Korg monologue Monophonic Analog Synthesizer w/ 16-step Sequencer and OLED Oscilloscope - Silver

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.

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 can't stress enough how incredibly amazing this little monophonic synth is. The fact that it's $300 is mind blowing.It's little but don't let that fool you. It's easy to go up or down octaves (for both VCOs).The envelope only has attack and decay but the rate and intensity knobs will allow you to make these effects present anyway.This synth doesn't lack much but what little it doesn't have, keep in mind that in order to make such a powerful synth at such an affordable price some things were left out.The keys are smaller than full size keys but much larger than the keys from the microKorg. It's very easy to glide around from key-to-key.The 16 step sequencer is great. It's intuitive and easy to use.Richard D. James (Aphex Twin/AFX) actually made some of the presets on this synth and communicated to Korg's chief engineer about including certain features (like microtuning).One of my favorite features: a built in oscilloscope. I don't care if you've been playing synths for years or you are just beginning. You WILL learn more about analog synthesis when you use the Monologue. You can see the waveforms react to the slightest knob tweaks. You can see what is actually happening when you shape a square waveform and change the pulsewidth or bounce a triangle in VCO1 off of sawtooth waveform in VCO2.Job well done, Korg.

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

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 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.