Korg Prologue: overview of all new FX, filter, 16 VPM oscillators and more

[@loopop]

Breaking news! Check out my Phase Looping plugin for the Prologue and logue platform here! ► bit.ly/PhaseLoopop

[@akotube1200]

As always, the excellent loopop Reviews are my first source before buying new gear. So I bought a used Korg Prologue 16 in 2024. I like the japanese vintage sounds of Roland, Korg and Yamaha. So, for me, the Prologue is the best polyphonic analog synth ever made. I tried out other Poly-Synth in the last weeks (Moog Muse, Arturia PolyBrute 12), but they both sound too artificial, like the Prophets. I have been waiting for Korg to develop a new "Prologue XD" (including a sequencer and CV IN Ports), but it seems, that the Prologue will be the last polyphonic analog device for a long time ...

[@DannoBoston]

I am quite impressed that you had a fairly in-depth review while at a booth! Your channel is quickly becoming a favorite.

[@loopop]

Dan Bailiff thanks ;)

[@tedpitzen1080]

I agree with Dan. I have a Minilogue and am interested in this board due to FM capabilities....among many other new features. Very impressive you can go through a synth from soup to nuts and give a very comprehensive, cohesive review without any previous contact with the synth.

[@loopop]

Ted Pitzen thank you too Ted - I do these things as somewhat of a challenge for myself too ;)

[@fjfrancois]

I have one, I can see that this review is very different from the ones you normally make on your studio, since this synth is special, this video is special too 😊

[@boeiend100]

this is the most overlooked synth in recent years

[@itspat87]

Agreed. Now that Korg discontinued these, watch how everyone's tune changes in a decade on this synth. It's a modern classic in the making imo

[@SnapiTT]

Your reviews are impressivly clear and interesting. Watching everyone of it

[@loopop]

SnapiTT thanks - I appreciate it ;)

[@merlinoner]

Wow ! Didn't know that you had done a review on this one and I was kind of worried, cause I like this very much :)

[@loopop]

Thanks yeah it's kind of a makeshift review at a trade show but I tried to do my best

[@merlinoner]

@@loopop Thanks for answering Loopop ! Your reviews are always top notch. I think this synth is very "internet underrated" and it's true that it has not a very big mod matrix, but using it is very satisfying in my humble opinion. Cheers !

[@JeffCfreeradiorevolution]

I love the classic look of it.

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

Its pretty good but i was hoping for a 6 or 8 voice version for around $1000-$1200 with a multimode filter and the sequencer from the Monologue. Maybe next year we will see Minilogue mkII or something like that.

[@josephwright5921]

Heathcliff I agree that it is a major bummer that they dropped the Minilogue/Monologue sequencer! The sequencer is the major thing that makes those synths desirable for live dance music.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Joseph Wright use your DAW’s sequencer!!!

[@TheFirstAnnuals]

motion sequencing isn't possible this way

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

Will Barker you can motion sequence any synth that sends and receives midi CC's from the front panel. You just use your DAW to record and play back the midi CC data along with note and velocity.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Joseph Wright not necessary.

[@TylrVncnt]

Awesome awesome review style, to the point and thorough! Great job at giving all the details needed! That said, I'm not sure this synth is for me /: I was very excited, thought the idea of the FM style digital oscillator (being user programmable is pretty badass tho) would realllly make this thing a potential game-changer, but the morphing of FM on that osc really did not sound clean at all... I'm sure it could still be used musically in moderate amounts, but there are so many soft-synths that do a way better job than this.. Also I do not feel like the sound of their VCO's make up for the "meh" sounding digital OSC. Just IMO tho. Keep up the great and thorough reviews tho! side note: not saying that this synth couldn't grow on me, but def going to be exploring other options. I do have to say that the preset sound at 16:41 was pretty badass! (even if buried in some rough distortion haha)

[@RobLocksley]

Thank you for what I know will be an in-depth look. This is on my buy list, but I will have to try it out before buy - I did not buy Rev2 after going through it, it was not for me soundvise as I have alot of synths already but looking for that 16voice analog one :)

[@loopop]

RobLocksley you’re welcome- that’s an interesting point as I too am thinking of getting the Rev2... decision soon and you’ll see it on the channel ;)

[@RobLocksley]

I'd like 16 voices to be able to do some more sustained notes or sustain-pedal use piano style, 16 is not that much in that sense but I think it can bring a different kadence to my music. Rev2 has a nice modmatrix but I got the Novation Peak and I feel it beats Rev2 in every department; Peak is crazy deep and have such potential for the player to be able to affect the sound live through the keyboard and some pedals/expression.

