will stack both voices as the triggering can be tricky as duophonic. It has the very effective ability to delay one voice before it triggers when played mono. It has been used by Kitaro, Vangelis and Soft Cell.

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Bob Weigel

Posted 40 days ago

I've got to agree...these are one of the most sonically interesting mono/duo type synths. I find myself quickly adapting and finding very contiguous musical things happening. However I can't say it's *nothing* like the 700S :-). After all it is essentially two of them with the assigner options and reiteration options..but that does open up a whole new avenue of expression and I'm just so glad to have one finally.

Pepe

Posted 85 days ago

Grab it, if you find one! It is my all-time favourite! Soooooo versatile and unique!

And this is no "keyboard", it's a synthesizer! And it's no Maxi-Korg, it's a 800DV! ;o)

Robert Watson

Posted 86 days ago

This is the one keyboard that I wish that I had a long time ago. I saw the videos of the maxi-Korg on Youtube and I was impressed with the sound of the Maxi-Korg.

Micke

Posted 255 days ago

Also used by Wally Badarou (his first synth), David Ferguson/Random Hold, Dave Brock/Hawkwind and Osamu Shoji.

Peter-Jan

Posted 309 days ago

My first, my very first synth ! I bought it in 1977 and still own it. In those days it was called the "poor man's MiniMoog". And it was ! The incredible fat sound of the 2 oscillators in unison or tuned a fith apart together with the extra suboctave per VCO ánd the pulse-width modulation.... wow ! Nowadays I use it very rarely because of hte tuning problems. It takes about 1 hour to stabelize. But it is worth it. No midi, no help from quantizing sequencer programs... ;-) This baby was made in an era when musicians realy could play.......

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