Korg Mono/Poly vs. Behringer Monopoly

The Korg Mono/Poly is one of my favorite synths. In this video I compare the new Behringer Monopoly with my two vintage Korg Mono/Polys. At the same time, I'll tell you about how I use my Mono/Polys and show you a few performance techniques about how to make use of their unique features.
Contents:
0:00 Introduction
1:55 Feature comparison
6:45 My Monopolys
7:13 Sound comparison
14:31 Key assign modes, arpeggiator
19:49 Jam 1
20:59 Triggering the keyboard
23:35 Recreating the Deep Blue bass sound
28:36 Verdict
31:02 Jam 2
Music snippets used:
Kebu - Samba Saturn
Available on my To Jupiter and Back album:
ZYXDance.lnk.to/uvLhwzSC
Kebu - Deep Blue
Available on my Perplexagon album:
ZYXDance.lnk.to/APkrRZk2
WWW:
/ kebunator
kebu.fi
kebu.bandcamp.com/
Music & video production by Kebu.

[@AAAPnl]

As an art student in the 80's I had an original MP, my first synth. Had it for years. I produced incredible sounds with it. At a certain point I deemed myself the biggest expert😎 on the MP, since keyboard players were running to the new DX7... I made metallic rhythmic patterns, choirs, crawling insects, even made it talk! All patches written down on paper sheets (which I still have!)... I'm considering buying the Behringer... If so I'll make a video reincarnating those sounds!

[@valley_robot]

Awesome , we need to know more , get one and show us how you created these patches

[@extended_e]

You could scan those patches for US rest of world, IF you have time. I know it is lot to ask.

[@sirrus_sky]

That would be highly appreciated if you decide to do so!

[@jackspring7709]

The KORG Mono Poly is a beast. I still have mine: I bought it for £95.00 in 1989 in a music shop in Dublin when all the analog synths were being dumped in favour of digital. I remember seeing all these old moogs etc going for about £100 each at the time. I've used the KORG to synthesise wind sounds, helicopters and gun fire on sound tracks and it's still my favourite synth: that being said I'm going to buy the Behringer version and see how that goes.

[@LouisTorres-ut4ks]

Awesome I still write my stuff on notebook paper old school lol😅

[@d64d64]

From my perspective, B could hardly hope for a bigger endorsement for their synth than this. Coming from a master of the art, who clearly has a great passion for the period. Thanks a lot for taking time to make this video.

[@AdamSpade]

This was great! Thanks for taking the time! I really like the sound of the Behringer.

[@System-1541]

One of the best comparison videos I've seen. You truly know how synths work so you're focusing on the important stuff -- the sound. No oscilloscopes here.

[@FrequencyModulator]

This is my favourite channel about synths, music and composing. Thank you Kebu!

[@synthlord2368]

What a great in depth comparison and review of these synths side by side. Thanks for comparing the raw oscillator sounds to each other. I may have to look into getting a Bearinger one now.

[@Hollywutzz]

Kebu it's always great not only to hear your music, but also how and with what you do it.

[@ErikHawk]

Awesome! Thanks for doing this review and comparison Kebu. This was really helpful.

[@jakemajor1]

I absolutely love that jam at the end! It sounds amazing!

[@PeteMOBie1]

Thanks for taking the time to compare not two, but three MonoPoly synths. This is also a great tutorial video for introducing the basic and more advanced features of the MonoPoly. It makes a change to see a reviewer using 2 identical synth models and demonstrating that there are even differences between the same manufacturer and model of synth, before making comparisons with a 'clone' synth. When I owned a pair of Moog Prodigy synths in the early 80's, I also found similar, subtle differences between them with the older one having a slightly more mellow tone for one or two sounds when the controls were set identical as near as humanly possible. The older Prodigy also held tune better than the newer Prodigy.

[@finspire8632]

Snappiness of the EG on your live model is out of this world! No wonder it is in your live rig Kebu... Sounds absolutely awesome! Thank you so much for doing this most interesting comparison of multiple machines! Love from Finlandia 🤍

[@MrFunktone]

Thanks for this great video! I was unsure whether to get the behringer monopoly but after seeing this comparison I'm really impressed with how it sounds and the build and features. Finally I can own my favourite synth ever

[@starkickermusic2100]

Wow thank you for the very well thought out review! You are a natural host!

[@Zwedgy]

I’m so glad you are back!