[@loopop]

RobLocksley can’t you do that with Rev2? Plus I think Peak isn’t multitimbral?

[@RobLocksley]

True, multitimbral use is not something I think of that much so that kinda slipped my mind ;) Rev2 is pretty extensive, it is in that department closest to Peak than many other modern synths in the 'lower' price range. Rev2 got 8 slots for mod routing which is plenty, I have not yet gone for more than that on the Peak...... but Peak got 16 if I have the need. Modulation routing; too long since I used the Rev2 or read the manual - think Rev2 actually has a few more routing possebilites without going cc on the midi. But yeah, you should try out both side by side!

[@synriser6742]

Rev 2 is a great performance synth. You just have to go for the sound you like.

[@jefkinds7353]

Hi! Do you know how to acces the split mode on the prologue 8? Thanks for this overview btw! ✌️

[@HomeCinemaJunkie]

I first thought "Wow, this Prologue really sounds good!!" but as I listened to more demos and played on one in a store, I think I almost got tired of this "flirty" sound or maybe it sounded too soft for my taste and I'm now unsure how it will work in a mix. And why-TF did they leave out basic stuff like sequencer etc?! Now I'm leaning more towards the Prophet Rev2 because I think it's sound works better for my taste plus the endless sound creation capabilities...

[@nickpritchard7130]

Also checkout the Deepmind 12..Great bang for your buck. It has endless possibilities..The korg Prologue 12 and 8 are way overpriced for what they offer, compared to other makes..

[@johnnyraphaell]

Can the osc modulate something like the Prophet 6 with Polymod? Would be very interesting with the digital osc!

[@alainvk2527]

i have a prologue and do you now how the reverb and the delay play together

[@ElectronicazMusic]

Wonderful!

[@bernardogui3933]

amazing video.

[@rampersandall]

I think I would like to make this my first synth. I have experience with traditional keyboards, and software synths... but never used a hardware synth. I like the size of the prologue - I was just wondering, if I wanted to expand further, can I add modules with a sequencer, etc? Is that how hardware synthesizers work? Also considering just buying a SL49 and maybe a module. Like the monologue XD desktop, or the Deepmind 12D. Any input on what would be the best way to dive in? I noticed that many synths have built in keyboards, so maybe getting desktop versions when available is the way to go.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

If you want to play it through a sequencer you would need to get a Squarp Pyramid as used by Mr Tuna for his Prologue and Roland synths rig or you could use any MPC stand alone unit to sequence the Prologue via MIDI as well. You can also use the desktop modules and sequence them via the MPC or the Pyramid.

[@shaft9000]

There is no best way. There is no best synth, either - although some are definitely shite, too..so keep your nostrils open. Just get on with it as it suits your situation; it's just music m8! You can sequence most any modern synth from your PC/Mac already using a USB or MIDI interface. Hardware sequencers are dedicated UI and so not compromised by working through _the typewriter paradigm_. Some sequencers may be "analog(ue) / CV- ready", but there is always some sort of computer (or at least logic circuits) underneath a sequencer's surface. There are more ways to design sequencers than of any other sythesizer module - more than filter, osc and fx designs, you name it. Again, it's personal - and opinions about any of them can abound. Your EXPERIENCE rules, so don't even take my word for it. Life is all about self-discovery, and then... it's over. CHEERS & happy synthing :)

[@rodrigolaporte274]

Awesome video! One quick question, how did you find it soundwise in comparison with the Rev2? In paper, DSI's has advantage with 4 lfos, mod matrix, aftertouch... but in terms of sound?

