All user reviews for the Korg Monotron

The Monotron is equipped with a knob for the pitch, spleen (with LED clocked on the spleen), int, and peak cutoff, and 2 modes: Pitch and Cutoff. All the effects are perfect except Peak which can sometimes overwhelm the small speaker of the Monotron. Available polyphony touching the touch strip to 2 or more different locations.

UTILIZATION

The layout of each element is very simple, despite the small size of the knobs. They are also very sensitive, so be careful to control your actions! Connaiterez what effect gives you what made the sound in some hours of use. The manual is almost useless for such small machines.

SOUNDS

Effects and sounds are from the Monotron Korg MS-20, exactly what I was looking for. This allows for clean sounds analog synth. I use it mostly for my bass and kicks (yes, my kicks!).

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 3-4 months, it satisfies me completely, knowing that I had a € 11 cheaper than the base price is 30 €. I do had never touched before purchasing, just watched videos. The only downside is that the speaker saturates too easily for my taste. However, its price / quality ratio seems quite correct. Special mention for the opening of the machine easily, and guidance on the electronic circuit of the Monotron, which would almost "open-source" the device.

Minimalist, this is what best characterizes the beast:
A few knobs, a "keyboard" is reduced to a single tape 1 input, 1 output, 1 volume and that's all.
No polyphony and the sound is mono (but mandatory cable stereo output).
No effect.

UTILIZATION

The use is so easy, my goldfish could use (but I do not have).
The only tricky part is the keyboard is too small and not specific enough.
The knobs are very small but it's OK.

The user manual, there is nothing or almost (for technical data).

SOUNDS

First forget the integrated speaker.
After the sound is pure juice of analog. (Should the batteries fully charged, let chaufer the beast just before use, but it still always breath a little)
With a good amp, a little chorus and reverb, we have the big sound ... Bass good good dribbling and very sharp treble, but remain reasonable even when it sounds like a monster to 2000 €.

OVERALL OPINION

This is my first analog synth and for the price, this is the bomb.
I use it mostly in the context of experimental music and live for its simplicity makes it very instinctive, no brainer, you do what you feel "feels".

It's a toy, but a toy big sound.
Next time I buy three ...

1 headphone mini jack.
1 entry to the mini headphones.
1 octave keyboard type "ribbon".
One standby switch (on / off) and pitch cutoff, depending on what you want to control with the lfo.
1 lfo one waveform: sawtooth. Knob with his speed (rate).
1 type filter with cutoff and peak MS20 (resonnance).
Running on battery and has nothing planned to operate on.

UTILIZATION

This is a toy to make noise and minimalist melodies.
Mode synth to play something "clean" it will have the finger end and filled with finesse, it must be very concentrated and applied to get there quickly if we make the music of children 3 years ie noise.
It sounds simple but at the beginning it is a bit confusing. Mode cutoff we realize that the lfo is still active even to zero.
The filter: if the peak is at the bottom monotron generates a sound characteristic of the MS20 filter with much whistling peak at the bottom.
The machine can capture field "magnetic" surrounding it which makes it generate its parasite. (Do not place too close to an active speaker for example).
Part is the limit, when there are VA and analog it quickly behind compared to other filters synth (c virus, blofeld, evolver), although it has its grain MS20. Generates a partier to the breath rather embarrassing especially that it is better to amplify the output of the machine to hear properly.
The batteries wear out quickly, we can not play with more than one full day. (Korg warns that)

SOUNDS

The sound that comes out synth mode is rather "big" and analog sounds good.
Having a single tilt with a single waveform lfo and ditto for the fact that it greatly limits the possibilities of this synth.
Can be quite heavy with a kick, but hardly synchronized. (It will better synchronize hand with another machine more precise.)
The part that allows the use of external effect blows a lot and is not able to take the input volume too high and there is breath in output. MS20 filter sounds but still in a bad environment so it spoils the fun. The machine saturates quickly and saw my fate does not distort interesting is dirty it is.
When you play hard with the lfo and filter through the sound to it eventually always hear the same loud sound that causes the filter, whatever the sound came.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for two days intensively by passing all sorts of things inside: sample of pace, pad, organ, saw filtered or not.
Mode it leaves a big synth sound, but we very quickly around.
The part is really too light and limit exploitable.
Precision potentiometers makes it very difficult to set a value and find it later (especially in the spleen which feels the most).
Considering the price ok there was no transformer, but ay think after a while we will spend every penny of the unit cell, even rechargeable.
I ask myself: is it not better to wait a little saving rather than taking this type of gadget? For me yes.

Summarize previous reviews very ben characteristics of the machine, no need to repeat.
It is definable by its sheer size: it is REALLY in hand, as is the size of a mobile phone.
All plastic, two-tone, half-shells are very well finished, the buttons do not slip under barbed fingers.
Two AAA batteries are delivered in the (small) cardboard box.

