GEOSynths - Synth Show Reviews - Korg Prologue

[@GEOSynths]

Features - 0:31 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3-xg4ZqrtWLZ9k Workflow - 2:57 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3-xg4ZqrtWLZ9k Sound Design - 4:32 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3-xg4ZqrtWLZ9k Example Custom Patches - 12:26 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3-xg4ZqrtWLZ9k Patch from Scratch - 17:48 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3-xg4ZqrtWLZ9k Dislikes - 22:46 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3-xg4ZqrtWLZ9k Scoring - 24:58 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3-xg4ZqrtWLZ9k Summary - 28:16 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3-xg4ZqrtWLZ9k Score Board - bit.ly/2TAxdWN Korg Prologue Scores: Features - 13 Workflow - 14 Sound Design - 13 Versatility - 12 Value For money - 11 Korg Prologue gets - 63/100

[@tobinn31]

GEOSynths Where can we find the ratings for the other synths? 😀

[@itspat87]

I absolutely love my Prologue 16. It was my first hardware synth and I learned how subtractive synthesis works on it. The latest firmware back in 2020 fixed a lot of the issues I see echoed on comments across KZbin about this synth. I think this synth will gain respect it deserves as time hurtles on. And the multi-engine pretty let’s you have full on synths inside of it. I basically found an awesome dw8k user oscillator and an organ engine. For me, this synth is my bread and butter synth.

[@FrankManhands]

I’ve been deliberating between the REV 2 and the Pro16 for a while now. I played the REV 2 at a Guitar Center and was very impressed. I ended up buying a Prologue 16 because I found one b-stock for 1k. I am very happy with the Prologue. It’s a beautiful designed/constructed instrument and sounds alive. The parameters are well curated and you can explore sonic possibilities quickly with out getting bogged down. I don’t feel like this can be compared directly to a Rev 2, while there are many similarities in specification, the design philosophies behind the two are worlds apart. One could argue the Rev 2 is a Swiss Army knife and the Prologue is a Sujihiki. In the case of the Prologue the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

[@anthonybrett]

I just bought one this week (16). Never played it before, it was an impulse buy. I own a Rev 2, I love it and your right, they are different beasts, but I must say Im finding the Prologue Oscillators just amazing. The shaping, along with that digital oscillator had me just jamming with those controls alone before I forgot to even start thinking about trying the filter. I love it and I personally feel the Prologue although a little limited in modulation makes up for it in the osc stages. I upped the FW to 2.0 along with the voice update, haven't had a single tuning issue (beside my playing) so those issues have certainly been rectified. Cheers

[@MadelnMachines]

@@anthonybrett You much prefer the prologues analog tone then?

[@anthonybrett]

​@@MadelnMachines Its a bit like trying to decide which of your children you like more. lol. Ill be really honest, I cant decide which I like more ;) I would say that minus the digital osc on the prologue, and using the compressor, it has certainly has that big Analog sound, probably a little more analog in 'feel' (whatever that means lol) than the rev2... but its when you add the digital osc that the waveshaping goes to insane coolness. I wouldn't want the prologue without that third digital osc to be honest. 'Cheers

[@seeyouintheeighties]

I love these reviews you’re doing keep going, don’t stop at 10. Poor prologue - I could almost sense the dislike in every measure of your review. Having a juno-60 I’m used to limitations and I quite like having them

[@thedarkestrainbow]

Oh and these demo vids ( and all your vids ) are great! Thanks for contributing.

[@McN4styFilth]

Very fair review. Loving this series so far!

[@Nonpartisanmusic]

Great review man. Basically its strength is its limitations. Crazy but makes sense as one is forced to seek for other alternatives, to get the job done. 12:26 Sounds amazing, reminds me of Tron Legaly Soundtrack.I think the absence of one more LFO is due to the fact that wavetables do a splendid job at modulating the overall sound anyway. Mine's coming today! Prologue 8. Before it goes back up in price which it might. Best of both worlds Analog and digital.

[@alex_darsen]

I got a prolgue 16 for its warm, rich sound (fell in love with it watching youtube videos) -- especially the umph you get when you turn on the LF compressor. Yes, I would have loved aftertouch on it, but can use the mod wheel for that. The single LFO doesn't really bother me. I think the biggest gripe I have is like you mentioned... no sound bank system. Scrolling through hundreds of sounds to get to the one you want is a bear. There is a way to skip through chunks of sounds, but still a bit of a pain. If they added just 2 more buttons to the program sort/edit page row, they could have numbered them so we could punch in a patch number. I also don't like the small screen either. One twice the size would have been better. There's also a bit of dead space to the right of the compressor that could have housed a much larger screen. But again, for me the whole thing is about its sound plain and simple. Great video. Thank you.

