Korg Monotron Analog Ribbon Synth  

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Korg

Palm-sized, battery-powered, ribbon-controlled analog synth with expressive effects and popular Korg filters.

Analog synths were once massive, temperamental monsters, but the Korg monotron proves that big things now come in small packages. The true analog monotron synthesizer fits in your pocket and makes it possible for you to play anytime, anyplace.

Although it is small enough to hold in one hand, the Korg monotron synth delivers enormous, dazzling sounds. The controls have been streamlined for ease of use—concentrating on the most important sound parameters, the panel contains only five knobs and one switch. With this level of simplicity, now anyone can easily enjoy the world of analog synthesizers. It's simply a blast to play.

Ribbon controller keyboard offers easy expression
Borrowing the enjoyment of performing with a simple touch from Korg's wildly popular KAOSS products, the monotron synth's ribbon controller keyboard takes this ease of use even farther. Simple finger gestures can produce expressive effects such as vibrato and glide.

1VCO, 1VCF, 1LFO - Modular synthesis building blocks
The Korg monotron's circuit is radically simple: one voltage-controlled oscillator, one voltage-controlled filter, and one low frequency oscillator. As a result, the process of sound creation is intuitive, and instantly understandable. And it's tons of fun. This Korg synth provides the joy of sonic creativity that's at the heart of analog synthesis.

The famous Korg filter
This Korg synthesizer starts with the same highly acclaimed VCF circuit as KORG's classic MS-10 and original MS-20 semi-modular synths, and adds extra oomph to the resonance. Originally released over 30 years ago, these synthesizers are still coveted today for their aggressive, dynamic filters. The VCF Cutoff knob sets the frequency or tone of the filter; the VCF Peak (resonance) knob adds emphasis.

Semi modular satisfaction
Just as on the original MS-20, the monotron's filter can be patched into, allowing any external audio source to be processed by the monotron's filter. The input jack (AUX input) built into the Korg synthesizer's compact body inserts the AUX input into the signal path right before the VCF. This provides a great way to connect a KAOSSILATOR, a keyboard, a guitar, a digital audio player or even an unmixed track to the Korg monotron synth and enjoy tone-bending filter effects.

Versatile LFO provides audio and visual excitement
The LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) can affect either the oscillator pitch or the filter cutoff. Both the speed and the intensity are individually adjustable, so you can create anything from a gentle vibrato to swooping tone changes of galactic proportions. As you turn the LFO Rate knob—featuring an embedded LED—the speed of the modulation effect and the speed of the blinking LED will change in tandem.

Listen anywhere—alone or with friends
The ultimate in compactness, the Korg monotron synth includes a built-in miniature speaker. Along with the battery operation, this feature allows you to enjoy the monotron everywhere. There's also a headphone output that you can use when creating sounds at home, for recording, or for connecting to an amplifier or PA system. When used, it cuts off the speaker so you get personal monitoring or so that you get the full effect of your larger speaker system.

Features

  • Korg synth features the same classic analog filter found in the legendary Korg MS-10 & MS-20
  • Filter any external source using the audio input jack
  • Inspiring, easy-to-play ribbon keyboard
  • Intuitive, fun-to-tweak controls
  • Full-fledged, true analog synthesizer: VCO, VCF, LFO
  • LFO can modulate either pitch or filter cutoff
  • LFO Rate knob features cool LED visual indicator
  • Battery operation and palmtop size equals true portability
  • Internal speaker/headphone jack lets you enjoy the sound anywhere— alone or with friends

Have fun on the run with the monotron. Order yours today!

Monotron Analog Ribbon Synth Specifications:

  • Audio Path: VCO, VCF, LFO
  • Knobs: VCO Pitch; LFO Rate; LFO Intensity; VCF Cutoff; VCF Peak
  • LFO switch: Assignable to Oscillator Pitch or Filter Cutoff
  • Controller: Ribbon controller
  • Volume: Headphone volume
  • Aux Input: 1/8" stereo jack
  • Headphone Output: 1/8" stereo jack
  • Speaker: Miniature internal (disabled when headphones are in use)
  • Power Supply: AAA Alkalines (x2)
  • Dimensions: (WxDxH): 4.72" x 2.83" x 1.10"
  • Weight: 3.35oz. (without batteries)
Write a Review Overall Rating Customer Reviews 19 See all 19 customer reviews...

