Sonic LAB: Review New Korg Monotrons

The big question is; Are these instruments or toys? With there limitations and lack of a decent keyboard I myself consider them a toy. Midi input would of solved one of these problems. They are even packaged like a toy. I believe the sound will become boring very fast and there are already lots of these on eBay because of that fact. I think you are better off saving your money for a real instrument that will inspire you for many many years. Let me know your thoughts, I am very interested in what other musicians think about these boxes.

09-Dec-11 09:15 AM

Hey matt, yes I think these do come under the impulse purchase category for some, however there are LOADs of people out there who've never got their hands on any kind of analog device and this may just get them interested.

09-Dec-11 09:19 AM

Bread and Butter for Korg, Stops the credit crunch nibbling away at the big fat bottom end.

09-Dec-11 09:35 AM

Absolutely love that crusty delay. Nick one thing I was wondering, with the original monotron there seems to be quite a lot of noise when using the Ext input, has the amp section been improved on these newer editions at all to eliminate this do you think?

09-Dec-11 10:21 AM

Absolutely love that crusty delay. Nick one thing I was wondering, with the original monotron there seems to be quite a lot of noise when using the Ext input, has the amp section been improved on these newer editions at all to eliminate this do you think?

09-Dec-11 10:21 AM

Hey Richard, the answer is no not especially.

09-Dec-11 10:23 AM

Monotribe plus guitar delay pedal nicer - esp as now with version 2 update - much cleaner output. Cute though & somebody somewhere will make an album with them sooner or later. (probably Brett Domino)

09-Dec-11 10:45 AM

A great product, that makes those with I pads look like #unts. A real instrument, a real oscilator, ten times better, ten times more value. Well done Korg. PS KORG make a tb 303 clone for under a ton!!!

09-Dec-11 01:32 PM

Can't wait to play around with these things! Can anyone with the first Monotron tell those of us who never tried one if that one is still worth getting compared to these two, or is it somewhat replaced by maybe the Duo?

09-Dec-11 03:29 PM

...with a real keyboard and... oh wait, erm... with a real MIDI input? nope... not true either.

It's a cool analog tone generating TOY :)

...or a device ready to be stripped out of the plastic casing and integrated as part of a bigger modular system just like another fancy module, IMHO.

09-Dec-11 03:49 PM

I've seen them get converted to module format, so it's pretty cool that you can get them as a starting point and then convert them.

10-Dec-11 03:36 PM

Thanks Nick. You said "Modeled Filter", do you mean not the exact MS20 filter but still Analog and 2 pole?

Also, wondering about how delay is implemented, can you post a view of the topside of the Delay board? Is there a low-cost BBD chip onboard? 750 ms. is generous but I suppose it's clocked slow/lo-fi.

Interesting still comma very.

10-Dec-11 11:48 PM

It is a very worrying trend that sonic state is actually reviewing a 'hardware device' considering their funding must be coming from apple given their . IPAD this , APP that . What is the world coming to when Apple is missed out of a review and not even referenced. Steve Jobs was Jesus, he will be turning in his grave to see sonic state , disrespecting him in and the product followers ,in this brazen way. Shame on sonic state.

11-Dec-11 04:34 AM

Sonic State: Selling Software and toys ? No thanks. I am a musician, not a retarded impulsive buyer. Sorry for potential interested pepole in this rapid boring products.

11-Dec-11 07:17 AM

Answers: I would get the DUO if you are thinking of a Monotron - the first one is fun sure, but its not very playable.

Modeled filter - I think its analog modeled. I would be surprised if they actually had the exact same circuitry in there

Last two - I wish Apple did pay us, but sadly your conspiracy theories are as ever, misplaced. iPads and APPs are very popular, we are a news and review site and so reflect the market.

13-Dec-11 06:53 AM

Hey Nick, we opened up the machines and had a peak inside, it's not a modelled or VA filter on any of the monotribes or monotrons, but real analogue, it's 99% the same components of the original MS20 filter. That's why it screams at high resonance.

The delay part of the monotron delay is however digitally modelled, but that's the only digital thing about either of these.

Let's hope they sell well and korg will make one with a keyboard later this year, how about something they could add to the micro line? the micromono or something :)

15-Dec-11 08:29 AM

sweetwater's got 'em on sale for 49.99, free shipping. no. brainer.

16-Dec-11 01:14 AM

'Analog modeled' usually implies that it's made with DSP's. These are real analog devices, except the delay, which IS modelled, is it not?

BTW, in the toys vs. instruments debate... They are both. They are toys, and instruments, like the old speak n' spell, or the Casio keyboards many of us started with.

One thing to remember is that they do have an input to the filter, and it can be modulated... so that's pretty cool.

In the end, I don't know how important the question is. If it's fun and you can make cool sounds with it, you could find a way to put it into your music. I wouldn't compare my original Monotron with my Voyager, but they're both analog and fun, that's for sure!

14-Jan-12 04:29 PM

With regards to the toy/instrument comment(s), I think it's about time that tired argument got put to rest. With talent and a good idea, you can make good music with anything.

The delay isn't even an INSTRUMENT, per se. As was said in the review, it's more of a space-age FX deal. I picked the delay up last night and have spent hours just tweaking around with it. I could definitely see using some of the sounds I get out of it as some background ambience in one of my tracks.

04-Mar-12 12:35 AM