Korg Monotron

http://www.production-room.com/korg/korg-monotron/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v0FT8lXGSo

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Powered by two alkaline AAA batteries, the compact monotron can be held in one hand. Although small

enough to easily carry with you, the amazing monotron is packed with KORGs legendary analog technology,

generating thick and powerful sounds. Concentrating on the most important sound parameters, the controls

have been streamlined as much as possible. The panel contains only five knobs and one switch. With this

level of simplicity, now anyone can easily enjoy the world of analog synthesizers.

 

Borrowing the enjoyment of performing with a simple touch from Korgs wildly popular KAOSS products, the monotrons ribbon controller keyboard takes this ease of use even farther. Simple finger gestures can

produce expressive effects such as vibrato and glide. Used in a band, you can expand your possibilities by

harmonizing with another instrument ? or taking center stage for a monotron solo!

 

The monotrons circuit is radically simple: one voltage-controlled oscillator, one voltage-controlled filter, and

one low frequency oscillator. Since each knob directly applies a specific change to the sound, the process of

sound creation is intuitive, and instantly understandable. Simple is best. Gone are the deep lists of presetsand parameters typical of todays synthesizers. Instead, the monotron encourages exploration andexperimentation. The monotron provides the joy of sonic creativity that's at the heart of analog synthesis, making it an ideal choice for someone who is new to synthesizers, or for musicians who wants to expandtheir sonic palette.

 

The monotron uses the same highly acclaimed VCF circuit as KORGs classic MS-10 and MS-20 semi

modular synthesizers. Originally released over 30 years ago, these instruments are still coveted today for

their aggressive, dynamic filters. The VCF Cutoff knob sets the frequency or tone of the filter; the VCF Peak knob adds emphasis. A powerful filter is an essential aspect of any analog synthesizer, applying dramatic tonal changes to the sound, and projecting an intense personality that will stand out in any live performance.

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the same highly acclaimed VCF circuit as KORGs classic MS-10 and MS-20 semi

modular synthesizers

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Filter any external source using the audio input jack

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50 Euros

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* Full-fledged, true analog synthesizer: VCO, VCF, LFO

* Inspiring, easy-to-play ribbon keyboard

* Intuitive, fun-to-tweak controls

* Features the same classic analog filter found in the legendary Korg MS-10 & MS-20

* Filter any external source using the audio input jack

* LFO can modulate either pitch of filter cutoff

* LFO Rate knob features cool LED visual indicator.

* Battery operation and palmtop size equals true portability

* Internal speaker/headphone jack lets you enjoy the sound anywhere ? alone or with friends!

That is fucking cute. I hope my girlfriend buys me one.

It's like they set out to make their version of a hipster noise toy and accidentally made a standalone MS20 filter - i.e. something people actually want.

*jaw drops to floor*

Resonators are cool but not available anymore. Used they are going for like 400 bucks which is insane.

Exactly

The monotron is awesome.

But the fact the KORG IS MAKING ANALOG SYNTHESIZERS AGAIN

has me...well. I don't know what. I'm just speechless. I'm so proud of them for kicking ass. I can almost ignore the fact they they still haven't updated the electribe line.

If they put out an electribe with an analog synth i might just have to give up music from being so shocked.

*round of applause*

This is the first time a big Japanese synth company has made an analogue synth since around 1988.

In other news there is a rumour of a Behringer Juno 106 clone. Some say it's a hoax but it's hardly far-fetched given their existing Boss, Electro Harmonix and MXR clones.

I wonder if either of these events will cause Roland to re-think their stance on reissuing old gear...

it's April soon

You know. Korg really is an amazing company. They've been sorta slack in some departments over the past few years. But they really have some amazing innovative products. ANd not just synths, just all their products in general. WHen their Pandora portable guitar thing came out years ago, it was unmatched for quality and price. I still to this day use my Toneworks Ax1000g for guitar and for synth stuff. THe delays alone and analog style controls make it a keeper despite it's lower quality converters. Their analog synths in the past were all amazing and have lived on to be some of the most respected and sought after. And their electribes while being beat by other "groove boxes" as far as features go, stand ALONE as the easiest and most inspiring to use of them all.