An Interesting Toy

| Review By: Sparky-CIAin | 4 months, 4 weeks ago

1 people out of 1 found this review helpful

Features:

It has a good amount of tweaking you can do with the knobs and the aux in is useful if you want to apply the Monotrons filtering to another sound source.

Quality:

This is the second Monotron I've had and I can say that both were noisy, both through the built-in speaker and using nice headphones.  The build quality of the unit feels ok, not great.

Value:

This is a good value if you can pick one up on sale, with a rebate, or if you have a real use for it.  I bought one just to play with because the price was right. 

Overall:

Overall, this is a neat toy to experiment with, although the possibilities seem somewhat limited.

Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
Yes
Musical Experience:
Style of music you play:
Where you live:

Did you find this review helpful? yes no1104129

awesome!

| Review By: jimmy doom | 8 months, 2 weeks ago

2 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Quality:
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this thing is great!!! i was looking for a synthesizer to do some creepy sounds with. for a good price. when it showed up to my house i was shocked at how small it was i take it every where! if you get the settings just right you can get some pretty awesome sounds!!!

Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
Yes
Musical Experience:
4 years
Style of music you play:
gorecore death metal blue grass
Where you live:

Did you find this review helpful? yes no1095132

a handy little thing...

| Review By: Pierce-v2W_T | 1 year, 1 week ago

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

Features:
Quality:
Value:
Overall:
When I saw the box that this piece of gear came it I was shocked. I had no idea it was as small as it is, but it packs some interesting things into it's size. If your a fan of old school analog synths this is certainly a must. It is limiting in the sense that there is no MIDI and there are only an eigth inch aux imput and a eigth inch head phone output. The ribbon controller is fun but only for a little while. It has a look and style of the old stylaphones. For as little as it is you can get some really awesome low end sounds and hi end leads. Not much in the mid range, it's there but gets a little flat. I do recommend it though.
Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
No
Musical Experience:
Recording Engineer/Sound Designer
Style of music you play:
Industrial, Hard Core Techno
Where you live:
Boston, MA

Did you find this review helpful? yes no967323

Fun for the money, good for bass drops

| Review By: Anonymous User | 1 year, 3 weeks ago

2 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Quality:
Value:
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So i bought this just so i could have something to mess around with at school, and at first, i hated it. It's fun, but not that fun. After a while it became a little bit more fun, but you really have to appreciate analogs to like it. If you want a cheap, live, and LOW bass drop, it can come in handy with an EQ. I hooked it up and turned the bass up, and the high down (it was really noisy) and it worked very well. Try one, you'll see.
Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
No
Musical Experience:
Musician
Style of music you play:
Hardcore to bluegrass, techno to rock.
Where you live:
Lucedale, MS

Did you find this review helpful? yes no1034430

May be cheap, but it's amazing

| Review By: Rabbit: [912292] | 1 year, 1 month ago

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

Features:
Quality:
Value:
Overall:
I got this little guy a couple months back and it's been an amazing piece of equipment. It took me awhile to get the right cable for it so I could plug into my amp, but that didn't stop me from running it into my headphones. I've gotten some amazing kick drum sounds, a few fat bass sounds, and some crazy leads. It doesn't have any presets, but I love that. I find it more entertaining to actually make my own sounds as opposed to using one somebody else made. This piece will find a permanent home in my rig, and my guitarist is even debating getting one for himself.  Also this piece can be a serious tool if you know what you're doing, and aren't going to let it's lack of MIDI or presets get in your way.
Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
No
Musical Experience:
Active Musician - Keyboardist/Sound Manipulator
Style of music you play:
Experimental, Shoegaze, Ambient, Garage
Where you live:
Mesa, AZ

Did you find this review helpful? yes no929740

See all 19 customer reviews...
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