[@loopop]

Rodrigo Laporte I think you should make a decision based on what you feel not me... but since you asked... I prefer the Rev2 synth sound to the Prologue synth sound, but the FM (VPM) is a really nice addition ... and the reverbs are really nice!

[@sawlfo]

thats realy interesting, by the demos on youtube, i would say the prologue sounds better, but maybe its because all the rev 2 demos focus to much on doing realy complex sounds with the mod matrix and not enough 80s cheese, wich i love! i hope you do a side by side comparision!

[@SPAZZOID100]

roberto campos what is “better”???

[@OutOfRangeDE]

@@sawlfo it depends what you like but the prologue sounds as metallic and harsh as the AL-1 engine from the kronos, despite using VCOs. So i (have to) go with the rev 2 (i really like the sound) even though it has DCOs, but they still sound more "analogue" to me.

[@evildead2002]

Hello :) I’d love you opinion on this. How would you say this compares to the REV2? Is there much comparison? I recently bought a REV2 and in a way wasn’t too impressed. I mean they sound good but it felt like it was lacking big chunks of EQ and a brassy bright kinda sound. I played the minilogue briefly in a store and thought it sounded great! Any help is much appreciated lol.

[@loopop]

evildead2002 personally I prefer the Rev2 sound and extra modulations/sequencer, but this is really nice too. They are both so expensive you should only own it if you love it. Don’t love your Rev2? Cut your losses and sell...

[@MeAlexSenna]

Go REV2 simple for the modulation plus the button end you can get with a Moog or Prophet can never been reach by this korg

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

You are joking about the bottom (button) end aren't you? No diss to the REV2 but I wouldn't be getting it to substitute bass from the Sub37 or KARP Odyssey. .

[@ianmorton1799]

I've been considering selling my minilogue xd not because i don't love it (i do!) but because this has the split function. not being a midi expert though...is there a way to send midi to the left side on one channel for bass and to a different right side channel for a sequenced lead? or do i have to learn to be a better keyboardist lol

[@fjfrancois]

I sold a minilogue xd to get this one instead 😊

[@IntoTheTroid1]

What are the differences between this and the Prologue 8? Except the obvious LOL

[@tuneunleashed]

Nothing just the compressor and that it’s 16 voices that’s about it. I’m going for the 8 though

[@priceofdill9478]

Amazing review! The best in-depth reviews. Hopefully you had a chance to take a look at Malekko Manther as well :)

[@richievega8921]

Sounds remind me of my long gone Prophet 600

[@Nikkstar1]

What preset dod you use for the intro thx?!?!???

[@Pulse2AM]

I'm here because they're on sale! Dear god hide my credit card please!

[@20680]

1350euros for this beast.. my wallet is scared...

[@ModistkaKatLOLLYPIE]

11:44 fantastic

[@MatthewMouras]

I can't decide between the Prologue or the Novation Peak for my poly. Playing both of them at a store only made the decision harder.

[@SergiuMuresanMusic]

Had the Peak and now have the prologue 16...the Peak sounds better, prologue is easier to program imo

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

@@SergiuMuresanMusic you gonna love the Summit then. It's a 16 voice Peak. Personally I didn't like the Peak and I prefer the sound of the Prologue much more but the Summit has got my attention big time. I won't be getting rid of my Prologue for it though.

[@OutOfRangeDE]

@@RoomAtTheTopStudio The Summit has digital oscillators though, just like the peak (FPGAs). Then the signal is lead through an analogue filter.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

@@OutOfRangeDE I know. I've got enough VCO synths in my studio now though. I think the Summit will be a great upgrade from my Novation Circuit :D

[@OutOfRangeDE]

@@RoomAtTheTopStudio I would love to say that!

[@mooneh76]

How was the sound recorded?

[@loopop]

mooneh stereo cables and external mic into a zoom H4n - some clipping in the playing parts in the end... too excited to notice :/

[@sboi5592]

0:07 retro style thx

[@johnnyraphaell]

Has each layer its own effects? If not i will buy two minilogue xDs and layer them 😄

[@joshuareavis4401]

No sequencer!!! I’m new to this world but everything I own from korg has a sequencer!!

