Korg Monologue

EG The envelope generator is
a basic two-stage affair though
amp duties can be switched to
the simple Gate mode, allowing
the envelope to be used for other
control duties.
DRIVE Adds some pleasant
saturation characteristics to
the output. It isn’t capable of
extreme nastiness, though can
sound distinctly dirty with the
fi lter resonance turned up.
LFO The LFO has two range
controls for slow and fast
modulation duties. One shot
mode turns it into a pseudo-
envelope, which helps address
the defi ciencies of the main EG.
and/or band-pass alternative would
have been nice to see.
There has been a signifi cant
amount of functional trimming in the
envelope generator (EG) section. In
fact, all you now have is a single,
two-stage envelope. In two of its
modes – one with a sustain stage – it
is hard-wired to the VCA, though this
can be switched to a basic on/off
(gate-style) amp envelope, leaving the
main EG free to control fi lter cutoff or
the pitch of each VCO (individually).
Other modulation duties are taken
care of by the LFO, which can control
the pitch or shape (of both oscillators
together) or fi lter cutoff. The LFO
functions over two rate ranges, though
dialling up some basic FM synthesis
tones in its ‘Fast’ guise revealed some
noticeable parameter stepping on
both the Rate and Intensity controls.
A nice touch here is the 1-Shot mode
that turns the LFO into a second,
albeit basic, envelope generator.
The last ingredient in the mix is
the Drive circuitry that saturates the
output – great for delivering distorted
tones, or adding extra depth. This
works a treat on percussive sounds.
On the playability front, small
keys are never great but a necessary
compromise on a portable unit.
Unfortunately, the Monologue’s pitch/
mod slider remains. It’s a shame that
Korg stuck with this somewhat fl imsy,
inaccurate design. Arturia got it right
on the (even smaller) MicroBrute by
is the ease with which notes and
parameters can be automated, and
Korg go to town with their Motion
Sequencing technology on the
Monologue. It’s a shame that an
arpeggiator wasn’t also included, as
in many circumstances these can be
more immediately useful than a
transposable sequencer. At least the
ability to interface with a DAW via
MIDI or USB allows this to be done
externally, and analogue interfacing
fans will appreciate the Sync options.
Arturia’s MicroBrute is cheaper
but less fl exible. The similarly-priced
MiniBrute lacks the two
independently tunable oscillators,
sync, ring-modulation and motion
sequencing of the Korg. Ultimately,
the Monologue is great little synth
that carves its own distinct path
through the current, increasingly
crowded, analogue terrain.
FM VERDICT
9.1
Cheap and cheerful,
but powerful, and with
a surprising amount of
fl exibility given its limited
envelope section.
keeping ‘proper’, and separate,
pitchbend and mod wheels.
The ability to store presets is very
useful, though a manual mode,
refl ecting the current front-panel
settings, would have been useful, as
would the addition of some extra
knobs for a few of the parameters
buried in the menus – fi lter key
tracking, portamento etc.
The upside of the memory and
other internal digital control elements
MONOLOGUE MOTION SEQUENCING
The Monologue includes Korg’s Motion Sequencing
technology which allows both notes and parameter
values to be recorded and played back. The 16-step
sequencer is similar to those of Korg’s Volcas, with the
16 front-panel LEDs being used for menu item selection
and step on/off status. Notes can be recorded in real or
step-time modes, and up to four lanes of parameter
automation can be added
on top. Unlike the Volcas,
the screen means this
aspect of the sequencer is
a more visual experience.
An arpeggiator option,
with motion sequencing,
would have been the icing
on the cake.
THE ALTERNATIVES
Novation Bass
Station II £315
A bit pricier than the
Monologue, and with
DCOs (not VCOs),
but laden with better
envelopes, more
fi lters and a
potentially wider
sound palette.
uk.novationmusic.
com
Arturia
MicroBrute
£229
Single VCO, though
it has multiple,
mixable waveshapes
and a distinctive
fi lter plus patchable
modulation matrix
and built-in
sequencer.
www.arturia.com
Moog Sub 37
£1,400
Over four times the
price, and still only
monophonic, but
with an excellent
pedigree and great
user interface.
Sounds and
feels great.
www.moogmusic.
com
EG
The envelope generator is
DRIVE
Adds some pleasant
LFO
The LFO has two range
Reviews | Korg Monologue
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FMU312.rev_korg_mono.indd 84 02/11/2016 14:39