Korg vs Behringer Monopoly: The Definitive Comparison, review and walkthrough

[@MacXpert74]

Great job! It's very strange that Behringer released this synth with the calibration totally off. I'm happy that you tried the calibration and that this indeed fixes it. Behringer should really take note of this and fix this in the factory. Good work!

[@gmreynoldsjr]

Took delivery of a Poly-D with the same problem, calibration waaayy off.

[@okinawa1312]

Yes, Behringer should really improve their Quality Control. I bought a Crave (i know it´s a clone of an existing Synth. I´m sorry Moog) where the Filter adds a Hiss to the Signal. Still audible when Low Pass turnt all the Way down.

[@MichaelJ023]

Also my Poly D was uncalibrated when I got it. All of the oscillators were extremely far off. It took several turns of the pots to get it in.

[@Max_Relic]

Behringer calibrated the filter following KORG's Mono/Poly Service Manual, Fc = 7.1 kHz.

[@caddood]

How do you calibrate it against an original when you don’t own an original? What do you base it on? Need some direction…thx

[@thejoshuathomas]

Your honesty and thorough attention to detail is why I find your channel so valuable. Thanks for always leaving in your frustrations as they arise, it's refreshing to see KZbin content with authenticity.

[@michaels5166]

The point is,there is really nothing to make me run and buy something old,overpriced,ancient,and have to still worry about keeping it serviced for thousands of dollars over the years.Plus,NO ONE is going to stop dancing in the club if you make a track with the Behringer,and leave the club,saying' that is not a Korg'.

[@falconsolo7502]

100% agreed mate. You couldn't have said it any better.

[@fermiLiquidDrinker]

The only time people will notice a difference is if you post it on a forum

[@michaels5166]

@@fermiLiquidDrinker exactly..These people who claim they tell the difference are delusional at best.The few on the planet who might be able to tell are rare as guys who edit 1' reel tape with razor blades and editing blocks..

[@VincentPresley]

Except all my Behringers came brand new with more problems than my 40 year old synths and that company has zero customer support and nobody is going to be repairing any of their low price surface mounted garbage. The old stuff is made so much better and even when something goes bad it's something that can easily be fixed like a capacitor or a j-wire or 3v battery. I didn't know anything about electronics but after being into synths for 25 years I just picked up simple soldering skills and I have no problems. I've toured with vintage synths for at least 15 years.

[@michaels5166]

@@VincentPresley That's not entirely true nor logical.I have a vintage synth and newer ones,and neither gave me any problems,so it's mostly about case by case experiences,not old vs new.To add to that,if I spend $250 buying my Roland and then $500 to fix it,is that worth it,since my Roland will only get older?Old gear is NOT just a simple fix sometimes,because some of the parts are not even available,parts have 30 years of dirt,dust,and crud,etc. No one can tell me logically it makes sense to keep investing in something from the 1980s,instead of buying 2-3 of something new,that no one will know the difference about.Only YOU and me,and a few others MIGHT know some subtle differences.Plus,if you're touring and making a LOT of money,you can afford to maintain old gear,and possibly have servicemen on call.My gear doesnt go outside,so I damn sure do not have that kind of experience.

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

That's cool Behringer included easily accessible trim pots so you can tweak it yourself.

[@TheUKMikey]

Even a "spitting mad" Starsky at Behringer's gaslighting is friendlier and more affable than 90% of the KZbinrs I've watched. Thanks for your hard work calibrating the Behringer so we can have a proper comparison.

[@glenesis]

Hi! Once you calibrated them they probably sound more alike than any original pair of Korg MonoPoly synths do. I'm impressed! Thanks for the very thorough examination. It's close enough for rock 'n roll :) This has me really excited to see their take on the OBxa. Have a fantastic day!

[@StarskyCarr]

can't wait ti hear their OBXa myself.

[@ogasi1798]

@@StarskyCarr it is sounding very nice ;-)

[@cfov]

I owned a Korg Mono/Poly in the 80s and loved it, but sadly had to sell it. I have been waiting all of this time to get another one, but couldn't justify the high cost. I have a Behringer Monopoly pre-ordered in the US and waiting patiently for it to show up. Thanks for this comparison because it convinced me that I made to right choice based performance and $$$.

[@danselmix]

FINALLY somebody said it! I noticed the dull sound since the first video I saw, with big dissapointness! but reviewers just said "sounds identical"... I lost interest until now... your filter callibration procedure saved the day! Great video, thanks!

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks.. it’s an easy tweak. I may do a little video just demoing exactly what to do.

[@nuggetzmusic1613]

@@StarskyCarr you going to do a vid on it?

