Korg Monotribe - SonicLAB Review

[@sonicstate]

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[@bboy3038]

4:57 Iwas waiting for the chords of Aha- Take on me haha

[@IAmNateDogg]

when i first got interested into synthesisers, i thought this was extremely complicated, bout a year later and i want a modular

[@bloodySunday77]

Another excellent review. I was also hoping that this guy made a video review of the two new Monotrons... and he has! Not only he is an expert and has a keen eye for detail, but he also presents everything in a quick, to-the-point, no aaaaahhh-eeeeehhh, simple and accurate summary. Big thumbs up.

[@sonicstate]

@geoff1121 As a guitarist, the KP pro would be good for effecting your instrument, however you kind of need a third hand to work it if you are playing guitar, as its mainly finger control. you might find it tricky to add realtime effects. The Monotribe I guess would be okay to play along with, but it is limited to a singe pattern to play along with... tough call

[@tylerk.rauman988]

This is such a classic synth review. I think this is what introduced me to synth KZbinrs.

[@minkvelour]

Thank you, for the great demo!! Thanks for jumping right in with the sounds and demo. There are so many demo videos where they talk and talk and talk - 2 or 3 minutes before you hear anything. So thanks for getting right into things and moving right along. Cheers!

[@infantdrugmule]

A friend of mine brought his over and we played it through a bass amp with various distortion pedals and I played live drumset with it, it was a lot of fun- this could be an invaluable practice tool for drummers (I'm sure similiar tools took part in the developement of greats like Jojo Mayer and Johnny Rabb). My only question is can it play in odd time signitures or is it just able to do 4/4? If it is just 4/4 that would be a limit on what I want to do with it (practice/extra voice live...)

[@noanime5762]

You probably won't see this / already know this by now but you can hold ACTIVE STEP and toggle parts of the sequence to skip over, you can use this for different time signatures

[@ekimnus5010]

did anybody see the star at 4:20

[@sonicstate]

@SnareForceTV I think some of that is due to the click of the drums - the kick has quite a pronounced 'pip' at the front. Also depends on the pitch, filter and waveform on the synth voice.

[@albedo0point39]

Always the best reviews from SonicState. Well done, Nick!

[@mCKENIC]

Thanks for the great review as always - really enjoy your style! As for the Monotribe - Thank you Korg! At least you made it and put PCB points there for us who want to tinker. CV for modular use would be good but I can live with sync. Great that this is not the same price as Dave Smith, Moog. gear, almost a must buy! Stunned the filter in is tied to the synth though - I'll have to pick-up a Monotron now :) Know some wanted an analogue monster. Hope its a hit & prompts similar developments!

[@KyleMarnoProducer]

Might get one, tho iv never used / bought a synth before is this the right way to go with a budget of around £200

[@TheWhokulele]

Also, have you connected from the headphone out into the audio in to overdrive it? I was hoping this would give the drums a little more punch and the voice some grit.

[@christopherquattromusic]

If you got one of midi kits, could you hook a nanokey controller to bypass the ribbon control? Basically just adding keys to make it more melody based. I don't care about the sequencer. I just want a basic synth for small leads and sounds.

[@Life4Dub]

04:15 Satan was here?

[@francislalan]

Korg is Illuminati!! Oh yeah com'on, it was a joke ;-)

[@jimmyjumper323]

Satan is everywhere. 🙂

[@heckler73]

That looks like a great spot to start soldering stuff.

[@SubCorv]

It sounds very much like the Doepfer Dark Energy. I own the Doepfer and the slim phatty. They sound amazing when you pair them!

[@HAXXORAUDIO]

A couple of updates - The latest OS upgrade allows CV input through the sync input socket, by using a special 3-pole mini-jack lead (yes, Clock, Gate & CV all through the same lead!). So you can pipe in your own envelope shapes... Also MIDI input/output kits available from *Amazing Machines*. All hail the Monotribe - the most innovative and affordable synth made in the last 25 years :)

[@Petee92HTID]

Haxxor Soniq I just wish I could find one for sale at a reasonable price

[@hern19]

Petee92HTID it £100 Quite good for a synth Synths are expensive 😖

[@getzen700]

Is there a way to record what you create? I'm considering buying one

[@xbase09]

one bloke (Nihad) showed me at norbergfestival this year how he had altered his monotribe so that it could be used as a filter also when the synth isnt playing. so it is possible to fix that if you are crafty and have the time.

[@Longuncattr]

I'm curious to know if you'll review the Monotribe's new features in the version 2 software update.

[@d1ggitydan]

I love your podcasts and reviews first off, was just wondering if this would work well with my KP-Mini and Kaossilator? Was considering Buying the Monotribe and Nintendo's Korg DS-10 Plus and hooking everything together and using it with my turntables during live performances. What is your take on this idea? I have had issues before with the KP-Mini and noise reduction so I am wary of getting this. I have been told before that it may be due to "bad cords" but I doubt this. Please help?

