Monophonic vs. Polyphonic Synthesizers: Which is Right For You? | Reverb

Monophonic synth or polyphonic synth? You’ve considered things like type of synthesis (analog versus digital), size, number of keys, and connectivity. You’ve thought about new versus vintage and weighed the pros and cons of both. You’ve made a list of different manufacturers, visited shops to try them out, and watched countless hours of demos on KZbin. But now the question is: Which do you need? Justin DeLay is here to help make the decision less intimidating.
Read more on Reverb: goo.gl/wRChg3
Get a Moog Grandmother: goo.gl/9PXoPY
Get a Korg Prologue: goo.gl/DVs4zA
Get a Korg Minilogue: goo.gl/aLzJWv

[@justuswilson9137]

Justin DELAY from REVERB.... I don't know why I found this amusing lol

[@valdiskrebs566]

And then there is his Italian cousin “Arpeggio” ... they play well together.

[@modestoney1577]

His delay settings are always just in time

[@kellymerrill5294]

I prefer reverb reviews by Johnny Vibrato, Justin Delay is better than Carl Chorus though.

[@erwickdsouza]

"I'm sorry I was late, I WAS DELAYED"

[@will_silvano]

lol I spit out my tea

[@FireSonix]

Monophonic synthesizers: affordable (playing on the moog grandmother)

[@Alan_Chapman]

Alex At least is wasn’t a $3500 Model D or Subsequent 37 or something lol

[@bojanarezina2352]

yeah, i mean, the korg is cheaper than the grandmother

[@dakotahrivers6640]

Moog Polysynth is 8 grand so take what you can get lol

[@jasonmoyer]

Korg's MS-20 kits and Odyssey FSQ are way more expensive than the Minilogue too. More than the Grandmother, for that matter.

[@johnpaton9587]

The grandmother can be configured to play paraphonic :)

[@Nibiru_Truths]

"Mono synths are more affordable." Then proceeds to show a poly synth that's half the price of the Grandmother.

[@nicholas6870]

you're not gonna find a cheaper synth with 4 voices and VCO oscillators

[@chieftp]

yeah, but you're comparing an American made synth made by people who are paid a little more than the chinese folks who make the korg

[@Nibiru_Truths]

True, I just think that he should have picked synths that represented his points more effectively.

[@Saurkraut_6]

he probably chose them to represent other points

[@user-rn2lj8kz1u]

@@chieftp Are Korgs not made in Japan?

[@IEatPooPooForFun]

1:46 “... and if so, get Jazzy with it.” *proceeds to almost play the lick*

[@cagethefoxtrick3852]

the licc is everywhere even when you don't hear it

[@eponymoussparrow2516]

Hahaha glad I'm not the only one who caught this.

[@BargenMusic]

I need this guy to teach me everything. He is so good at explaining. Fast. Simple. Doesn't treat you like stupid. Great guy.

[@Frip36]

"Doesn't treat you like stupid." You're awesome.

[@gusgarcia4461]

Justin thank you so much you are the best I’ve seen on KZbin. You have the brilliant talent to teach and it’s greatly appreciated

[@zaiten2012]

This justin: Delay hired by Reverb.

[@Reverb]

Pun game VERY strong.

[@galena7474]

very layered

[@Funkojazzist]

Martin Chorus next?

[@hazardmouth]

The Moog Grandmother can actually be used polyphonically as well. It requires the use of It's 3rd hidden oscillator which is utilized by patching the LFO Modulation. You would start from the yellow bay "ARP/SEQ" by plugging in a patch cable from KB OUT > RATE IN on the black bay labeled "Modulation". Next step, starting with the black bay "Modulation" plug in another patch cable to WAVE OUT > NOISE IN on the "MIXER" which is the black bay in the middle. You can nowuse the Noise in as your 3rd Oscillator, located below Oscillators 1&2. By adjusting the RATE knob in the black Mod bay, you can create a 3rd voice. Your second voice can be achieved by adjusting the FREQUENCY knob on Oscillator 2. Resulting in a triad, one key at a time.

[@carlbowles1808]

You are right, I see where the cords plug in. I like the grand mother.

[@benjwgarner]

It's technically paraphony rather than polyphony, but nice tip!

[@digiman1996]

Dude thank you for the tip!

[@d3maccus]

@@benjwgarner correct - not even close to polyphonic playability, just another note that you have to change. for the 3rd note I prefer modulation wave out ->> attenuator input, attenuator out ->> oscPitchIn

[@DG-ss1gc]

That’s not polyphony , the grandma is duophonic (your patch trick not withstanding , that’s cool) The matriarch is paraphonic. In my experience , polyphony when it comes to VCA synths , if they share the same filter you won’t be able to play intervals or chords well. Though the behringer synths like the poly D do ok with some of their special features .

