The Korg MonoPoly (part 2)

[dzlvs8]

WHHAAAAAAT!??!?! Wait what the hell was that stuff about the different pitch and wave form for every note!!!!!!!!!??????

You just made the biggest tease of what seems to be the coolest feature of any old school keyboard!!!!

[AutomaticGainsay]

@dzlvs8 Different pitch and waveform for every oscillator note! Which is to say, all four!

[jonnno243]

Yeah..I have a MP..and whenever i play it I KNOW it has ALL that AG says ..it HAS!!..

I have not ygot to HIS proficiency yet...but PLAY an analogue 4 oscillator synth like the MP...and its like playing a V8 engine ..compared to a moped :)

John

[ausernamenonewants]

The portomento on this synth sounds alot like the solo to the end of ELP's lucky man.

[javiceres]

@DJPeteJames I've read this somewhere:

SPEEDING UP THE MonoPoly ENVELOPES:

it's been said that korg seemed to have used the wrong pots: they have linear potentiometers inside, if you replace them by exponential ones the ENVs will be much faster!

[noddyspuncture]

@javiceres You mean 'LOGARITHMIC' pots...? Dunno how though.

[AutomaticGainsay]

@DJPeteJames Three reasons: I had synths that I use more which do the same sort of things, I didn't use/need the unique aspects the MonoPoly has, and the interface doesn't thrill me. If a person doesn't have a Minimoog, I would HIGHLY recommend the MonoPoly. It is simply one of the best analog synths out there, it really is. It has a full and powerful sound. It is warm, it is fat. It's brimming with functionality. It is capable of things other synths aren't. Envs were fine for me!

[TheLonelyImmortal]

Good finish :)

[HarrisonFnord]

i just noticed that you forgot one of the coolest features of the mono/poly in this video, and that is the arpeggiator in poly mode. works like a small sequencer. does even more crazy stuff combined with the effects section, and even better if triggered externally.

[AutomaticGainsay]

Ha ha, this means it is now your responsibility to take up where I left off! I don't have my MonoPoly anymore. : )

[Janusonly]

Wow! had no idea this synth was so goshdarn powerful. I don't need a microkorg now. Thanks man

[Himandhisfriend]

does anyone know where i can buy one!!! i want one :( so much its unreal!

[AlainHubert]

Great synth indeed (I own one) and great 2 parts series on it. One trick that people who own a Mono/Poly might not know, is that you can get really fast speed out of LFO1. By carefully placing the waveform selector in between "ramp down" and "ramp up" (it's a really narrow space in between) you will hit a point where the speed of LFO1 will jump up. Then you can have a minimum speed of about 4hz and a max of 1000hz ! Only drawback is that it's a fixed "triangle" waveform. Enjoy !

Alain.

[AutomaticGainsay]

Thanks for noting this possibility, Alain! I have done it, and can confirm that it works and will definitely benefit users who are interested!

[UnchainTheNight1]

that is the saw lfo sorry

[UnchainTheNight1]

i bet a flock of seagulls used this synth in space age love song with the saw oscillator

[nylon71]

I guess the minimoog filter has its distinctive sound, different from other synths, but looking as some poly synths like OB8 and Prophet 5 they use the same Curtis chips (for VCOs and VCFs) but they sound differents. I own an OB8 and I'm very proud of its versability but prophet has more roughness. I think descrete components (capacitors, tranistors) and the circuit design make the difference.

[nylon71]

Great demonstration, and that synth indeed is a great peace of gear. But why Minimoog is so famous and expensive on the used market? it lacks arpeggiator, poly functionality and lfos.

What's your opinion?

[AutomaticGainsay]

It depends on what you're looking for in a synth, but some synths are prized because of their sound more than functionality. The Minimoog has some great functionality, but the MonoPoly blows it away in that respect. However, the Minimoog has a gorgeous and distinctive sound that the MonoPoly lacks.

[TurboSwami]

Thank you. I admit, I was never quite sure what the "Auto-Damp" on my Mono/Poly did...

One thing you didn't explore in these are the amazing new sounds that are afforded by the variety of inputs, outputs, and triggers in the back of the synth.

