Korg Minilogue Synth

Korg Minilogue Synth

When it comes to traditional subtractive analog synthesis with modern sophistication, the Korg minilogue analog polyphonic synthesizer delivers. It starts with a pair of highly shapable VCOs, which you can shape with a switchable 2-/4-pole lowpass filter, and there's plenty of modulation to go around. At the same time, you can store up to 200 settings, and there are 100 killer presets onboard to fuel your creativity. There's also a built-in tape-style delay effect and an OLED oscilloscope display — something we've never seen on a hardware synth. And that's just the beginning. Between the minilogue's Voice Modes and the onboard 16-step sequencer, you'll be amazed by the sounds you can come up with.

It's tempting to look at a synth like the minilogue and assume that there must be a catch. How could an affordable polyphonic synth like this be truly analog? The answer lies with Korg's ingenuity. To make the minilogue, they had to completely redesign their analog synthesis technology, building a new platform component by component from the ground up. Ultimately, the minilogue features 2 VCOs, 1 VCF, 2 EGs, 1 VCA, and 1 LFO, all completely in the analog realm. You also get cross modulation, oscillator sync, and killer effects including a ring modulator, delay, and a highpass filter, plus an oscilloscope that lets you visualize the results. It's a veritable synthesis playground, and you'll never run out of ways to put it all together.

• Redesigned all-analog synthesis signal path
• Includes 2 VCOs, 1 VCF, 2 EGs, 1 VCA, and 1 LFO
• Cross modulation and oscillator sync onboard
• Oscilloscope lets you monitor your waveform
• Additional effects include delay and ring modulation

• The fact that the Korg minilogue features four voices is pretty cool to begin with, but what makes this compact analog polysynth so much fun is the way it lets you put those voices to use. Choose from eight distinct voice modes to create fun and unique effects that will thrill even the most seasoned synth pro. Here are the details:

  • Poly mode is a basic polyphonic arrangement that allows you to play up to four separate notes at a time. This mode is perfect for playing chords or melodies with overlapping notes. To put it mildly, it's not every day you find a high-quality, true analog polyphonic synth at this price, and Poly mode shows off exactly how cool the minilogue can be.
  • Duo mode is, in many ways, the midway point between Poly mode and Unison mode, offering the best of each. The trade-off is that it cuts your polyphony down to two voices, but they each include 2-part unisons. The result is deep and vibrant sounds with enough polyphony for playing legato or layering notes.
  • Unison mode is a monophonic configuration that uses all four oscillators. This mode lets you create even bigger and richer sounds than Duo mode. It's perfect for creating massive stacks or lush pads. With plenty of options to dial it in, you'll be amazed by the extensive sound-sculpting options you get from this mode.
  • Mono mode is a traditional monophonic setup. What's great about Mono mode is that it trades the unison voices for a fat sub oscillator. It's perfect for beefing up bass patches or adding girth to leads.
  • Chord mode lets you automatically trigger entire chords with the press of a single key. You can quickly set up the chords you want to play for easy recall. There are limitless possibilities for Chord mode live, and it's a killer songwriting feature.
  • Delay mode is one of the most original things about the minilogue. This mode splits the oscillators out into repeating voices, kind of like a standard delay effect, only with the potential to program vastly different sounds for each repetition. Pro tip from the synth gurus at Sweetwater: if you want to experience some truly awesome rhythms, try running your Delay mode patches through the onboard delay effect.
  • Arp mode lets you create short arpeggiator sequences using all four voices. Choose from a variety of fun and exciting arpeggiation modes for cool rhythmical effects. You won't get this kind of character from a typical synthesizer.
  • Sidechain mode is another impressively unique performance option the minilogue offers. It's another multivoice mode, only this time, each new note drops the volume of the previous one, allowing the new note to take the foreground. Sidechain mode is particularly cool if you want to use patches with a softer attack for lead or solo parts since it adds a ton of clarity to the mix.