[@nathanc777]

Love this guy. Don't even own a synth or keyboard but watched the whole thing lol. Also I now really want a synth...

[@edrosa3485]

It's a rabbit hole... A deep DEEP rabbit hole. At first I was jonseing for a Korg MS20 Mini because it looked really retro... Then I was jonsing for a Korg Minilogue because it had presets and was still analogue. Then I was jonseing for a Behringer Model D because it was a $300 recreation of a 3k Moog. Then I was jonsesing for a Korg Monologue and cracked when they had the promotion where they gave you a free Volca Kick. Next while doing some research into MIDI controllers I stumbled into an Amazon deal where a red Arturia MicroBrute bundled with their AnalogLab software was $229 a full $70 than the black MicroBrute and I love the color red (my Monologue is in red). So as you can see I can a synth collection that goes far beyond my talent...

[@rmvp2009]

Dont do it Nathan. You dont want to be on a GAS second stage - it is a point of no return.

[@saam6768]

@@edrosa3485 same dude. started with a minibrute about two years ago and then it hit me hard about 6 months ago. Now I have more synths than guitars and basses put together.

[@edrosa3485]

That's the story so far... I'm totally tempted to pick up the Uno Synth because it is portable and I can have it as my "noodle at lunchtime" synth. ...and I'm just enamored with the sound of the Prophet 6, but at this time I can't justify the expense coupled with my lack of talent.

[@johncougar526]

Do yourself a favour: get both! :-))

[@zztosha]

This was actually very informative, thank you! - the guy that just bought a Minilogue and is anxiously waiting for it to arrive.

[@dpajc056]

I love how you got STRAIGHT TO THE POINT IMMEDIATELY. No endless talking or intros about your grandmother (no pun intended) etc

[@gabrielassaf9229]

I love how every line he plays is a version of the lick

[@Ce1y]

This is the most helpful video I've watched on the topic! Thank you so much, and can't wait for more videos on the topic!

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

Great video and great topic Justin. Right up my street. I love analogue synths and this video covers a lot of what someone getting into synths needs to know as well as someone who is learning as I am. The Korg Prologue does a very good job of both poly and mono. If used for multi tracking and just using loops it can construct a whole track just using the Prologue sounds. Drums, bass, pads, arpeggiator, lead, chords, all from one machine and the bass and the chords can be done on split keys so if you are using a looper like a RC505 everything can be recorded into it. The sequencer on the Moog Grandmother is awesome and easy to use once you understand it. It's the standard Moog step sequencer that's also used on the Sub37 but even more powerful so you can step sequence leads that go for 256 step apparently. That and the fact that it's semi modular so you can hook it up to other modular or semi modular units to do crazy things with the sound makes it a very desirable synth. I'm looking to get one. Once again great video and keep up the content. Thanks

[@daytonsnyder1391]

Absolutely astounding. Great job man, I had no idea there were such differences. Please keep being awesome!

[@hendrixg]

As a guitarist who was always curious about synths, THIS WAS HELPFUL! Thanks dude!

[@aleks0_o879]

the way you pause when you speak makes it so easy and pleasing to learn about this, I don't think I would have understood these concepts if I heard them from anyone else

[@The1995BornGuy]

You explained everything with a lot of eloquence and never became boring! Great job!

[@jimmythevoice8716]

Dude your probably the best guy I’ve seen give introspective on any synth. Down to earth. Real as fook. Great job. Your the man.

[@Edninety]

As a newbie in synthesizers who has binge-watched many vids to make his choice for the first one (it's gonna be grandmother as many recommend it as a first synth and i love the demos I'm hearing), this vid is one of those who stood out, just seems like you're having so much fun while explaining these synths totally at ease, it's just a joy to watch tbh

[@KitCatStudio]

very useful info, tnx guys! about year ago I went into a music shop looking for a basic keyboard to mess up with my daw. after checking out some stuff I noticed that the synth under my hands was making some pretty good sounds, turns out it was the Korg Monolouge, after that one opened my eyes to the synth world (really recommend that one as a starting point) I went on and bought the new Roland Ju06A Juno remake. these two are now linked to my TR8s drum machine. all together these babes are all I need to create some beautiful sounds. just loving it !

[@erictherowe]

Thank you - this clears up all the things I needed to know about getting my first synth AND those two were the exact ones I was looking at - gonna go with the Korg I think - half the price and looks like more of what I want as a guitar player looking to expand.