I could go on for a really long time. I feel the same way about yamaha. I just love those two companies, and Waldorf. I'm a lil butthurt with yamaha though for being lax in the synth market, but they own cubase now and cubase 5 is srsly jammin. So yay yamaha. But korg has stayed more faithful to the synth/electronic market, whereas yamaha has veered more to everyone making some sacrifices.

yay

  On 3/24/2010 at 3:28 AM, analogue wings said:

This is the first time a big Japanese synth company has made an analogue synth since around 1988.

 

In other news there is a rumour of a Behringer Juno 106 clone. Some say it's a hoax but it's hardly far-fetched given their existing Boss, Electro Harmonix and MXR clones.

 

I wonder if either of these events will cause Roland to re-think their stance on reissuing old gear...

Roland is rumored to be releasing a new synth that is actually a synth and not crap like the 201. I srsly just don't get roland. THe v-synth is fantastic. BUt other than that, I just don't understand their products in comparison to the legends they made in the 80's. The grooveboxes were very innovative, but god the sounds, filters, pretty much anything that made noise was all just horrible (imo).

monotron looks ripe for mods -- is it all on one chip? could i drill a hole and put a CV in, whatever?

brandi -- agree with you 100%. roland sh-201 made me vomit when i tried it in guitar center

Yeah it seems these days roland gets the INTERFACE right but fails miserably at the sound. I thought the 201 interface was somewhat logical for the price. BUt gughhhh. The resonance reminds me of when i used to go on kvr and peopel would post "NOOB HERE, JUST MADE MY FIRST VST IS IT KEWL CHECK IT OUT" and then its meh and takes up 80% of your cpu.

hmm yeah I want to hear how close it actually is to the ms-20 filter first.

I completely agree about Roland losing their way in recent years. Last good synth they made was the JP-8000...

it'd be really cool if this thing inspires Korg and Roland to start producing analog gear again. anyway, I think this Monotron looks ace (sort of like a Stylophone on acid) and I'll probably get one as they're so cheap....

SCORE! At long last one of the big companies hits back with an analogue piece of kit! I'll be buying and wiring in a vactrol to that cutoff pot for some nice CV control... :D

  On 3/24/2010 at 11:29 AM, BCM said:

I completely agree about Roland losing their way in recent years. Last good synth they made was the JP-8000...

 

it'd be really cool if this thing inspires Korg and Roland to start producing analog gear again. anyway, I think this Monotron looks ace (sort of like a Stylophone on acid) and I'll probably get one as they're so cheap....

from vague memories of sound-on-sound's SUPERB 4-part history of Roland (still on the site -- i should reread that) i get the impression that Roland is likely suffering from Polaroid syndrome... the founder of the company remains the driving force right up until his death, constantly pumping out winners. then he dies or retires, and since people always left all the innovation to him, no one's in line to continue doing innovative things. so, they play it safe, recycle stuff over and over, copy competitors... 10-20 years later, the company files chapter 11.

i hope i am wrong!

two audio samples on http://www.korg.co.jp/Product/Dance/monotron/

50 euros is fucking cheap, considering the filter alone. nice that it has audio in as well!

but yeah no MIDI or CV/Gate is a shame

My RSS reader has just rung out with this:

http://www.electronicmusing.com/blog/2010/03/korg-roland-yamaha-please-stop-faking-it/

  On 3/25/2010 at 1:29 AM, hahathhat said:

My RSS reader has just rung out with this:

 

http://www.electronicmusing.com/blog/2010/03/korg-roland-yamaha-please-stop-faking-it/

interesting read and I agree entirely.

does anyone like the 201? I got one a few months ago because I was looking for a cheapo hardware synth with knobs instead of menus, and for that I like it.. but I didn't realize it had such a reputation for "bad" sound. I'm a synth newb so I guess that's understandable, but now I feel kind of sheepish for it. a few months after I got it, I heard about the Doepfer dark energy (same price range but it's analog). Add to that Roland's new SH-01, which is the same thing but with an extra oscillator and a prettier interface, and I feel like I have a useless sh-201.

lame