Korg Mono/Poly

Last updated
Korg Mono/Poly
Korg MONO-POLY.jpg
Korg Mono/Poly
Manufacturer Korg (Keio Electronic Laboratories)
Dates1981-1984
PriceUS$995
UK£699
Technical specifications
Polyphony 4 voices
LFO 2 LFO's w/ individual rates
Synthesis type Analog Subtractive
Filter VCF, VCF ADSR
Attenuator 1 VCA per voice
1 ADSR envelope per voice
Input/output
Keyboard 44 keys
External control CV/gate and CV Filter

The Korg Mono/Poly (MP-4) is a paraphonic analog synthesizer released by Korg in 1981, bridging the gap between monophonic and polyphonic synthesis. [1] Released in the same year as the Korg Polysix, as a complementary synth, The Mono/Poly is equipped with four VCOs and can operate as a four-voice paraphonic synth with limited capabilities, or as a monophonic synth using all four oscillators. Upon its release, it was the only monophonic synthesizer with an integrated quad-VCO design available on the market. [2]

Contents

Sounds and features

The Mono/Poly features four voltage-controlled oscillators, each providing the same functions and offering four waveforms: triangle, sawtooth, pulse, and pulse width modulation. Every VCO can be individually adjusted for octave, volume, and detuning in relation to VCO 1, which has a Master Tuning feature instead. Only the fixed pulse width and the amount of pulse width modulation are shared settings across all VCOs. The Mono/Poly features a 4-pole resonant lowpass filter known for its strong, unique sound, with ADSR envelopes modulating both the VCF and VCA. [3]

The Mono/Poly is equipped with two LFOs, named Modulation Generators; the first offers four waveforms and can target multiple parameters via the modulation wheel, while the second, a triangle wave, is dedicated to pulse width modulation and setting the Arpeggiator tempo. The Mono/Poly also features oscillator sync and cross modulation, labelled "Effects", allowing for various configurations such as one oscillator influencing the remaining three for mono play, or duophonic play with two pairs of oscillators modulating each other. The depth of these modulations can be adjusted using the filter envelope or the first Modulation Generator. [3] [4] [5]

The Mono/Poly's Key Assign mode determines how the keyboard interacts with the VCOs, enabling various performance styles. In Unison mode, it functions as a standard analog mono synth. Poly mode allows for polyphonic play of up to four notes, assigning one VCO to each note with the possibility of different timbres for each note. Chord Memory mode enables monophonic play based on a pre-set chord voicing, assigning each VCO to a different note of the chord. Lastly, Unison/Share mode allocates oscillators to the current notes being played, balancing them across the voices. [3] [4]

The Mono/Poly features an Arpeggiator that offers latch, octave range, and note order settings. This can be combined with the Key Assign modes to create a wide range of effects including unison arpeggios and chordal arpeggios. In Poly mode, the Mono/Poly's four VCOs trigger sequentially, allowing the user to adjust each VCO's waveform, octave, and volume to transform simple patterns into unpredictable and dynamic sequences. [3] [5]

Software

Korg iMono/Poly synthesizer for the iPhone Korg iMonoPoly.PNG
Korg iMono/Poly synthesizer for the iPhone

In 2007, Korg released a software emulator of the Mono/Poly as part of the Korg Legacy Collection, which offers a digital emulation of the Mono/Poly with modern features like MIDI compatibility and additional controls. [6] In 2017, Korg introduced a mobile iOS application for iPad called iMono/Poly, which emulates the original synthesizer with additional features including effects and eight modulation patches. [7] [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korg Poly-800</span> Polyphonic synthesizer

The Korg Poly-800 is an 8-voice analog synthesizer released by Korg in 1983. Its initial list price of $795 made it the first fully programmable polyphonic synthesizer that sold for less than $1,000. It was designed for portability, featuring battery power and a lightweight design that allowed the user to play with it strapped around their neck. It utilized digitally controlled oscillators (DCOs), and was a paraphonic synth with a single filter shared between its eight voices.

The Yamaha AN1x is a DSP-based analog modeling synthesizer, produced by Yamaha Corporation from 1997 to 1998, and was marketed as an "analog physical modelling control synthesizer".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roland Jupiter-8</span> Synthesizer made by Roland in the 1980s

The Jupiter-8, or JP-8, is an eight-voice polyphonic analog subtractive synthesizer introduced by Roland Corporation in early 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moog Concertmate MG-1</span> Monophonic analog synthesizer

The Realistic Concertmate MG-1 is an analog synthesizer manufactured by Moog Music in 1981 and sold by Radio Shack from 1982 to 1983 under their "Realistic" brand name. It was produced without some standard Moog features, such as pitch and modulation wheels, as a cost-cutting measure aimed at achieving a lower price for the consumer market. The synthesizer also featured a pair of pass-through RCA jacks, which allowed users to mix radio or records into the final live synthesized sound output.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roland Jupiter-4</span> Polyphonic analog synthesizer

The Roland Jupiter-4 (JP-4) was an analog synthesizer manufactured by the Roland Corporation between 1978 and 1981. It was notable as the company's first self-contained polyphonic synthesizer, and for employing digital control of analog circuits, allowing for such features as programmable memory, voice assignment modes, an arpeggiator, polyphonic portamento and others.

microKORG Synthesizer released in 2002

The microKORG is a MIDI-capable digital synthesizer/vocoder from Korg featuring DSP-based analog modelling. The synthesizer is built in such a way that it is essentially a Korg MS-2000 with a programmable step arpeggiator, a less advanced vocoder, lack of motion sequencing, lack of an XLR microphone input, and in a smaller case with fewer real-time control knobs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korg MS-20</span> Patchable semi-modular monophonic analog synthesizer

The Korg MS-20 is a patchable semi-modular monophonic analog synthesizer which Korg released in 1978 and which was in production until 1983. It was part of Korg's MS series of instruments, which also included the single oscillator MS-10, the keyboardless MS-50 module, the SQ-10 sequencer, and the VC-10 Vocoder. Additional devices included the MS-01 Foot Controller, MS-02 Interface, MS-03 Signal Processor, and MS-04 Modulation Pedal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korg DW-8000</span> Hybrid digital-analog synthesizer

The Korg DW-8000 is a polyphonic hybrid digital-analog synthesizer released in 1985. It blends digital waveforms with an analog filter and amplifier, followed by a digital delay for adding echo effects. It boasts eight-note polyphony and its keyboard is equipped with velocity sensitivity and aftertouch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korg Prophecy</span> Synthesizer released in 1995

The Korg Prophecy is a monophonic synthesizer released by Korg in 1995. Korg's first monophonic synthesizer since the Mono/Poly, the Prophecy employs Korg's Multi Oscillator Synthesis System (MOSS), which features digital oscillators capable of emulating synthesis techniques such as analog synthesis, FM and physical modelling. Emphasized for its portability, expressiveness, and engaging playability, a distinctive feature of the Prophecy is its multifunctional Wheel 3, nicknamed the 'log'.

The Memorymoog is a polyphonic electronic music synthesizer manufactured by Moog Music from 1982 to 1985, the last polyphonic synthesizer to be released by Moog Music before the company declared bankruptcy in 1987. While comparable to other polyphonic synthesizers of the time period, such as the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 and Oberheim OB-Xa, the Memorymoog distinguished itself with an additional, 3rd audio oscillator per voice and greater preset storage capacity.

The Korg Poly-61(PS-61) is an analog programmable polyphonic synthesizer released by Korg in 1982, as a successor to the Polysix. It was the first affordable synthesizer to feature two oscillators per voice, and was Korg's first largely "knobless" synthesizer, replacing the traditional knobs and switches found on the Polysix with a series of parameter selectors and two incrementing buttons that allowed the user to program sounds one section at a time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oberheim OB12</span> Synthesizer released in 2000

The Oberheim OB•12 is a Virtual Analog synthesizer, designed and realised by the Italian musical instrument manufacturer Viscount, in production between 2000 and 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korg MS-10</span> Musical synthesizer

Korg MS-10 is an analogue synthesizer created by Korg in 1978. Unlike its bigger brother, the Korg MS-20, the MS-10 only has one VCO, one VCF and one envelope generator. It is monophonic and has 32 keys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korg DS-8</span> Synthesizer

The Korg DS-8 is a digital eight-voice FM synthesizer released by Korg in 1987. Following an agreement with Yamaha for access to its research and development facilities, it was designed using Yamaha components and constructed under a licensing agreement. It introduced an analog-style interface for controlling FM sounds and could play different patches on each of its eight voices, marking it as Korg's first multi-timbral MIDI synthesizer. Accompanying its launch was the Korg 707, a more portable version of the DS-8, lacking digital effects but equipped with strap pegs for keytar performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korg DW-6000</span> Analogue synthesizer

The Korg DW-6000 is a polyphonic hybrid digital-analog synthesizer released in 1985. It blends digital waveforms with an analog filter and amplifier, also incorporating a chorus effect to create an enriched analog sound. The DW-6000 features six-note polyphony and was quickly succeeded by the DW-8000, also released in 1985, which introduced a velocity sensitive keyboard with aftertouch, a built-in arpeggiator, increased polyphony and waveforms, and substituted the chorus effect with a digital delay effect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akai AX60</span> Polyphonic analogue synthesizer

The AX60 is a polyphonic analogue keyboard synthesizer manufactured by Akai Professional in the mid-1980s. It was Akai's answer to the popular Roland Juno series synthesizers. The AX60 uses voltage-controlled analogue oscillators and filter circuitry based on the Curtis Electronics CEM 3394 integrated circuit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korg Z1</span> Synthesizer released in 1997

The Korg Z1 is a digital synthesizer released by Korg in 1997. The Z1 built upon the foundation set by the monophonic Prophecy released two years prior by offering 12-note polyphony and featuring expanded oscillator options, a polyphonic arpeggiator and an XY touchpad for enhanced performance interaction. It was the world's first multitimbral physical modelling synthesizer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korg Minilogue</span> Polyphonic analogue synthesizer

The Korg Minilogue is a polyphonic analog synthesizer released in 2016 by Korg. It offers users four-voice polyphony with two analog VCOs per-voice and was designed to be affordable. It was designed by Korg engineer and synthesizer designer Tatsuya Takahashi, who said "the concept of the Minilogue was to build an analog synthesizer that doesn't rely on the fame and success of an old synth".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korg miniKORG 700</span> Monophonic analogue synthesizer

The miniKORG 700 is a monophonic analog synthesizer released by Korg in 1973, marking their entry into mass-produced synthesizers and their first monophonic synthesizer. It was initially designed to be placed on top of an organ, so its controls are located below the keyboard facing towards the performer. An updated model, the miniKORG 700S, was launched in 1974, introducing a second oscillator that could be detuned, along with additional sustain and vibrato controls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volca Keys</span> Subtractive analogue synthesizer

The Volca Keys is a analogue synthesizer manufactured by the Japanese music technology company Korg. It was announced in April 2013 at MusikMesse and was at the time one of the few affordable analogue synthesizers available. The Volca Keys uses subtractive synthesis to create sounds and is three-note paraphonic, meaning that it can play chords with all voices sharing a single voltage-controlled filter (VCF).

References

  1. Bjørn, Kim (2022-01-01). Patch & Tweak with KORG. Bjooks. p. 198. ISBN   978-8799999552.
  2. Reid, Gordon (October 2002). "The History Of Korg: Part 1". Sound On Sound. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Metlay, Mike (1 January 2021). Synth Gems 1. Bjooks. p. 175. ISBN   9788799999545.
  4. 1 2 Johnson, Derek (June 2000). "Korg Mono/poly". Sound On Sound. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  5. 1 2 Norman, Rob (Nov 1988). "Playing The Game". Music Technology. United Kingdom: Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. pp. 46–47. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  6. Reid, Gordon (August 2007). "Korg Mono/Poly Legacy Edition". Sound On Sound. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  7. "Korg bring a classic synth to iOS: Watch". DJ Mag. 2017-08-24. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  8. Staff, M. P. V. "macProVideo.com". macProVideo.com. Retrieved 2024-03-22.

Further reading