Korg Minilogue Overview, With Tatsuya ‘Tats’ Takahashi

In this video, Korg’s Tatsuya ‘Tats’ Takahashi shares some of the background on the new Korg Minilogue.

He discusses the architecture of the new polyphonic synthesizer, and some of the features that make it unique.

The Korg minilogue is a fully programmable four-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer; complete with a 16-step polyphonic note and motion sequencer, arpeggiator, and delay.

The Korg Minilogue is available now, priced at US $499.

24 thoughts on “Korg Minilogue Overview, With Tatsuya ‘Tats’ Takahashi”

  1. I think Tatsuya is a real credit to the industry, I love his passion – he brought us the monotribe which was built like a tank, is easily hackable, and has the MS-20 filter. He’s able to please the company by finding innovative ways to keep the price down, like using the touch sensitive strips as in the volcas, and he is really into experimentation with synthesis, not just recreating horns and pads.

    I hope the niggles people are talking about with the envelope aren’t too widespread but I have to wonder why they never let the media hook up to these units at NAMM when they are clearly fully functioning.

    Great interview synthtopi! Best yet with Tats.

  2. More than anyone else he has demystified analogue kit for the masses, and forced other companies to pull into line – staggering achievements. Ironically, he has made analogue kit so accessible that many are craving something other – and I am sure he will likely also deliver on that.

    3. He studied in England (Oxford?) for several years but he is Japanese and lives in Tokyo. Hence the British accent.

      But yes this is great because it makes his attitudes much clearer for the non Japanese markets, also he did all the translations in previous years in interviews with the MS-20 team from the seventies. So we get an insight into what they were thinking with an engineer who can command both languages beautifully.

    1. I don’t know if this is a bad sign for the Minilogue, but a second hand Minilogue has already shown up on Craigslist (Chicago).

      1. There’s one where I live, too. It says, basically, “yeah I couldn’t resist buying this but I can’t afford it.” Not sure that’s a bad sign at all.

  5. He’s creating Future Classics & he’s only just begun.
    His command of the English language probably comes from living in the UK, I detect the British accent.

  6. Look how small the Minilogue is. Look at the people playing it. That thing is tiny.

    I’ve been comparing this to the KingKorg. I have seen used King Korgs for less than $800. I’m thinking that one might be better off with the King. The VA engine on the KingKorg is fantastic. I’d bet that most people couldn’t tell the difference between it and analog, and the KingKorg has more voices, 3 oscillators, 5 octaves of FULL SIZE keys, and is far more flexible. The KingKorg can do many things that the Minilogue cannot do (e.g. warmth).

    Before you jump on the $500 Minilogue bandwagon, consider the KingKorg.

    Check out the KingKorg’s multiple filters:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR-UaKcl48g

    1. This is exactly where my thinking is, although not with the King Korg, after several days with my Minilogue. Thinking I’d rather have a little bit more of everything for a few hundred extra. Time will tell.

    2. I found the King korg very disappointing in person, it has MS-20 filters and all this other stuff but to my ears it just didn’t sound “real” to me. But each to their own.

      1. The KingKorg is a fantastic sounding, versatile synth. The question inevitably goes to programming skill. If one can be found for a few hundred more, the KingKorg wins hands down against the Minilogue. It’s not even close.

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