[@squishmusic]

yep imo that was rather daft to omit the seq from the mono/minilogue !!

[@joshuareavis4401]

@@squishmusic I find the name “Pro-logue” to be misleading simply because of this fact… I wrongfully assumed it had at least a 64 step sequencer as the name implies pro features, my minilogue XD at least has a 16 step.. disappointing but the world of synths is beyond deep

[@experimentalme7438]

I dont get it, this synth has been overlooked by main synth reviewers, even here no in depth review... why is this synth so hated? I tried it and it sounded amazing... hasn't korg managed the marketing side well?

[@loopop]

I don't hate the synth at all; indeed I didn't get one in advance so I just set up a tripod at the show and explored it. I agree that's not like a full review though.

[@MeAlexSenna]

Great Review! Made me decide not to get this. Nothing special nor unique about the prologue. I'm really shock they are asking that much for these synthetic with all that lack of routings

[@SPAZZOID100]

Alex Senna tone is more important than routings.

[@MeAlexSenna]

James Reeno I can agree with that but the Prologue doesn't have that great of a tone, nothing you cannot do with a hand full of other synths. Now, Korg is aiming for analogue sound, I found it lacking compare to a lot of American brand synths. It could be a good synth but at that price consumers are better off to get more bang for their buck.

[@OutOfRangeDE]

They are charging a quiet low amount of money for 16 Voices which means 32 VCOs (here), 16 true analogue filters and 1 multi engine osc per voice. What a shame tho that the VCOs + filter dont sound any different than the VA AL-1 engine in the Kronos. Thats why i would rather get a 2.2k€ Prophet 6 with 6 voices than this with 16 voices.

[@seeyouintheeighties]

Still no in depth review 😢😢

[@александрбедный-з6х]

slow attack of sounds

[@asmusicnstuff4886]

For some inexplicable reason the guy demoing this seems to have spent the entire video with the amplifier attack set to 25%. Completely useless demo.

[@loopop]

I don't know which is sadder about your comment, that you don't know that knob positions on synths like this don't reflect the actual value, that you didn't hear the actual sound doesn't play with a slow attack, or that you think that a slow attack makes a useless demo.

[@asmusicnstuff4886]

On the contrary, to somebody who is watching a synth demonstration video to see how fast the envelopes are then this would indeed make a useless demo. Anyway, I apologise unreservedly for skimming though your video and missing the part where the patch was reinitiallized or the last minute of the 17 minutes of video where some actual presets were played! You'll be overjoyed to know that I have now watched your video in its entirety and can confirm that the poster to whom I was responding was indeed correct, the EGs on this synth are pretty slow. I'm guessing that your experience of analogue synths is fairly limited if you think this synth has snappy envelopes. Seems like I touched a nerve. Best wishes.

[@loopop]

@@asmusicnstuff4886 Wow, even on second viewing you didn't notice the attack is set to zero in the first 30 second and stays there for 17 minutes... ouch... however, this video indeed does not explore the snappiness of the envelopes slightly above zero - if only that was what you had said I would have actually agreed with you. Regarding my experience with analog synths - damn man, you certainly aren't slow to attack I'll give you that!

[@bond4177]

Really disappointed in this thing. I really want to like it but without a mod matrix or after touch.. it's not even a stage performance synth without after touch, very strange choices made with design. Not a fantastic studio synth either, 2000$ for 1 LFO and no mod matrix?

[@skyreadersociety6183]

To drop motion sequencing was a mistake, also to leave players with only one LFO. Price seems to be a bit high, though. But that third OSC + effects to be customizable is imho a killer feature. Korg is the only major that seems to have kinda understood what the synth people nowadays want.

[@bond4177]

skyreader society To me the Prophet Rev 2 seems a better value. It would be interesting if Dave Smith made one with the new features. Personally I'm going to skip this, get a prophet, and later on a Waldorf Quantum

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

Yeah that third Osc might be more important than the 1 LFO deficiency. Because theoretically speaking you should be able to get sounds that are technically impossible to get on REV 2 and DM12. But I will wait for the head to head comparison videos which I'm sure will be out soon enough.

