Forget ADSR: This Synth Does 64-Stage Envelopes

Unlock the full power of Korg’s Motion Sequencer in this deep‑dive tutorial from The Digital Lifestyle. In this video, I show you how to turn the Motion Sequencer on the Korg Multi‑Poly, Modwave, Wavestate, and Modwave Native into a multi‑stage envelope generator—far beyond what traditional ADSR envelopes can do.
Whether you're designing evolving pads, rhythmic pulses, or experimental textures, this technique gives you up to 64 stages of precise control over filter cutoff, pitch, wavetable position, pulse width, and more.
🎛️ What You’ll Learn
• How to build multi‑stage envelopes using Motion Sequencing
• How to shape filter and pitch movement with step‑based modulation
• How to record envelopes directly from the front panel
• How to create slow attacks, holds, dips, rises, and complex shapes
• How to apply the same workflow on Modwave, Wavestate & Modwave Native
Perfect for sound designers, synth enthusiasts, and anyone wanting to push Korg’s modern digital synths further.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
00:17 – Overview: Multi‑Stage Envelopes on Multi‑Poly, Wavestate & Modwave
01:02 – Traditional ADSR Envelope Basics
01:44 – Filter Envelope Example
02:20 – Adding Hold & Delay Stages
03:03 – Why Multi‑Stage Envelopes? (Korg M1 Inspiration)
03:41 – Using the Motion Sequencer as an Envelope
04:26 – 16‑Step Envelope Demonstration
04:49 – Initializing a Patch & Starting Fresh
05:20 – Assigning Motion Sequence to Filter Cutoff
06:00 – Setting Step Lengths & Turning Off Repeats
06:32 – Building a Simple 4‑Step Envelope
07:12 – Linear vs Stepped Envelope Modes
08:03 – Creating Sharper Attacks & Decays
08:30 – Expanding to a 5‑Stage Envelope
08:53 – Adding More Stages (Down → Up → Down Shapes)
09:21 – Per‑Note Envelope Behaviour
10:07 – Adjusting Step Lengths for Smoother Tails
11:07 – Smoothing & “Delay‑Like” Effects
12:10 – Multi‑Stage Envelope Sound Examples
12:20 – Saving the Patch
12:34 – Recording Envelopes from the Front Panel
13:26 – Multi‑Stage Envelope on Another Layer
14:03 – Using Digital Oscillators with Motion Sequencing
14:19 – 16‑Step Envelope Recording Example
14:50 – Expanding to 64 Steps
15:16 – Recording a 64‑Step Envelope
15:50 – Fine‑Tuning Timing for Long Envelopes
16:00 – Applying the Technique on Wavestate
16:03 – Applying the Technique on Modwave / Modwave Native
16:21 – Final Thoughts & Creative Uses
17:04 – Outro & Newsletter Reminder

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