I encountered the monotron on the web and got curious... the description on Korg's website looks interesting: a small, cheap analog synth with a speaker build in! Specially the build in speaker and the fact that it is powered by batteries attracted me.

However, when I hear the demos on Youtube I was really disappointed. OK, it is really cheap (a good cable costs almost as much). But so far I only hear bleeps and sound effects... or am I terribly wrong?

I really would like a small synth or samples, under €200, with a small keyboard and with build in speakers. That way you can grab it, and play it without hooking up amplifiers etc. The same way I use my (semi) acoustic guitar in stead of my electric...

Any thoughts?

Edited by Martin Walker (17/10/11 01:29 PM)

Roland HS-60 end of

The monotron is kinda neat, in that it is actually real analogue, rather than something that is pretending. And i've heard some pretty good demo's of it too.
However, you can't play squat on that horrid excuse of a keyboard, and it doesn't have midi either. So basically, you have no accurate way to play it.
Still, I'll get one anyway, and hack the living the daylights out of it, so that it will actually be useable..

Im not sure what would be good for your budget though. I expect you'd have to go secondhand to get something worth having for a good price.

Paul

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Paul

Thanks for your reaction.

Just to clarify: I got interested by the concept of the Monotron mainly because it's small, easy to grab and I must admit, it has got a high gadget factor.

With that last remark I mean: when I see something like that and I enjoy fiddling around with it, there is a big chance that I just buy it for fun... I know... I got a similar feeling a few years ago when I was playing with a Casio SK-1 owned by a friend of mine, a small toyish sampling keyboard thinghy... but the problem with that one is that second hand people just ask too much money...

At the moment, I'm not really interested in buying a "big" machine (I've got a JX-3P and some synth plugin's which I use in Logic Studio (V-Station, FM8, impOSCar, PPG Wave 2.V). However, you never know... when the budged is there a MEK from Dave Smith is very tempting... :-)

OK, then why did I start this topic? Well, just because I'm wondering whether there are more small, synths or samplers like the Monotron or SK-1? Preferably battery operated, build in speakers, not expensive and fun to play with.

Quote Wimek:

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Well, just because I'm wondering whether there are more small, synths or samplers like the Monotron or SK-1? Preferably battery operated, build in speakers, not expensive and fun to play with.

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http://bleeplabs.com/

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Check out the Weevil by BugBrand

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my music

Many thanks for posting the BleepLabs link. I'll be getting some of their devices to go with the Monotron I have on order.

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RockinRollin' VampireMan

I love my Thingamagoop (original version), must get the new one and possibly some of the other bits. The bug labs one is interesting as well.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Going slightly off track.... there is a cool circuit bent Korg Monotron on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WcF819PX9I

It's features have certainly been enhanced

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Gear: Mac Pro running Logic Pro 9. Fireface 800, Rode Classic 2 Mike, Virus Ti & Various other Synths and Outboard.

It's not off topic. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a Monotron and as it lacks MIDI, I'm interested in what mods are available. At the price it is scheduled to be, you could easily get one just to monkey with.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Nice link and nice sounds Oscardelta!

thanks for that


Martin

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YewTreeMagic

Thanks for the very nice reactions! After exploring the links you guys posted and looking at some more youtube video's I've got a good idea of the Monotron's capabilities and the direct competition. I think the Monotron is worth the €55. However, as a synth I think it's more a toy than an instrument. Still, I think I'll buy one because I can do the same kind of tricks that I do with the D-Pole plug in (Part of the Waldorf Edition): routing vocal and drum sounds through it :-) Even when used as a toy: for €55 you don't buy much in a toy shop for that money and believe me, I do buy lots of toys for my little, one and a half year old, girl :-))

I found the following video on Youtube, maybe I should buy a Monotron for my girl too!

1.5 year old girl & Monotron

I want to see a live act by that bloke. Preferably about dawn outdoors on a hot, sunny Sunday.

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Instant gratification is actually pretty good. It's fast as well.