[@skyreadersociety6183]

I will start looking deeper when Korg releases the SDK for both Oscillators and FX. Not to forget there seems to be a stacking option, which means two VPM OSC's. At the moment I am a bit sold with everything that feeds digital OSC's through a proper analog signal path. The prophet sounds beautiful, had the P08 but for me the digital/hybrid world interests me more as you can go sonically into totally different areas.

[@skyreadersociety6183]

I always missed proper FM / Ringmod and driving filters at the old P08. Think the Rev2 did at least take the drive option for the filters they introduced with the Tetra/Mopho ?

[@UnknownHumanoid]

Did you record this video under water?...

[@loopop]

Close. On the trade show floor

[@plebian44]

sounds icy.

[@bond4177]

No mod matrix, no after touch, no sequencer, no thank you.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Villan Bond this is a PERFORMANCE synth.

[@bond4177]

James Reeno ...Without after touch or a sequencer? Makes no sense.

[@NathanChisholm041]

No all of us want a sequencer! For me i record into my DAW to build tracks

[@bond4177]

Nathan C Ah but then it's not a performance synth is it.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Villan Bond nobody i know uses aftertouch. EVER

[@nollidnagrom7976]

Sounds good but this synth really shit the bed, tons of manufacturing problems, no senqencer, korg wasn't ready to play with the big boys of anolouge so to speak, the pad sounds do sound nice but they could have done a lot more, it's a shame, korg only cares about coming in at the lowest price, if that's your business model then stick to low budget synths, why make a synth for the high budget market if your going to cut corners

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

I suppose the manufacturing problems of the Moog One means that Moog shit the bed as well? What about the problems that people had with the Rev2? Synths usually have bugs that need ironing out when they are released. It's best to not be so anxious to be first and let them do the updates before you buy. I was fortunate that my Prologue didn't have the tuning issue so I still haven't done the update that fixes it on other machines. For me the Prologue is a great synth to actually play, something that I enjoy to do more than sequence. I hardly see any criticism of the Minilogue XD which has the same sound engine as the Prologue but less voices. A sequencer and some mini-keys instead of full size keys and an extra trick with the effects and all of a sudden what was "shit" is the most amazing product on the market because it costs less? Hmmmm

[@nollidnagrom7976]

@@RoomAtTheTopStudio I love the sound of the prologue, I got the 16 voice and in my opinion it sounds better than the prophet and the deep mind, its thicker and not as sharp so its perfect for me but I'd be whilling to pay more for a senqencer and more parameters. Korg always has new interesting features but they seem to be stuck in a weird market. In regards to moog and they're moog one, problems seemed inevitable since this was there 1st poly synth in years. When companies get as big and popular as moog they dont have to worry about fuck ups as much because there's no competition in that specific market. That's why I wish companies like korg would swing a little higher.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

@@nollidnagrom7976 yes a sequencer and after-touch would have been really cool if they were added but personally I can live without them. The Prologue actually made me learn to play keys more. I do understand your point of view though.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

@chief tp that is great but if you check on forums you will see that some Rev2's had problems and customer service wasn't exactly pristine. Customers were sent kits then had to do the repairs themselves. I didn't have the tuning problem on my Prologue but it doesn't mean others didn't. Like you I was lucky.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

​@chief tp yeah I learned that the hard way. Up until recently I was lucky with the Prologue. I overworked it and left it on for days and done in the motherboard. Korg fixed it, replaced the motherboard and returned it within 2 weeks. My main retailer doesn't stock Dave Smith synths probably for the customer care and I think they have to pay upfront for stock. With Arturia, Korg, Novation, Soundcraft all these companies will take back the equipment and fix them then return them to you free of cost here in the UK as long as they are under warranty. I have personal experience with all of them through my main retailer. I've found that vintage synths seem to have less problems than new ones probably due to them being serviced before being sold and having been used for decades and surviving the use. Most of my vintage synths are over 40 years old so their quirks were ironed out a long time ago. It's best to give it at least a year on the new synths before taking the plunge I think.