Monotron
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{{Short description|Analogue synthesizer series}}
File:Korg logo.svg is the manufacturer of the Monotron series, which comprises the original Monotron, Monotron Delay, and Monotron Duo.|class=notpageimage]]
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}} Monotron (stylised as monotron in all lowercase) is the collective name of a series of miniature monophonic analogue synthesisers produced by Korg, a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments. There are three models in the series: the original Monotron (released 2010), the Monotron Duo (released 2011) and the Monotron Delay (released 2011). The models share a minimalist set of synthesis components, consisting only of a voltage-controlled oscillator, voltage-controlled filter, a voltage-controlled amplifier and a low-frequency oscillator.
Critics received the Monotron series well, citing the synthesisers' analogue circuits, which were a novelty at the time. The Monotrons proved successful with consumers, especially with electronics hobbyists, who made modifications to the synthesisers' designs. Korg did not originally intend for the Monotrons to be used for this purpose: rather, it was a consequence of the company labeling the synthesisers' PCB solder points and publicly releasing their schematics.
The Monotron played a role in an "analogue revival" of synthesisers by showing that analogue synthesisers could still be popular in the digital era. Korg's decision to release the Monotron in 2010 emboldened other manufacturers to produce their own offerings, making analogue synthesisers popular again. Korg continued to release other analogue offerings, such as the Monotribe (released in 2011).
Monotron
File:KORG monotron (B&W) (cropped).jpg
Announced in the summer of 2010 at the German music exposition Musikmesse,{{Cite web |author1= |date=2010-03-24 |title=Musikmesse 2010: Korg monotron is analogue ribbon synth |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/musikmesse-2010-korg-monotron-is-analogue-ribbon-synth-241159 |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=MusicRadar |language=en |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115012832/https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/musikmesse-2010-korg-monotron-is-analogue-ribbon-synth-241159 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Flatley |first=Joseph L. |date=March 24, 2010 |title=Korg debuts pocket-sized Monotron analog synth, and we want it (video) |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-03-24-korg-debuts-pocket-sized-monotron-analog-synth-and-we-want-it.html |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=Engadget |language=en-US |archive-date=January 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122020845/https://www.engadget.com/2010-03-24-korg-debuts-pocket-sized-monotron-analog-synth-and-we-want-it.html |url-status=live }} the Monotron was Korg's first analogue synthesiser to be released in two decades (the last release being the Trident mkII).{{Cite web |last=Scarth |first=Greg |date=2010-07-14 |title=Korg Monotron review |url=https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/tech/korg-monotron-262689 |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=MusicRadar |language=en |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115012855/https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/tech/korg-monotron-262689 |url-status=live }} The Monotron was designed by Korg's Tatsuya Takahashi.{{Cite web |last=Tyler-Ameen |first=Daoud |date=2017-12-22 |title=Analog For The People: Synth Master Tatsuya Takahashi On Engineering Fun |url=https://www.wrvo.org/2017-12-22/analog-for-the-people-synth-master-tatsuya-takahashi-on-engineering-fun |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=WRVO Public Media |language=en |archive-date=January 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122020257/https://www.wrvo.org/2017-12-22/analog-for-the-people-synth-master-tatsuya-takahashi-on-engineering-fun |url-status=live }}
= Design =
Monotron measures {{convert|12|x|7|cm|in|abbr=on}}, weighs approximately {{convert|100|g}} and has a monochrome black-and-white design. It has a continuous ribbon controller for pitch and gate, similar to the touch controller found on Korg's Koass Pad line.{{Cite magazine |last=Sarah. |first=Benzuly |date=May 2010 |title=Musikmesse/ProLight+Sound 2010 hits |magazine=Mix |location=New York |volume=34 |issue=5 |page=10 |issn=0164-9957 }} The ribbon controller is also connected to the filter cutoff. Attached to the faceplate, there are five knobs for changing parameters.{{Cite web |last=Nagle |first=Paul |date=August 2010 |title=Korg Monotron |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/korg-monotron |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=Sound on Sound |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115012841/https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/korg-monotron |url-status=live }}
