The heart of any synthesizer is the sounds it produces - and the Korg X50 contains many sounds, particularly for its size. The instrument's 64 megabytes of memory, stores 512 sound programs and 384 sound combinations. These preset combinations are what give the X50 such a rich array of sounds. They are factory matched for tonal balance and allow even novice users to enjoy the device right out of the box.
Part of digital music's appeal is the ability to produce sounds never heard before electronic processing. This is where effects come in - they allow synthesizer users to tweak and twist normal sounds into the ephemeral and cataclysmic cacophonies heard on movie soundtracks and in back-alley clubs. The Korg X50 can process four effects simultaneously: one insert effect, two master effects and one equalizer. It also offers standard effects like reverb, chorus and delay.
Arpeggiators marked a music milestone in the late-1960s. Originally analog, these devices gave performers the ability to produce several layers of music at once by depressing just a few keys. Korg engineers recognized the importance of this performer control and offered X50 users two of these powerful tools. Performers on the X50 can lay down drum and bass arpeggios, for instance, then play chords and melody above the looping tracks.
Designed for portability rather than sound reproduction, the Korg X50 has several signal outputs but no built-in speakers. Designers opted to forgo the tin-can sound of built-in speakers and push the envelope in outputs. The company touts the X50 as the first in its keyboard class to have four separate outputs, which allows studio users and stage performers to equalize and process four distinct sounds and also has benefits for surround-sound recording.