[@StarskyCarr]

@@nuggetzmusic1613 you need to ring that bell.... :) already posted one....Behringer MonoPoly Filter Calibration: What's going on?

[@nuggetzmusic1613]

@@StarskyCarr 😂 I found it

[@mysteritmodk9572]

Always good and honest reviews and not just an uncritical commercial for Behringer etc. Much appreciated! We need more people like you with vast knowledge telling the truth about products. Thank you!

[@DestroyER82]

Thanks for amazing comparison (again!) :) Yes, that was definitelly uncalibrated SSM2044 filter (I even checked my Kawai K3M with same filters and goes easily up to 20KHz same as Korg you were using). Anyways, luckily its only matter of calibration unlike new Prophet that had to be modded. But saying "its allright" from Behringer was plain silly. :) All the best!

[@RJ1J]

Interested in your point about the Prophet. Do you mean the P5/10 Rev 4? Do you have a link to the mod that you mentioned. Cheers.

[@DestroyER82]

@@RJ1J Hello. First batch of new Prophet 5/10 (rev.4) had technical problem with always being dark and filtered, users had to return them or there was a DIY way to fix it. Anyways that was a thing only with first batch. At this point is everything perfectly fine.

[@RJ1J]

Thanks @@DestroyER82

[@DestroyER82]

@@RJ1J Welcomed! All the best!

[@justinupchurch1773]

eyes and ears screaming korg, wallet screaming behringer

[@5amJones69]

These comparison videos are amazing. Thanks

[@mysynthsandstuff6519]

Ooh there’s nothing as hard hitting as being disappointed. Really good effort. I don’t own a Behringer MonoPoly but certainly hope to get one in due course and really appreciate your effort.

[@ipuketshirts]

Great review style. Proper A/B testing across key parameters. 👍

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks! 👍

[@sheatheman]

The arpeggiator on the korg is usually referred to as ALT2. If you play a C major, the arpeggio will be C E G G E C C E G G E C C. The arp mode on the behringer is usually referred to as ALT1. If you play C major, the notes will be C E G E C E G. Because ALT2 repeats the high and low note, when you play 3 notes, it creates a triplet swing.

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks.. good to know. When I made this I’d just assumed there was an issue as it’s owner told me it was misbehaving.

[@tonalaxis]

The trimmers look like multiturn ones which do indeed take a lot of turns(like a very fine adjustment). Glad you sorted it, still on the fence about what Behringer are doing with these synths though.

[@rick2001uk]

Yeah me too. Aside from the controversy (which while not entirely baseless, is also hyped to buggery IMO), a little more transparency post release of these synths would be marvellous. I've got the neutron and the poly d. I enjoy both (really nice things) but I'm also an analog novice, really, and I often wonder about the poly. There's trim pots on the back of it too and now that I've had a for around a year and a half, I do wonder if it's working as it should at times. I'm a bit wary to start messing with those pots while there's no manual, or additional calibration instructions.

[@ogasi1798]

@@rick2001uk they are there purely to tune the instrument to your tastes or if there is for example a tracking issue, if you are curious all you need to do is take notes when you make changes. I have trimmers on many instruments, i am always fiddling, i like my filters and envelopes a certain way and if i can access them i will. Of course, they trimmers are there and could be supported by an official document if indeed you needed to use them and if there was a need the team would guide you through the process, having them on the rear is a whole lot easier than sending a unit for recalibration for example.. If you are unsure, either don't, mess or seek help/take note of starting position and the amount of turns and in what orientation.

[@ConwayBob]

Sure, multiturn takes more turns, but it also allows for more precise adjustment. That's why Behringer uses them.

[@ineedstuff8286]

wait... these have rotary encoders?... I will never buy anything with those... never again... had an Maudio midi board with them.. I HATE them

[@ogasi1798]

Not a Fiction 2.0 there's no encoders to my knowledge, these are all analogue pots

[@re8et355]

I'd love a comparison with the Reason Monopoly RE and/or Vst as well. Nicely done!!

[@HOOKmusicUK]

Good video, we have now added the Behringer to the studio. We found the Korg pretty much identical to the Behringer soundwise to the point we have sold the korg.

[@StarskyCarr]

You can’t get a better recommendation that that :)

[@ogasi1798]

i did tell you about that filter adjuster on the release of your 1st video shag ;-), gotta love that OG arpeggio :-) - super video as always

[@StarskyCarr]

haha yes you did.. I thought I'd hang on to see how it compared before taking the plunge. Thanks :)

[@HominidInterneticus]

I wish they had started with the practice of putting accessible trim pots from the get-go with all of their clones. Behringer please do this from this point on with ALL of your synths

[@ntino666]

A quirk i havent seen mentioned is that the arppegiator does weird rhythmic flips when you change notes in some situations. For example on the 'up' / 2 oct setting, playing one note should create a pattern of low hi low hi, good for 8th note basslines. But often when you move stepwise, it flips hi and low to the off beat. It makes it hard to use the arppegiator in a deliberate way

[@cammellsound5400]

Can still hear up to 16k, which is nice.

