Microkorg Arpeggiator guide

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This video is an in-depth guide into the Arpeggiator on the Korg MicroKorg synthesizer. So if you’re a begginer or even a long-time use of the Microkorg – check it out because you might pick up on some cool tricks!

There’s a wealth of information in the user manual (I have uploaded a spare copy here). However, the following guide below may be easier to follow:

You can access the ARP features under ARPEG.A and ARPEG.B using the Edit Select 2 knob.

You then use the 5 knobs across the top to edit each parameter:

The following shows each edit section and the corresponding parameter knob assignments.

ARPEG.A

  • (Knob 1) ARPs require a tempo – and this can be set with Knob 1 (Tempo) ranges from 20 to 300. Note: Tempo can also be controlled by EXT clock.
  • (Knob 2) Time division is called resolution and can range from:
    • 1/4 quarter notes,
    • 1/6 quarter note triplets, ** lets come back to triplets in a sec
    • 1/8 eighth notes,
    • 1/12 eighth note triplets,
    • 1/16 sixteenth notes, and
    • 1/24 sixteenth note triplets
  • (Knob 3) Gate – specifies the duration (gate time) of the ARP notes as a percentage, with 0 being short and 100 will continue to play until the next step.
  • (Knob 4) Type – The MicroKorg’s arpeggiator has 6 types:
    • UP, Down, ALT1, ALT2, Random, Trigger (like a chord)
  • (Knob 5) Range – specifies the range of octaves

ARPEG.B

  • (Knob 1) Latch – OFF/ON. Off = the ARP will stop playing when you take your hand off the keyboard. On – continuous play after you take your hand off the keyboard.
  • (Knob 2) Swing – -100…+100 specifies the % by the shift in timing relative to the first note
  • (Knob 3) Key Sync – OFF/ON. ARP will start from beginning of pattern.
  • (Knob 4) Last Step – 1…8 Specifies the number of steps (max steps) for the ARP
  • (Knob 5) Target Timbre – Both, Timbre 1, Timbre 2 – relates to the layered voices

STEP ARPEGGIATOR

When you move EDIT SELECT Knob 2 to ARPEG.A or B – the program number buttons will act as ARP step keys. Lit is “on” state for the valid steps. Off – the step will change to a rest.

The best thing about the MicroKorg ARP is that it can send these notes via MIDI-OUT!