The Korg X-911 is a very underestimated synth. What it was intended to be, was a stand alone guitar synthesizer. What it now represents, in these enlightened times, is an all analog, quite unique, signal processor/effects unit. Whereas a true guitar synth really requires its own dedicated pickup arrangement, this unit simply accepts a standard 1/4" jack input. Just patch your guitar, microphone, or other instrument into the X-911 and play one note at a time. Sporting both CV/Trigger inputs AND outputs, these features alone, make it quite a useful little toy.

The front panel is divided conveniently into semi-preset traditional sounds, called "Instrument", and more adventurous sounds with the nomenclature "Synthe". The Instrument sounds are named Electric Bass, Tuba, Trumpet, Dist. Guitar, Violin and Flute. The Synthe sounds are designated as graphical waveform icons (Pulse, Ramp, Square). Every voicing has adjustable parameters, with most of the Instrument sounds having a filter control, bar the Violin, which has an envelope control. The Synthe sounds all have envelope controls, namely Attack and Decay.

The two sections may be overlaid or used separately, with control via the central balance slider. Many features such as Portamento, Interval, Hold etc. are foot switchable via inputs on the front panel. Naturally, the all important Voltage Controlled Filter is in residence, as is a Portamento control. Velocity Response/Touch Sensitivity is controlled by a 3 way switch. All in all, this unit is ideal for those Soundmeisters seeking to distance themselves from the all too common sameness of the modern digital era.

ted

April 4, 2011 @ 3:48 pm

Do you need special Korg footswitches to control the Portamento, Interval, Hold, via the inputs on the front panel? if not whats the best to use?

Suicide Sushi

March 23, 2011 @ 4:33 pm

Yes it is possible to combine the "instruments"... It is a great little synth. It actually tracks all right and sounds great. I don't really like the way synths sound when you control it with an "organic" instrument like a guitar or a bass, so I control it with CV/gate to get a tight and less funky sound.

You can mod the f* out of this [beep] er... Just google for mods.

One thing that would have been nice is an envelope generater for the filter and/or volume and the option to modulate the Pulsewidth manually of synthe 1 and 2 as x911 actually tracks what you play and shifts PW accordingly.

Jeppe

October 3, 2010 @ 2:57 pm

Is it possible to use severel osc settings on tis thing. Like saw and pulse at the same time?

Louxien

February 23, 2010 @ 4:09 pm

I bought one of these few days ago, is truly a monster! I connected with my Korg MS 20. With 4 real analog oscillators I heard the fat dripping everywhere ... even a mini-Moog can match. A nice surprise for me that until recently did not even know what was the X 911...

zerstoerer

November 25, 2009 @ 1:12 pm

Still using it for JazzyBasslines, no Resonance, very cool presets, i only use it with cv, i tried to plug a guitar in, but it doesn´t really worked out, only weird stuff came out, nethertheless its an amazing sounding microms30, becomes very expensive and rare, had one repair which cost a lot....a little soundtreasure, if you find one - - get it

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