[@Emiel1983Schoonoord]

That Behringer ' MonoPoly' font looks so cheap.. I mean, it's a copy for christ s sake, then also copy that cool original font! Thanks Starsky for the big effort of making this comparison!

[@MrAliensix]

Great video! There's obviously a problem with the arpeggiator on the Korg there, as my Korg Monopoly's arpeggiator works as you would expect i.e like the Behringer. As regards Behringer tech support I think they're all told to say, 'it's supposed to do that'! It's a shame really as they're doing some pretty cool stuff. Cheers! :)

[@StarskyCarr]

Took another look at the arp on the original ... just needed to tweak the envelopes. I was expecting weirdness as the owner said it had a kind of its own so I didn’t play around with it enough. Check out my update on the filter ... turns out support was correct - but didn’t give this geek quite enough info !’

[@rhamlyn100]

The Korg sounded noticeably more colourful to me.

[@AlecBoyd]

Remember the Model D? It had like 9 pages in the manual on how to tune the damn things. The early ones shipped pretty far out of tune

[@SNO-]

Your attention to detail is your grace. Great video!!!!

[@tukler2]

Great video again! Thank you! The Korg’s arp is definitely faulty, none of my monopoly’s has had that funky behaviour.

[@StarskyCarr]

I thought it was weird... and difficult to use. Just goes to show that vintage synths have their own character 😂

[@Bananskuden]

Behringer pros: cheaper, smaller, midi, less prone to breaking down(? - only time will tell); Behringer cons: constant nagging doubt about true sound and supporting evil corp.

[@ManCalledMif]

Thank you for this walkthrough. Enough to make me pull the trigger. 🙌🏼

[@StarskyCarr]

Cool, thanks :) enjoy it.

[@matiasmoulin2126]

Great to see your face, Mr. Carr!

[@sectionq1]

It is!

[@ultraconchetsap]

Yes ! i was waiting for one of your comparisons for this specific synth, thanks dude !

[@StarskyCarr]

You’re welcome ;)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Odd about the filter calibration, but once you had that set it was incredibly similar. Love the bottom end on those, sounds nice and beefy.

[@StarskyCarr]

Very strange... but at least it was fixable. Sounds great, and that bass rumbles the rafters.

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@StarskyCarr Yeah, the SSM filter is always a fatty.

[@bobz1736]

Great job and excellent detective work 😀

[@Waykoh]

hi . i hv a question, Isn't there a problem with the in the video that comes out at 15:07 ? i mean click noise and white noise .

[@DoctorJRx]

This just made me cancel my preorder :( thanks though Starsky ..its why I watch you videos. Your insight is very reliable !!

[@StarskyCarr]

Take a look at my update to the mysteriously dull filter.

[@spectralknights2]

It's freaking $700 bro, compared to that old original how much?

[@pthelo]

Thanks for this Starsky- especially the bit about calibrating the filter. I've loved the sound and wanted a MonoPoly since I heard a friend's back in the 90's. I'm so stoked to have one on preorder from Sweetwater and that it's going to sound so good! Keep on rocking - and take care of that lighting issue. (lol) I was wondering what was happening!

[@michaelg9344]

Great thanks for the tip on the filter calibration for future reference if I decidedly purchase the Beringer. Your specimen Korg's arpegiator does not behave as my vintage one. The Beringer is linear as my old beast. The presentation by comparison is deep but for one detail of the original- the sinusoidal artifact induction using extreme resonance. peaking. The Beringer model gives hope to those of the original with keyboard contact problems. You are fabulous in the logic by comparison.

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks. Yeah I should’ve spent longer with the OGs arp but the owner had told me it was knackered. It turns out it’s not - it was just the interaction of the envelopes and note length etc.

[@jlolivermusic]

Anyone saying they sound remotely similar is nuts. Yes they both do the same things but that’s where it ends. I had them next to each other and I would say Behringer definitely missed the mark by a good bit on this one. I think the main thing is no SSM chips = no Mono/poly. Those chips are like 50% of the units sound. The Behringer lacks the richness and depth of the original and I think a lot of them comes from the amazing filter

[@1980VINZ]

You found the calibration issue, you are the best!!!!!!!!!!