[@CosmoStraaf]

GREAT review,demo & gig!!! best wishes from Bruxelles

[@ChrisSonic]

Very interesting comparison, and very positive and friendly presentation. Top!

[@Gezira]

Very nice at the end, bravo! And thank you for the comparison. 🙂

[@PierGen]

Excellent video Kebu, you bring a lot of knowledge and experience, i love this. Thank you.

[@TheNAPSince2005]

I was very excited to see the moment when MonoPoly seemed to start singing. Thank you very much!

[@synthsforfunk]

Hello Kebu, such a great side by side comparison of the Monopoly synthesizer. Thank you for this excellent presentation. I have got the Behringer version and it is surely one of my most used synths along with the Odyssey. Take care!

[@mysterio77690]

Awesome comparison between those two great keyboards! The last jam you played was stunning - You can make a whole track with the idea!!!!! Best regards from France! Mysterio (fan!)

[@cdwhiley]

I just like Kebu. He's just so understandable and I relate to him totally.

[@Cap10NRGMusic]

I just ordered mine -so excited!

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

12:02 You've hit the point right on the head. When I've tried to explain why an old machine might sound different from a new clone that it's how the components have aged some people refused my explanation. It's just logical. I'm happy with the sound anyhow as that's what the instrument sounded like when it was new. Great demonstration Kebu. This really is one of the best comparison videos on You Tube

[@FrederickRincon]

I love the live one to be honest. The slight drift and live it adds are so damn magical.

[@Beansbeens]

I like the slurry and different sound of the Korg live version. Thank you for sharing all versions:)

[@MIDERA]

How I was not subscribed before is beyond me. What a good comparison here too.

[@Scrumper66]

Very interesting video Kebu! The sounds of differents synths are very similar. Good surprise!!! Bravo Behringer!!! Jam 1 demo is great... i like this sounds... Many thanks Kebu!!! :)

[@jr6786]

Another awesome video! Thank you!

[@amangogna68]

You are a fantastic musician and like your demonstration !

[@djphatto616]

I'm impressed! Keep going this way!

[@ANNARRKKO]

Thanks so much, Mr. Kebu !!!

[@mgregory22]

that track at the end sounds awesome!

[@libla-music]

Nice comparison Kebu the best I've seen on KZbin. Behringer really nailed the sound with this one.

[@matthehat]

What a fantastic demo and comparison. Having not one but two original MonoPolys on hand for comparison shows just how much these old devices drift away from the "average" and become unique over time. The Behringer clones all sound the same right now, but give them a couple of years and they'll start to develop their own character.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

I'm with you on that . Can you imagine in the future somebody saying hey that doesn't sound like the behringer version. 🤣🤣 Decades of burn in makes a difference.

[@raymondfranklynDJ]

Great review and great demo at the end. Now I want three MonoPolys........

[@fjfrancois]

Hey Mr Kebu, keep it up with your awesome Job. 👌

[@simonbecker748]

Beautiful demo, thanks

[@wado1942]

So, Korg no longer has a monopoly on the MonoPoly. I'm glad you demonstrated that vintage devices can sound drastically different from one another. Too many people argue that modern recreations can't perfectly replicate vintage sounds, not realizing that the components in the originals could vary as much as 20% right out of the factory.

[@wado1942]

P.S. I used to have a Poly 800, which works in a similar way to the MonoPoly and always hated the envelope. I sport a Prophet '08 now, which is technically better in every way but I still miss that Poly and even my old Prophet 600.

[@manny_f]

Amen to that. Those are the people who get bogged down in the technical details and never finish a single track.

[@panutalus]

@@wado1942 Behringer PRO-800 will be coming this year. It's pretty impressive to have complete polysynth in such a small case, the same as in pro-1 and neutron.

[@wado1942]

@@manny_f The ONLY reason I got my instrumental album (Bacon Chili Jam) done is because I made decision to not care so much about quality and just keep recording. I find I'm actually more productive if I give myself rules to follow, which limit choices.