[@normasnockers323]

You really are good at explaining this stuff, i was a bit lost before. Thanks so much for this.

[@TheBserk]

I'm just now getting into live synth instruments. I got myself a Grandmother, and found that if I create single note samples and record them into a DAW (with help of a MIDI keyboard), I could technically play chords with sounds generated from the Grandmother. It sounds fantastic!

[@deadlinkofficialartst5592]

you can make a Grandmother moog into a Polyphonic Synthesizer im no jokeing. you just need another modular that can do Polyphonic with the Grandmother moog

[@DB-kh3li]

@@deadlinkofficialartst5592 what do you mean? can you elaborate?

[@Frip36]

@ghost mall "You get some really fat, rich sounds." How come nobody has love for thin, poor sounds?

[@Viper-dz2kw]

@@Frip36 tbh that’s more of a garage rock thing then a synth thing, many famous songs in that genre were made with really thin wiry guitar tones

[@Frip36]

@@Viper-dz2kw Yeah, garage, post-punk, new-wave. But no one in comments ever says "Man, such a thin tone! Love it!!!"

[@violetflame22]

Awesome, great vid thank you. I'm about to buy my first synth and I now feel super confident about it being a minilogue.

[@stimpysven]

I really like my minilogue. I really want to patch in/out a grandmother to my triple threat (dfam, mother-32 and subharmonicon)...

[@brokenscart7989]

I loved the genuine look of confusion at the spring reverb part.

[@megloton]

As a relative synth beginner, this the BEST video I have ever seen for “wrapping it all up.” You explain everything so well with concise brevity. Thanks so much.

[@TenisDimants]

Love this episode, love the examples and how Justin explains these things. Minilogue sounds amazing, but now i just want to get my hands on that Moog.

[@happyonthetrails]

This is a great video you explain all the basics and differences very well thanks ! This is a keeper

[@OfficialRainsynth]

Monosynths are good for playing basslines and leads. Polysynths are for the rest. Simply said.

[@bodhizilla9808]

Good explanation

[@carlbowles1808]

Yes absolutely this is why I would use both synths.

[@isher9035]

Usually, yes! But not always. The ARP Odyssey had a Duo-tone which which was a two-voice polyphony that lends itself well to bass. Also, a lot of Polysynths can be played in Monophonic with Unison, which can work well on basses sometimes.

[@TorutheRedFox]

@Luke especially the ones that have a switch to go into monophonic mode to get that extra monophonic flair

[@kotanecrosis96]

Glide is also good for emulating a guitar sliding from one note to the other. Perfect example is The Blakstar Experience’s song “New Night’s Begin”. Even though it sounds like he’s also raising the attack it’s still pretty cool.

[@baigmusic]

Really enjoy watching your channel! Love learning about synths n drum machines, your presentation is top notch, cheers from Edmonton, Canada!

[@gapster77]

Excellent breakdown, these videos from Reverb are very good.

[@DelScully]

I absolutely love these videos! I am very much into synth music and hope to own an array of synths one day but in the meantime learning the basics from these videos is amazing!!! Please keep making more for us synth dummies!

[@deadlinkofficialartst5592]

ha😎

[@neoaureus]

Justin at 7:15 ....When they decide to reboot The Shining...and we need the synth background and Jack Torrance is looking at the maze.....Justin is the guy to replace Nicholson with this look.....go Justin !

[@MakeSomething]

Very well explained and I felt like getting a coffee or beer with Justin afterwards.

[@YeetGod_McNeckAss]

What I love is you can tell he's passionate about it but wants to explain it as clearly as possible so we can enjoy it too

[@levilewin3364]

@@stinkfinga4918 wut

[@noor.alyateem]

I know exactly what you mean - I felt the same ahah :)

[@trippkhalid1331]

i dont mean to be so off topic but does anyone know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account?? I was stupid lost the password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me

[@colinjose5673]

@Tripp Khalid Instablaster ;)

[@golinks01]

you are a very good instructor / teacher. you explain everything short and simple and straight forward. nice 🙂

[@carlbowles1808]

I love the flexibility of the poly and the classic Moog sound. I want both synths. If I could only buy one at a time I choose Moog grandmother first, because I love that one of a kind sound of my youth. Great demo thanks 👍💪😀.

[@paperplanebeats6031]

Been researching to buy my first synth & this was super helpful .. great content & delivery thank you

[@enterteg]

Man! You are amazing, way you explain things! Sooo easy to learn! THANK YOU!