In terms of its sound engine, the Monotron is relatively bare-bones and only includes the basic elements of a monophonic synthesiser.{{sfn|Holzborn|2013|p=5}}{{Cite magazine |date=July 28, 2014 |title=Ten Of The Best: Analogue Mono Synths |url=https://www.attackmagazine.com/reviews/the-best/ten-of-the-best-analogue-mono-synths/ |magazine=Attack Magazine |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=December 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201102859/https://www.attackmagazine.com/reviews/the-best/ten-of-the-best-analogue-mono-synths/ |url-status=live }} Monotron has a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), voltage-controlled filter (VCF), a simple gated voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA) and a low-frequency oscillator (LFO).{{Cite web |last=Preve |first=Francis |date=August 25, 2010 |title=Korg - Monotron |url=https://ra.co/reviews/7888 |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=Resident Advisor |language=en |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115012836/https://ra.co/reviews/7888 |url-status=live }} The VCO and LFO both use a sawtooth waveform.{{Cite magazine |last=Bird |first=Cameron |date=2014-06-17 |title=Korg Monotron Is Music to Geeky Ears |url=https://www.wired.com/2010/10/korg-monotron-is-music-to-geeky-ears/ |magazine=Wired |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617063158/https://www.wired.com/2010/10/korg-monotron-is-music-to-geeky-ears/ |archive-date=17 June 2014 |access-date=2023-01-22}} The Monotron's VCO has a pitch tuning control and can reach frequencies below human hearing (i.e. <20 Hz).{{Cite web |last=Beres |first=Ivan |date=2010-07-23 |title=Review: Korg Monotron |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/07/23/review-korg-monotron/ |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121235607/https://techcrunch.com/2010/07/23/review-korg-monotron/ |url-status=live }} The LFO has a frequency range of <1 Hz to 900 Hz and can be routed to VCO pitch or filter cutoff,{{Cite magazine |last=Robair |first=Gino |author-link=Gino Robair |date=December 2010 |title=Korg Monotron |magazine=Electronic Musician |volume=26 |issue=12 |pages=58–59 |issn=0884-4720}} with control over modulation intensity. The VCF is the same design as the Korg-25 filter chip that used on the MS-10 and MS-20 synthesisers.{{Cite magazine |last=Preve |first=Francis |date=November 2010 |title=Korg: monotron |magazine=Keyboard |volume=36 |issue=11 |page=70 |issn=0730-0158}} It has control over cutoff and resonance. External connections on the Monotron consist of a headphone output and an audio input.
= Reception =
The Monotron was received well by critics, who praised its full analogue circuitry and affordable price. Concerns were raised about the synthesiser's ribbon keyboard and noisy signal output, but critics overlooked these problems. According to MusicRadar, a music journalism website:
{{Block quote|text=Once you look past the limitations and remind yourself that this is a true analogue synth for a bargain price, the Monotron is a real winner. It's certainly not perfect, but it's an inspiring piece of equipment to have kicking around the studio and it sounds good enough to use it on a track.}}
Some critics suggested mitigating the ribbon keyboard's small size by using a stylus, or forgoing the keyboard entirely by using the Monotron as an effects unit for the sake of its filter. As an effects unit, the Monotron has seen usage in modular systems despite having no control voltage connections.{{Cite magazine |last=Preve |first=Francis |date=February 2011 |title=Synth Workshop: Modular Synthesis On Your Desktop? |magazine=Keyboard |pages=42–44 |issn=0730-0158 }}
The Monotron's simple monophonic sound engine led to some comparing it to Moog Music's Micromoog and Korg's own MS-10. The synthesiser's small form factor and analogue circuitry made others draw parallels between the Monotron and the Stylophone, a miniature analogue electronic keyboard musical instrument created in 1967 by the British inventor Brian Jarvis. The British consumer electronics magazine Stuff called the Monotron "the new Stylophone" following its release. The magazine stated:{{Cite web |last=Grabham |first=Dan |date=2021-08-31 |title=Korg Monotron is the new Stylophone |url=https://www.stuff.tv/news/korg-monotron-new-stylophone/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=Stuff |language=en-US |archive-date=January 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122020241/https://www.stuff.tv/news/korg-monotron-new-stylophone/ |url-status=live }}