[@andreylozhkin2086]

If you press the left button it skips 50 sounds, that may help

[@alex_darsen]

@@andreylozhkin2086 yes, I’ve come to find that out, but still tedious. Have to skip through as many as 24 spots to get to the sound you want depending on which side you skip to. I will edit my original comment about that. Than you.

[@andreylozhkin2086]

@@alex_darsen sure this is sub optimal, but at least some kind of helping. Personally I prefer bank systems like in Dave Smith’s prophets or Elektron’s analog 4, but man I am ready to forgive prologue this inconvenience just for the amazing sound of the synth. It has some flaws, I hate lack of aftertouch for example, but there is no compromise with the sound

[@alex_darsen]

@@andreylozhkin2086 Agreed

[@lordflatworm]

I use mine in my band. I couldn’t ask for a better live performance synth. If you want another LFO/envelope, add the second layer. The Prologue shreds. I wish it had more popular so the smarties would have made more user effects.

[@MIDERA]

"The Korg Prologue is a very good sounding Synth, there are some things lacking however and the 12db Filter might not be to everyone's taste, but for me, I love the wiry textures." Did you review the filter? I feel like I've watched it twice and scanned through and didn't see the part where you talked about the filter...

[@AlainHubert]

Thanks for this review ! If Korg had offered a better LFO/modulation section, this could have been a fantastic synth. But for about the same price, you get quite a bit more with the Prophet REV2. But not "Strymon-like" quality effects, I'll give you that.

[@McN4styFilth]

I wish the REV 2 had these effects but yes overall I think it beats out the Prologue. Once you figure out how to wrangle in the filter and utilize the massive amount of modulation options it becomes an absolute powerhouse.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

@@McN4styFilth they are two different type of synths. The digital oscillator has modulation options on many of the new developers custom oscillators which gives the Prologue a dimension that the REV 2 doesn't have and can't match. The REV 2 has the sequencers and the LFO's. Both are very good. I wouldn't put one above the other. They are just different.

[@mmhcreates]

12:26 Atmospheric Pluck Pad, and more wicked sonic lovelys that follow.

[@dmomcilovic9185]

3 years on, what’s your opinion now Jamie?

[@ofutur]

I'm enjoying the series, thank you! It would be great if the final review could be about some good VSTs + good midi controllers. Just to compare workflows, sound design, etc. Just an idea.

[@mmhcreates]

Can the Novation Summit create all these lovely sounds?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Small world, but I actually just recently did a full comparison of summit vs prologue on my channel, check it out!

[@florianinside5666]

I do like your reviews and i liked them even more when they were shorter. Like the first two reviews, about 15 Minutes. Your newer reviews take 30 Minutes and find myself whishing that you do it more compact. Thanks a lot for doing this great job, Jamie!

[@GEOSynths]

Yeah, it's funny, some want me to go into more detail. I guess what is different is that the 30 minute ones have me making a Patch from scratch. They all start about an Hour long haha...but I have to the cut the hell out of them. Just 4 more to go and I can get back to my normal routine...:)

[@paranoidandroidmusic]

@@GEOSynths A suggestion: Maybe have timestamps in the description box. That way if you want you can keep the videos longer while the people who would like shorter ones can directly go to the sections of the video they are interested in :) Really love your videos btw. As soon as I get my Deepmind 12, i'm buying your sound pack.

[@florianinside5666]

@@GEOSynths I really love to hear you playing the synth. I could hear that for minutes, because you do it great and so i do get a feeling about how much i like the synth. Going through every setting is interesting for me to understand the synth and - of course - your conclusion got a lot of tension. Maybe some kind of chapters or so would help me to skip what i personally need less. I really look forward to see your next 4 reviews!! :-)

[@GEOSynths]

Paranoid Android Good point, have now added time info and links

[@Wagoo]

Roll on the "Prologue Pro", rack version wouldn't go amiss either

[@robertcarhartjr6234]

Appreciate this review; thank you!

[@impurfekt]

Great review mate. I've been researching the Prologue this week. It occurs to me one could use the "random" arpeggiator setting combined with filter key tracking and resonance to achieve that "thinking computer" sound effect. I usually do that with a S/H lfo of course. By the way, where can one buy one of your t-shirts?