I did buy a Monotron and must say that I'm impressed. It is not comparable to a "big" synth but, so much fun for €57 !

I fully agree with Paul Nagle's review in the current Sound on Sound issue. I've been terrorising my family by making lots of 60's SciFi sound effects through the build in speaker. However, when hooked up to my Mackie HR624 monitors the real sound potential surfaces. Besides screaming sounds using lots of filter resonance, it also is capable of producing bass sounds somewhat like on Ultravox's "Death in the afternoon"

Next to (expensive) professional equipment, gadgets like the Monotron are great! I hope more is going to follow!

Quote Wimek:

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However, when I hear the demos on Youtube I was really disappointed. But so far I only hear bleeps and sound effects...

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Quote ~Paul:

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However, you can't play squat on that horrid excuse of a keyboard, and it doesn't have midi either. So basically, you have no accurate way to play it.

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Hi

Mebe this track http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn4D79Jgn_4&videos=sDTdnYC7Geo

Apparantly the CV mod is fairly straight forward.

http://www.dinsync.info/2010/06/how-to-modify-korg-monotron.html

Must get one next month. £50 a pop a go, sounds good to me.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

i reckon there's a moral obligation on us all to buy one of these so that it's a huge success, making korg lots of cash and encouraging them to build a new analogue polysynth. with a proper keyboard. just a thought.

Not trying to agitate anyone, but until unless you plan to modify it, (as 'Richie Royale' suggested) or until you want to bend it- save your money and buy something else.

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SoundCloud

I'm waiting for Version 2, I personally never buy the first iteration of something.

Quote baward:

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I'm waiting for Version 2, I personally never buy the first iteration of something.

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Thats a good point. If we were talking about something that costs hundreds or thousands of pounds that is.. This thing isn't quite pocket change, granted. But still, £50 for a synth, why not!? I'm in
It's so simple that I can't see Korg ever making a revision of it. More like a bigger version with more bells & whistles if anything. But that would be a lot more money than this thing costs.

These things are a modders dream. Korg even had the good sense to label the PCB at the critical points to show folk where the CV points etc are.
Once the scramble for them has cleared, i'll grab one start hacking

Paul

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Paul

Quote baward:

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I'm waiting for Version 2, I personally never buy the first iteration of something.

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unless, of course, you intend on never opening it and get yourself an ebay account...

Quote ~Paul:

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These things are a modders dream. Korg even had the good sense to label the PCB at the critical points to show folk where the CV points etc are.
Once the scramble for them has cleared, i'll grab one start hacking

Paul

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Yes these truly are modders dream. Interesting part is they sound much better after a witty hack than when out of the box. I interconnected its PCB with Casio SA 75 and it was great. But those who dont bend should not buy Monotron as it doesnt give you much.

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SoundCloud

Guys check this ---- Song completely made out of Monotron

In start it could be a bit unpromising for some. Its a great song by the way.

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SoundCloud

Quote AuralSerenity:

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Guys check this ---- Song completely made out of Monotron

In start it could be a bit unpromising for some. Its a great song by the way.

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Table for Two posted it earlier in this thread but only I got around to checking it last night. It goes to show that one synth and multitracking can go a long way.

Next month though already spent my money on another synth this month.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Oh o!
I didnt check that Richie.
Well, its good enough to have two references.


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SoundCloud

Quote AuralSerenity:

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Oh o!
I didnt check that Richie.
Well, its good enough to have two references.

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Indeed it is. It shows that with one monophonic "toy" you can create a proper piece of music.

Must resist for a few more weeks....

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

I no longer need to resist as I will be in possession of one of these very shortly.

Now all I need to do is work out how to exploit the CV/Gate properly.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Dont burn it. I did.

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SoundCloud

I can solder, but it's not a hobby, so I'm going to be cautious about doing anything to mine.

This guy seems to know what he is doing, but his details aren't in depth, but I'm sure anyone with a basic electronics background could understand what he has done to add the external CV.

http://www.dinsync.info/2010/06/how-to-modify-korg-monotron.html

It is a fun little instrument. Hard to play due to size (slightly larger than a iPhone somewhat smaller than a Stylophone) but surprisingly flexible considering the few controls it has.