[@StarskyCarr]

I am ... the best.... I'll tell my wife, hopefully she'll finally believe me :)

[@1980VINZ]

@@StarskyCarr she already knows that’s why you’re her husband !! 😄👍👍 More seriously, a big merci for your video, I’m very interested by this synth and you did a great job, as usual. This is so cool to have people like you on KZbin, this is PRICELESS. Big salut from France!! 🇫🇷 Vinz. 🙋‍♂️

[@StarskyCarr]

Merci beaucoup 👍

[@amazeus1980]

Behringer should give you a job at calibration room! 😂

[@digitaldiezel5870]

WOW! I'm impressed at the comparison! I think you found the problem that others have missed. That calibration adjustment did the trick. I always thought the sound was off but it just needed to be recalibrated. I also think the X-Mod is off a little but no big deal. Always thought the board sounded nice on its own without comparisons. Still concerned about the issue at 33:48...hopefully they update the firmware. Overall great job digging in and finding the problem! Thanks!🙏🏾💯👍

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

Defo something up with Poly mode but Unison with Hold is Epic

[@SourDiesel69]

Do a video with the robert hood sound on the behringer monopoly

[@RoofLight00]

My OG mono poly takes a good ten minutes to warm up a bit 😂 I think these behringer synths are great though for the money, I don’t understand the haters? Nice run through.

[@Max_Relic]

Hi Starsky, don't know if anyone pointed it out: the KORG Mono/Poly Service Manual tells that the VCF must be calibrated for an Fc of 7,1 kHz (140us single cycle waveform). Behringer was unexpectedly right.

[@StarskyCarr]

It does… I’ve a video showing it and how to calibrate if you want it brighter. Interesting that some say that originally they were coming from the factory calibrated higher and the service manual is incorrect - others that they changed the factory calibration after customers asking for a brighter tone. There may be someone who actually knows somewhere 😂 lots of speculation but no specifics - that’s the internet for you !

[@Max_Relic]

@@StarskyCarr IMO Behringer did it right in giving easy access to all key calibration trimmers (i.e as KORG did on the MS20 or MS50). What they don't understand is how important is a good manual for both longevity and popularity of a product, and unfortunately still put out what other users call "toilet paper". A good manual has a pedagogic function to newbies that can't be denied.

[@rrocktoo]

I’ve just left a message on the Alamo Music comparison video directing viewers here regarding the Behringer’s dullness. You’ve identified a fault that all potential owners need to be aware of. It will cost Behringer sales.

[@torstensommer4319]

What is also always important to mention: Component-Aging. The Korg is 40 years old. The Behringer is only a baby. So just wait till the Behringer is 40 years old.

[@StarskyCarr]

I think I mentioned that… but to be honest I can’t remember what I’ve said … it’s a recurring theme in these videos 😂

[@blankspace0000]

This might be the closest sounding Behringer clone yet. Still not exact but definitely closer than the moog stuff.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Disagree … Model D (but not Poly-D) and Pro-1 sound closest, to me

[@michaelg9344]

Of the original. If you hang the switch between two positions in the wheel section you can drive the LFO to sonic levels. I used this to create realistic thunder.

[@dalejason]

Excellent comparison video, great work 👏👏👏

[@eco_beige]

Great comparison as always! Do you plan on comparing the behringer with the Korg VST?

[@StarskyCarr]

I hadn't planned on it.. Maybe a quick one with all 3?

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

@@StarskyCarr might as well include the iPad version too , i may surprise tou

[@eco_beige]

@@StarskyCarr would be appreciated!

[@rs0389]

The korg VST has a lot of extra effects on it.

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

@@rs0389 what ! You dont have effects ?

[@MrThebearded1]

The I.T Crowd theme lol on the behringer first play

[@1980VINZ]

Such an enjoyable video, love you mate, really 🙏

[@davidborrie1199]

So, more than a year later... has Behringer got around to fixing the "Poly mode + Hold" issue via firmware yet? Seems like an annoying bug...

[@yavamaystudio8045]

If you need wider range of harmonics for Behringer, you can use Aural Aphex exciter or Behringer sonic exciter 3040.

[@repasiv]

There is only one big difference. You can actually get a brand new behringer monopoly for a reasonable price.

[@michaels5166]

YOU told it all..we're done here..

[@omarbonifacino2230]

Great sound Behringer for my . Very nice

[@mynameistechno]

Now all users need a calibration tutorial - from you - not behringer,

[@StarskyCarr]

Haha... a simple screwdriver does the trick. I did wonder whether to include it, but didn't want to linger on it ... I was too excited about having a play :)

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

@@StarskyCarr If i remember correctly i had to tune the Odessay but even the manual recommends this after warm up , I suspect this is the case for the PolyMono and the MonoPoly

[@StarskyCarr]

@@adventureswithsteve2981 you should always allow an analog synths 15 mins to warm up, it goes with the territory. This wasn’t the oscillators, but the filter. Tuning the filter is not a very common requirement for any synth, unless it’s broken. I’ve never done it in 30 years of owning them... and only had to retune a single VCO on all my synths in that time. Calibration is normally something associated with tech maintenance tbh.

