Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $54
Budget/Beginner
$500
$1501+
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Budget
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Price History
Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Korg Monotron DELAY Analog Ribbon Synthesizer". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Delve into the realm of analog synthesis with the Korg Monotron DELAY Analog Ribbon Synthesizer. This pocket-sized powerhouse is more than just a fun gadget—it's a full-fledged musical instrument. With its intuitive ribbon keyboard and five easy-to-tweak knobs, creating rich, dynamic melodies has never been simpler.
The monotron DELAY is not just about its compact size, but also its gigantic sounds. With the Space Delay, you can generate echo effects reminiscent of the early days of synth. This feature alone can add an authentic edge to your analog sounds and create sweeping, cosmic soundscapes.
Moreover, the monotron DELAY comes equipped with a dual-waveform Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) for added versatility. Whether you're a DJ looking to get the party started or an experimental musician wanting to explore new sonic territories, this little synth is your ticket to an endless world of sound exploration.
The monotron DELAY is also designed for the modern musician. With its aux input, you can apply its rich filter and delay effects to any external sound, opening up even more possibilities for musical creation.
Key Features:
- Space Delay with Time and Feedback controls for analog-style echoes
- Pitch LFO with selectable Waveshape, Rate, and Intensity controls
- VCF with Cutoff Control
- Wide-range ribbon controller keyboard
- Original Analog (VCF) Filter taken from the classic MS-10 & MS-20
- Aux input jack allows you to apply filter and delay to any audio source
- Built-in speaker and battery power for true portability
- Headphone jack for private use
Owner's manual
Korg Monotron DELAY Analog Ribbon Synthesizer User ManualProduct specs
| Type | Portable Handheld Synthesizer |
| Polyphony | Monophonic |
| Effects Types | Space Delay |
| Analog Inputs | 1 x 1/8" |
| Analog Outputs | 1 x 1/8" (Headphones) |
| Power Supply | 2 x AAA Batteries |
| Height | 1.1" |
| Width | 4.72" |
| Depth | 2.83" |
| Weight | 0.21 lbs. |
FAQs
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What type of sound does the Korg Monotron DELAY produce?
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The Korg Monotron DELAY produces monophonic sounds with a unique Space Delay effect, allowing for analog-style echo and atmospheric tones.
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How is the Korg Monotron DELAY powered?
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The Korg Monotron DELAY operates on two AAA batteries, making it highly portable for on-the-go music creation.
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What is the purpose of the ribbon controller on the Korg Monotron DELAY?
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The ribbon controller allows you to play notes by sliding your finger along its surface, offering expressive control over pitch and modulation.
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Can the Korg Monotron DELAY connect to external audio sources?
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Yes, the Korg Monotron DELAY features a 1/8" input for connecting external audio sources, allowing you to process them with its delay effect.
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Is the Korg Monotron DELAY suitable for live performances?
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While primarily designed for experimentation and portable use, the Korg Monotron DELAY can be used in live settings for adding unique effects and textures to your sound.
Videos
sonicstate
Review: Korg Monotron DUO and DELAY
Review: Korg Monotron DUO and DELAY
sonicstate
Korg Monotron Analog Ribbon Synth | UniqueSquared.com
UniqueSquared
KORG "monotron DELAY" Analogue Ribbon Synthesizer
KORG INC.
Korg Monotron Delay - Should you buy it? (Review)
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Ricky Tinez
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Free Beat
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Korg monotron DELAY unboxing and demo
SynthMania
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Reviews
PROS
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Compact, portable, and easy to carry
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Surprisingly powerful analog sounds for its size
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MS-20 filter adds fantastic sonic character
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Fun and intuitive to use, with immediate sound design capabilities
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Can process external audio for creative effects
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Versatile: works for live performance, sound design, and experimental music
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Affordable, offering good value for the range of sounds
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Built-in speaker and headphone jack for flexible listening options
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Ribbon controller allows for unique pitch sweeps and effects
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Can be modded for enhanced capabilities or to add a power supply
CONS
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No MIDI capabilities for precise note control
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Ribbon controller makes playing specific notes challenging
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Very noisy, may require post-processing to clean up the signal
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Limited musical utility without modification
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Battery power only; frequent battery changes needed
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Built-in speaker quality doesn't do justice to the synth's capabilities
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Knobs are small and closely spaced, which might be cumbersome for some
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Output is mono and requires a stereo cable for certain applications
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Some units have reported durability issues
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Ribbon keyboard accuracy and responsiveness not suited for all musical tasks
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Korg Monotron DELAY Analog Ribbon Synthesizer.
Features and functionality
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The Monotron Delay uses a PT2399 delay chip, commonly found in many effect pedals and synths, allowing for DIY modifications.
Source -
The Monotron Delay outputs mono sound but requires a stereo cable, potentially causing confusion in setups.
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The Monotron Delay can create waves of white noise through filter sweeps, though some users wish for a resonance knob for even more control.
Source
User experience
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Some owners describe it as noisy and squeaky but appreciate its ability to create gritty textures and unique sounds.
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Owners have used the Monotron Delay for over six years, noting its consistent performance despite its simplicity and affordability.
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Multiple owners highlight the Monotron Delay as offering excellent value for its price, especially in experimental and noise-heavy music contexts.
Source
Use cases and applications
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It's been used effectively in outdoor settings to mimic natural sounds, creating a unique experience at festivals.
