This series of videos, via Earmonkey, explore the sound of the new Korg Minilogue analog synthesizer.
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.
Here’s a summary of video 1, above:
I started with just an INIT patch, one square wave, no FX. Programmed a little polyphonic sequence, then started messing with the filter, envelopes, LFO, and Voice Mode Depth knobs. I really kept it at just this one saw tooth wave and simply changed voice modes. First Poly, then Duo, then Unison, then Mono, then Arp. I added some chorus and reverb when I got to Mono mode, and I added some Roland Space Chorus tape delay when I got to the arp.
I think this synth sounds super warm and wonderful. The modulation possibilities are so fun, even with a limited LFO section (you can only assign the LFO to one source!). I haven’t even scratched the motion sequencing which would give you tons more modulation capabilities.
Video 2 summary:
Working with leads today in Mono and Unison modes and using sync a bit. I don’t really know how to use sync (obviously) but hey, this is a synth jam journal.
Very simple sequence on the Mother 32 just modulating a bass note really. The EMX provides the drums and additional bass. The EMX1 also does motion sequencing like the Minilogue, and you can hear it in the bass note filter modulation.
Anyway, I thought this sounded kind of cool so I kept it, even though my arm is annoying. I’m keeping the arm anyway, though.
Video summary:
Started with a simple pad I programmed the other day, and just tweaked it as I went. Bass throbbing from the Moog Mother 32. Enjoy.
Yawn
I agree. This demo makes the Minilogue sound ho-hum.
That first demo is boring as hell, there is absolutely nothing different in the sounds being played…same old….like, how is that supposed to make new customers wanna buy this?
Great demo! Thanks. I’m only left wondering about the bass potential of the Korg. As the Mother cuts through the mix this time.
The bass is great! I’ve had mine for about a week, and I’ve been able to tweak some great bass AND lead patches – perfect for the groove jazz stuff I’m recording
Minilogue Bass Patches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2rJaGRsp8I
Korg has an absolute hit on their hands with the Minilogue. Everyone that I know that is into synths and electronic music are all talking about picking one up and some have ordered them already. This is a lot of synth for the buck. The build quality looks solid, it sounds good and it’s a sexy looking machine. The knobby interface and addition of a sequencer are very welcome features. Add in the portability factor and this thing fits in great with live acts that don’t have tons of extra cash to drop on gear. These things are going to sell like hookers and blow. Homerun Korg!
nice demos, thx! i like the colored light, too.
Mine arrived yesterday and I really love the sound of it. The sound is clean but also very organic. I made some recordings with it and it cuts through the mix very nice. The sequencer with the 4 motion automation lanes is fantastic! It is also a very lightweight device, so you sit with it on the couch very easily and tweak some sounds.
Really funny to see the guy twisting his fingers to play the notes on that tiny keyboard.
Another toy from Korg!
A toy that will go very nicely with my Launchpad Pro. Who the hell uses keys anymore? 😉
“Who the hell uses keys anymore?”
Musicians 😉
But can you just connect a full sized midi keyboard to it like i do to all my volcas, vsts, drum machines, virtual analog R3? Or use my trigger finger pro to sequence a 64 step pattern? I don’t follow you, aren’t keys albeit mini a bonus? How do mini keys affect it’s functionality?
it’s okay the way you make music. But for my part I rarely use a sequencer or drum. And the computer is only for recording tracks. So I expect to have a standard keyboard size because I watch very little when I play keyboards and sing.
I could not play this piece with tiny keyboard (I use Korg M388)
vimeo.com/106083194
You know very boring musicians then 🙂
well, keyboardists, for one, use… keys. I think we are the first step in the marketplace, and then alternative creators like yourself are next. But, that is my humble opinion of the marketplace for a KEYboard.
I’ve been using ‘mini’keys’ since I bought my KX5 in the 80’s. I know keytars are not that popular with some of you here on these forums, but players with wide-ranges from Chick Corea to Howard Jones have been using mini-keys successfully for years: Yamaha KX5, Yamaha CS-01, Casio CZ101. All still going for way more than I want to spend on eBay.
Here’s a video of Chick not having ANY problems blowing us all out of the water on ‘MINI-keys…’
https://youtu.be/QWjGhZt4Dsk
So over the endless mini keys whining… good lord.
1. Invest in a quality full-sized keyboard controller with whatever features your little heart desires.
2. Use your new controller to play your volcas, minilogue, etc. They’re doing amazing things now with MIDI interconnectivity!
3. Move on already.
yes its enough
Are accordions toys because they don’t have full sized keys? What about melodicas? What about harmoniums?
The Minilogue is my first extended experience with minikeys, and I must say, the whole thing is way overblown. I have rather large hands and can play it just fine. IMO, the downgrade from full size to mini is much easier to adjust to, than going from weighted piano keys to synth keys.
It’s in my fantasy, or the sonic pallet of the Minilogue is very limited? Seems that it doesn’t has multiple nuances, the same boring brass and bass sounds. It sounds like a Volca keys in steroids.
I think that’s just what’s coming through in the demos. I’ve been really surprised with the kind of sounds I’ve been able to get out of it. The Ring Mod, waveshaping, and FM options allow for you to get some more interesting timbres than you’re average synth with the same specs. The Filter has it’s own feel as well. I had the Volca Keys and this sounds nothing like it (other than the delay, which is probably the same circuit).
Yes, save your money and get a Perfourmer.
Yes! My next poly for sure!
I have the Minilogue, and it really doesn’t remind me much of my Volca Keys sound at all. Different (better) oscillators, different (better) filter. It makes great sounds, better in person than what most video demos might lead you to believe, but it doesn’t do *everything*. I’ve been telling people who ask, that it is a very good synth, but it’s not the holy grail of analog polys by any means. So if that is your expectation, prepare to be disappointed. It’s a well-made, fun synth for $500. But it still is just that – a $500 synth. Don’t expect a Moog or a Dave Smith. Just like I’d say the Microbrute is a good synth for $300, this is probably nearly twice the synth for around twice the price. You get what you pay for, which is not a Sub 37 or an OB-6. It’s probably comparable to the similarly priced Ultranova (albeit digital).
I returned my miniLogue as I just didn’t get along with it. Though I didn’t care for the overall sound, Korg has done a great job bringing a four voice poly to market at this price point. It is and attractive little synth that is built really well for the price. I’m fortunate enough to have no shortage of gear, so I might have got on with it better if that were not the case.
can you please elaborate more on what it was that you didn’t like about it, and spare no details please?
For me, the lack of modulation sources stop it from being a must-buy. Amazing value for the price though!
The Minilogue is less than 20″ wide. No thanks.
it needs allot more memory slots for patches….
at least 500