{{Block quote|text=While it packs all the charm of the retro Stylophone into a really small, pocketable package, it also manages to squeeze a whole lot of brains into its shell as well.}} Monotron was nominated for Make
Monotron Delay
The Monotron Delay was announced in November 2011.{{Cite web |last=Keene |first=Jamie |date=2011-11-03 |title=Korg unveils the new Monotron Duo and Delay |url=https://www.theverge.com/2011/11/3/2535428/korg-unveils-monotron-duo-delay-miniature-synths |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115012831/https://www.theverge.com/2011/11/3/2535428/korg-unveils-monotron-duo-delay-miniature-synths |url-status=live }} It was later exhibited at the 2012 NAMM Show, an annual music trade show.{{Cite magazine |last=Peoples |first=Glenn |date=February 11, 2012 |title=Analog a rhythm |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RsAnJ7Zx_qgC&dq=%22Monotron%22+synthesier+-wikipedia&pg=RA5-PA10 |magazine=Billboard |volume=124 |issue=5 |page=10 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413212702/https://books.google.com/books?id=RsAnJ7Zx_qgC&dq=%22Monotron%22+synthesier+-wikipedia&pg=RA5-PA10 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Flatley |first=Joseph L. |date=January 20, 2012 |title=Korg Kaossilator 2, Mini Kaoss Pad 2, Monotron hands-on |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/20/2720569/korg-kaossilator-2-mini-kaoss-pad-2-monotron-hands-on |website=The Verge |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707091439/https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/20/2720569/korg-kaossilator-2-mini-kaoss-pad-2-monotron-hands-on |url-status=live }}
The Delay has a design more similar to the original Monotron than its sibling, the Monotron Duo. Its faceplate is black and orange, with additional writing in UV paint. The Delay's ribbon controller is unquantised and spans four octaves.{{Cite web |author1= |date=2012-01-28 |title=Korg Monotron Delay review |url=https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/tech/korg-monotron-delay-526874 |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=MusicRadar |publisher=Future Music |language=en |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115012830/https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/tech/korg-monotron-delay-526874 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Baarss |first=Felix |title=Korg monotron DELAY Testbericht: Putziger Analogsynth mit Bandtastatur & Delay |url=https://www.delamar.de/test/korg-monotron-delay-testbericht/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=delamar.de |language=de |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115021344/https://www.delamar.de/test/korg-monotron-delay-testbericht/ |url-status=live }} Its markings—ostensibly representing a keyboard little over an octave in size—are purely decorative and do not correspond to the pitch output nor the ribbon's actual range.{{Cite web |last=Nagle |first=Paul |date=February 2012 |title=Korg Monotron Delay & Duo |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/korg-monotron-delay-duo |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=Sound on Sound |quote=The Delay's [ribbon] smoothly sweeps its pitch over about six octaves. You should therefore consider the keyboard markings to be of decorative value only. |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115012853/https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/korg-monotron-delay-duo |url-status=live }}
The monophonic sound engine of the Monotron Delay includes a single VCO, an LFO, a VCF and a delay circuit. The VCO uses a sawtooth waveform and has a maximum frequency of around 4 kHz.{{Cite magazine |last=Robair |first=Gino |author-link=Gino Robair |date=April 2012 |title=Monotron Delay and Monotron Duo: Korg |magazine=Keyboard |volume=38 |issue=4 |page=66 |issn=0730-0158}} The VCF is the same as the other Monotrons but only has control over cutoff. The LFO can reach frequencies as low as 0.02 Hz and is connected to oscillator pitch. It can be a triangle (blendable between sawtooth and ramp) or pulse (with PWM) waveform.{{sfn|Vail|2014|p=196}} The delay circuit is based on the PT2399 echo processor chip and has control over time and feedback. Maximum delay times are around one second. The delay will self oscillate at high feedback levels.