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Owners enjoy using the Monotron Delay for creating gated rhythms by feeding it into a modular system with a VCA.
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Users report that the delay effects become increasingly glitchy as the battery voltage drops, adding unique character to sounds.
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The Monotron Delay excels in creating infinite delay modes, which can transform into low rolling drones with feedback and time adjustments.
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When paired with hardware vocoders, the Monotron Delay can produce unique alien-like voices, adding a new dimension to sound design.
Source
Comparisons
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The Monotron Delay is compared to the Gen X-1, with some suggesting the latter offers more features for the price.
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The Breath Delay pedal by Aural Dream is noted for sounding similar to the Monotron Delay but with easier integration due to 1/4 mono jacks.
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The new Stylophone offers less noise and more control, making it a potential alternative for those seeking a quieter experience.
Source
Other
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It's been noted that while perceived as a toy, it can expand the sonic palette of musicians with more traditional synths like the DX7 or D-50.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.0 out of 5
Based on 26 Reviews and 138 Ratings
cool
dope sounding as hell and extremely cheap, can be used for weird noises like wailing and machinery
Preferred Settings + Usage:
the LFO, delay and shitty "keyboard" can be used to make dope sounds like screams
1122
Noisy and cannot handle amplified aux. input
I only use this as an effects unit for my Casio CTK-495. The Monotron Delay does improve the capability of this very basic synthesizer, but you have to turn the Casio's volume down to 2 to avoid distortion, and even then that only works on simple waveforms such as the sawtooth and square (SYN-LEAD 2 and 3). The resulting output from the Monotron (which has to be set to max volume) is very noisy and requires a noise gate.
2138
too simple
the monotron delay is a fun little synth to play with but it doesent have enough features to actually produce music with it
230
My second synthesizer that I bought in 2015. Another interesting Korg product.
AMAZING! The delay and feedback on this little beauty can evolve the sound accordingly to make a noise-like rhythm. Perfect for any live performance where you need an experimental beat. I would advise using this on a drum machine/drum sequencer to enhance the timbre of the chose beat/rhythm but it is also great it you just want to mess around with it for fun.
Cheap analog fun
Little 1 osc, monophonic synth with an analog filter and SICK BBD. Super useful as a little fx unit, otherwise super useful to annoy your friends. Only thing is that the output is noise as hell.
A novelty toy
While I do like what you can do with it, it's too limited for any serious usage. For it's price, you can get a proper FX rack on the used market that's much better. Wouldn't really recommend it.
458
Powerful freaky pocket synthesizer.
I have astonished audiences in live performance with this device, holding the little thing up in the air while I turn knobs, making whammy sounds and radio frequencies bouncing all over, echoing, repeating, building, then crashing with down glissandos and micro-periwinkles of dazzling analog pyrotechnics. A big bad noise machine in a small body.
78
Great effects
only really useful for simple synth effects or using the delay, there's an aux in and a really good analog delay that i use for everything. But for leads and basslines this thing is not really playable. Just a tiny ribbon thing for playing the synth.
3582
Dirt cheap and lots of fun...
Dirt cheap and lots of fun: instant weird and spacey FX...
Begs to be mod'ed as it's could do with some more controls (check the web for mods).
Downside is that it's a bit too noisy to be used all of the time.
Artist usage
Add artist
"As for the hardware part, got a couple Pioneer SDJ-08 monitors, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro Headphones, AKG Perception 220 condenser microphone, Roland R-05 Wave/MP3 Recorder, M-Audio Keystation 88es, KORG Monotron and Monotron Delay, M-Audio Fast Track Ultra, and a custom made chiliGREEN laptop which pretty much works as a desktop replacement. It's a monster!"
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HARDWARE: KORG microKORG, KORG Monotron Duo, KORG Monotron Delay, Roland Lucina, AKAI MPD26, Catalinbread Teaser Stallion, Behringer Ultra Tremolo UT100, Behringer Ultra Shifter US600, Biying Tri Reverb RV-10, Electro-Harmonix Voice Box, Electro-Harmonix Freeze, Roland DR-50 mic, Behringer UBB1002 mixer
In a user-uploaded photo, Marc Romboy is shown with the Korg Monotron DELAY Analog Ribbon Synthesizer, highlighting its use in his setup.
"Just bought this little guy. Turns out it's a bit of a beast @KorgUK"
“Previously, I was using the standard Akai tape deck, but I’ve just bought a Tascam Portastudio 4-track, so if something sounds too clean or digital I’ll just run it through tape and resample it. I’ve also got a Korg Monotron Delay, so I’ll literally run stuff through that – they’re only £35.
Tom Cosm is shown using the Korg Monotron DELAY Analog Ribbon Synthesizer in a photo he posted on his Facebook page.
Jerome Froese lists the Korg Monotron DELAY Analog Ribbon Synthesizer on his official website, indicating its presence in his studio setup.
In this gear photo, you can see the Korg Monotron DELAY Analog Ribbon Synthesizer on the table used by Fumio Kosakai.
"My DJ setup is laptop, Ableton live and Allen & Heath K2 midi controller with four channels running into an Allen & Heath Xone 92 mixer. My live set is all of that plus an additional K2 controller, some outboard effects, a Korg Monotron delay and often a drum machine (Korg Volca Beats or MFB-522)."
Album Usage
The Korg Monotron DELAY Analog Ribbon Synthesizer has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Korg Monotron DELAY Analog Ribbon Synthesizer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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