[@unclemick-synths]

I remember having to sit down quite often at work (I was a technician in the early 80s) with a reel of resistors and a multimeter going through the reel to find a pair that were close enough to each other for our needs. People don't realize how far things have come in consistency and reliability. I regularly spit my coffee when someone starts wetting their panties over "hand soldered" - it's amazing some hand soldered joints I've seen ever worked let alone after 20 years of oxidation and cigarette smoke. 😁

[@kentkacs3140]

Thank you for this video... a fascinating comparison. What really struck me was not only how different your two vintage Mono/Polys are, but how different both of them are from mine! I have the Korg Mono/Poly VST plug-in, and don't think it captures my hardware Mono/Poly at all... then I heard the Behringer and it too doesn't sound like my vintage Korg. But the Behringer sure sounds VERY close to your studio unit, so I guess there were pretty large variations in the original production run. It isn't just an 'aging' thing -- I've got recordings from back when I first got mine and I can still reference what it sounded like new. Mine never had the low-end that your units seem to have.

[@Cap10NRGMusic]

Kebu - so happy to see that you are demoing this synth

[@nolake]

Very interesting content! Awesome machines.

[@NoisyMachines]

Hey master, I love your 2nd JAM! ❤️ Behringer is filling my Home Studio!

[@deantiquisetnovis]

Great comparison!!!

[@67waz]

Nice comparison Kebu, kiitos paljon!

[@simple_waveform]

That last jam!🔥

[@Northerndusk]

very nice review, thanks!

[@user-wi4ej3vu6x]

I am always watching the video. The first synthesizer I bought nearly 40 years ago was KORG's mono / poly. It was my favorite synthesizer because I could make a lot of different tones. And I was surprised that a clone appeared with such hardware in 2020, and I want to buy it at the same time! I feel that.

[@HappyLordx]

Amazing video (again) 👍🏻!

[@MrMotifXS]

you make definitly the best reviews about new/old synths, cause you don't just compare just waveforms but real sounds!!! Would like to see, how you use Beatstrep in your setup :-)

[@jonnno243]

I also have two Korg Monopolys , and they sound amazing. Especially when played together.

[@TheLudovikkk]

Very good like always , now i am going to buy it

[@blue_cloud7]

That bass on the Korg Mono/Poly .. 32:02 ... Amazing ... I think these two machines sound very good .. Great presentation Kebu !!! :)))

[@stevendavison7468]

I've said it a million and one times before and I'll say it again - you, Sir, are a legend.

[@madmac66]

Great shirt. And a nicely presented video

[@thefullspectralmethod1340]

Great comparison and beautiful jamming! I see you are a big fan of C minor, its also my favorite scale!

[@72andres]

Very professional and talented, thank you for sharing it with us. Good bless a!

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Back in 2007 / 2008 or so i too had the Mono/Poly on my Synth wishlist, among others. But the used market prices always made it impossible to obtain at a smaller budget. And for years i had actually given up on the thought of ever playing one of these. Until Behringer announced a clone of this synth too and suddenly it came back on the wishlist :P Especially because NOW it is indeed affordable even at a small budget. We really live in a new golden age of Synthesizers. Not only regarding analog Synths but especially those of course. I already have the Poly D and will certainly add more of their new clones into my gearlist. Never thought that the dream of an analog synth rig would actually come true and affordable and that we'd be doomed to mess around with freaking VSTs till the end of all times.

[@jonathanfrieze8497]

how do you like your poly d?

[@synthguy]

Synths allow you to create sounds, an analogue synth will reward you with extra sounds as it ages, it has a soul ❤️ look at it as a spiritual IOS update! Great comparison video Kebu, in many ways it reminded me of the sounds from my Roland SH-101 although the Korg was superior with the polyphony.

[@machiwoomiapoo]

Thank you for doing this video. I bought the Korg Mono/Poly before the end of the world and the news of the Behringer was coming out. It's a very nice synthesizer. They all sound a little different from each other. I was sad that the Korg didn't have MIDI, but I figured out a way to use the CV/gate to sequence it. Now I must use it for some BASS in a track. Please keep doing these wonderful videos. I always look forward to watching them. Take care, Sam.

[@zaphod4265]

Thank you Kebu for the awesome Korg Mono/Poly comparison, very informative and entertaining. I used to own one in the early 80’s but sadly sold it back then to fund the next synth purchase at the time. I did attempt to replace it some years ago as one popped up on eBay for around $1200 but unfortunately due to circumstances the Mono/Poly never arrived and I lost the $1200 in the process. I now have a sizeable synth collection but still no Mono/ Poly which I miss dearly. By the way , that tune at the end of the video, WOW just WOW, what an awesome wall of sound 👍👍👍😀

[@simonirvine1628]

Very good to hear the comparison. I do feel that the original has the edge, it has what I refer to as "The Magic". Many thanks for the demo....

