The Polysix and MS-20 filters have a high gain option too, to emulate filter overdrive. This fourth option actually reveals a total of 12 filter models, including multiple 2- and 4-pole variants, both low- and high-pass MS-20 models and a Multi Filter, which effectively offers three filters at once. A front-panel button lets users flip quickly between Polysix LPF, MS-20 LPF and a 2-pole HPF model, as well as a fourth selection labelled ‘more’.

Korg has remedied that here with the inclusion of multiple resonant filter models, including emulations of both the Polysix and MS-20 filters. One of the weaker aspects of the original Wavestation was its filter, which lacked resonance and character. The Wavestate receives polyphonic aftertouch via external MIDI, but it’s a shame not to have it built-in. There’s one omission on the modulation front though, in that there’s no aftertouch from the built-in keyboard (although it does have velocity and release velocity). There are also six assignable performance, rotaries on the front panel, a complex modulation matrix – allowing for the depth of any routing to be modulated by a secondary source – and a pair of Eurorack-like modulation processors. There’s a lot more to the Wavestate’s modulation options aside from this though, including per-voice envelopes and LFOs for amp, pitch and filter, plus an additional LFO for pan position (each of the Wavestate’s 64-voices is stereo).

Wavestate 61