Hello! This is Jooyoung Kim, a mixing engineer and music producer.
Recently, I bought a small portable synthesizer: the microKORG XL. KORG currently sells the microKORG XL+, but this discontinued version has a very reasonable price on the used market (just about $140 in Korea!), and its sounds are still perfectly usable.
The keys are made of cheap plastic. However, I can connect an external controller via a MIDI cable or transmit MIDI data via a USB cable.
It also has an external audio input, such as a microphone or line input, which can be used for the vocoder function.
There are two kinds of outputs, unbalanced L/R and headphones, which are very convenient to use.
The synth has 8 categories/genres and 2 selectable banks. Therefore, a total of 8 X 8 X 2 = 128 preset programs are available.
But I’m really disappointed by the microKORG XL editor software provided by KORG. It’s no longer usable, and I cannot even install the program on my Mac system.
Also, I have microphone preamps but no DI box. So, I decided to purchase a stereo DI box. However, you might realize I’m not an affluent musician if you’ve been following my posts. After some web searching, I found a cheap DI box made by Bolanle (just $33!) being sold on Aliexpress.
I really didn’t have high expectations for this gear because of its price, but surprisingly, the build quality is great!
I can’t say I love all of the sound presets on the microKORG XL. However, I am particularly fond of one lead sound preset and one keyboard sound preset. The vocoder function is quite valuable as well.
Now I am eager to get a full analog multi-voice synthesizer. Music making always drains my wallet!
Hey there! I’m Jooyoung Kim, a mixing engineer and music producer.
Yesterday, the SONICWIRE CONTEST 2025 results were announced, and unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the final round. Looking back, I noticed a few things in my submission that could’ve been better—guess it’s time to tweak and resubmit next time! Still, I got a one-year Pro Tools license and a Sonible Essentials Bundle, so I’m not too bummed about it.
On another note, Roland (via Roland Cloud) has officially joined Plugin Boutique! To celebrate, they’re holding a launch sale from now until August 24, with 30% off all products (except the TR-808).
Quick heads-up: If you purchase through the links in this post, I earn a small commission, which really helps me keep going. Thanks in advance! 😊
Roland Cloud offers virtual recreations of their iconic synthesizers, which were previously available only through a subscription model. Now, you can purchase individual instruments outright—a big win for producers! Plus, Roland’s sister brands like Boss and DW Drums are also part of the deal, offering virtual instruments like the DW Drum VST and even free Boss effect pedals.
Let’s take a quick look at some of Roland’s standout virtual instruments and the DW Drum VST.
The JUNO-106 is the successor to the JUNO-6 and JUNO-60. As the name suggests, it’s a 6-voice polyphonic synthesizer, though the virtual version lets you choose 2, 4, 6, or 8 voices for flexibility.
The standout feature? That lush Chorus effect on the right side of the interface. Back in the day, synths like the JUNO-106 used chorus to create a stereo sound, giving it that iconic ‘80s vibe. Comparing the plugin’s presets to YouTube recordings of the original hardware, the emulation is spot-on, though the high frequencies are slightly sharper in the plugin. A touch of EQ can get it sounding nearly identical to the hardware’s smoother tone. Roland nailed the recreation here.
The JV-1080 is a legendary rack-mounted PCM synthesizer from 1994, packed with iconic strings, ethnic instruments, retro stabs, and more. It’s a ‘90s classic that’s still relevant today.
The XV-5080, its successor, takes things further with a massive library of over 900 presets and a wide range of onboard effects. Both synths use the same editing engine, so you can tweak envelopes and patches for detailed sound design. The XV-5080 includes most of the JV-1080’s core waveforms and patches, but subtle differences in reverb and effects settings give each a unique flavor. Personally, I find the JV-1080 a bit thinner, while the XV-5080 has a thicker, more robust sound.
Roland also offers SRX Expansion packs for additional sounds, sold separately.
Released in 1982, the SH-101 is a monophonic bass synthesizer famous in techno, D&B, and acid genres. With a single oscillator producing sawtooth or square waves, it delivers a distinctive, gritty bass tone that’s instantly recognizable.
The SYSTEM-100 (1975) is a semi-modular monosynth known for its experimental, happy-accident-style sound design. Those patch cables scream creativity—just tweak and see what cool sounds you stumble upon!
The SH-2 (1979) is another monophonic synth with dual VCOs and a sub-oscillator, giving it a thicker, deeper sound than the SH-101. It feels somewhat similar to a Minimoog and can be used in similar contexts.
The TB-303 is the legendary bass machine that birthed acid house. Designed to mimic bass guitars, it flopped commercially and was discontinued in 1984. But its cheap secondhand availability made it a staple in electronic music genres like acid, house, and techno. Don’t think of it as a bass guitar replacement—its quirky, unique tone is what makes it so special. It reminds me of sounds from old-school video games!
