Korg microX

The microX is a two-octave synthesiser/controller based on Korg’s HI (Hyper Integrated) sound engine.

On firing the device up, the first thing you notice is the bright, brilliant-red screen. This occupies the top of the control panel, which lies to the microX’s left, and it crams an extraordinary amount of detail into its slender frame.

Below it – alongside the various Combi and Program buttons that facilitate sound selection – are an editing joystick, a pitch bend/mod wheel and octave up/down buttons. These all flank the microX’s 25-note keyboard, which actually features a nice action for an instrument of this size.

Indeed, despite its portability and lack of bulk, the microX is ruggedly built, which will appeal to those who intend to take it on stage.

Round the back, you’ll find main stereo outs, an additional pair of independent outs, two assignable footswitch ports, damper, MIDI In and Out and the all-important USB port.

The headphone port is conveniently located on the front, which means your headphone cable won’t trail over the keyboard (although somewhat surprisingly, it’s a mini-jack sized connection).

Also in the package, you’ll find a CD-ROM for installing drivers and the microX’s editing software.