Any line level audio input can be controlled using the keyboard, as well as volume enveloped and filtered using the ASDR section. This is great for drum treatments!

[AutomaticGainsay]

I don't usually demonstrate what can be done with external devices, but you're right! It's a great synth for that sort of thing!

[HideawayStudio]

I've always wanted to have a play with one of these - thanks for a brilliant demonstration - it's far more versatile than I'd realised.

[hardoff]

oh my god! this man certainly knows his synths, but in the centre-right at the top of the screen, just near the guitar - a human skull!

[AutomaticGainsay]

uhhh... you weren't supposed to see that. ; )

[fucinfulleffect]

haha i bet you have a whole room full of human skeletons where you go to preform animal sacrifices and play demented tunes like 10:43

[TasteTheFire]

HAHa xD

[madichelp0]

i lol'd SO hard xD

[marcuscorrentus]

I want one...but i'm guessing it's going to cost me a testicle and a kidney.....would you know any good alternatives with the same functions? Even a good sounding digital one..i don't know...it's a shame when money comes between you and your passion! How did you afford to get all these masterpieces?! Thanks and have a good day!

[sixela94]

You can get one of them for 700€ (1000$), that's quite cheap for a polyphonic analogic synth (in France, where instruments are often very expensive !)

[Cambaudio]

Maybe take a look at a Oberheim Matrix 1000. You need a computer with software to edit it, if the 1000 patches don't satisfy your appetite. It's entirely analog synthesis, with 4 voices (12 oscillators I believe), for.... about $300! You won't find a more capable analog synth for the money.

[daleadelic]

i really want a mono/poly the only polyphonic synth i own is a novation supernova and although it is a good synth it just doesnt sound a touch on a real analog. i find if i put it through my moog lps filter it helps a lttle but just still doesnt sound anywhere near as warm or full as a mono/poly . i have to have one

[srb92]

The notes he chose to play with the portamento sound like the begining of A pain that i'm used to by Depeche Mode!.. A bit.

[AlainHubert]

Mark, with these videos on the Korg Mono/Poly, you've convinced me to get one ! Yep, got my hands on a later model (1983) the one with the real white noise (not the digital mm5837 looping noise chip used in earlier models). It's in great shape, but had to clean a few pots but now it's 100% glitch-free. And thanks to your videos, I didn't have to look at the manual to learn it, I simply watched to your explanations on how to do cool things with it (like the chord minor/major trick). Thanks!

[sitonka]

F£$k it, now there is another synth to consider. I think the dirty MS 20 sound is calling out stronger. The MS 20 sounds more unique, but I love the amount of features the mono/poly has. Almost too many features for me! I could see myself never getting the same sound live twice!

[AutomaticGainsay]

The MonoPoly DOES have a lot of features... and could probably go head to head with the MS-20. In the end, it would be a contest of which had the sound you liked!

[Szartard]

I think I am in love...

[therulingparty]

oh and how does it compare as a bass synth to the 101?

[therulingparty]

what would you choose? Roland Sh101 or the MonoPoly. There a monopoly on ebay but one of the 4 oscillators doesnt work. Wondering how hard it would be to fix? Awesome demo man!

[AutomaticGainsay]

The MonoPoly is about 1000% the synthesizer the SH-101 is. It has 3 more oscillators, more functions, polyphony (paraphonic), and more. The SH-101 has its own trademark sound, and a strong genre/artist association... but beyond that it is a very limited synth in comparision to the MonoPoly.

[therulingparty]

wow thanks man. Apparently the one Im looking to buy has an oscillator that isnt working. I guess 3 is better than 1! Plus probably wouldnt be too pricey to fix ? Thanks again.

[pmsan29]

that portamento sounds killer.

[jdinn]

Great vids!

I've been messing around with my new (to me) Monopoly for a while now and can't seem to recreate that last sound, after the arp demo.

[jdinn]

I'm still boggled by that last setting... would you be opposed to sending me the basic elements of it? I have been playing the mono/poly live and in practice for many hours now and can't seem to get the sound just like that. It's poly mode, different oct+shape for each osc... detuned a small amount. PWM on fairly rapid...

[peterkadar]

How do you like the Mono/poly compared to the Minimoog?