[@ZdenHlinka]

It was noted in this nice review that line-in is mixed only when a note of synth is playing and that it could be an issue. As someone noted elsewhere on discussions it's a feature. Use headphone output to send signal to monotron/delay and send it back to line-in. This way you have one more oscilator/fx. This box could have more sequencing features. Pity that writing an alternative firmware is far from easy as 3 years after fw 'audio decoding' there is not even a decompiled version to check the code.

[@migraine516]

Just got mine. Can't wait to rev it up. Got the Monotron too.

[@NullSpaceKid]

Right off 5:06 when he starts programming the bass line... I don't understand how you turn off all the synth notes in the current sequence, or if you can begin with no sequence, in other words, how to turn all notes off and begin with a clean slate? Any ideas? Thanks...

[@narki86]

Love these reviews, you manage to blend information, opinion and show-offing the unit very well, keep doing a good job! As for the tribe I'm def getting one for soldering to death :)

[@dkyx]

This guy does the best gear reviews I've ever seen.

[@lowtempo711]

Does that Trigger Sync thing actually work... id hate to have to hit a key to keep the monotribe in sync with my other gear...

[@onetimeracas5972]

I would buy that product for it's limitations. The sync might not be as big an issue if this is connected to an old master machine, and midi sync isn't even in the discussion. So with that as far as external processing that must be pressed per beat in the sequence, *that* is a limitation to look out for.

[@parasiteunit]

nice - fair rounded review... and from what I can find on the 'net much of the glaring omissions Korg have got on there can be added with a bit of nounce and a some electronics savvy (the main circuit board - REALLY well marked up for this kind of thing)... MIDI and CV input seem to be 'hidden' extras too, silly of korg to do an 'almost contender'

[@donaldjasoncrunk]

great review, thanks so much for this to clarify - the subtitles mentioned that when receiving sync, no sync is presented on the output jack. does this mean that if i have 2 monotribes, i can sync one to my daw/other analog clock source via the sync input, but i will not be able to daisy chain to the _second_ monotribe via the sync output of the first? i will likely be using this device with other eurorack modules so it's not a showstopper, but that is sort of an interesting oversight.

[@aki_gong6271]

brilliant review and glad v2 update included CV ;) they listened to you!

[@stephanechamotif_rblackwoo4528]

Hi mate.!!! Years after... i can say you did a super job : as an old house/techno head, i tell you i ran to buy this monotribe once seen your video. I had lot of fun and strange sound poetry_noise works done with it. But the problem is still the sync . (I managed to do something ok ). And 5 years or do after i would now buy the Microfreak. :)

[@StarmanDeluxe2001]

I've tried various "pulses" for the in-sync on my monotribe but the sequencer always becomes jumpy and skips steps, any idea on what kind of pulse to use or is my monotribe funky?

[@rodvaldes]

really nice review.. can't wait to see a modified monotribe expanded in all it's possibilities.

[@PerfectNormal]

How would this fit in with the new vocals?

[@geoff1121]

Hi, could you give me some advice on whether i should get a monotribe or kaossilator pro? I'm a guitarist but i've been wanting to get into korg stuff, no specific genre, just really interested in those 2 but can't afford them both

[@cdeization]

If you link 2 can you get double the track length or is it purely for sync?

[@aikighost]

How do you sync one of these with midi gear, an ER1 for example? Is there a sync to midi box I can get for it or what?

[@Longuncattr]

@messthetics While the Monotribe unfortunately does not have multiple memory slots, it already has 16 steps for drums, and for the synth too after the recent software update. Nick even shows you how to program the other 8 steps in this video.

[@IIlIIIl]

@sonicstate you said you can switch off the drums "preview", iv been looking on the interner and i didnt really find a way to turn that "preview" thing off, wich is pretty annoying when you're playin live, anyone knows if there's a way?

[@edizionituononno]

Do you know if I could use any kind of 9v cd power supply for the monotribe?

[@altarofkubrickfloyd]

Thinking of purchasing one, my old band mate used to rock one a decade ago, worth it?

[@MusicalArmageddon]

Record a pulse from the monotribe sync out, and sample that in your DAW and connect it to the monotribe's sync in through a different output.

[@NJlo]

@sonicstate How about a monotron stuck on to the guitar?

[@SPUNKff]

is it possible to hook it up to an external keyboard somehow?

[@camcussion]

I'm pretty sure it's standard 9v. I assume so because it didn't come with a special adaptor. I simply use rechargeable batteries :)

[@megabot80]

@StarmanDeluxe2001 im havin the same problem have you found a fix mate?

