Which Monotron?

[Barjeelik]

Hi,

It's my birthday soon and a relative has enquired what I'd like. Not having ever had an analogue synth before I thought I would ask for a Monotron, the question begin which?

My inclination is the Duo, due to begin able to scale the ribbon controller so it is the most likely to be actually playable.
I like the fact that the original has an LFO as it seems people have used this to, in a very basic way, sequence them but tuning might be an issue, or rather playing a tune.

The Delay appeals but I see (and hear on Youtube) it as an FX unit rather than anything I could usefully play.

My idea would be to make lots of little loops into clips in Live or Rex files in Reason and to process the odd sound or two through whichever Montron's filter.

Any thoughts, especially by those who've bought and used one?

Thanks

Bar.

[Richie Royale]

I only have the original one. It is good fun but quite limited in control. The aux input is a nice addition, but the filter is a touch hissy. It does however add some nice dirt to things run through it. I'm just reminding myself by running a drum loop through it with the LFO set slow and it sounds pretty good.

I think having the built in delay might allow for more spacey weirdness as it is pretty hard to doing anything particularly musical on one. I don't know about the Duo's scaling ability, but the ribbon isn't that useful to play on the standard one I have. I note the Duo doesn't have the LFO, which helps make percussive sounds but the delay one does, so I think I'd opt for that over the Duo.

It would be better if they could stretch to a Volca though my Monotron is quite un-loved as I have other, bigger things to pay with, including the Volca Bass which is good fun and functional.

[Barjeelik]

Thanks Richie,

That's given me something to think about. My initial thought was that I would be more likely to get something music from the Duo because you can lock the ribbon to a scale but if it is still not effectively playable then maybe it's better to go for effects, though I'm still unsure about this. I've heard some crazy sounds from the Delay but more sic-fi than musical in some cases. I do also lament the lack of LFO on the Duo, though. I think the limit is £40 otherwise I think a Volca Keys might have made an appearance

Speaking of which, what prompted you to choose bass over keys?

Regards

Bar.

[Richie Royale]

Go get your hands on one, they are really quite small in the flesh.

I think the Monotron isn't much more than a bit of fun, but has kickstarted Korg's analogue renaissance. It can be used to make music, but I think it is better suited to odd noises and pitch sweeps than anything particularly musical, although the Dou may do a better job of that.

Volcas have come down to £89, but that is still more than double the budget! I got the Bass mainly because I saw it second hand when they were still about £120 and it was basically new and a good price. I'm also an acid fiend. I've not used the Keys, but I'm sure it does a good job in a compact package, including sequencer and MIDI and delay built in too. I have a number of other synths in my life, analogue and digital, so I've not been tempted to pick one up (yet, right price and maybe..).

[Barjeelik]

Yes, I was surprised to see one (online) in a blister pack and to realise just how diddy they are, which is all too the good in many respects (lack of space!).

I'm torn, tbh, but I can;t see that there's anything comparable for the money so I will just have to make a choice soon. Volcas definitely appeal but more as something I might buy myself. Who knows? Maybe April's Musik Messe will bring a new Microkorg with Volca-derived synthesis? Then would any Monotron go the way of my Stylophone? (i.e. out the door via ebay).

Regards

Bar.

[Richie Royale]

They are about the height and width of a Boss guitar pedal. Speaking of, there are some pedals in that price range, functional with synths and guitars which might be an alternative to consider? Then get a Volca a little later?

I think when the Monotribe came out and then the Volcas that the Monotron fell away compared to their features. they are still good fun, but just not designed (as standard) to interface well with other things, but they can be modded if you want.

[midierror]

The monotron isn`t exactly a million miles from the Stylophone! I would go with the original monotron - having used them it`s the only one i would condiser

[Scramble]

You sold your stylophone? Shame on you!

[nathanscribe]

I'd agree over the original Monotron: not very playable in any traditional musical way, but great fun for weird blats and squarks and electronic belches of various kinds. It's basically R2D2 the size of a fag packet.

Though it won't hack your tractor beam.

[Barjeelik]

Hmmm, I'm torn definitely. There's a lot of love for the original it seems and for the delay in various reviews. i must admit though seeing videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5Ghg59QT3c incline me towards the Duo in playability terms. I'm not saying I would have this guy's patience to produce something like this (I intend just to produce small melody/bass line clips and/or samples) but the sounds seems good to me.

As for the stylophone? I feel no guilt!

Regards

Bar.

[ConcertinaChap]

I think you'll move from a Monotron to a Volca Keys quite quickly, it's much more like "proper" synth though small. The risk is you'll find yourself on a slippery slope which in my case moved to a Korg MS0 Mini quite quickly and may not stop there ...

Be warned!

CC

[Barjeelik]

The MS20 mini is really attractive but I'd half a mind to get a Microkorg and Volca keys myself later on (sucker for a vocoder). I've owned quite a few synths and keyboards over the years but they've all had that disconnect that menu-driven synths with a lack of knobs have. I am short on music time these days and so I like gear that doesn't rely on learning too much - grab a knob, or button etc and it makes a change - is good, but a product that you can keep; as I hope to have more time when my son's older.

Regards

Bar.

[Richie Royale]

Just get a Volca Keys

So many shops, such a little price.

[Barjeelik]

Don't tempt me! I was already thinking can I say, 'can I add some £ to it myself?' but I'm not sure that's in the spirit. It is a shame that the Volcas lack an audio in to process external sounds though. I think Korg missed a trick there.

Bar.

[vinyl_junkie]

I have both and whilst they are fun I'd say if you want something playable or useful get something else as mentioned here.

The original monotron is great to use as a filter and you can obviously use the LFO to modulate the filter on it which you can't on the Duo but the issue is the input/output is very noisy and the input has VERY little headroom so distorts too easy.
Also you can't clock the LFO or sync it in any way, no env follower or propper env for that etc But then what do you expect for £25 right?

So whilst the filter sounds great and has that Korg character it's kinda let down by the hiss and input sensitivity if that's the right word for it
As a synth in it's current un-modded form it's not really that playable or useful imo.

The Duo sounds superb and is more playable but lacks the filter env modulation which is a shame.

This is my monotron filtering a Yamaha TX-81z with a little tape delay

[Barjeelik]

Richie and others,

You've convinced me to get a Volca instead by adding the difference myself. I'm sure I would like the Monotron, any Monotron, but ultimately end up using it as Vinyl did as a filter or sampling it or, most shamefully of all, not using it all that much. In other words, I'd be chuffed with it as a gift (and I do still like the idea of one) but by adding from my own pocket I can upgrade to something I would use much more either with or without my computer.

So, given that some of you own or have used one or more of the Volcas…. keys or bass? I'm drawn to the Keys by the, er… keys (better ribbon layout and paraphony (though the Bass can play 3 separate VCO sequences) and some of the demos, whereas the Volca bass demos have, naturally enough, tended to focus on bass. I'd want to do melodies and bass, and see no reason why either couldn't fit that bill?

Bar.

[Richie Royale]

I've not used the Keys, but looking at it it has a both LFO to pitch and filter and the various modes including unison. The Bass is quite capable of doing more than bass and the 3 options with regard to how the oscs play adds some additional scope when using the internal sequencer. The benefit of either over the Monotron is the MIDI input as well as the built in sequencer (and speaker), so all the fun of portability and the ability to be plumbed into a studio set up.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with either, but check some more videos first.

[Richie Royale]

The 'proper' keyboard looks beneficial too on the Keys.

[Barjeelik]

Hi Richie,

Yes, I'mm sure either would be great. I was initially attracted by the Bass's ability to do 3 separate lines/melodies at once but I'll be recording separately anyway, I think. These videos sold the Keys to me (I think) but also highlight (in the case of Koishi) the nice lead achievable from the Bass, too. Better ribbon keyboard on the Keys though as you say.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxrWArnhIgs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_8SZwrTHYk

Bar.

[Richie Royale]

It is three parts, but essentially all the same filter and EG, so not quite 3 independant parts. I think the keys will suit you more and it will be perfectly capable of doing bass lines.

I'm trying to talk myself out of getting the new Odyssey... (haven't the space, cash etc)

[Barjeelik]

I ordered the Keys today and I can't wait (though I'll have to until April) to try it out. My one regret over the Monotron Duo is the lack of input, but for the price you can't have everything. Thanks for the advice.

As for the Odyssey it does look really nice, though I'm behind on listing to demos of it. The MS20 Mini is likewise desirable and if I had more space and money….

I'm interested to see what Korg duo next and if anything as yet unheard of makes the Frankfurt Musikmesse as they seem to have their fingers on the pulse as far as I am concerned.

Regards

Bar.

[johnny h]

The monotron has a great filter and its good for special effects. The high pitched noises drive dogs crazy.

[Barjeelik]

I bought a Volca Keys. Now it's a present and it's not yet my birthday but…. I obviously had to check that it had arrived okay The unit is smaller than I expected (the clear knobs are teeny tiny) and is probably the most attractive unit that I know of or have seen

I got a fright when I first turned it on with headphones as all I got was noise and a sort of clicking. However, a bit of fiddling (note: not educated adjustment of values) led to some playable sounds, though playing chords on the ribbon controller is not easy. When I find my EMU midi interface I will try it with that and Ableton and Reason. I haven't yet read the manual as this was a quick pre-birthday test (the batteries since removed and it boxed back up) but I think that emulating some of the great sounds I have heard others achieve will, despite the limited number of controls, take some time. Looking forward to it though and any tips welcome

Regards

Bar.

ps btw, picked up a Belkin Rockstar passive mixer/splitter for £6.99 in ToysRus of all places as I have read and suspect myself that this will be useful with the above.

[comradec]

I hope that you have a fun birthday, Barjeelik.

You would probably have had fun with a Monotron on the day of your birthday but discarded it soon afterwards. It's okay for random effects within a limited range, but not really a musical instrument.

I bought the Monotron Delay a year or two back. It provides five minutes' entertainment every now and then, when I am really bored, but that is all.

[Barjeelik]

Thanks Comradec,

Yes, I think you're right. I'm glad I decided to go for the Volca as I believe that I will get more use out of it over time.

Regards

Bar.