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

@@StarskyCarr i agree with tobi about a calibration tutorial , please use the init patch at the back of the quick start book or use the patch sheet on page 39 as starting basis so we are all on same control settings before we start to tinker , thanks

[@moosey62]

@@adventureswithsteve2981 Me too! I'm in. Calibration tutorial would be appreciated muchly!

[@zerobeat2020]

Actually it is the Behringer arpeggiator that is the odd one out. An up/down arp should repeat the top note in order to stay in step, the Korg does that the Behringer doesn't, rendering that arp option on the Behringer next to useless. This is typical Behringer. Their synthesizers are cheap for a reason. Annoying quirks like these and the fact that my Behringer Odyssey broke down within 9 months and took months to repair is exactly the reason I sold it and from now on stick with more conscientious and experienced synth manufacturers.

[@moosey62]

Kinda strange they don't make the calibration tweak a feature of the synth and tell you how to go about doing it on a new machine. It's not as if the customers for this synth don't like messing about. But thanks for getting this out there mate. I would never have guessed it in a million years.

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks... I've an update on this here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZKuk5qJoNt_mZo turns out they are calibrated.. but the history of this makes it a little more confusing as most originals appear to have been tweaked for brighter tones.

[@Stefan0xXx]

Hi man awesome comparison! So wich parameter should I adjust with the screwdriver in the back panel?

[@StarskyCarr]

I've just uploaded this which will help kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZKuk5qJoNt_mZo

[@GNeuman]

Strange how they chose to clone a synth that really didn't set the world on fire when first released. I'm struggling to think of any major artists that used this back in the day. Doesn't mean it's a bad synth though....Astonished by the accuracy of the cloning.

[@fermiLiquidDrinker]

Vince Clark used/uses a mono/poly

[@GNeuman]

@@fermiLiquidDrinker well, Vince is one of those artists who have used everything and the kitchen sink in their studios, like Trent Reznor and Radiohead.

[@DMT353]

But he’s a major artist.

[@infinity528hz5]

Always enjoy when you laughing, and ranting, very good rewiew,

[@ramtang]

Wondering about the "swing" on the arp of the original? My original (1st owner) does the same as the Behringer, so without the "swing" (as intended). Yours seems to do an extra rest after the arpeggiated notes? Interesting feature :-) BTW Thanks for your detailed comparison!

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks, you're the second person to mention that. maybe the vintage unit I have here has an issue with the arp. I think it probably has!

[@christopher3971]

Great comparison as always! Starsky - What would you prescribe the best method for identifying a calibration issue with the Behringer model, with out having access to an original? Specifically how can you be sure you’ve recalibrated the filter correctly with nothing to compare it to? Thanks Chris

[@StarskyCarr]

I’ve no idea tbh. You really need something to compare it to... or at least some original specs. I had no idea if this was working like a vintage unit until I got hold of this one. Others had told me it looked wrong, but without seeing the evidence it’s hard to know exactly what people are looking at (wires can easily be crossed via comments and forums). You really need someone who’s got one to give you the numbers.

[@flyondonnie9578]

You could calibrate it to a vst MonoPoly.

[@ZaffinMusic]

★★★★★ excellent comparison, as per usual, sir. It’s funny that you mentioned thicker keys because I was looking at the top-down image and thinking that the B’s keys were thinner but I just put it down to being an optical illusion.

[@StarskyCarr]

I never noticed to look at.. it was the feel that gave it away.

[@ZaffinMusic]

@@StarskyCarr is it the Korg that’s overly fatter, keys-wise or the B that’s overly thinner? How do they compare to a modern synth like the P6 for example? Not that it really matters at all. Just curious.

[@StarskyCarr]

@@ZaffinMusic Hahah... get your geek on... MP back keys are approx 8mm at the top surface. OB6 is approx 8.7 ... maybe ... ish :) you can feel it but its difficult to measure.. because everything's black!

[@ZaffinMusic]

@@StarskyCarr ha ha! You just had to know, didn’t you! 😄 Well, we’ll both sleep soundly tonight at least.

[@marcmistermarc]

Funny them checking with you if it's OK! Still I guess it's better than them asking KORG if they have it right.

[@StarskyCarr]

Haha ... but no-one checked with me, I was trying to figure out why everyone said it sounded so dull. I’ve another vid explaining what went on there.

