Korg Synthesizer, 25 Key (MONOLOGUEBK)

My 1st synthesizer was a Univox -Mini Korg. That was back in '75, in high school. It was a heavy beast of wood and metal, with a beautiful sound. I also had a Univox echo chamber, that ran on a tiny 8-track tape. In the late '80s, I had a Mini Korg 2. (2 oscilators). That was a great one! I noted that Korg pretty much ignored standard synth set ups, and did things their way. The results were sturdy, well made instruments that had a dense and unique sound. They were well laid out, and easy to program. I haven't owned a synth for 20 years, after an Ensoniq TS-10 made me so frustrated, I gave it up. I happened to see this little jewel on a youtube video, and fell in love with it.It has the same unique way of doing things as the old Mini Korgs. The shortcuts to the envelope generator a great idea. The shape function on the waveforms is actually what sold me.That and the interesting LFO functions. The controls seem like they are limited, (they are, to an extent) but having to work past said limitations gives rise to better creativity. Solid build and fantastic sound. I hate to use the word "cute" in describing a synth, but it totally is!

I have wanted to learn how to "see" sound since I was a teenager listening to Isao Tomita, Patrick Moraz, Larry Fast, Pascal, Jeane Michael Moore, Morton Subotnick, Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, & countless others who mystified & inspired me. No matter how hard I worked I could never make the kind of money required to even touch a MOOG, Sequential Circuts, Waldorf, Hammond, Rhoads, or anything even approaching their likes. Now finally in my sunset of time on Earth ignoring arthritis & other annoying & irratating distractions I am learning to SYNTHESIZE! (I can hear Todd Rungren in the background). I am beyond excited . . . I am sublime . . . Walter/Wendy can you hear me? Some dreams are ETERNAL! This unit is incredible! But it is more tool than toy to learn how to synthesize NOT to reinforce your music - What it offers is not the technogically advanced soundscape available today but rather like having an instructor teach you the language & operations involved in learning to fly. Although this magnificent machine will get you airborne it is a Cessna single prop NOT an F-16. For myself this is PRICELESS, just floating above the clouds taking my time. If you are not a pianist & want to immediately jump into a jet for musical background reinforcement then my suggestion is the Novation line. I am a guitarist but deeply cherish the craftwork of GODS like Isao Tomita so I bought the Novation Bass Station a decade ago & love it but it is very forgiving to someone like myself. Now I am learning properly "How to SEE sound" & I must thank KORG from the depths of my soul for this magnificent learning tool -

I own this synth for nearly two years. It was the first synth i purchased to get into the hobby as a person not having any musical training.The Monologue offers a step sequencer you easily understand and instant access to a lot of buttons - which you may not understand as a beginner, but you get go slowly learn what they do by fiddling around with them.The analogue sounds may appear a little 'nasal' when you are used to other synthesizer sounds (which are often digital, not analogue). Might not be your cup of tea, so check out a few online videos.With a little more gear now, this has found its niche as a bass line tool or a 'soundscape' device (e.g. one note with decay on a 16 steps) and as a step sequencer. Also works as drum machine (interesting presets).The only thing i am not too fond of is the settings menu, which makes it fiddly to easily override motion recording, and uses words & button combinations that keep confusing me.

The Monologue is my first analog synth and I have to say I am blown away with its sound.

Great for me learning synth & sequencing basics. The oscilloscope helps to see the waveform you are creating, like you can see what is happening to the sound wave when you turn the shape knob, making the term “shape” instantly mean something and sink in.My favorite part is the interface; knobs for all the core synth functionality laid out in an intuitive way. There are digital menus available for making what i would consider fine tuning “not core” things, but I’m sure a talented operator would see that as offering depth to do something cool i couldnt imagine.The sample sequences give you an idea of the kinds of things you can do with the Korg Monologue, and with the help of a few you tube videos I have been able to progress pretty quickly building up my understanding of most of the knobs and intuition for what to do to achieve certain sounds.

Strong and capable little synthesizer. If you've done your research on what this thing can do and seen plenty of demonstrations and you STILL want to buy it, just do it already--you won't regret it!! For the money you can't go wrong. This thing is super versatile, and it actually doubles as an analog DRUM MACHINE. Due to the 4-channel motion sequencing and effective modulation options, you can actually make fantastic analog rhythms on this synthesizer. Even just today I was watching some demos of the Moog DFAM (priced at $600), and that product's sound capabilities are extreeeeemly limited compared to this Korg. Literally all sounds I heard from the demos can be recreated on the Monologue. And to add insult to injury, the Monologue can create more rhythmically complex percussion patterns than a MOOG that is specifically designed for that purpose (at twice the price point). And this ability of the Monologue isn't even the main strength of this synthesizer. Basses, leads, and pads of all types can be created on this machine, but of course pads are best done in multiple recorded layers (as this synthesizer is monophonic).