[@PHAEDRIDER]

the synch is interesting, i can just go ahead and synch it the way i would the arpeggiator on my juno 6 or polysix with the tr 707 rimshot. right? HOLY SHIT they actually marked the mod points on the board..

[@sam64]

Brilliant review, told me everything I needed to know about the Monotribe. Thanks very much.

[@wolfram49]

@geoff1121 I don't think SonicState read your question right. You want to know about the Kaossilator Pro, not the Kaoss Pad, right? KPro - very simple to lay down grooves and tracks. No step sequencer but very intuitive recording & editing. Can save tracks as samples. Also has vocoder. Very dancey. Monotribe is purely analog. Start over every session. Step sequencer - very programming approach. Can use as FX module. KPro if you want to groove. Monotribe if you need analog and FX.

[@lumick666]

where do you connect this? and do you have to have a pc programm to this work, im a newbie.

[@TheWhokulele]

Thanks for the video! A few questions, when processing external audio is it effected by the gate time control? I am disappointed that you can't use it for straight filtering of the audio in, I was really looking forward to having some new LFO waveforms and want to know if there is any way to trick it into running the sequencer without sounding the VCO constantly.

[@mattsynth]

I purchased a Monotribe last month and had fun playing with it for about a week. Then the limitations settled in and I got bored with it very quickly. It seemed more like a toy instead of an instrument. I guess that is what you get for $250.00 these days. It sounded great and I was able to squeeze a few good riffs out but it was very limited. Maybe I will wait for the Deluxe Monotribe IIXL.

[@Spudanator3000]

I have a chance to pick this up for 150(Canadian) ... good price?

[@HiLoMusic]

would I be able to use the monotribe with the monotron delay?

[@richkeyworth85]

Hello - can anyone let me know what power supply this needs? I'm told it's the Korg KA350 but I can only find that for 30 odd quid, which seems incredibly expensive. There are some *much* cheaper alternative 9v adapters on eBay but the manual says using others might make the unit malfunction (even though it neglects to mention which you should use!). Thanks

[@lukuntri]

an you pulig in midi conyroller and play with it?

[@lumick666]

and it is too hard to learn this? can i make/play music like prodigy and stuff?

[@messthetics]

Really good review- nice and clear. Regarding the gear- seems like It's a bit of fun really and i guess that what's Korg intended but i do wish they'd produce a modern analogue unit as simplistic to use on a grander scale. IMO all the best pieces of equipment are this way i.e the 808 drum machine- a child could program it. This machine would be greatly improved on if they included a 16 step sequencer for the drums with a 4 x 8 pattern memory bank and the same storage for synth patterns.

[@shufflebrainn]

Does anyone know if you can run the sequencer without the drum machine playing at the same time?

[@photophobiaProject]

what do you mean by this? sound synsthesis?

[@PATISHAH]

and will it blend?

[@djSpinege]

you just made this thing soooo much cooler to me. i want one now!

[@kunstssst]

Worth it for a semi-serious synth-head?

[@megabot80]

hi im a newbie and want to know how to connect my monotribe to my yamaha hsm 50 monitors seeing as the monotribe only has one main out put? anyone?

[@spectralknights2]

Why did they stop selling this?🙁

[@MAINFRAMELaboratories]

What program comes with this?

[@Syntox]

It's a nice piece of gear...but I don't understand why they always have to shortchange use on FEATURES. Really, would it have REALLY REALLY pushed the price of the thing up THAT MUCH just to add midi in/out?

[@thetoxicwallaby]

what do i need to use it, do i need a computer, does it have headphones or what cables do i need to connect?

[@rorz999]

You need no fewer than 8 computers to power it

[@blntszkly]

Is it compatible with my Miditech i2?

[@camcussion]

you plug in through a 1/4 inch, or a headphone jack. A nice bonus is that it can run on batteries and has an internal speaker, so you can rock out wherever you want :D

[@jetset808]

whats your beef with midi?

[@hooligram]

@Xend54 Its been done - Nick has already done a full indepth review some time ago

[@AlexEbbers_Music]

@geoff1121 neither of these are really suited for guitarists, considering they both require hands. look into loop and slicer pedals. also check out some midi guitar stuff. you could also try triggering samplers (computer or hardware) with a midi foot controller.

[@Juanpaulus1986]

can i connect it to a laptop?

[@whiterottenrabbit]

Great review, as always! Deal-breaker for me: no MIDI to synch with other devices.

[@martinhansen6466]

On eBay there is a midi kit.

[@sirsynth225]

To all of you that want to connect your Monotribe to external gear: - upgrade to OS 2.1 - sync in will accept gate and cv signal so you can connect with an external sequencer, keyboard, etc. See technical details on websites of Korg, KZbin, Google. Enjoy!

