E
A very trippy toy with serious potential
GENERAL OVERVIEW
I bought it as an fx unit to integrate with my synth setup, as the title implies this isn't intended to be a serious tool for music production but I personally always find a way to snuck it into serious (paid) projects because of the flavor it adds to sounds.
PROS
-compact and easy to carry around (nice party gimmick too)
-very intuitive and you will build muscle memory fast with it
-entirely plastic but feels quite rugged
-ms 20 filter makes everything you feed it sound fantastic
-the delay circuit sounds veery analog and definitely has a flavor
-the delay can self-resonate giving really interesting tones when coupled with the filter
-the aux input is easily overloaded giving the signal a very nice clipping (clipping a piano and then adding delay sounds fantastic)
-you can circuit bend it if you have the know-how and the unit overall is quite simple to take apart and mod (the internet is full of guides on this)
CONS
-VERY noisy, if you use it on a main mix element you will need to fix it in post
-powered by two AAAs, they need to be swapped regularly (this is why I modded mine to accept a micro-usb cable as a power supply)
-the synth part is useless in a musical setting, good for SFX tho
Overall I really enjoy mine and I would buy it again, it would be a cool gift for a musically incline friend too :)
I bought it as an fx unit to integrate with my synth setup, as the title implies this isn't intended to be a serious tool for music production but I personally always find a way to snuck it into serious (paid) projects because of the flavor it adds to sounds.
PROS
-compact and easy to carry around (nice party gimmick too)
-very intuitive and you will build muscle memory fast with it
-entirely plastic but feels quite rugged
-ms 20 filter makes everything you feed it sound fantastic
-the delay circuit sounds veery analog and definitely has a flavor
-the delay can self-resonate giving really interesting tones when coupled with the filter
-the aux input is easily overloaded giving the signal a very nice clipping (clipping a piano and then adding delay sounds fantastic)
-you can circuit bend it if you have the know-how and the unit overall is quite simple to take apart and mod (the internet is full of guides on this)
CONS
-VERY noisy, if you use it on a main mix element you will need to fix it in post
-powered by two AAAs, they need to be swapped regularly (this is why I modded mine to accept a micro-usb cable as a power supply)
-the synth part is useless in a musical setting, good for SFX tho
Overall I really enjoy mine and I would buy it again, it would be a cool gift for a musically incline friend too :)
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"i
Fun instrument/effect
This little portable unit is a lot of fun. I use it as a simple synth for sound effects, and as a simple delay effect with my mike. For the price, it's quite useful. Also suitable as a toy.
Downsides:
- battery power only
- limited functionality (duh)
- noisy
- connection to DAW/mixer requires Y-cable
- may get you hooked on full-price synths and effects
Downsides:
- battery power only
- limited functionality (duh)
- noisy
- connection to DAW/mixer requires Y-cable
- may get you hooked on full-price synths and effects
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A
Analogue joy everywhere
Monotrons should be in everyone musicians, or music/sound lover pocket. I'd say, too, that the price is quite much for what it does, in compare for what you can get for just little more money. It would be great to have it as optional gift for buying bigger Korg synths, but reality is, it's great pocket generator to not have it anyway. Maybe not for clean musical person, but if you really feel joy in generating, exploring and analyzing true analogue and dirty soundwaves, Monotrons can made it possible everywhere.
To other reviews, I'd add, there's little screwdriver button on backside, which changes LFO type, so from default triangle, you can get saw and from square you'll get different pulsewidth. With saw, you can easily emulate techno-drum and play with it.
Also, ribbon touchboard (also on Duo) is programmed in way, that if you press two points, sound generates note in between. It's little help in quite random tone finding of Delay's ribbon wide continuous scale, but it's something.
Also recently, I put Volca Sample into Delay and had very adventurous two hour train jam.
To other reviews, I'd add, there's little screwdriver button on backside, which changes LFO type, so from default triangle, you can get saw and from square you'll get different pulsewidth. With saw, you can easily emulate techno-drum and play with it.
Also, ribbon touchboard (also on Duo) is programmed in way, that if you press two points, sound generates note in between. It's little help in quite random tone finding of Delay's ribbon wide continuous scale, but it's something.
Also recently, I put Volca Sample into Delay and had very adventurous two hour train jam.
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FS
A must have for Techno production
The 'shortcomings' like noisiness are an asset when using the monotron delay as an effect. It's no high end unit what is expected looking at it's price.
I use it a lot in my techno productions for its character.
I use it a lot in my techno productions for its character.
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H
Nice Analog Delay with Filter Soundgenerator and Looper
A small device with great sond and possibilities. Its analog. The delay and filter sound very good. The Soundgenerator lets you generate the psy sweeps as well as the classic dub siren telephone sound :D
Also can use it to create bass samples.
Or just noisify some audio or use as a filder device. Fun and usable!
Also can use it to create bass samples.
Or just noisify some audio or use as a filder device. Fun and usable!
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L
My first synth
Love th filter of the synth. Really warm korg sound.
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a
Brilliant!
Very nice, cheap as chips, handy!
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JD
Brilliant.
You can play all day on this and never get bored. Links to the PA easily and with its littel brothers produce a great variety of sound effects for budding prog rock artists.
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A
Wonderful Noise Maker
Originally added this to an order, just to beef up the cost and get free shipping, but very glad I did!
It isn't perhaps the cleanest sounding synth, but is great for creating SciFi style sweeps, bleeps and general fun noises.
As with the other Monotron's in the series, Korg helpfully mark some solder points on the circuit board so you can add additional features such as CV / Gate control, control of the resonance for the filter etc (you will of course invalidate your warranty if you do this!)
It still amazes me how big this can sound for such a small device. And all running off 2 AAA batteries, so highly portable.
All in all, a great little noise maker!
It isn't perhaps the cleanest sounding synth, but is great for creating SciFi style sweeps, bleeps and general fun noises.
As with the other Monotron's in the series, Korg helpfully mark some solder points on the circuit board so you can add additional features such as CV / Gate control, control of the resonance for the filter etc (you will of course invalidate your warranty if you do this!)
It still amazes me how big this can sound for such a small device. And all running off 2 AAA batteries, so highly portable.
All in all, a great little noise maker!
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A
Absolute Fun on the go
You will definitely play with this monotron delay for hours. The ribbon keys are perfect for changing notes and pitch. It can be easily connected to speakers or headphones with 3.5mm jack. So much fun in a little box. Korg sound quality the best.
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