The PROMARS (1979) is a monophonic sibling of the Jupiter-4, with two VCOs for a rich, detuned sound. Think of it as a scaled-down Jupiter-4 without the arpeggiator or ensemble chorus. It’s got a thick, vibrant tone that’s perfect for bold leads or basses.
Roland’s drum machines are absolute legends, and the TR-808 is arguably the most influential. (Note: The TR-808 is not included in this sale.) Here’s a look at the others:
The TR-606 was designed alongside the TB-303 bass synth for seamless synchronization. Its interface is similar to the 303, and its sound is a classic in electronic music. You’ll likely recognize it when you hear it!
The TR-909 is the successor to the TR-808, blending analog and sampled sounds for a punchier, more defined tone. It’s a dance music staple, known for its powerful kick and crisp hi-hats.
Despite its name, the TR-707 came after the TR-909. It uses fully sampled sounds at 8-bit resolution (6-bit for cymbals/hi-hats), giving it a more realistic yet slightly lo-fi vibe compared to the 808 or 909.
The TR-727, a sibling of the TR-707, specializes in Latin percussion sounds—think tropical rhythms for afrobeats, reggaeton, or Arabic pop. It shares the same UI as the 707, making them easy to sync for house music production.
The DW Drum VST is a game-changer for beatmakers. The default Maple Mahogany Natural kit is a standout—crisp snares and punchy kicks that thump in the low end with just a slight tweak. The sound quality is top-notch.
The mixer lets you control overheads, ambience, and output routing, similar to other drum VSTs. DW Soundworks comes with 13 expansion packs, including the Metal Legacy pack (7.71GB, free!).
The Plugin Boutique version also includes six additional sample packs:
DW 50th Anniversary Kit Expansion Pack
DW Maple Mahogany Expansion Pack
DW Pure Maple Expansion Pack
Slingerland Vintage 1958 Expansion Pack
DW Pure Almond Expansion Pack
Gretsch USA Custom Expansion Pack
These samples are punchy and versatile, making DW Soundworks a must-check for anyone shopping for a drum VST.
Wrapping Up
Whew, that was a lot to cover! Roland’s virtual instruments and DW Soundworks are packed with high-quality options, and with the 30% off sale (until August 24), now’s a great time to explore. Check out the links above to browse the full lineup.
Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you in the next post! 🎶
(Using the link above to make a purchase provides me with a small commission, which greatly supports the maintenance of this blog!)
Output is a well-known company that creates fantastic plugins. If you’ve been into music production, you’ve likely heard of them.
Since this sale is a rare opportunity, I requested NFR (Not for Resale) codes for three of Output’s flagship plugins—Portal, Thermal, and Movement—from Plugin Boutique to review them.
Instead of covering them all at once, which might be overwhelming for both you and me, I’ll review them one by one. Let’s start with Portal!
Portal is a plugin that transforms incoming audio into a granular synthesizer-like sound. But first, let’s explore what a granular synthesizer is.
A granular synthesizer chops up a sample into tiny grains ranging from 1 to 100ms to synthesize new sounds. As shown in the image, you can slice and rearrange waveforms to create unique sounds.
This technique is particularly effective for creating atmospheric pads, making it a popular choice in movie soundtracks and instrumental genres.
Portal’s user interface is designed to resemble that of a vector synthesizer.
Joystick from a Prophet-VS vector synthesizer plugin
A vector synthesizer can be considered an early form of a wavetable synthesizer. It uses a joystick to blend different waveforms assigned to each direction.
In Output’s Portal, Macro 1 is placed on the vertical axis, while Macro 2 is on the horizontal axis. The values of these macros control various parameters.
You can connect Macro 1 and Macro 2 to different parameters in the Grain Control section. By double-clicking the macro names, you can even rename them.
To assign a macro, click the ‘+’ sign below the name of each knob (like Macro 1 and Macro 2), then drag it to a parameter. A small circle will appear next to the parameter, indicating the range of control the macro has.
Similarly, you can use the LFO in the bottom left to modulate parameters. Think of it as a traditional synthesizer, which should make it easier to approach.
At the bottom center, you can choose between the XY, Effects, and Master sections to adjust various parameters.
The built-in effects include Bit Reducer, Chorus, Distortion, Filter, Phaser, Reverb, and Delay, making for a total of seven options. All these parameters can be linked to the LFO modulation or macro functions for dynamic control.
The Master section includes a built-in filter and compressor, which can also be modulated with LFOs and macros.
Clicking ‘DEFAULT’ at the top right allows you to access various presets. Beginners might find it helpful to start here.
Portal is particularly appealing due to its ability to produce random, evolving sounds based on XY values. It’s an excellent choice for those who don’t already have a granular FX plugin.
Check out the demo video to hear what it can do.
The 50% off sale runs until August 16th! Here’s the purchase link:
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