[@chargen7224]

Can you ask if the panel board could be reached with MIDI CC (you suggested it was not, just plain) have you asked Behringer? It's hard to believe, that they're nit interested in opening the panel /// it would allow for something more automata

[@spazkong]

Best comparisons in the world. When I get one, which I will, could you direct me to a calibration service, possibly you or a recommended engineer in order to make it most authentic? Also, what would such a service cost? Cheers :)

[@StarskyCarr]

Try this… super easy no technician required. Behringer MonoPoly Filter Calibration: What's going on? kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZKuk5qJoNt_mZo

[@lovemadeinjapan]

Did you find out how to do the drone chords at 35:00? It seems quintessential.

[@o.b.v.i.u.s]

As always, valuable and entertaining content...

[@StarskyCarr]

VERY Much appreciated!

[@validcore]

My arpegiator when set to FULL(which never happened in this vid) hits low loud out of tune notes as the scale goes up. Is this all units or just mine?

[@333jobforacowboy]

Hey mine did this. Don’t know if you already figured it out but mine did this and it turned out to be a bug that can be fixed by updating the firmware. Its all good now!

[@validcore]

@@333jobforacowboy yep same here! I did a vid on it, glad there was a fix.

[@alphanumeric1529]

The Korg sounds better. Every time, every application! The Korg just sounds more analog! Every example there is more movement or life in the Korg, more harmonics in odd places. And sometimes, I just don't know what it is, but it is the difference between preference, like each time, I prefer the Korg, something about the Korg is always just better to me. But, the Korg MonoPoly has always been an out of hand beastie, known for its grunting aggression. I'm old enough to have bought a Korg MonoPoly when they were supposedly cheap, but I didn't know my a55 from my elbow... so sad. But by the time I figured out what I like, and what specific instruments made those sounds, the MonoPoly was going up in price. One of those things where you think, oh, that's the ceiling price, it's getting absurd, but nope, the price just kept going up. But then I lost my life, and just about everything was out of my price range. Even sadder. But, I guess Behringer is getting back into drooling distance. I know for most it's nothing to buy one of these Behringers, but for me, it would require miracle level funding. And I guess the Behringer would get kind of there. At least it is blue and has strangely evenly spaced out knobs. Paupers can't be choosers and all. I guess, thanks Behringer. I'm hoping Behringer will be releasing v2's of these in 10 years or something, and maybe they'll be a little better at achieving the particular character of these old synths that made each a master in it's own domain. It just seems all this Behringer analog gear, which I've been so psyched about is all just kind of generic sounding. Not as bad as a vst, but somewhere between a vst and real analog, which should be their tag line. Lol. But, around 24:00 good sounds out of the Beri. It's now one of my life's ambitions to get my hands on the Beri M/P. One thing, not through this vid yet, but the old Korg, had unique... modes, or quirks, to note priority, and just little weird things that produced unique sounds and even musical structures... wondering if the Beri actually emulated all of those features as well... 28:35 as an example... Thanks for vid. Swear this was supposed to be short.

[@Jason75913]

tl;dr if we forced you to tell them apart without looking at them and avoiding where tthe Behringer's bigger bass shines, I promise you you'd fail to tell them apart, buddy, lol

[@Arcessitor]

Lmao. It sounds more analog despite both of them being fully analog. Okay champ.

[@tirskikhroman]

Thank you, Behringer!

[@kriz716]

I want to see Behringer make the Emu Audity from 1980 a reality

[@2000stephenellis]

Starsky Carr.. The ONLY ..comparison than matters !! (even if he is a bit scouse) ! ..lol .... sorry Mr S .. only joking ! yours comparisons are THE goto vids for the Behringer stuff .. hats off to yas .. peace brother ..STOKIE steve !!

[@hydorah]

The Behringer in 4o years time? I'd suggest looking inside one before making a judgment on whether it will be a playable musical instrument in 40 years time

[@StarskyCarr]

Similar looking to the new Prophet5 and OBX8 - so they’re probably in the same boat.

[@hydorah]

@@StarskyCarr Haven't looked inside either of those, but highly likely they are SMD. I have repaired some SMD stuff, the kit is out there but it is so much harder to do, more time consuming and more costly - and when guys like Behringer use custom parts inside their products it makes for another dimension, if those parts break? You are sunk. The OBX8 sounds so utterly devastatingly amazingly glorious though!

[@hydorah]

I found some gut shots of the OBX8 online, it's SMD but looks spaciously laid out. Can't tell how much is custom.... I guess I'll just have to buy one! Hehe Maybe one day....

[@dr.feelicks2051]

Arp trig on orig runs on lfo, jack breaks normal. Behringer requires SYNTHTRIBE to switch to internal.external

[@StarskyCarr]

Yep... I edited that out..it was getting a little longwinded.