[@m5nut]

What a well explained, recorded and edited educational piece. Well done sir, you have earned my subscription on my first viewing of your channel. Can I say, I have been a huge fan of synth music since I was a wee lad in the 80's. By the time I was a teen in the early 90's, I had 2 years accordian and then 3 years keyboard tuition under my belt and was loving the fact I was creating sounds out of electricity alone. I gave it up at 14 as being a teenager, doing rebelious teenager things, was far more appealing to me and still is. Besides my brother got the talent and plays bass professionally, and he is excellent. I instead got into computers,tech and hifi, where I started critically listening to a vast array of musical genres, but as a firm favourite, synth/dance/house/electro/hardcore/trance/ambient etc etc are jostling right at the top with more traditional genres. This video has taught me things I didn't know about synthesisers and has kindled my desire to get back into making sounds from electricity! Now if only I could get a Korg Prologue in the UK. Any idea why it seems they aren't sold here?

[@warius1]

Heb mastered combining speech with hand movements. It’s a joy to watch.

[@ppdlive]

So simple, so clear. It was a pleassure to watch.

[@stevenr3134]

Very informative. You answered a lot of my questions. Very much appreciated

[@MrDexterSr]

This video is super informative, thanks Reverb!

[@fabian1150]

I hope that there will be more videos with this guy :D

[@RobBrownSTS]

Great breakdown! Thanks you cleared up some terminology for the non synth players among us.

[@teodorbrunzell7995]

Thank you for this great video! Your way of explaining things are truly Impressive! I learned alot from this!

[@ZJohnnyBGood]

It's Justin Delay from Reverb. That's a great line

[@ilive4god2007]

The best explanation I ever found: detailed, but short, full but not boring-3-hours-long )

[@11000038]

Love my Modal Cobolt8x. Great mono stacked sounds as well as 8 note poly. Got full sized keys too.

[@ManCalledMif]

thank you for explaining and demonstrating clearly. didn't know about oscillators within a voice

[@tk33k]

Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@z4p0tek]

One week studying synths with this guy. Priceless.

[@jonnyhead]

I love your videos they inspire me seeing your enthusiasm!!👍👍👍

[@djsarumawashi]

Wicked!!! Could not find a better explanation. Thank you. Cheers.

[@ricokillsofficial2607]

Really Good Video... Hits all the points

[@synthpunk7861]

The minilogue wins hands down for many reasons and there is a $400 price differential making it more economical to purchase.

[@rob.carrillo]

The hand gestures in this video are ON POINT

[@karlshott1974]

this was really helpful! thank you

[@brendanjames8818]

I AM DYING AT HIS LOOK AT 6:00 - Great content, my birthday is coming up, I think I know what im getting!

[@beatsandgrooves4594]

Great explanation bro! Very clever! 🔝👍

[@tobinharrison7787]

Nice one for straightening that out😊

[@captainsickooso7087]

Great lesson, subscribed!

[@fantasynonfiction3730]

You're an excellent teacher! 👏 recap and all!

[@felixcato8811]

Great Video! Can you guys make an episode showing the differences between an Analog and a Virtual Analog (Digital) synthesizers? Thanks ahead!

[@BarnacleButtock]

Can't wait to see what Simon thinks of this

[@professorjackson1536]

I'm interested in getting started with synthesizers. This is really informative :)

[@marcelocoip7275]

Wow, amazing explanation!

[@ABoyCalledRic]

Eloquent explanation. Thank you

[@James-fe7wd]

Great tutorial! I wish videos like this were around when I got myself into it XD

[@noistromo]

Great thanks for this very good explanation of differences between mono and poly :)

[@turboeddy]

Amazing video thanks!

[@gaiusgrdn]

As an organist, I actually prefer monosynths when I delve into electronic music. The difference makes me focus more on bringing out the unique style of the synth rather than just playing organ on a plastic keyboard.

[@B1SCOOP]

You should try playing some Baroque music on simple polysynths without velocity like Juno-60.

[@BradyGalloway]

I want a Korg Monologue for Christmas.

[@DarshanD45]

*MAN.. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH* KEEP INSPIRING ALWAYS.

[@YouzTube99]

Whilst interesting, this comp may have been more interesting if the Minilogue was compared to a Monologue.

[@maxqd3]

*pulls out monocle* “Whilst”

[@TheDoctorM0]

@@maxqd3 🤣

[@rederickfroders1978]

Yes definitely, but I think the tonal result may give the same outcome. Mono synths usually sound beefier than single notes on a poly synth. Using a Moog to get that across is a good idea imo because we all know those oscillators sound RAW as f. The Monologues osscilators also sound creamier than the Minilogues, but a Moog can really get that point across.