[@zsuzsaorban9113]

Very interesting, thank you. ❤️

[@carloko08]

great review, master Kebu, i dont knew that you have a youtube channel, i suscribe, thank you for yout time and talent greetings ;)

[@synthartist69]

One of the best synth comparisons I have ever seen. Would love to see a Kebu video of how to sync this synth to other gear..drum machines via trigger..cv..gate..etc In particular for me, syncing the arp to a Roland TR8s in different ways, to a Behringer RD8, Behringer Arp Odyssey or Poly D.

[@therealmattmann]

Agreed!

[@PeteMOBie1]

Can we suggest that Kebu create some more 'tutoria'l videos. This video certainly opened my eyes to what a Korg MonoPoly can do. I know from playing one in a music shop (dating myself now) when they came out that they were good, but I had no idea how good until now. I expect younger folk here will be amused that those of us around when these synths first came out thought that features like a monosnyth with the ability to be played Paraphonically was 'high tech'. Well to us it was! What? you mean I just hold a chord? Then press this button that says "Chord"? Let go of the keys? Now just play one note and the whole Chord shape I just played will be played and transposed automatically? To what ever single note I play? WOW!

[@synthartist69]

@@PeteMOBie1 I am glad you said that, he did an outstanding job, no tricks, no gimmicks, I appreciated this so much!

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

I'm not sure if he does this but maybe Kebu could confirm that he uses a MIDI split box and the MPC2500 to sync his synths and he plays the ones that don't have MIDI live in his performances.

[@therealmattmann]

Great review, Kebu! I think the Behringer is the only way I’ll ever be able to replace my Mono/Poly that I bought in 1985 and was stolen.

[@juka421]

man that jam at the end!!!!!

[@ranmiller1908]

I’ll take that live one over the other 2 any day. Love that punch from the keytracking and all that dirt in the vca/ vcf.

[@dentonyou]

good afternoon dear kebu thank you for these informations about your monopoly keyboard. and for the demonstration of how you use the monopoly. have a nice end of day take care see you soon jerome

[@Hamfantasy56]

Beautiful review: you're a nice person and a very good electronic musician-expert..Behringer these years is doing magics

[@broshmosh]

Jam 2 was an excellent showcase of this synth.

[@adamhennessy007]

Love this video thanks for taking the time to make the vid for us. I own an original Monopolly and just bought a keystep pro to interface it with my DAW. I have been looking everywhere to find more info on the inputs of the MP like you talked about the trigger input and how the berringer is more versatile. For some reason there are no videos on going over on interfacing it with other gear. What to do, what challenges you might face. It sounds like you know your stuff when it comes to Monopollys. I'm able to sequence my MP from the onboard sequencer of my keystep pro and have gotten it to work with Live once but I seem to be missing some steps and there is not a lot of info out there. Maybe you could point me to a good resource to find out this information because I have spent countless hours reading the manuals and on forums online. I'm sure there are many other owners that would love to know as well. Thanks again for this great comparison.

[@kebu]

Hmm, I'm not sure where to find the information you need. If you with "missing steps" mean that it doesn't trigger all the time, then you could try changing the "trig polarity" on the Mono/poly to "GND" and set the Keystep Pro's gate signal as S-trigger (using the MIDI control center). S-trigger is basically just a short circuit, like a switch, so every time the signal cable is short circuited, the Mono/Poly will trigger. The Keystep Pro manual is also quite good in explaining how CV gate works, so you could try that as well (if you haven't already read it).

[@reaper378]

Great video thanks !

[@69HolyOne]

Great demo, thanks. To summarise, it sounds like High Pressure Days and I need to buy one...

[@aristotlekumpis7095]

I’ve always wanted this synth. Now it’s affordable. Can’t wait to pick one up.

[@666nacirema666]

back in the 80s i thought this was the coolest synth a cousin of mine had one along with a lot of other cool synths, now i can get one too.

[@jamestom2510]

Love the Korg.........It is so unique sounding

[@grahamlindsay3142]

Great Demo

[@adwind3055]

Thanks for this great comparison. Very comparible and nicely clearly shown. I am still a Korg addict, you could say. Following what they did from the 70s, into the important 80s and further on. I still use my 44 years old MiniKorg 700S, but it needs to warm up for at least half an hour to be more or less linear 😂.

