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The Korg Monologue is a striking monophonic analog synthesizer that has made a significant impact in the world of electronic music. It’s designed as a compact, powerful instrument that offers a range of unique features suitable for both beginners and seasoned professionals. The Monologue’s architecture and sound are influenced by its predecessor, the Minilogue, but it carves out its own identity with distinctive features and sonic capabilities.
Pros:
- Rich Sound Quality: The Monologue boasts a single VCO capable of producing a diverse range of waveforms. Its sound, especially the lower, grittier bass, is noteworthy.
- Versatile Filter and Effects: It features a powerful filter section and an envelope generator, enhancing its sound-shaping capabilities.
- Innovative Sequencer: The 16-step sequencer is user-friendly, ideal for both real-time and step-by-step programming, adding depth to your compositions.
- Microtuning Capabilities: This feature allows precise control over tuning, making the Monologue a gem for experimental music and alternative tuning systems.
- Connectivity Options: It’s well-equipped with MIDI, USB port, and CV sync, broadening its versatility in studio setups.
- Sound Visualization: The OLED oscilloscope is a fantastic tool for visualizing sounds and understanding waveforms.
- Portable Power: Operable on both battery and mains power, although a mains power adapter is not included.
- Artistic Collaboration: Aphex Twin’s influence is evident in its presets and sound design.
Cons:
- Limited Sound Palette: The Monologue may not excel in producing leads or pads, and its filter can feel grainy at higher notes.
- Monophonic Limitation: Being monophonic, it can only play one note at a time, which might be restrictive for some artists.
- Sequencer Length: The 16-step sequencer, while powerful, might feel too short for certain musical expressions.
- No Arpeggiator: The absence of an arpeggiator, which many synthesists find crucial, is a notable omission.
Alternatives to Consider
- Korg Minilogue: If you’re seeking more sound design possibilities, the Minilogue offers additional features like cross-mod depth and pitch envelope generator intensity.
- Arturia MicroBrute: A great alternative for those looking for a similar monophonic experience with different sound-shaping options.
- Behringer Model D: For those interested in a vintage sound at a similar price point, this could be a compelling choice.
- Roland SE-02: A slightly higher price range, but offers additional polyphony and sound design capabilities.
Design and Build
The Monologue sports a sleek, modern design that’s both eye-catching and functional. It’s built with a robust chassis, ensuring durability. The synth features a 25-key, velocity-sensitive keyboard, which is mini-sized due to the compact nature of the synth. Uniquely, the keyboard is laid out over two octaves, from E to E, aligning with standard guitar and bass guitar tuning for ease of integration in live settings.
Sound Engine
At the heart of the Monologue is its sound engine, featuring a single VCO capable of producing a wide range of waveforms, including classic sawtooth and square waves, as well as more complex shapes. This allows for a versatile sound palette, especially noted for its powerful bass tones. The 2-pole low-pass filter, despite its simplicity, provides the capability for rich, bassy, and sweeping sounds, and the resonance can be cranked up to achieve self-oscillation, opening up further sonic possibilities.
Sequencer and Microtuning
One of the standout features of the Monologue is its 16-step sequencer. It’s intuitive, allowing for both real-time and step-by-step programming. This sequencer can be used to sequence notes, rests, parameter changes, and even to trigger the synth’s arpeggiator. The microtuning feature, another highlight, offers unprecedented control over tuning and temperament, appealing especially to those interested in experimental and microtonal music.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, the Monologue is well-equipped. It includes MIDI in/out, USB for MIDI over USB, CV sync input and output, and an audio input for external audio processing through the synth’s filter and effects. This wide range of connections underscores its versatility in various studio and live performance setups.
Visual Feedback
The OLED oscilloscope is an innovative feature, providing visual feedback of the sound waves, which is particularly beneficial for beginners in understanding the synthesis process. This feature remains functional even with external audio sources, offering an extra layer of utility.
Battery Power
Adding to its portability, the Monologue can be powered by batteries, making it an excellent option for mobile music creation. However, it should be noted that a mains power adapter is not included.
Photo: https://www.korg.com/jp/common/php/extendedimg.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.korg.com%2Fus%2Fproducts%2Fupload%2F2235c90827e860459abcc18315520310.png
Basic Review
The Korg Monologue is an exceptional synthesizer that impresses with its robust sound quality and versatility. Its powerful bass tones and wide range of waveforms make it a formidable tool for crafting unique sounds. The sequencer adds significant value, allowing for creative compositions, and the microtuning capability is a boon for those delving into non-standard musical scales.
Its design is sleek and modern, fitting comfortably in both studio and live performance environments. The build quality is solid, promising durability and longevity. The unique E to E keyboard layout is a thoughtful addition, particularly for musicians who frequently collaborate with guitarists and bassists.
On the downside, the Monologue’s monophonic nature might be limiting for some artists, particularly those looking for polyphonic capabilities. Additionally, the absence of an arpeggiator is a notable omission, which might affect its appeal to some synthesists.
In conclusion, the Korg Monologue stands out as a powerful, compact, and creatively inspiring synthesizer. It’s suitable for a wide range of musicians, from beginners to professionals, offering a rich array of features in a small package. Its limitations, while present, do not significantly detract from its overall value, making it a worthy consideration for anyone in the market for an analog monophonic synthesizer.
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