[@Pm-qp6tb]

Excellent thank you 😊 how can I check this issue without a proper material. ?

[@ogasi1798]

you can do this with something like sound forge or anything else that will give you a frequency analysis, lots of free software out there ;-)

[@Pm-qp6tb]

@@ogasi1798 thank you

[@PorchBass]

Do it by ear. Turn on the key tracking and bring up resonance until you get an oscillator, tune that against the actual oscillators by ear.

[@Pm-qp6tb]

@@PorchBass thank you

[@digitaldiezel5870]

We all know how this one ends...watching now.

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

I am quite surprised that there is little difference in sound considering how capacitors degrade over time and especially with how that effects oscillator circuits. I have a Mono-Poly coming tomorrow 😎 I will use your filter section to see how mine has been tuned but i suspect they will all come incorrectly adjusted

[@StarskyCarr]

I'm interested in how they're all being calibrated... Behringer specifically stated in their response to me that this is how they left the factory - so maybe they're all calibrated this way?? Please let me know what you find. Thanks

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

@@StarskyCarr yes , i will do as soon as it comes out the box , i will let it heat up for 15 mins before i do anything though, cheers for finding the fix if it is indeed a problem with all coming from factory. I suspect tuning will be in the manual for initial setup like it is for the oddy

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

Update , its arrived and .........

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@adventureswithsteve2981 ……. 🙄 …….

[@DonSolaris]

....... and there was a ten pound gold bar in the box, which is why we never heard of adventureswithsteve2981 again :)))

[@djmouglie]

I wish you would do a compare with the software version. I know the software is old but im wondering if its really worth the money to get the Behringer hardware version if the software sounds anyway near as good. As the software also has poly, detune stereo spread and effects and so on.

[@kristianborisov5928]

Korg made some update recently, so the software is even not so old anymore. I would be interested in the same comparison, although listening to the software (which I have), and to the hardware through the demos, I can definitely say that the hardware is noticeably fatter and with more bottom. Playing the software though it sounds quite better than KZbin videos, and is really pleasing (same applied to Polysix VST).

[@validcore]

Mind doing a vid just showing the calibration? Was this righty tighty or lefty loosie?

[@StarskyCarr]

Yeah, I might put one together.. it’s really simple, but perhaps seeing it ‘live’ might give people confidence to do it themselves.

[@crashedsite]

Makes you wonder about the differences between your Minimoog and Poly D, maybe the Poly D also wasn't calibrated correct by Behringer, maybe they also can get even closer if you calibrate it

[@StarskyCarr]

I think the differences in the Poly D where more due to gain structure and having the additional oscillator but it does make you wonder about different users experiences.

[@gretareinarsson7461]

I think Behringer is spot on with both Monopoly and PolyD. Not just in price but in sound as well.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Not to the extent of Model D and Pro-1, tho’

[@ekoboydj]

identical. wondering if this uncalibration is with all units..can someone advise? or was just Stars unit?

[@StarskyCarr]

It’s with all the units. The original service manual has it tuned to 7 kHz which is what Behringer have replicated. It’s a super easy thing to change though .

[@RundFyrkant]

Hmm, what else did they forget and if they did forget something is it any point to bring it up?

[@StarskyCarr]

Check out my update where I discover the service manual!!

[@machiwoomiapoo]

Good job!

[@danielcolfer4671]

Why wouldn’t Behringer just put the same amount of keys on the clone?

[@StarskyCarr]

They have a standard format 'box' so this is the same as the Poly D and the new MS5 Roland SH5 clone that's coming soon... it all contributes to being able to make them cheaper.

[@michaelg9344]

My original Mono/Poly noise generator sounds repetitive. I'm suspicious that this is not normal.

[@SEFFOfficial]

The “clone” is still really Phatt sounding to me regardless

[@StarskyCarr]

there's no denying its got some balls

[@SEFFOfficial]

@@StarskyCarr You know it mate, that saw is so dirty ha!!

[@patkelly8309]

What is your honest opinion of Behringer as a company, and what they are doing with all these so-called clones?

[@ZethKeeper]

24:34 lol just picked up the year on your watch, looks like you're a time traveler.

[@StarskyCarr]

No-one believes me!

[@IrrationalRecreation]

I would recommend taking a look at Kebu's video from a couple of weeks ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGSalI2Koddka9k . He has two original Mono/Poly keyboards which makes for an interesting comparison with the Behringer. Also, given the existence of the 'Sizzle' mod for the original Korg, does this not suggest that at least some had a filter that rolls off in the mid-band (or does so with age) ?

