Korg Monologue BK

Description

Your monologue is beautiful and powerful!

New generation of monophonic analog synthesizer available in 5 vibrant colors

Intuitive and detailed programmable analog synthesis; monologue represents a new generation of monophonic synthesizer that combines the spirit of the acclaimed minilogue with new and powerful features resulting from a redesigned circuit.

The monologue is a fully programmable monophonic analog synthesizer with a unique sound, equipped with a 25-key keyboard, sharing the elegant design and structured layout with a potentiometer for each parameter of the minilogue. Korg monologue is a truly special synthesizer, designed to satisfy every kind of musician, thanks to its revamped voicing system and detailed possibilities for intervention on the generated waveform. With its new filter, modulations, drive, and LFO, the monologue can generate deep basses and sharp leads, monophonic sounds that will demonstrate the versatility and power of its newly designed single-voice engine with a sonic character that will have nothing to envy to the most modern synths. The step sequencer has also been enhanced, introducing more intuitive and at the same time more detailed editing. The monologue family consists of 5 different colors to please not only the ears but also the eyes of musicians who are most attentive to aesthetics, allowing them to choose the color that suits them best.

Strengths

• Analog synthesizer with a newly designed synthesis structure optimized for monophonic sounds and sequences
• Fully programmable, with 100 program memories (80 ready-to-use presets)
• 16-step sequencer with motion function for parameter automation
• Microtuning for creating custom scales and tonalities
• Oscilloscope for real-time waveform visualization
• Battery-powered for extreme portability
• Elegant and robust aluminum top panel, rubber-coated potentiometers, wooden rear panel
• MIDI, USB MIDI, and Audio Sync for all connectivity needs in the studio and live, including direct synchronization with minilogue, SQ1, volca, electribe, etc.
• 5 attractive colors to stand out in the studio and live

Redesigned Monophonic Analog Circuit

The monologue is based on the same monophonic analog circuit adopted in the minilogue, but this does not mean that the monologue is a mere subordinate monophonic version of its larger sibling. On the contrary... From the very first note, monologue conveys its power with a punchy signal resulting from the redesigned envelope section coupled with a revamped modulation routing and a filter that respects and enhances lower frequencies.

The structure is far from complex, consisting of 2VCO, 1VCF, 1EG, 1 VCA, and 1LFO. In addition to what was already available in the minilogue, such as parameters and functions like wave shaping for varying oscillator harmonics and the sync/ring switch, the filtering section uses a two-pole filter to give more body to the lows. New is the Drive circuit which introduces harmonic distortion capable of adding more power to the bass and making leads more penetrating. The LFO can be adjusted to a significantly higher speed than usual, which helps to generate extremely particular sounds, or set in one-shot mode to operate as a kind of additional envelope. The keyboard features slim keys already known for their use in the minilogue and MS-20mini. To suit any musician, the keyboard range covers 2 octaves from E to E, like a guitar or bass.

Fully programmable

Monologue goes beyond classic analog synths in the same price range and provides 100 program memories. Select one of the programs and start your sound experience immediately. From the most incisive basses to the most enveloping subs, from bright and sharp leads to percussive sequences. All without necessarily having to be a connoisseur of sound synthesis: choose a program and intervene on the parameters, a workflow familiar to all musicians nowadays. Of the 100 Programs that the monologue is equipped with, 80 are sound and sequence presets programmed by creative artists from all over the world, including <em>Aphex Twin</em>, while the remaining 20 are available for saving the sounds and their respective sequences that you will generate yourself. In addition, through the soon-to-be-released Sound Librarian software, you can organize all Programs. 

16-step sequencer for evolving sequences

The monologue's step sequencer has been significantly enhanced to provide greater musicality and handle more complex rhythms, while being simpler to record, view, and edit. It supports both real-time recording with overdub function and step recording, through which you can program the sequence by pressing the notes that will compose it in succession, as well as direct manual programming on the 16 step buttons, which can also be done in real time to add an extra touch to your live performances. The motion sequence function allows you to record the movements of 4 potentiometers, i.e., the automations of the respective parameters, both continuously, as in previous models, and in the new step mode, which will allow you to create different sounds for each step, giving life to real rhythmic patterns based on a single Program. With the Key Trigger function, you can play the sequence while holding down a note and transpose it by pressing other keyboard notes in succession. Another new function is the slide, very useful for bass sequences as it allows you to specify the portamento for each individual step.

Microtuning: create your scales with absolute freedom

Music has long been restricted to the scales of the tempered system, and even today, few instruments support microtuning. Monologue features a set of pre-set scales and as many as 12 user memories, all compatible with 3-byte MIDI Tuning Standard messages. The power of microtonal music is appreciated in Aphex Twin's productions, who was part of the monologue production team and provided some of the preset scales, sounds, and sequences. All users should experiment not only by using the scales programmed by Aphex Twin but also by creating their own with absolute freedom, exploring various frequency intervals.

With the Oscilloscope, you have the sound and sequence at a glance

The OLED display shows you the waveform in real time, just as you've sculpted it. The visual feedback, a Korg first for hardware synthesizers, not only has a mere aesthetic and entertainment function but also shows you how the created sound behaves, thus also serving an educational purpose. Monologue also displays the automation values of the 4 Motion Sequence parameters on the screen.

Battery-powered analog

The style, the aluminum panel, and the wood on the back of the instrument are a clear and direct reference to the minilogue, but everything has been optimized to harness the power of a monophonic instrument. Despite the use of robust materials, monologue is compact and weighs only 1.7kg for an unprecedented combination of portability and durability. Plus, another point in its favor when compared directly with other analogs in its price range, monologue can run on batteries.

Sync it with Audio Sync

In addition to 5-pin DIN MIDI In and Out connections and USB MIDI, monologue offers Audio Sync connectivity for synchronization with other KORG instruments from the volca, electribe, minilogue series, and with SQ-1. You can connect monologue to your DAW software and use it as a USB MIDI controller and/or as a synthesizer. Receive MIDI clock via USB and distribute it via Audio Sync to synchronize other instruments equipped with analog sync.

5 brilliant colors

The performance and sound of an instrument are important, but we must not forget that aesthetics represent the artist's image. This is why monologue is available in 5 different vibrant colors; in addition to the characteristic <strong><a href="https://www.ekomusicgroup.com/it/tastiere-pianoforti/korg/monologue-sv" target="_blank" rel="noopener">silver</a></strong> color of the minilogue, you can choose between <strong>black</strong>, <a href="https://www.ekomusicgroup.com/it/tastiere-pianoforti/korg/korg-monologue-rd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>red</strong></a>, <strong><a href="https://www.ekomusicgroup.com/it/tastiere-pianoforti/korg/monologue-bl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">midnight blue</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.ekomusicgroup.com/it/tastiere-pianoforti/korg/monologue-gd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gold</a></strong>.