[@GEOSynths]

Hi mate, yeah you could do that, it could give a similar effect. It could be better in some ways as it will re-trigger the envelope each time...interesting thought. I only did a couple of T-Shirts for myself, in fact I need to do some more. Thanks for Sunday, was a great Show. :)

[@bcm70]

I'd be interested in knowing if you've had any second thoughts about the Prologue with the plethora of user oscillators and effects that have been released since you did your review. Particularly around the comment that it doesn't have a huge range of sounds it can produce around the 26:30 mark. The list is enormous and still growing (korginc.github.io/logue-sdk/unit-index/). Personally I think it was a stroke of genius to add an open architecture like Korg did the Prologue and the Minilogue. Aftertouch doesn't bother me - you can stick an expression pedal on the thing and that can be routed to many destinations. The LFO is about my only gripe.

[@mmhcreates]

Thank you for sharing that list/link. I am really considering getting a Prologue 16, would be my first hardware synth. I asked Geo a similar question and he said he would give it the same score. But he seems to have kept it and be using it. So presumably it brings joy.

[@bcm70]

@@mmhcreates In all fairness to him - he's in the business of selling preset packs and he has no way of knowing whether or not potential clients have a particular oscillator, modulation or effect installed. So that restricts him to using the as is setup of the synth. Compared to some of the competition it is limited if considered just in that light. However, the Multi Engine is one of the greatest strengths of the synth.

[@dingbatjack1234]

My 🌵 🌴 synth

[@RadiAsian]

excellent review and accompanying website

[@janpieternieman5295]

Hey Geosynths, I already own a KingKorg, is it worth it to invest in the Prologue when it comes to the sound itself? Since the KingKorg is a virtual analog I was wondering how these 2 compare, I didnt see a full in depth review of the KingKorg on your channel. Greetz from Holland love your show!

[@andreylozhkin2086]

Hi, I do understand your concerns about limited modulation options of prologue. I just wanted to mention there are certain technological limitations when you deal with VCO, Dave Smith talked a lot about this, therefore even his VCO synths are limited in this respect, and this is the reason why manufacturers go towards numeric or digitally controlled oscillators. In fact how many 16 voice VCO synths on the market do you know and what are the modulation options for them? There is only one comes to my mind, Moog One, we know the price of this beauty. I am ready to advocate for prologue, it is beautifully made, great sounding VCO synth, sure its sound is a matter of taste and it is not really a bread and butter synth, the only one thing I do not understand at all is the lack of aftertouch. BTW, it is most likely as always the question of personal taste, I would like to point out that among your presets the ones that you made for prologue are arguably the best.

[@MadelnMachines]

How would you describe it's sonic character vs the Rev 2?

[@MadelnMachines]

Seems like a much more reasonable proposition at £1250 for the 16 voice which is the current price. I think given the limitations and my lack of keyboard skills i'd rather take the XD for £500 if it's basically the same. I don't see why they couldn't have just done a Korg version of roughly Prophet Rev 2 spec.

[@Angelstarscotland]

Thanks again for another great video. Korg have fxxxed up in for this synth. I’ve bought a Minilogue XD and I love it seems to be a great price point for what you get. Although some sounds on the prologue sound amazing. Keep doing this I love these videos. I also like watching you designing sounds as it helps me improve design7sounds myself.

[@ToyKeeper]

This is such an odd synth. It does some things really well, but it also has some pretty conspicuous limitations which feel artificial. I'd expect that on Korg's cheaper synths, because those are usually a flagship engine with handicaps added. But this flagship version seems weirdly limited too. I don't understand Korg's design decisions on this one.

[@thedarkestrainbow]

It’s funny you mention the raw tone. I feel like the raw tone of this synth is better than most, certainly the DSI dco stuff and the Deep Mind. The filter is fantastic. And the effects, while not as complex as DM12, are stellar. It’s just a shame they Skimped out on modulation. If Behringer could equip the DM12, a $1k (now $700) synth, with all they did I don’t understand why Korg couldn’t. But that’s a dead horse, and that horse being dead the Prologue does sound fantastic given it’s limitations. It sounds great period. I think upcoming Minilogue XD is just the right amount of “logue” for me for now.

[@77advanced]

@Aaron Foltz Prologue is not even close to lush Polysix ssm filter. I had opportunity to listen to prologue and polysix head to head, polysix in a higher league.