[@ineedstuff8286]

1) Can i hit a 4-note chord like a 7th chord on this? 2) Can it be detuned sawtooth strings for the chord?

[@StarskyCarr]

Yes and yes. I think I actually do both in the video. The only thing I’d say is detuned saws is normally in the same voice.. so all voices define similarly. Here you define the oscillators independently so you have to be careful not to make it sound out of tune. It’s a subtle difference, but defining note to note can make it sound out of tune.

[@ineedstuff8286]

@@StarskyCarr ok.. but the unison button will (when engaged) will be a one-note at a time thing?

[@StarskyCarr]

@@ineedstuff8286 Yes, unison is always a one note thing... it's what 'unison' means. :)

[@mikemeengs4124]

Fantastic!

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

So my Mono-Poly arrived , after letting it heat up for 30 mins and the putting the Vcos through calibration by powering off then holding Effects button while powering on i get the following frequencies on the filter with resonance at 10 , cutoff between 1-2 around 50-80hz Cutoff at 10 i get 7795hz So mine purrs like a 100 tonne lion and can squeal to almost just past my perceptible hearing . Still have no clue what it should be but from zero sound at low to zero sound at high seems to be ideal to me maybe even a little wide on the bandwidth if enything

[@StarskyCarr]

That’s exactly what mine was doing. If you tweak the FC ADJ screw in the back - turn it a few rotations clockwise - then the cutoff will act like the originals. ... max out at around. 19-20 kHz It allows it to go much brighter, but you can dial the cutoff down to get what you’re getting now.

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

@@StarskyCarr i am not really sure how i should do this , what do you set the cutoff and resonance to while adjusting , resonance at 10 & cutoff 0?

[@StarskyCarr]

@@adventureswithsteve2981 I'll upload a quick video tomorrow maybe with a demo of how to do it... but cutoff and resonance at full. all oscillators on zero so you're listening to only the filter self-oscillating. As you turn the screw clockwise the frequency should start rising.

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

@@StarskyCarr Cheers , how about using the Patch sheet thats in the manual as setup reference note

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

@@StarskyCarr i watched video again and have same problem with Hold on Poly mode but try it on Unison , its epic

[@obwanz1921]

Brilliant as usual. Weird about Behringer isn’t it?

[@StarskyCarr]

Really peculiar, which is why I was so shocked.

[@KarlAdamsAudio]

Re: the Hold mode behaviour difference, I initially thought it was because you had the Behringer in Single Trigger mode and the Korg in Multiple, but it looks like you changed that in the last attempt at 35:22, to no avail, unfortunately.

[@StarskyCarr]

There was about 5 minutes of me messing around with everything I edited out at that point. It's a fine balance between showing everything you've looked at and making it watchable. This started at 1:30 long. I originally thought auto damp had something to do with it... then trigger modes... just couldn't figure it out.

[@KarlAdamsAudio]

I totally understand - I think you do an excellent job with the editing: the feel is informal and friendly, yet the pacing never drags - no mean feat.

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

@@StarskyCarr poly mode defo has a fault , just try Unison with Hold , its epic .

[@ambiosonics]

Just a comment on the arpeggio of the Korg: in Up-Down-Mode the Korg repeats the endnote, a two note arpeggio is C E E C C E...; a three note arpeggio on the Korg is C E G G E C C E G .... The Behringer appearently does not(!) repeat the the endnote on Up-Down-Mode; it plays the three note arpeggio like C E G E C. What you thought that it is an "shuffle" or a halted note is simply two notes - which you don't hear, because your sustain is set to maximum and you are in unisono- or mono-mode. Set the decay and sustain to something like 5 and you will hear it easily. Regards, Florian Anwander

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks, but apparently it’s a flaw in this machine.. it always does this no matter what the settings. The owner has told me he’s always just considered it was weird.. turns out it’s not acting like it should.

[@florian-anwander]

@@StarskyCarr Hi, I re-checked the behaviour now on my Korg MonoPoly. It is definitely as I described above (using my band account - now I am writing with my personal account). In UpDown-Mode the end note is repeated. In up-only mode or down-only mode this repetition does not happen of course.

[@StarskyCarr]

@@florian-anwander I've just had another quick play with the MonoPoly before I return it to its owner. You're quite right about the arpeggiator. I didn't linger on it in the video as the owner had told me it was misbehaving and had always been a bit strange. I even double checked with him before uploading the final edit. I wish I'd spent a bit more time on it while recording now. If he hadn't have said anything I'd wouldn't have expected it to be odd and would have have spent a little more time getting it to sound better! Never mind.. but it's quite annoying ;) I think he'll be very pleased when I explain what's going on, so thank you very much. Very useful info