Monotron Duo
The Monotron Duo was announced alongside the Monotron Delay in 2011, and was also exhibited at the 2012 NAMM Show.
The Duo shares the same cosmetic design as the original Monotron but is instead coloured blue, with a yellow highlight. Like other Monotron models, the Monotron Duo has a ribbon controller (with a range of one octave).{{Cite web |last=Baarss |first=Felix |title=Korg monotron DUO Testbericht |url=https://www.delamar.de/test/korg-monotron-duo-testbericht/ |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=delamar.de |language=de |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115012837/https://www.delamar.de/test/korg-monotron-duo-testbericht/ |url-status=live }} The ribbon controller has four playing modes: chromatic, major, minor (natural) and unquantised.{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2012 |title=Monotron DUO & Delay Review |url=https://musictech.com/reviews/monotron-duo-delay-review/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=MusicTech |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115012854/https://musictech.com/reviews/monotron-duo-delay-review/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Nagle |first=Paul |date=February 2012 |title=Korg Monotron Delay & Duo |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/korg-monotron-delay-duo |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=Sound on Sound |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115012853/https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/korg-monotron-delay-duo |url-status=live }} Monotron Duo has an automatic tuning system to ensure tuning stability.{{Cite web |author1= |date=2012-01-28 |title=Korg Monotron Duo review |url=https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/tech/korg-monotron-duo-526865 |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=MusicRadar |publisher=Future Music |language=en |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115012854/https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/tech/korg-monotron-duo-526865 |url-status=live }}
The Monotron Duo loses the LFO of the original Monotron and replaces it with an extra VCO, and a cross-modulation circuit. The dual VCOs use square waveforms and have a range of four octaves. VCO2's frequency is dependent on VCO1 so the synthesiser can be set to play in intervals. In terms of musical notes, the Duo's oscillators have a range of D1 to A6. Although it has one oscillator more than its predecessor, the Monotron Duo is still monophonic. The cross-modulation circuit (named "X-mod" by Korg) is similar to the one found on Korg's Mono/Poly synthesiser. The 12 dB/octave MS-20 filter is also present on the Monotron Duo with control over cutoff and resonance.
Legacy
= Modifications =
File:Korg Monotron (PCB Back) (2011-12-28 by Nick Ames).jpg
Due to their accessibility, the Monotron series became very popular candidates for modifications. Part of this popularity comes from Korg's decision to release the Monotrons' schematics online as well as labeling relevant solder points on the PCB.{{sfn|Ordonneau|2019|p=29}} This labeling enabled consumers to easily create modifications to the synthesisers. According to Andrew Dubber, Professor of Music Industry Innovation at Birmingham City University:{{sfn|Dubber|2016|p=226}}
{{Block quote|text=The [Monotron] has a clearly labelled circuit board and publicly-released
schematic, allowing any user to modify and develop the synthesiser for their own ends.}}
The synthesisers' designer, Tatsuya Takahashi, stated that making the Monotron modification-friendly was not Korg's original goal. Instead, it was to create an affordable analogue synthesiser. He believed that the Monotron being used for modifications was a by-product of the synthesiser's analogue circuits. In a 2013 interview, Takahashi said:{{sfn|Richards|2013|p=280}}
{{Block quote|text=Our initial motivation was not to deliver something for the DIY crowd. It was to provide engagement with real analogue sonics at a price point that I could have bought when I was a kid [...] The low price point and the inherent simplicity of the analogue circuit just happened to resonate with the DIY crowd.}}
File:KORG MONOTRON - Serial CV Interface - Installed 2 (by Nick Ames).jpg interface.]]
Due to the lack of external connections on the Monotrons (apart from audio in/out), the most popular modifications add control voltage (CV) or MIDI capabilities to control the synthesiser from other hardware.{{Cite web |last=Kirn |first=Peter |date=2019-09-25 |title=This video makes it easy to mod KORG's ultra-cheap monotron for analog CV |url=https://cdm.link/2019/09/monotron-cv-hack-video/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=Create Digital Music |language=en-US |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120210903/https://cdm.link/2019/09/monotron-cv-hack-video/ |url-status=live }} Mods adding MIDI support use microcontrollers, such as the Raspberry Pi{{Cite web |author1=Hill |first=Ash |date=2020-09-19 |title=This Raspberry Pi Adds MIDI to a Korg Monotron Synth |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/news/this-raspberry-pi-adds-midi-to-a-korg-monotron-synth |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=Tom's Hardware |language=en |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413212738/https://www.tomshardware.com/news/this-raspberry-pi-adds-midi-to-a-korg-monotron-synth |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Crookes |first=David |title=Korg Monotron MIDI |url=https://magpi.raspberrypi.com/articles/korg-monotron-midi |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=The MagPi |language=en |archive-date=January 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122020242/https://magpi.raspberrypi.com/articles/korg-monotron-midi |url-status=live }} or an Atmel ATmega328P, to convert between MIDI and CV.{{Cite web |last=Fabio |first=Adam |date=2018-06-09 |title=Monotron Gets All The Mods |url=https://hackaday.com/2018/06/09/monotron-gets-all-the-mods/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=Hackaday |language=en-US |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120210858/https://hackaday.com/2018/06/09/monotron-gets-all-the-mods/ |url-status=live }}
Other modifications can be more extreme, like the "FrankenSynth". Nicknamed by the digital music resource site Ask.Audio,{{Cite web |last=Sethi |first=Rounik |date=June 11, 2018 |title=This Hacked Synth Is A Korg Monotron, But Not As You Know It |url=http://ask.audio/articles/this-frankensynth-is-actually-a-heavily-modded-korg-monotron |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=ask.audio |language=en |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115012830/https://ask.audio/articles/this-frankensynth-is-actually-a-heavily-modded-korg-monotron |url-status=live }} it is a heavily expanded Monotron designed in the United Kingdom by Harry Axten.{{Cite web |last=Rogerson |first=Ben |date=2018-06-11 |title=This pimped Korg Monotron has been super-charged and turned into a two-octave keyboard synth |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/this-pimped-korg-monotron-has-been-super-charged-and-turned-into-a-two-octave-keyboard-synth |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=MusicRadar |language=en |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115012852/https://www.musicradar.com/news/this-pimped-korg-monotron-has-been-super-charged-and-turned-into-a-two-octave-keyboard-synth |url-status=live }} Carrying out any modifications on a Monotron voids the synthesiser's warranty.
= Analogue revival =
The Monotron has been credited with helping to create an "analogue revival" of synthesisers.{{Cite magazine |last=Preve |first=Francis |date=September 2011 |title=Korg: Monotribe |magazine=Keyboard |volume=37 |issue=9 |page=62 |issn=0730-0158 |quote=Of the “big three” Japanese synth makers, Korg has really started delivering the goods when it comes to affordable analog synths. After sticking a big toe in the water last year with the pocket-sized Monotron [...] Korg kicks the whole game up a notch with the new Monotribe. }}{{Cite magazine |date=2017 |title=So Many Synths, So Little Time |url=https://mixdownmag.com.au/features/columns/so-many-synths-so-little-time/ |magazine=Mixdown |issn=1441-1822 |oclc=221792103 |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413212727/https://mixdownmag.com.au/features/columns/bass-lessons/?wpIsMobile=false |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=March 2014 |title=The Analogue Revival |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/analogue-revival |website=Sound on Sound |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=January 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104020824/https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/analogue-revival |url-status=live }} In the 1980s, analogue synthesisers began to lose popularity, being replaced by digital and, eventually, software synthesisers.{{Cite magazine |last=Poole |first=Steven |author-link=Steven Poole |date=January 5, 2017 |title=Jacks in the box |url=https://www.economist.com/1843/2017/01/05/jacks-in-the-box |magazine=1843 |publisher=The Economist |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412114038/https://www.economist.com/1843/2017/01/05/jacks-in-the-box |url-status=live }} By releasing Monotron in 2010, Korg showed that analogue synthesisers were still relevant and could sell well.{{Cite magazine |last=Boothroyd |first=David |date=August 13, 2013 |title=Analogue electronics sees a revival in the music industry |url=https://www.newelectronics.co.uk/content/features/analogue-electronics-sees-a-revival-in-the-music-industry |magazine=New Electronics |issn=0047-9624 |oclc=1063337321 |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813070142/https://www.newelectronics.co.uk/content/features/analogue-electronics-sees-a-revival-in-the-music-industry |url-status=live }} This helped to revitalise Korg's image of being a maker of analogue synthesisers.{{Cite magazine |last=Parish |first=Matt |date=May 2014 |title=Inside the Analog Resurgence |magazine=Musical Merchandise Review |publisher=Timeless Communications |volume=173 |issue=5 |page=40}}File:Korg monotribes.jpg groovebox.]]After the test run that was the Monotron, Korg continued to make analogue synthesisers. In 2011, the success of the Monotron prompted Korg to release the Monotribe, a groovebox combining elements of Korg's Monotron and Electribe series.{{Cite news |last=McNamee |first=David |date=16 June 2011 |title=Hey, what's that sound: Korg Monotribe |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/16/korg-monotribe-monotron |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220031243/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/16/korg-monotribe-monotron |url-status=live }} The groovebox took inspiration from the ribbon controller of the Monotron, adding a switch to toggle between "wide" and "narrow" pitch ranges.{{Cite web |last=Buckley |first=Sean |date=20 April 2011 |title=Korg Monotribe has 1978 sound, modern mobility (video) |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-04-20-korg-monotribe-has-1978-sound-modern-mobility-video.html |website=Engadget |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203082337/https://www.engadget.com/2011-04-20-korg-monotribe-has-1978-sound-modern-mobility-video.html |url-status=live }} As with the Monotron, the Monotribe's circuit diagrams and schematics were released. The Monotribe did sell units, but failed to attain the same popularity as the Monotron.{{Cite web |last=Kirn |first=Peter |date=3 November 2011 |title=KORG monotron DUO, monotron DELAY Bring Fun Back, via Mono/Poly, MS Circuits and Pocket Size |url=https://cdm.link/2011/11/korg-monotron-duo-monotron-delay-bring-fun-back-via-monopoly-ms-circuits-and-pocket-size/ |website=Create Digital Music |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203161909/https://cdm.link/2011/11/korg-monotron-duo-monotron-delay-bring-fun-back-via-monopoly-ms-circuits-and-pocket-size/ |url-status=live }}
Through creating synthesisers like the Monotrons and Monotribe, Korg inspired other synthesiser companies to release their own new analogue synthesisers. These companies included Moog Music and Behringer, who later released their DeepMind 12 synthesiser in 2017.
= Use in music =
In popular music, Monotrons have been used by artists including Ana da Silva (The Raincoats),{{cite interview |last=Birch |first=Gina |subject-link=Gina Birch |interviewer=Larry Crane |title=Gina Birch: She Plays Her Bass Loud |url=https://tapeop.com/interviews/154/gina-birch/ |work=Tape Op |issue=154 |year=2023 |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328160043/https://tapeop.com/interviews/154/gina-birch/ |url-status=live }} Martyn Ware (the Human League and Heaven 17), the Dutch producer Martijn Deijkers,{{Cite magazine |date=October 2019 |editor-last=Herlihy |editor-first=Gavin |title=Modular Dawn: The software studio giants making eyes at modular fans |magazine=Mixmag |type=Interview |issue=341 |page=97 |issn=0957-6622}} Henry Laufer (Shlohmo){{Cite magazine |last=Turner |first=Danny |date=October 2020 |title=In The Studio With: Shlohmo |magazine=Future Music |publication-place=Bath |issue=363 |page=75}} and the Portuguese-American musician RAC.{{Cite web |last=Anjos |first=André Allen |author-link=RAC (musician) |title=Studio Gear |url=https://kit.co/RAC/studio-gear |website=Kit.co |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205160534/https://kit.co/RAC/studio-gear |url-status=live }} Ware in particular listed the Monotron Delay as one of his "11 favourite hardware synths".{{Cite web |last=Truss |first=Si |date=May 22, 2013 |title=Martyn Ware's 11 favourite hardware synths |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/martyn-wares-11-favourite-hardware-synths-575279 |website=MusicRadar |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=October 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024061145/https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/martyn-wares-11-favourite-hardware-synths-575279 |url-status=live }} A Monotron also appeared on Gorillaz's 2010 album, The Fall.{{Cite news |last=McBeath |first=John |date=May 28, 2011 |title=Music Reviews |pages=12 |work=The Weekend Australian |department=Review |publication-place=Canberra |issn=1038-8761 }}{{Cite news |date=April 13, 2011 |title=Made in transit |work=The National}}
Monotron synthesisers have been used sparingly in contemporary classical music. There exists a Concerto for Korg Monotron, composed in 2015 by the Canadian composer Andrew Noseworthy. The concerto calls for the use of a Monotron Duo and Monotron Delay, and lasts around 15 minutes.{{Cite book |last=Noseworthy |first=Andrew |url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0q35d629 |title=Concerto for Korg Monotron |year=2015 |edition=Revised |publication-date=2020 |orig-date= |via=UCLA Contemporary Music Score Collection}}
See also
- Korg Volca – series of synthesisers produced by Korg
- List of Korg products
References
= Citations =
{{Reflist}}
= Sources =
{{refbegin}}
- {{Cite book |last=Dubber |first=Andrew |url=http://www.elgaronline.com/view/9781783478149.00019.xml |title=Business Innovation and Disruption in the Music Industry |date=29 Jan 2016 |work= |publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing |isbn=978-1-78347-815-6 |editor-last=Wikström |editor-first=Patrik |pages=211–228 |language=en |chapter=You have 24 hours to invent the future of music: music hacks, playful research and creative innovation |doi=10.4337/9781783478156.00019 |access-date= |editor-last2=DeFillippi |editor-first2=Robert}}
- {{Cite thesis |last=Holzborn |first=Damon |title=Building Mobile Instruments for Improvised Musical Performance |date=2013 |degree=PhD |publisher=Columbia University |url=https://academiccommons.columbia.edu/doi/10.7916/D8GX4JXX |doi=10.7916/D8GX4JXX}}
- {{Cite journal |last=Ordonneau |first=Adrien |date=December 2019 |title=Retro Tendencies, Decay, and Haunted Media in Hybrid Electronic Music |url=https://insam-institute.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/4.-INSAM-Journal-3-Adrien-Ordonneau-Retro-Tendencies-Decay-and-Haunted-Media.pdf |journal=INSAM Journal of Contemporary Music, Art and Technology |volume=2 |issue=3 |pages=24–42 |quote=Many examples can be found of the connection between bricolage and electronic music, like Autechre’s donation of their SYX files online, or Korg’s empty pins on their Monotron synthesizers to let people modify them easily.}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
- {{Cite journal |last=Richards |first=John |date=December 2013 |title=Beyond DIY in Electronic Music |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1355771813000241/type/journal_article |journal=Organised Sound |language=en |volume=18 |issue=3 |pages=274–281 |doi=10.1017/S1355771813000241 |s2cid=61996643 |issn=1355-7718}}
- {{Cite book |last=Vail |first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EFepAgAAQBAJ&dq=%22Monotron%22+synthesizer+-wikipedia&pg=PA196 |title=The Synthesizer: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding, Programming, Playing, and Recording the Ultimate Electronic Music Instrument |date=February 2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press USA |isbn=978-0-19-539489-4 |pages=196 |language=en}}
{{refend}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline}}
- {{Official website}}
{{Korg}}