[AutomaticGainsay]

I still maintain that the MonoPoly is one of the best portable analog synthesizers ever made. I would take it over a LOT of synthesizers. However, I am a sucker for the Minimoog sound, and sound trumps functionality for me.

[peterkadar]

Oh man, I never thought about being able to change chord type by using the pitch bend on osc 1.  That's awesome!!!!

Thanks for the videos!

[thefrankenchrist123]

You should make a video showing the keyboards that are always in the background.

[AutomaticGainsay]

I do! This video has the Wurlitzer 140A in the background, though... I'm afraid the demonstration of its functionality would make a very short video. ; )

[thefrankenchrist123]

I probably should've browsed through your videos before posting that comment.

[HarrisonFnord]

where can i find part 3? .. thanks!

[dreamrecorder]

Marc I have a special request, can you do a demo too with the Oberheim OB-8? Love the demos here you did with KORG Monopoly. Great synth.

[AutomaticGainsay]

If I come across one, I'd be glad to. Thank you for watching!

[briandonald]

I remember when the Polysix was the keyboard to have. I think my Dad bought the mono/poly because it was easier on the wallet.

[skinnypuppy1]

this is one of the greatest synths ever made by korg!!! to bad the arpegiator sucks

[AutomaticGainsay]

Why don't you like the arpeggiator?

[skinnypuppy1]

Well, I compare the monopoly arpegiator to the one on the alesis micron, Its just old VS new. If I had a choice to save one synth from a fire I would pick my monopoly. True analog rules.!!!!!

[marloniousthunk]

I found one of these in my dad's basement - he had breifly considered starting a new age band and never used it - after opening it up and removing the plant growing inside (actually), it works just fine. My band recently decided to add its sexy analog sounds to the mix - your video is helping tremendously.

[jumbz55]

wow! you're so lucky!!

[Dogboy73]

Great vid(s) on the MonoPoly. Definitely high up on my analogue synth wants list. I love this thing & I can see myself buying one at some point. I'd love to get a nice polyphonic analogue synth. It's a toss up between this & the Juno 60/106 maybe?!

[AutomaticGainsay]

The polyphony in the Junos is a different sort of polyphony in that of this synth. If you're really looking for a polyphonic synth, the limited paraphonic polyphony might not agree with you. It takes some special skills to make it work to its full potential. The good news is that even with the limited polyphony, you get a FANTASTIC monosynth, which is not the case with the Junos...

[Babida]

very very informative

[FlippinFlaves]

Oh man...how fast I would buy this synth if I had some cash.

[bloodySunday77]

They're not very expensive (around 400-600 euros) but you have to find them first. One of them appeared in a local music shop, and I didn't have the money to take it with me... :-(

[acidchild]

Part 3?

[steelzawheelz]

thats for this, i have had a monopoly for over ten years and used very often in tracks. but still explained a few things to me. cheers!

[xeractus]

If I had one of those I'd never want for a synthesizer ever again... :D

[JonDaniels]

That's what I say about every synth I buy! ;)

[pac209]

Very good demo, thanks

[nickeax]

I recognise that porta sound from one of your intro music pieces. Is it from this synth?

[AutomaticGainsay]

Yes, I think so! I used it in a lot of things.

[nickeax]

When are you sending it over to me, mate?

[AutomaticGainsay]

Sold it long ago, sorry! : )

[nickeax]

I think I remember you mentioning that. Must have been a tough decision. I couldn't do it!

I'm a hoarder... :-)

[AutomaticGainsay]

I used to be a hoarder, but hoarding analog synths becomes a very expensive proposition. I found that if I didn't play everything, it all began to eventually start to break down... and the stress of trying to make sure to play everything became too much. These days I only keep what I know I will play frequently, and need!

[nickeax]

A bitter sweet hobby... I recently purchased a Prophet 08, shouldn't require and maintenance!

[djsmithy]

This is the best synth demo ive ever seen.

You did an awesome job at showing its features.

its inspired to me to do a demo of the Midibox Sid if i ever get it finished, synth heads uploading videos should learn from this.

[AutomaticGainsay]

Thank you, and thank you for watching!