[@RootBeerFlavored]

Really liked that little jam @ 19:52

[@knollrad]

Love your demo and how similar the Behringer is. You know one of my first synthesizer I bought vas a 1981 Korg MonoPoly. I loved it, specially vcf sync sound in unison. It sounded a lite but like human voice. It was my go to lead sound! I sold my MonoPoly in 2001 to a Swedish guy. It could happen that your studio MP used to be mine? 😎

[@n86cc]

Love you Kebu ;) I am so sorry i missed your show at Christiania, Copenhagen..... ;(

[@tubeDude48]

I like the Korg Live!

[@fred0c]

Great comparison. Behringer sound similar enough. I have two rooms full of vintage except no Korg monopoly. I would pick up the Behringer with no hesitation

[@IsabellaCars014]

Nice! You are amazing! 😃

[@christiand8243]

Behringer is doing a marvellous job!!

[@claudiovillafana4200]

Master... saludos desde Arica-Chile 🇨🇱.

[@wallmenis]

Nice portal shirt Kebu!

[@danielwimhed]

This is so interesting, on discussions the bashing of these clones that Behringer are doing is flourishing and now this video is straight a proof, that even two originals does not sound the same, and one of the original and the clone sound so alike that it's impossible to make them apart. Thank you Kebu for a very good video demonstrating this.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Yeah even the Poly D was already a super close match to the original Minimoog Model D. Behringer really has found something they are really good at now and they better don't stop. Already anticipating the DS80. :D

[@joelh1444]

Yes - but one was made over 20 years ago and still works well. And the other is made by a company that rips off other companies designs, actively sues rivals, has promoted anti-semitism, and has become known for poor standards towards quality. So maybe it's not all about the sound of a square wave.

[@BillAnt]

I think he used this on the Miami Vice Crockett's theme when he was doing the "tuning" sounds.

[@digitaldiezel5870]

😲OOF! 19:54 Sounds excellent! 😊🎶

[@larseikind666]

I love the MonoPoly. I have a software version, so I'm not going to buy any hardware version (lack of space - lack of funds), but I think it's a really cool thing that Behringer brought this babe back to life, and in such a convincing way as well!

[@sykromsmile6303]

Great video

[@kaivincenzigginemeth2789]

Very good Comparison! Even the same 2 Machines from the 80s sound different from each other .

[@REWOMusic]

Well done review. I am already interested in de Behringer version because the differences are so minimal. And in the mix you won't hear it all. Thanks.

[@VIC-20_Synthwave]

It's close enough for me. Mine will be here this week.

[@rosejane8077]

My dad had one of those sadly it finally stopped working it.!He tried to fix it but couldn't get the parts for it.!!! He had several different kinds of synthesizers. I love the older ones the best the newer ones are cool but I just like the sound of the older one's the best.!!! Awesome video thanks for sharing God bless you and family love your material you are awesome.!!!👍😎💓My dad turned my onto electronic music when I was 5 year's old he use to play Kraft werk music all the time.!!!🙏🙏💕🙋

[@Hawkinsnikwah]

does he still have it?

[@rosejane8077]

@@Hawkinsnikwah no sadly he doesn't.!!!🥺

[@AlainHubert]

I remember that my own Korg Mono/Poly sounded very much like your Studio one. Your Live one seems in need of some love, like you said. But to my ears, the Behringer sounds a little in between the other two, with a warmer lower end than your Studio one, but with none of the quirks if the Live one, obviously. Anyway, another superb cloning job from Behringer! I'm now eagerly awaiting the UB-Xa... Thanks for this review, Kebu, and for sharing it.

[@silvertongues2]

Those broken rhythm chords sound great, I used to do something similar with the poly sequencer on my JX3P and the external trigger.

[@validcore]

Great demo. I'm gonna be pretty satisfied. Your "live" MonoPoly sounds like the shape my Polysix is in.

[@inkusaido]

great video

[@2000stephenellis]

So in summary .. the Behringer sounds identical to the original gear , yeah give and take a few frequencies here and there (that can be EQ`d out / in anyway) .. would i buy an old overpriced original synth over the Behringer ? .. No ! .. i take my hat off to Behringer for bringing the expensive "old" synths to the masses for a great price ! .. yes there maybe subtle differences but hey how many people will listen to a track and think " oh that`s the Behringer?"... absolutely no-one ! .. great vid btw.i like you dude ..your enthusiasm is infectious .. thanks for posting ...