Countdown to the Microkorg XL

So, as everyone anticipates the coming of the famous Microkorg's bigger brother, lets see what people are saying about it.
I guess "retro", "old-school" and even "Stylophone" describe it best. What does Korg say? "...both fresh and nostalgic"? It definitely doesn't look like the successor to one of the most popular modern synths ever - the Moog Rogue looks about as exciting. (Then again, the original wasn't exactly the prettiest of synths either...)

Changes? Unlike the original, which used the MS200's synthesis engine, the XL has the Radius's Multi Modelling Technology engine (and if it has the same amount power and flexibility, we could be looking at Korg's answer to the Micron). The vocoder's been updated to 16 bands, which should be a welcome change. Improved effects, supposedly based on the Kaoss pads' effects have been added. An improved black key to white key ratio (yes, I laughed too when I read this). Korg have updated the panel with even less controls - I know the Microkorg is considered by some as a beginner's synth, but frankly this is a bit ridiculous. And, my favorite little fact, the Microkorg XL actually isn't much bigger than the original (and actually 1mm thinner!).

Synthopia gave us the news first, along with a few videos, followed by CDM's post on the bizarre "genre" knob (read the comments, they're brilliant). Sound On Sound thank Korg for adding an XLR socket on top of the panel, instead of the former arrangement where there were 2 (!!!) sockets around the back of the synth. Over at the MPC Forums the people have spoken - bigger keys please! The french-speaking posters at Audio Fanzine bring up an interesting point - without those horrible miniature keys it wouldn't be a Microkorg! One poster was of the opinion that Korg, after realizing that painting white keys black and vice-versa (yeuch) doesn't increase sales, decided to try giving it a retro look in the hope that that might work. Point taken.

Overall most people are saying that Korg have lost the plot, with most saying that there's no reason to ditch your old Microkorg for the XL - when your customers start saying things like that, it's bad news. I have the feeling Korg were trying to make some easy money - "Hey, lets re-release our best-selling product" - but didn't think things out well enough. I mean, who would turn up at a gig with something that looks like a much-hated 60s toy? Much that the Micron looks a bit toy-like, at least it still looks like a proper instrument.

Digital Village say they'll have it in around February; Thomann have been very quiet about it, which isn't normal for them. Looks like we won't be hearing any more news from Korg till NAMM '09. Good luck Korg - you're going to need it.

On a more humorous note, Digital Village have the XL's price down as "£TBA", or "€105,930.00". I think not.