May get a second one to mangle.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

I dunno what all the fuss is about it. I could only watch the first minute of this video then I got a headache from all the beeps....

http://en.audiofanzine.com/analog-synth/korg/monotron/medias/

Quote simplesound:

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I dunno what all the fuss is about it. I could only watch the first minute of this video then I got a headache from all the beeps....

http://en.audiofanzine.com/analog-synth/korg/monotron/medias/

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But they're polyphonic beeps!

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Original artwork and unique devices inspired by vintage technology http://www.thisisobsolete.com

Quote simplesound:

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I dunno what all the fuss is about it. I could only watch the first minute of this video then I got a headache from all the beeps....

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Hey everyone! Just wanted to share my Monotron video with everyone. I think it's a great example of the kind of studio tool this can be! It's not just a little toy for bleeps and blabs; used with proper tools (UAD comp and EQ, convolution reverb, and Autotune in this case), you can end up with some really badass sounds!

Just a quick little tune that I made that shows a different side of the Monotron (angry PWM, audio-range LFO action and screaming filters):

KORG Monotron Song - Tiger Dance

Now that’s a bit more like it - welcome to the SOS Forums audibleobsession!

Your link is very connected to this thread, but do be careful of our no self-promotion rule (both of your first two posts link to your own videos )


Martin

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YewTreeMagic

Hi Martin. Thanks for the welcome (love your PC notes! didn't know SoS contributors were active on the forum, that's great!). Hmm, yes, I can see how it would seem self promoting, apologies!

I'm just in love with this thing and trying to spread the word (seems most other synth heads are treating it as a toy when I feel it has been a very useful studio tool for me). Unfortunately there aren't very many videos out there that show a more produced sound (although there are lots of fun ones out there), so I've been linking mine. Will be more careful in the future! Cheers!

Edited by audibleobsession (03/11/10 09:40 PM)

Hi AO, I'll check this out later.

I've not used mine enough, but I did make a large portion of a track using it with a couple of other synths. It has a great sound, but it does suffer a little from self noise, but that is a minor criticism.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Quote audibleobsession:

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Hi Martin. Thanks for the welcome (love your PC notes! didn't know SoS contributors were active on the forum, that's great!). Hmm, yes, I can see how it would seem self promoting, apologies!

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Glad you enjoy my SOS contributions


Martin

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YewTreeMagic

Ive got one of these, fun but limited. But a good reason to start my hacking career!

Couple of links;

Monotron schematics;
http://www.korg-datastorage.jp/Manual/monotron_sch.pdf

Montron++ (uberhacked monotron with midi)
http://beatnic.jp/monotron/V2.html

Midi and arpeggiator (sp?)
http://www.fengland.org/mm.html

Montron hacking forum
http://monotron.adornomedia.com/

Ive been in touch with the japanese chap who is selling the pcbs and chip, full kits to follow. Someone else has been in touch with the forrest england guy who did the midi/arpeg mod and he is also apparently selling preburnt chips.

So could be a good hacking project, im going for the monotron++.

The dinsync one was done ages ago but not much use without silentway.

Cheers

Ben


Ive been in touch with the japanese guy (Motohiko Takeda) and hes very helpful, hes thinking of putting together some full kits soon, which suits me.

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http://www.paradigmx.com

Edited by Paradigm X (05/11/10 10:58 AM)

Good info there Ben, thanks for posting it all.

I just got my Monotron yesterday. Pretty neat!
It's a £50 synth that feels like a £15 synth. Fortunately it sounds better than it looks
Im looking forward to modding the crap out of it

Paul

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Paul

Hi,

I have just completed my review of the Korg Monotron. If you want to take a look, please go to:-
KORG MONOTRON REVIEW

Many Thanks
Tony
Tony Long Music

Miditron is working nicely

Paul

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Paul