UTILIZATION

There is a small book, but frankly this contraption is made to learn by doing.
All buttons to zero volume (behind it is manipulated by the index when the machine is) is back, we can start!
Obviously, in the case of tiny knobs, it is difficult to find a sound, but since it has only one waveform, and noting the positions, there is no problem.
The keyboard is a continuous ribbon, allowing glissandi demonic imitating the mewing of a cat, or typing finger or stylus. It is also fairly easy with a little practice, even if at first it plays very wrong
I note 8/10 for a little over an octave is impractical, knowing that screws on the back increases the amplitude of a little less than an almost two octaves. But then the picture on the tape no longer ... you can not have everything.

SOUNDS

The sound from the small speaker is at best a spare wheel, at worst an effective way to trigger cries of protest environment.
Plugged into an amplifier worthy of the name, if a headphone output jack, the sound is revealed!
It's big, it's heavy, will look far here, here rises very high, attention windows!
I was amazed rhythmic sounds obtained with the LFO.
Generally the settings chosen for the five buttons, the switch between pitch and volume, an impressive variety of sounds, effects.
I have not tried the sampler sounds obtained, but it has two jacks mini, and the phones, you can get a sound, torture with the filter and inject.
It is therefore quite possible to integrate a computer music station, which makes you 38 euros for a plug-in (literally) pretty cool!

OVERALL OPINION

For two months, I use it occasionally, much to amuse me a bit to write, even on 9 ratings we find cool stuff when you have two minutes to connect, and 30s. to warm it.
Because yes, this stuff looks like a mobile phone is a true analog synth with components that, like their illustrious ancestors, must heat to reach their nominal operating temperature!
In short, happiness.

This is a small analog monophonic synthesizer with the same LP filter 12db on the Korg MS10/MS20. It has a LFO, an audio input, a keyboard band, a volume knob, a headphone output and it works with two batteries (life is very long)

UTILIZATION

No configuration needed is super intuitive one button = one function

SOUNDS

The sound is very powerful, there are ways to kill a pair of speakers without any problems if you amplify too much gear. For the price, it's a fun toy even if we regret the horrible breath of the amp ...

OVERALL OPINION

Very cool little toy to make low cost FX!

See other opinions

UTILIZATION

Easy to use with a little practice, however for accurate sound must tâtonner.Ce synth is not a toy.

SOUNDS

I am not a pianist and I have no experience with this type of instrument so for me it is new.
Analog sounds are interesting and "authentic". The possibilities are quite high but using the keyboard is not obvious because it is very small.
This synth is useful if you want a little more "electro" for your creativity, for your group.
There are good demos on You Tube.

OVERALL OPINION

I had a few months as an experiment.

The +

Sounds
Ease of Use

The -

Fragile
A small breath

Monophonic analog synthesizer, "keyboard" diaphragm continuously variable ("ribbon"), an oscillator sawtooth down, ditto 1 LFO, LFO assignable to the pitch or frequency of the filter, a reproduction of the low-pass the MS-20.

UTILIZATION

Synthetic pure hardware, pure analog, the 5 knobs and the switch under the eyes, it can hardly be easier!

Just play first be asked to correctly adjust the keyboard driver, if you want to use the guide offered by the piano keys painted on the tape. This can be tricky but the setting is stable.
Then, not only the keyboard is pokey, but it also is not sensitive to its full height (and less sensitive to nearby Si acute - my Duo is the same). We must aim down the white keys (the black of a piano. You follow?). I strongly advise the use of a pen (a pencil is perfectly plastic case).
Despite this, with a little practice it is quite possible to play melodies. Even if it takes the drive to play fair, it does not take long to aim "about", the great differences of course being the most difficult to play well and quickly. And we can afford portamento madness!

SOUNDS

This is a great toy. Versatile enough somehow. Use either side can just play or make impressive sound effects.
When one wants to play fair, you can include:
-Let the filter resonance frequency 0 and the max for an electronic sound "8 bit"
-Set the frequency knob to 12 and the resonance at 11 am for complaints théréminesques. Playing with the frequency knob playing sounds really great. Moreover, with a little practice, you can imitate meowing with enough similarities to fool a cat
LFO-to very low frequency, paired (with a large amplitude) at the frequency of the filter to have a natural decay
-Set the LFO fast enough, coupled with the frequency by putting a dash of amplitude for a nice vibrato.

It is also possible to play any really high, a buzz that there are oscillations with a shrill whistle, although the real bass sound is not too strong.

