Korg Monologue Review

9.5

This is a great first synthesizer for any kind of musician regardless of what instrument you play.  It’s stocked with great tones and easy to use.  It’s also great for experts and professionals as it’s full of great tones and easy to use.

$344.99
Last Amazon price update was: March 28, 2024 11:27 pm
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Following the success of the minilogue, we bring a monophonic synthesizer designed with the same high quality construction, ease of use, great voicing and fantastic industrial design as one of the best synthesizers. The monologue has the same spirit of producing great analogue synthesis for everyone, but has a different emphasis in the sounds, and trying to rank for best keyboards. We have redesigned the synthesis for a great sounding powerful monophonic synth. The voicing of the filter, modulation and drive section has been expanded the sonic palette to include not just rich basses and cutting leads, but also complex rhythms, especially when used in conjunction with the updated sequencing capabilities.

As far as Analog Synthesizer’s go, this one might be a must have in my humble opinioin. This is a beautiful analog synthesizer that is so affordable for what it is that it wouldn’t make sense not to own one.  It’s somewhat similar to the Minilogue Analog Synthesizer, but even better as far as I’m concerned.  The monophonic bass and lead tones are so killer on this synth and the 16 step sequencer just takes those tones and makes them into masterpieces.  With capable micro tuning, a sequencer lock and easy transposition, this is an ideal synth to build out ideas and bring live performances to a peak.  You can even save 100 programs in this keyboard!

This is an easy to use synthesizer with great voicings.  This is a powerful monophonic synth with great filters and modulations.  The complex rhythms and bass/lead tones are worth the money by themselves, add in the sequencing options and it really makes the value undeniable.

More than meets the eye

It wouldn’t be a Korg if it didn’t have a couple of oscillators with wave shaping, sync and modulation capabilities. What takes this one further is that the oscillators feed into a 2 pole filter that is unique to the monologue design.  This optimizes the output for the mono bass and lead tones but also allows for manipulating the Attack and Decay which opens up the creative controls and find pads and soundscapes to compliment that awesome lead tones.

Analog Drive

If you really need to punch it and create a lead tone that cuts through and drives the music to another level, use the Analog Drive Circuit for a powerful Distortion, that can range from a light addition to a full blown fuzz amp.  Even without overly distorting your tone, you can add a nice punch to your sound that is very satisfying.

Monologue LFO

The LFO is one of the improvements from the Korg Minilogue, providing faster rates and controls for pitch, shape and filter cutoff.  There even the ability to apply envelope like shaping  with two selectable LFO ranges that open up a ton of modulation choices.

Fully programmable

The knobs on this thing have the ability to save up to 100 programs for instant recall.  Add this to how it is already so easy to shape sounds on the fly and you have yourself quite the instrument.

Micro Tuning

It’s kind of unreal that you have the ability with the Korg Monologue to have separate tuning per-note.  I’m just scratching the surface with micro tuning myself and I can’t get enough.  It is such and amazing feature.  Subtle detuning is becoming something that I hear used more and more in music.  It’s a very nice dissonant effect that adds a lot to music depending what you are going for.  This is an option that the micro tuning opens up.  You can even create your own customs scales.   There is a self tuning feature that gets your keys back in place whenever you need it and it holds up very well.

16-step sequencer

The Korg Monologue has an intuitive sequencer that is ideal for live performances.  The ability to capture knob movements allows you to set parameter values on a per step basis and with the built feature you can press any note to transpose your sequence on the fly.

Easy Integration

Unlike most keyboards, the Korg Monologue ranges it’s 25 keys from E to E instead of C to C.  While this doesn’t seem obvious as a perk, it allows for lineup up your lines with guitarists.  It is common to find this board used in conjunction with bass guitarists doubling on bass lines or adding bass harmonies.

Korg Monologue Monophonic Analog Synthesizer Features:

  • VCF changed for 2-pole with more bite
  • DRIVE added for rich bass and cutting leads
  • LFO capabilities expanded with higher rates and deeper modulation
  • 16 step buttons for faster real-time step edits
  • Push button + turn knob for “parameter lock” style motion sequencing

 

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

Answer:
Can this be used as a midi controller?
Yes it can be used as a midi controller, but if that is all you want this board for, there are better and more affordable options.  This should be purchased for it’s synthesizer capabilities and the midi feature should be a bonus.
9.5 Expert Score

This synthesizer comes pre-loaded with great tones that can be used by professionals or beginner level musicians.

Sound
9.6
Price
10
Look
9.2
PROS
  • Affordable
  • Great built in tones
  • 100 banks for presets
CONS
  • Smaller keys
  • Not ideal as midi