[deltango66]

I was lucky enough to have one of these brand new..it replaced my MS-10 and cost £549 if I remember correctly. I used to drive it from my MC-202 and it was awesome. Unfortunately I sold it in about 1987 for £100 and got a Jupiter 8. That went too and now I only have a Prophet 5 gathering dust in the loft! Great video, thanks, it brought back lots of memories.

[fbertran5]

Hello.

Nice videos.

I also have a Monopoly, and with all the oscillators well calibrated and well tuned, when I play in Poly mode the thirds (major or minor and other intervals but octave and fifth and fourth)gets a little out of tune.

Could you please tell me if that's normal?

In unison mode, the four oscillators are perfect in tune, wherever octave I play (the scale is O.K.)

Thanks a lot and kind regards, Francesc.

[MasterPerotinus]

Haha, that little tune at the very end is totally freakin' awesome!

[CKnoxW]

The first time you press a key when you turn glide on makes it sound just like the lead sound in "I'm Okay" (Styx).

[kac3909]

great demo, great synth

[synth64]

never ending story.....

beautyfull synth

[scandapoodle]

Man this synth rocks. Thanks for your videos! :)

[garymillus]

ok second q, do you know if its normal to get these extra sounds when i release the keys? i have everything set as normal as possible to make sure its not a setting issue...i think it might be the mp's tracking computer not functioning correctly. any experience with this?

[garymillus]

do you know what size/type the 2 screws are that holds the mod wheels to the chassis? i dont have these screws.

[AutomaticGainsay]

I'm sorry, I don't!

[KontrolVoltage]

thanks very informative ! i am currently saving up for one these

[spoddie]

That was great, I've never played one. You are obviously very familar with that and I was impressed with how smooth your demo and commentary was. I've never heard it called mon-op-oly, I think mo-no po-ly is the prefered especially as it comes from a Japanese manufacturer.

[AutomaticGainsay]

I tried never to pronounce it, until I heard a demo cassette put out by Korg in which THEY pronounced it in the way I did. I figured if their own material featured that pronunciation, that's what I should go with. : )

[spoddie]

well I live in Japan (Kawasaki) so I have no idea how to pronounce anything now :)

[Jrayk1]

So, say you have a Voyager and a 24 db filter fooger. Could you modulate the internal filter with LFO and keep the external filter only affected by an ADSR envelope?

[AutomaticGainsay]

I'm not very up on the Voyager functionality, but my understanding is that it has two filters built in! However, provided it had an ENV out, which I think it does, you could do that, yes!

[Jrayk1]

Can the 24 db filter fooger add anything special to an already Moog synthesizer?

[AutomaticGainsay]

Well, it can act as a second filter.. : )

[Jrayk1]

That's a Lo-Pass Filter fooger, right? I'm trying to memorize the foogers by their switch colors.

[AutomaticGainsay]

Yes, it is... anyone seeking their analog synth to sound Moogish, it is the answer.

[Jakerpoo]

haha nice moogerfooger in the background

[AutomaticGainsay]

Aren't you going to name the rest of the visible keyboards? ; )

[neandrewthal]

Oh my god! That portamento is mind-blowing!

[Smartorelli]

Cool.

[stalag3333]

thats a classic korg no doubt. i think its probably my favorite of korgs true analog gear. you have some serious keyboard chops man. a cool thing

[AutomaticGainsay]

Thank you!

[48kbrain]

your amazing with your awesome rad turbo fingers

[AutomaticGainsay]

Heh heh... thanks.

[48kbrain]

arpegiating in poly mode with x-mod is one of my favourite things in life

[deeroks1]

robust analogue monster. i love it.

[eepeni96]

Good explanation again, thanks

[Jakezalota]

Do You Own All These Synths?

[AutomaticGainsay]

All of the synths I have demonstrated on YouTube were synthesizers I owned at the time of the demo. I have sold several of them since then.

[deused]

Nice stuff! I'm starting to miss those 2 extra VCO's on my MS-20 ;-) (maybe i should buy an extra ms-20 and link them up hehe)

For everyone thats saying korg doesn't have a thick sound, you guys are wrong! It doesn't sound like a moog, but thats a good thing (not that moog has a bad sound). If all synths would sound like a moog, it would be boring. You can't get a minimoog as dirty as a MS-20 ;) .