For sound effects, it would take too long to describe, but thanks to the LFO goes up very high in frequency and amplitude (and that can easily filter self-oscillate), you can really do stuff crossed out, FM-esque effects and company. The three videos Korg United States illustrate the possibilities. Start playing the sound normally and torture on the last note can show purely pleasurable.

Defects already mentioned here: the speaker practice to play anywhere but really feeble, weak and out of breath that, and especially the dirty "Pouc" and the beginning and end of notes because of the command "while or nothing "without the amp envelope, this is THE thing annoying.
I also regret that the LFO is not reversible, it seems to me that it would not have been too difficult and can make a fade-in by coupling it to the filter would have been nice ...

OVERALL OPINION

In the end, 40 euros ... it is probably 4 times the cost price for Korg. But we can not say that competition in the market "real synth that fits in your pocket" jostling (Gakken SX-150, but what else?). And despite its simplicity this machine is an extra toy. Although necessarily less comprehensive (and expensive!) Modeled on a synth smartphone (to stay in the "gadget"), it has the advantage of being dedicated: zero latency and a much more grip instinctive, more kawaii and always ready, it will not fit into the category "used a week and then never touch it."

My only regret is that he was not sold to kids 20 years ago for half price. I would have played all day, I would not have been alone, millions of parents would have become raving mad and it would be in every closet next to the Game Boy.

Don't let the size of the Korg Monotron fool you. It sounds amazing. I've got it running though an ART DPSII pre and it sounds so freaking massive I keep expecting the cops to show up and inform me I'm disturbing the peace. No joke this thing has a really good VCO and Filter. The LFO has an unusually large range. There's aux input for processing external sources. But, It's no performance instrument, mind you. The ribbon strip is inarticulate. The only way to power it is with batteries and it is completely plastic. It will go through a set of batteries pretty fast though, they wont last long at all you will have to keep changing them out frequently.


UTILIZATION

a real MS-20 filter with tweakable knobs and a "ribbon" keyboard (think pressure sensitive pad). You can coax amazing sounds out of this thing and the best aspect for me is that it's far more portable than my giant Korg MS2000R rackmount synth. You can run other stuff through it but the only 'in' is a wimpy 1/8" mp3 style headphone sized input. I wish there were rca jacks or a simple quarter inch instrument cable input without having to go and buy a ton of adapters for my needs

SOUNDS

sounds unbelievable.

OVERALL OPINION


I'm more than satisfied with dropping 60.00 bucks on this little gem. I bought it to sample from and has proven to provide quite a wide range of sounds despite its obvious limitations.
I'd like to see it made in a durable chassis, with an actual small keyboard, for around $100 USD, hopefully Korg reads reviews and will enhance the next version & make it more durable. This thing is a blast to play with through good . So if they come out with another version that’s a little more well built I will be the first buyer! But with that being said this little unit is great you will have a lot of fun with it for years to come.

This is one of the coolest pieces of gear that I have ever came in contact with over my years of being into and doing music. It generates sound via electronic means (rather than sampled means) and it's smaller than a cell phone. Many key enthusiasts describe how a unit works "out of the box"- this wonderful piece of machinery was making Logan's Run/Devo: Hardcore/Axis: Bold As Love sounds in about ninety seconds. The Monotron makes oscilloscopes" dance" with a wonderful spectrum of old school blips, bleeps and sounds that transcend adjectives.

UTILIZATION

This is a real analog synth- it is very similar to old modular synths hundreds of times larger in regards to tone (and learning curve). Key Cadets-please don't expect an Emersonian do-it-all machine. It's not really a 'doe ray mee' tool; rather, it's a great noisemaker that will provide you with rad Mark Mothersbaugh style sonic decorations. The painted keyboard is counter-intuitive- 'C' isn't 'C' unless you tweek very very patiently.

SOUNDS

Sounds are great and there are some for all of us, it has a really dirty analog sound to it.
Really bold sounds in no time, It makes oscilloscopes “dance” with a wonderful spectrum of old school blips, and bleeps type sounds and transcend adjectives.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, Really impressive item from Korg...very clean neat and compact also you can run it on a set of batteries if you want to take it on the go, and there are many options with the cutoff filters and LFO modulation. For a really affordable price, the Monotron has a lot to offer. I recommend playing it with a Nintendo DS stylus for the keypad on the ribbon controller. Very good analog sound from this neat synth. You must give this a try, and for the price that you can get it at how could you say no?

Let's be clear, the Monotron Instead the look and feel of a toy. An input, a stereo minijack output, feeding solely on batteries, potentiometers and a tiny keyboard for children in a plastic case.
But in this little box hides a monophonic analog synth with a sound very fat and dirty, a pretty good filter and a powerful LFO that will control choices in the cutoff or pitch.

UTILIZATION

The use could not be simpler, no preset program everything by hand like in the good old days, they said 100% analog!
Difficult to make a good melody, hard to use but really fun!