[@jmb102093]

look up a thing called miditribe on goggle its a modification for it that allows it to use midi

[@FreeThink1984]

It's not that I don't like the ribbon...I have a monotron delay and I love it there. I just think that for the price, and the huge advantages it offers for a tool such as this, they should include it.

[@potatoclump]

not to be an ass but, moog makes a midi guitar. plus there's a mod you can do to the monotribe to be midi functional anyways. but i don't see the reasoning in doing so. the keyboard is one octave and any drum machine plugins can already be programmed just as easily as the monotribe. unless you're trying to control the monotribe with a midi keyboard? which even then i think can be done with modifications to the oscillator. but anyway, it being analog doesn't mean it can't have midi.

[@colthawker]

I've already pre-ordered it for about 200 USD, definitely my kind of "groovebox". Most of my other gear is pre-midi, so I'm in the camp that prefers sync.

[@MrPachZennington]

How can I sync this with my microbrute?

[@y34r]

You keep repeating your point;which i already said why its not an instrument Can you do rudimentary training on it? DAW with vst also have full major scale,would you consider it an instrument??? You can compose music in DAW,with VST but would you consider it an instrument??? Would you use your computer with piano VSTi wihtout midi controller to perform live ??? its the same as this toy without MIDI, would you use it to perform in live situation?

[@jmb102093]

the thing that kinda keeps me from wanting to by this is that for such a well known instrument making company you'd thing they'd know by now what customers want and people want control over every aspect of their synth . They haven't real done that here unfortunately it sounds great but if i ever decide to buy a synthesizer i should be able to at least plug it in for power instead of batteries.

[@calebsloan6564]

Hey does anybody know what that weird star is about @4:14 ?

[@numanuma20]

I’m glad I bought but I wish I could play the drum parts instead of only step sequence the drums.

[@wardendios2612]

I was unsure whether to get this or the rhythm wolf. The monotribe's synth is better, but every other aspect is woefully inadequate in comparison. It's a trade-off.

[@clarkyboio]

Rhythm wolf is terrible and you'd be an idiot to get it.

[@myautobiographyafanfic1413]

I feel like the monotron/monotribe are just like a few steps up from an atari punk console.

[@PSNEAKY]

+My Autobiography A Fanfic they're pretty much those Gakken synths except you can see what notes you're playing

[@wojtekwozniak9272]

Is the audio input stereo?

[@rorz999]

Yes

[@kingcox95]

how would I sync this to an Akai Rhythm wolf? it has a gate trig in/out, midi in and out/thru, synth out, and main out. Thanks

[@bowmoneydrums]

can't wait until it's done processing!

[@VilleKoo01]

Could you review Hammond sk1? :)

[@davidlane1248]

I would gladly pay double for this just to have midi in for a keyboard(and power supply included). Right now it's just a nifty fun device. Having midi in would make this a must have and, in my opinion, essentially be the analog equivalent of a Microkorg. Something small and powerful at an affordable price

[@theothertonydutch]

Would this sync up with my Roland TR-626? It's got a sync/trigger thingey on there too.

[@verve92]

Hey all just picked this up and its great that we don't need to spend $600+ on bare Moog Slim or DDE. The most creative of us will make do rather than focus on limitations. That said if ROLAND were smart, theyed re-issue the 303 and be done with it. That would be one of few stocks I'd buy!

[@beagleguitar]

I think people are mainly upset that the only way to play live melodies/bass lines on this thing is with the tiny ribbon controller, which makes it extremely difficult. At least, that's what I'd like the MIDI for. In the studio, it's pretty easy to do whatever you want. But playing live, it's much more difficult and impractical with the ribbon. It's not impossible---just impractical.

[@dep1001]

Great review as always! Now review the Doepfer Dark Time, please! :-)

[@NathanHassall]

would it be that hard for Korg to give us a 64 step sequencer with these devices (volcas too) enabling the ability to actually create regular sized patterns instead of short obnoxious blasts that generally only sound interesting for about 6 seconds. The only way you can use these things to produce a sufficient amount of musical notation is sampling through a daw...but then if Im already on a computer this seems counter intuitive and slow since there's so many better options to accomplish the same thing.

[@HotStrange]

Nathan Hassall That would increase the price and take them out of the market they're geared towards. Anyone with a sliver of creativity can make something amazing out of this machine or ANY of the Volcas. The FM, Keys, and Bass sound great being played through a midi keyboard like a module. The FM is a beast in itself already. Maybe it's the player and not the gear? That's often the case...

[@PulledPurk]

Do fingernails work on the ribbon? Or must it be skin that touches it?

[@rorz999]

It's pressure sensitive, it doesn't matter what you use e.g. you could use a stylus or your finger

[@PulledPurk]

@@rorz999 Thanks!