Korg Monotribe Analogue Ribbon Station

Flying the flag for analogue synthesisers Korg have pushed the groundwork that was laid by the Monotron to create the Korg Monotribe: another compact synth but this time packed with even more great features and technology.

Three-Part Rhythm Section

The Korg Monotribe separates its rhythm section into three parts: bass drum, snare, and hi-hat. Using these key elements makes beat creation easy to manage.

Step Key Interface, Active Step & Flux Mode

Utilising the Electribe’s popular step key interface, the Korg Monotribe has a button for each of its eight steps for real-time editing of both synth sequences and drum parts.

Giving you even more control over your sound creation the Korg Monotribe offers Active Step editing. This function allows you to remove or re-insert steps on the fly to create short loops and off-beat patterns. If you don’t like what you’ve done you can quickly go back to your original sequence.

Flux Mode takes you out of the rigidity of the step grid for you to add a little more musicality to your beats.

Auto-Tuning

With auto-tuning circuitry the Korg Monotribe ensures it doesn’t have the pitch-drifting problem of older synths. There is no messing about with set up and no drop in tuning, so the Korg Monotribe is always ready for you.

Multi-Mode Ribbon Keyboard

There is more to the Korg Monotribe Synthesiser’s ribbon controller keyboard than first meets the eye, with its three selectable modes:

• KEY - The device’s chromatic mode, this is best used for creating melodies and bass lines.
• NARROW – A continuous mode that’s great for playing glides and bends.
• WIDE – A second continuous mode with a six-fold pitch range for creating zaps and squeals.

VCO, LFO, VCA

Set up with classic components the Korg Monotribe offers VCO, LFO & VCA. The VCO gives you the choice of three waveforms: sawtooth, triangle and square. White noise can be thrown in at any point and the Octave selector covers a wide range. The VCA comes loaded with three Envelope Generator presets. The LFO can be patched to the VCO/VCF. The Range switch allows the LFO to deliver stirring cyclic changes over tens of seconds (SLOW) or superfast (FAST) audio-range FM ringing. The LFO can also be moved to the 1-shot setting to create a second EG.

Vintage MS-10/MS-20 Filter

Just as the Monotron before it the Korg Monotribe Analogue Ribbon Station features the same VCF circuitry as the classic synths: the Korg MS-10 and MS-20. Fantastically analogue, this filter gives dramatic changes to your sound with the taste of late ‘70s/early ‘80s synth chic.

The Korg Monotribe Analogue Ribbon Station doesn’t keep this vintage vibe to itself. You can process external audio from external devices, such as instruments, mics or MP3/CD players to add effects to any performance, via the audio input.

Sync Jacks: A Return To Modular

The Korg Monotribe features Sync In/Sync Out jacks, allowing you to hook up a series of Monotribes together and have them working in perfect synch with each other. This same feature is extended to other devices as the audio line level pulses can trigger the Sync In for synchronisation to DAWs. On top of this you can use all sorts of equipment with Sync connections, with the ability to change the Korg Monotribe’s pulse waveform for the input and output.

Incredibly Portable

The Korg Monotribe is surprisingly portable despite all its features, weighting in at just 735g/1.62 lbs. (without batteries). Talking of batteries the device is powered by six AAs and has a built-in speaker, so you really can use it anywhere.