The microKORG is a MIDI-capable digital synthesizer/vocoder from Korg featuring DSP-based analog modelling. The synthesizer is built in such a way that it is essentially a Korg MS-2000 with a programmable step arpeggiator (the MS-2000 has only six simple patterns), a less advanced vocoder (8 bands instead of 16 bands on the MS-2000), lack of motion sequencing (MS-2000 had three motion sequences), lack of an XLR microphone input, and in a smaller case with fewer real-time control knobs.

The microKORG was released in 2002 and is still in production as of 2022^[update]. It has sold an estimated 100,000 units sold as of May 2009^{[citation needed]}. In September 2007 Korg released a limited edition of the microKORG with reverse-color keys, although the functionality was otherwise unchanged. At NAMM 2008, a successor dubbed the microKORG XL was introduced. Available since early 2009, it uses Korg's MMT (Multi Modeling Technology) engine, borrowed from the newer and more powerful Radias/R3 synthesizers. Also, in late 2016, a slightly updated version was released, dubbed the MicroKORG S. This edition retains the same sound engine as the original MicroKORG, but offers an integrated speaker system (stereo + sub), updated color scheme & twice the patch memory. In 2022, a VST Version was released as part of the Korg Collection.

The microKORG features a DSP-based synthesis engine, designed around the same engine found in the Korg MS2000. In Korg's terminology, the fundamental unit of sound is referred to as the "timbre". Each timbre consists of a pair of multi-function oscillators. Two timbres can be combined in one patch to create a four-oscillator "layer", which can in turn be used to create more complex sounds (although doing so halves the polyphony from four notes to two) Oscillator one (OSC1) can produce one of several virtual analog-style waveforms, including sawtooth, square, triangle, and sine waves. Alternatively, OSC1 can produce a so-called "VOX" wave (which simulates human vocal formants), white noise, and one of 64 different digital waveforms created via harmonic additive synthesis. Some of these 64 waveforms (which are really single-cycle wavetables) were originally featured in the Korg DW-6000 & DW-8000 digital-analog hybrid synthesizers of the mid 1980s. The second oscillator (OSC2) is limited to sawtooth, square, and triangle waveforms.

Each waveform on OSC1 has a unique modulation feature, including wave morphing, Pulse-width modulation, and FM. OSC2 can be detuned, synchronized, and/or ring-modulated with OSC1 in order to create more complex sounds. OSC1 can also be replaced with the signal from one of the line-level inputs on the back of the unit, allowing for external signals to be processed as if they were an oscillator (via the filters, effects, or even ring-modulated by OSC2).

For further shaping of the sound, the microKORG offers several types of digital filters, including Low Pass (-12dB/Oct and -24dB/Oct), Band Pass (-12dB/Oct), and High Pass (-12dB/Oct) modes.

Additionally, the unit provides a number of built-in effects, such as flanger, ensemble (chorus), phaser, and digital delay, all of which can be applied to external signals. For modulation, there are two independent LFOs, with six different waveforms, allowing for the creation of more complex, time-varying patches.

When playing a single timbre, the keyboard is limited to four-voice polyphony. In layer mode it generally has only two-voice polyphony, although one combination of polyphonic/mono layers allows for effective three-voice polyphony of the second timbre.

The microKORG groups its 128 factory preset sound patches into 8 groups: