I bought this because it seemed fun to play with, and because I wanted to learn more about the very basic features of an analog synthesizer. It delivered on both accounts and then-some. The filter is great (featuring both cutoff and peak controls), and the dual use of the LFO (for the pitch and filter cutoff) allows for a wide variety of sounds. I love this thing. See following rant for details.
Best features (so far):
-Auxiliary input: based on the circuit layout, the aux input comes in after the VCO, so whatever sounds you put through it can be manipulated by the filter; moreover, the VCO can still produce sounds even if you have an external input (though the filter will apply to both of them). In practice, this means you can run a beat through it AND play a melody at the same time, and both will go to the same speaker. Or, you could hook-up a computer mic and filter your singing voice while playing a song. Pretty fun.
-This damn thing produces surprisingly rich low-frequency tones. The internal speaker won't pick them up, but better speakers (or subs) will if you connect them to the head-phone port. I was playing with them for hours at work because I couldn't believe how rich they were. (FYI, drop the pitch, turn the cutoff down fairly low, crank the peak, and it produces some rich bass tones--mix with the LFO, and you have some nice bass lines and/or bass drum rhythms, depending on how high or low the interval of the LFO is set at when it is modulating the cutoff).
-Many people have noted the quality of the filter, which is fair, because it is nice. However, the LFO is similarly versatile--just move it a bit more carefully and you'll fine that you can control much more of the modulation than it first appears.
-*Update*: I thought the "click" sound that you hear when you place your finger on the ribbon to play a note was only avoidable by keeping one finger on it (just time it right when playing), but there is a way around it. If you have another unit (Monotron, Delay, or Duo), run the sound of one through the other, and the "click" is gone! I am sure there are other ways around it, but this is definitely one.
Downside(s):
-Like I said, it is kind of small, and I am worried that its plastic body may eventually break, but I suppose that just means I have to be somewhat careful.
-The ribbon keyboard is fun for sliding around the scale, but it makes playing individual notes difficult--its small, and the boundaries between notes are not always spatially clear.
-The internal speaker makes it seem cheaper than it really is--DON'T BE FOOLED! This synth produces richer and a wider range of sounds than its internal speaker lets on.
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This Item  Korg Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon Synthesizer |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $44.00 | -17% $49.95 Typical: $59.95 | $129.99 | $90.68 | $99.00 | $149.10 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jun 18 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jun 18 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jun 18 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jun 18 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jun 18 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jun 18 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Versatility | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Sound quality | ||||||
| Easy to use | ||||||
| Sold By | théâtre | MicroKits | Donner Music | BO PECHAP | Teenage Engineering Inc, USA | Last Samurai |
| model name | MONOTRONDLY | — | — | NTS | PO 33 kb | VOLCA SAMPLE2 |
| connector type | Auxiliary | — | Usb Type C | USB Type B | MIDI USB | USB |
| number of keys | 0 | 13 | — | 49 | — | — |
| body material | — | Gold Plated Touchpads | Bass Wood | Bass Wood | — | Bass Wood |
| weight | 0.4 pounds | 150 grams | 9.6 ounces | 290 grams | — | 372 grams |
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2023
Style: Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon SynthesizerVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2024
Style: Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon SynthesizerVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2011
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2024
Style: Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon SynthesizerVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Walmor
Divertido e extremamente versátil por um bom preço
Reviewed in Brazil on October 16, 2023Style: Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon SynthesizerVerified Purchase
Emma Jz
Cumple su función
Reviewed in Mexico on March 8, 2022Style: Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon SynthesizerVerified Purchase
Anders Brock
Rolig för stunden ...men ha inga höga förväntningar
Reviewed in Sweden on January 18, 2024Style: Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon SynthesizerVerified Purchase
Isaac
Buen sinido
Reviewed in Spain on August 22, 2023Style: Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon SynthesizerVerified Purchase
Jack MDS
Instant classic
Reviewed in Italy on June 4, 2023Style: Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon SynthesizerVerified Purchase