SOUNDS

The little beast really sounds for all lovers of good analog sound dirty. The output minijack removes some fishing in the bass, but it really takes pleasure in producing sounds with this toy!

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it at its release and I'm really having fun with it. Obviously, he has a place somewhat apart in the studio, I do not use it in spite of its filter input. Obviously, we dream of a MIDI sound as the beast, but a little Arduino and you can get by. I unhesitatingly repeat this synth for a low price because it gives me opportunities play live very pleasant.

1 pitch
1 LFO
VCO 1
1 ribbon
2 modes
1 entry
1 output
1 octave

The minimum of the minimum what.

UTILIZATION

Very simple configuration, manual unnecessary editing sounds live.

SOUNDS

It's a bit of a gimmick but it really nice to find the sound of MS10 in something that fits in your pocket. If you like this sound, you'll love or you may be disappointed ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 3 days and I'm a fan.

What I like most is its size, but of course its his ...

I would have liked a little twelve o'clock IN but considering the format of the box is too small.

The value for money is bad because Korg Gave all fans of this sound will afford this stuff but one side, 50 € for analog ...

I do it again this election is too fun!

Keyboard "Ribbon"
Adjustments basic analog (LFO, Attack, Filter), no presets

Monophonic

1 audio
1 audio output

UTILIZATION

Ultrasimpe to use, my darling (who offered it to me) and is resistant to any technology even hard to let go .. Manual limit superfluous.

SOUNDS

The sound is "raw" but cool. It's oldskool analog (but it fits well with the rest of my setup knowing that I'm a fan of Chipsound and Hardside 4U, my Atari Falcon turns Maxymizer and my DS Korg DS10 ) I love his "Raw"

We do not imagine that such a small box can sound out as aggressive and since one week, I do not stop to sample sweeps and other weird cooing.

I also built my setup a "DJ" as a complement of effects.

OVERALL OPINION

My darling gave me this toy it 's one week and it really is THE cool gadget. What I dislike most is the Eating only by batteries and connectors small (but put the big jack or RCA would have increased the size of the apparatus)

For me, 50 € is a good value for money AC can have a good analog filter in the pocket (in case of emergencies you never know when you might need it eh)

A mini-synth to look stylophone with real analog circuitry inside.

Line In and Line Out Mono format mini-jack.
Ability to process external audio signal through the filter.

-1 Osc
-1 LFO (triangle wave descending) assignable to the Osc or filter. A wide range of values that allows even the frequency modulations.
-1 Filter with resonance (identical to that of MS20 or MS10 in theory)
Keyboard -1 band (the height gradually rises along the keyboard)
-1 Mini built-in speaker
-Only works on 2 small batteries 1.5 V (which are provided!)

Note that an LED (hidden under the transparent knob LFO-rate) def timidly pulsation of Lfo.

UTILIZATION

Extremely simple to use.

Only the keyboard ribbon is not obvious to tame as the notes are not fixed (height gradually rises along the keyboard). L''aspect "playability" is not his greatest asset. One can nevertheless improve the game using a pen (with cap!) Rather than the fingers ... short as a Stylophone.

It remains that it is always difficult to catch the "right notes" but as often as the limitations become a source of inspiration .... and we are here to surprise the "bends" of madness that no one 's not usually allowed.

Funny detail: the doc calls to allow the unit to heat a bit before use (30 seconds) .. brief, as the former!



SOUNDS

Side flaws:
The breath-which is not necessarily prohibitive .. but this.
The short-machine level, then you just push a little preamp from the console.
-The absence of a "Faraday cage" which makes the device sensitive enough for laptops and other electro-magnetic waves.

Side qualities:
Although the true bass-round that are placed alone in a mix.
-The filter is surly and allows many experiments and typically devastating vintage, especially when coupled to the LFO. Perfect for making "analog effects of space."

In short, that is the analog and it 's mean! The roundness and the personality of this little machine exceeds that of the plug-ins and other digital synth.

Ah otherwise, does not try to listen through the integrated HP, the sound is atrocious!


OVERALL OPINION

55 Euros: unbeatable value for money.

This device is amazing, it is designed as a toy, it costs the price of a gadget, but offers sound very credible, worthy of a true analog synth.

We therefore regret for his toy aspects: the breath, lack of gameplay.
We adore their actual analog: bass, frequency modulations, etc. ...

For those who regret the lack of midi in, external power, etc. .. I can only ask them to look at the price of the competition. Must not abuse, you know the price of an analog of same occasion?

Personally, I have made some excellent bass lines on an electro synth with this small, it did nothing really envy the greatest. Although I must confess to compensate for the lack of gameplay by a lot of ed.

For me at least a real crush this little synth!