[@mmhcreates]

19:58 Wow Pad

[@gasmuzika7203]

Hi ! Thanks for the review. Which version would you recommend - 16 or 8 voice? Does lf compression on the 16th make sound much fatter?

[@GEOSynths]

Yeah, get the 16, mainly becuase when layering both layers, you get more polyphony. The Compressor really is only good at low levels I found, but a Unison of 16 is going to sound bigger compared to 8.

[@gasmuzika7203]

@@GEOSynths thanks man! Voice stealing is not a problem for me so i ordered 8th version

[@tommycalyle5188]

It doesn't transmit or receive midi volume either. No CC7

[@akintosh555]

will be buying this soon, the only thing that bothers me a slight bit is the fact it only has a 12db filter anyone who has this synth, could you tell me what your experiences are of only having a 2 pole? are there unavoidable limitations present not having access to a 4 pole? im worried that i wont be able to make ambient pads and what not with this, does the 2 pole in anyway restrict the variety of sounds you can make? or is it just a case of lowering the filter more than you usually would to compensate? thanks

[@r27501]

The only limitation is crazy hard filtersweeps.

[@balajirao8426]

I thought you upgraded to the 16 voice? I sent mine back after two weeks, its got a 2d sound which reminded me of a 90s va, not very flexable sound, I think its more of a stage synth than studio, the filter wasn't great either

[@balajirao8426]

you do have 16 voice, you cut an old patch in with the 8 voice confused me!

[@GEOSynths]

@@balajirao8426 haha...Yes, I made the Bank of Patches with the 8 Voice as it was the only one in Stock, but then sold it to get the 16. I then reused the footage, no point doing it twice :)

[@RayyMusik]

Your Prologue lost 8 voices and 1 octave at 12:25! Not sure if I‘d buy such mysterious gear. ;)

[@GEOSynths]

Haha, well spotted...Yes, i bought the 8 Voice at first as it was all they had in, but later sold it to get the 16.

[@fjfrancois]

@@GEOSynths That was a smart move

[@MrCshmn]

Dislike: The midi clock startup lag is absolutely awful. I wish Korg would allow you to force external midi clock because the current auto sensing is too slow. Mine is never in sync because the auto causes lag. None of my other synths have this issue.

[@louisrmusic]

This or the Minilogue XD ? Basically it’s a 4 voices version of the Prologue without the PC connectivity thing (custom waveforms and stuff like that). It’s 40% cheaper than the Prologue 8 ! Maybe I missed something ?

[@DaveHoskinsCG]

The XD does have the custom OSC and FX stuff.

[@Paul_Y_T]

if it were a 4 voice prologue, it would do 2 layers of 2 voices. the layering is the big draw with the prologue over the minilogue xd for me.

[@fjfrancois]

@@Paul_Y_T layering only on the 16 voice only not the 8

[@Paul_Y_T]

@@fjfrancois Nobody seems to have told Korg that: "The prologue-16 features 16 voices in single timbre mode, or 8+8 voices in double timbre mode. The prologue-8 features 8 voices in single timbre mode, or 4+4 voices in double timbre mode."

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@Paul_Y_T lol - Really?! Korg’s marketing is THAT wrong?! Are you certain there’s no layering with the 8 voice prologue?

[@mmhcreates]

Value for money at £1300?

[@Alphadestrious]

What is better sounding, the rev 2 or this?

[@robbystafford8273]

this

[@RayyMusik]

Define “better”. The basic sound of the Prologue - is more powerful, - has that 3rd digital OSC, - its effects are better. The Rev2, on the other hand, is much more versatile and good for slowly evolving soundscapes due to: - 4 LFOs with multiple destinations, - 2-pole or 4-pole filter, - an additional ENV generator, - *aftertouch*. I wish I had both of them (actually only the Rev2.

[@kierenmoore3236]

❤ REV 2 ❤️

[@jumpingman8160]

The lowest score yet (and fairly so, imho).

[@GEOSynths]

It's just 1 point above the Nord Lead A1 :)

[@jumpingman8160]

@@GEOSynths oh? My bad. Ahah. Granted, none of them got my attention or love for.

[@tonyhill8963]

Had to keep muting the unpleasant droning unmusical noises.

[@jimabbey9544]

It is a matter of Preference but I prefere The Korg Minilogue XD dose actually more that a prologue and is Cheaper? lmao yes cheaper! The xd gets 19 b0f 20 from me