[@YouzTube99]

@@rederickfroders1978 Good points. It comes down to how each of us wants to use the tools.

[@benevolentessence8809]

just get the minilogue and get a boost pedal for the mono sounds to sound beefier..now you dont need the monologue and you have the best of both worlds

[@EmilioCole]

Justin the homie seems like he started getting more comfortable through the tutorial, which made it dank!

[@electrorganix]

@ 3:44 the grandmother is talking back to you, sooooo cool :) cheers

[@DoctoreDoom]

Great video, thanks!

[@thagirion9761]

He’s a great presenter. I enjoy all his videos.

[@aldovanamstel4163]

Your sort of the only guy I know who can actually play and loves the apps to turn the knobs... My hero! And thanks for your vid.. Wondering for months why one would buy mono? I go for mono now. One voice should do it!

[@jdjk7]

A point I realized that I don't think gets talked about enough is that 1 voice =/= 1 "note". if your monosynth has two oscillators that can be tuned separately or relative to one another, odds are that you CAN play 2 "notes" (pitches) at the same time to make a diad chord. Hell, if you add in an analog oscillating filter, you can dial in a triad-- though i find it trickier to do this.

[@jspiro]

I really like your teaching style.

[@philipmateo3816]

As soon as he said get jazzy he played the lick

[@zibbybone]

almost

[@valdiskrebs566]

Nice overview! When I started with synths I gravitated toward polysynths. Now I find I’m using multiple mono/paraphonic(the best!) synths together. Less muddy mixes with monos!

[@theNickRYG]

This comment helped me a bunch. I was already thinking mono for cleaner simpler mixing, and also budget, but wasn't sure. Now i know i can't afford a Bass Station 2 right now, but i can grab a korg monologue to get started, and then just add the BS-2 next year and play them together.

[@theNickRYG]

what do you like to play? what's your typical setup for just solo jamming?

[@valdiskrebs566]

Nick You Nick, The Bass Station now now has paraphonic ability - but I have a Circuit Mono Station for its sequencer ability, also paraphonic, and the same sound engine as BS II. Monologue is a nice mono synth, once you get rid of many of the crappy factory patches. You can do a lot with a Mono Station and a Monologue, then add a Drumbrute Impact and you have a nice little studio for about $1000. And you can build from there.

[@DeadWhiteButterflies]

When are we gonna get more "Synth Sounds of..."? I need William back behind the keys! :D

[@saam6768]

Yeah I didn't realize its been a minute. Those videos are way fun.

[@Mike_the_Barbarian]

Yea where's William! More William

[@Oohwii]

You're face killed me at 6:00 haha. Nice vid dude!

[@byzameli]

really helpful, thanks!

[@andersharmsiddlyumptious]

13:05 sounds like the “Remember The Time” bass 😆

[@TheDalien]

Those are very cool lightbulbs.

[@bisalonggo5212]

6:02 that expression of killer sound intent

[@gastonsalip1579]

cristal clear excelent as always justin delay ay ay ay....

[@RickMaczka]

GASTON SALIPyou are echoing my thoughts too

[@vaspers]

Good video explanation.

[@joedarrow5422]

Best synth apps (for android) if youre either broke or fairly new to the synthesizer world, and im both (In no particular order) 1. Common analog synth/common fm synth(paid version Ex-synth-paid version has sequencer 2. Caustic (probably the best, most extensive) 3. Hexen modular synth app-can design your own system-learning curve! 4. Heat synthesizer, tons of presets, keyboard note sequencer, all the modulation you could want 5. Rock Relay: Synth FM or Rock Relay:Analog... Lots of tones and parameter control 6. SyneprezFM- tons of presets, sohisticated Arp, 7. ARPIO... arpeggio synth-board, pro version is very cool 8. Touch Vox...cool sounds 9. Pocket Talkbox- awesome real vocoder type symth, just move your lips and mouth on the speaker-it does kinda feel like your perfoming cynnylingus on your phone but the sound is dope 10. DRC synth... All presets have arpeggio option Hope this helps you find cool sunths to play around on or even use in your music production

[@marcosantacruz9086]

3:40 that was awesome! His face

[@chimp3376]

Most incredible teacher. Worst possible uninspiring royalty free sounds.

[@emntwiga5620]

super helpful thank you

[@alistairdunnington]

This was ridiculously helpful.

[@quinton9724]

Nicely done thank you

[@audioartisan]

Tatsuya Takahashi did it right! I'll choose poly over mono any day. Can't afford a Moog One, which would be my Ana Poly of choice, so the Minilogue XD suits me fine :)