Keep it up! (you might wanna check out one of my vids)

[flateric4you]

I can't thing of any other synth that handles polyphony like it, with the independently programmable oscs. It's a really cool concept. the demo was great :)

[AutomaticGainsay]

Thank you! Yes, I have always loved that function and used it a lot.

[thsfour]

Great video! Thank you!

[PimpinBassie]

Nice video, but i still think the CS80 is the best analog synth.

[AutomaticGainsay]

I have a CS-50, and it is AMAZING... so I imagine the CS-80 is wonderful. The question is, though, is it worth the MASSIVE maintenance? Also, the CS-50 has 12 db/oct filters, I wonder if the CS-80 does.

[Sigats]

Fast reply mate, thanks!

Thats about the range I thought, saw one on EBay, auction ends on sunday and its 400$ already. I might buy it if I can motivate my mates to pay a part of it, shouldn't be a problem once they've watched your vid ;-)

I have only recently bought my first synth and I'm hooked already - Juno 60 to start with, now had the chance to borrow a MiniMoog... and that's how I found your vids. Amazing stuff, thank you very much!

[AutomaticGainsay]

Wow, if you haven't played a Minimoog, I would urge you not to... once you do, there's no going back... it will eclipse your life... you'll become a Minimoog junkie!

Thank you for watching the videos!

I have almost bought a Juno 60 on a number of occasions.

[Sigats]

Nice Vid! This synth really has a lot of usefull features!

What would you consider paying for a MonoPoly, the previous owner did a full service some months ago?

[AutomaticGainsay]

Luckily, people haven't figured out that the MonoPoly is more powerful than most analog synthesizers... the current price isn't consistent with what should be paid for a 4-osc analog! I sold the one in this video for $700 on eBay, and it was fully functional. It did have moderate wear!

[thealien666]

I used to own an MG-1 and sold it a few years ago (for a price) but, oh boy, do I miss it! My Novation Nova has liquid sounding filters, but they're too perfect. I miss the unpredictable behavior of a real analog filter. Although I do have some good ones in my Korg DW8000, that damn low digital resolution of early hybrid synths isn't controlling them smoothly enough. I guess I'll have to hunt for the real analogue deal. Until then I will enjoy listening to them in your videos!

[lukitazlatini]

thanks for the data!

i love the keyboard

[deplopcinema]

wow, thank you thank you thank you so much for these. i've been thinking about buying one for a looong time but reading about it just aint the same as seeing and hearing. I know now just how versatile it is. How's its reliability? Ya think one would withstand regular live playing/touring? And how's the keyboard feel? I know lots of old analogs have SHIT keyboard action. they look pretty well made on this though.

[AutomaticGainsay]

This one had seen a fair amount of use, and I bought it from a pretty clueless person... but it required no maintenance at all! The keyboard didn't feel great, but hearing it made you forget the action pretty quickly.

: )

[retrosound72]

Great Sound and a excellent demo! FAT!!!!

[TheMorMor]

dude u used this synth a lot for the "A History of Scrimshaw" song, or at least it sounds like it.

[AutomaticGainsay]

You are absolutely correct, and paying a great deal of attention! : )

[TheMorMor]

haha :P No but first i recognised that chord thing you played, and that portamento thing. Ever since i got my MicroKorg I have been analysing every sound i hear.

[thealien666]

It's just too bad they don't make synths like that anymore!

[DoctorMelodious]

Cool stuff. In 1982 bought a PolySix which, if memory serves, was released as part of the same product line. So, when do we get a tour of that massive, Walter/Wendy Carlos "Switched On Bach" modular system that sits behind you in other videos??

[DoctorMelodious]

That should read "In 1982 I bought a Polysix..."

[AutomaticGainsay]

The PolySix is great! I've always wanted one. I have planned to use the modular with my Moogsploitation band Godfrey's Cordial, but haven't. It could happen, though! A bit cumbersome, admittedly. : )

[nmr4991]

excellent. like a lot of the other videos too. keep up the good work my friend =)

[AutomaticGainsay]

Thank you very much!