Korg Monotron DUO Analog Ribbon Synthesizer
Palm-sized ribbon controller keyboard featuring two analog oscillators and VCF filter and more tweaking fun.
Korg's monotron DUO is a ribbon-controller keyboard that gives you not just one, but two analog oscillators to create an even more extr... read more
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At 2:50 in Virtual RIOT's "Studio Time #2", it is quite blurry but you can make out a Korg Monotron DUO Aanalog Ribbon Synthesizer. more

Clearly seen in this photo from archy’s Instagram is a monotron duo you can see the yellow highlight of one of the knobs is the same is t... more

At 4:54 in the video in which Celldweller shows off his studio to Future Music Magazine he says ". . . the DUO, which is a two oscillator... more
Reviews
Trusted musician and artist reviews for Korg Monotron DUO Analog Ribbon Synthesizer
Based on 12 Reviews

Amazing little piece of hardware! Once again Korg has amazed me with their another one of their astonishing products.
This is great for playing around with for fun and for interesting sounds. I usually play with it when I have breaks from my studio sessions. It's my first synthesizer and it's quite durable and easy to use highly recommend it to everyone even those with no knowledge of the art of synthesis. It has VCOs but also the filter is BOSS!


Mind-blowing synth engine contained in pocket synth smallness.
These ribbon synths that fit in your vest pocket are wild performers of sonic mayhem. The Duo gives you blaring analogy synth voices with easy ways to tweak and warp the sound. Playing these little guys on stage is dramatic, all that noise screaming out of a tiny device, as you twirl knobs and rub your finger across the ribbon keyslide.

Chiptunes in your pocket
I dig the ability to make wild cross modulation sounds in pocket form!
My first simple, but real analog synth. Two VCOs and cross modulation. The filter is also a beast.

Expands on the original
I only use this as an external signal processor - so sweet.

hours of fun you can take anywhere
a battery powered little analog synth? for what I paid used this is a no brainer. Its nonstop enjoyment. Dual oscillators make this the most interesting little noisemaker of the monotron family. Sounds a lot like my volca bass without the envelope generator. So simple even my toddler enjoys it. Its been a great way to introduce him to synthesizers. My one caveat is the ribbon controller which is tought to play even for a guy with thin fingers like me, but its more of a noisemachine than a tuned instrument, so whatever. So much fun.
So far I have only used the MS20 filter to process external audio in my recordings, but in that roll it excels and offers a different flavor than my 2 Moog filters with the ability to process a guitar, bass or whatever... the battery power makes it a great guitar effect. You can just set it anywhere. Setting up the Moogs as effects units is a chore.


Fun, but get the monotron delay
cool analog synth with 2 vcos, cross mod and a resonating analog filter. BBD on the monotron delay makes it more fun.
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Details
Description
Palm-sized ribbon controller keyboard featuring two analog oscillators and VCF filter and more tweaking fun.
Korg's monotron DUO is a ribbon-controller keyboard that gives you not just one, but two analog oscillators to create an even more extreme sound. If you tune the oscillators in unison, you get a rich, thick, analog tone. If you tune them in intervals, you can emulate classic soloing sounds and generate new effects. Tweak the X-MOD (cross modulation) circuit taken from Korg's classic Mono/Poly and you can introduce a mild or razor-sharp edge to the overall sound; everything from a rich vibrato to extreme metallic sounds reminiscent of an FM synth.
VCO + VCF = Modular synthesis building blocks
The basic analog sound-building circuit in the monotron DUO is radically simple: one voltage-controlled oscillator and one voltage-controlled filter. As a result, the process of sound creation is intuitive, and instantly understandable.
Enhanced Ribbon Controller Keyboard
The monotron DUO's ribbon controller keyboard now features the familiar Scale function used on the KAOSSILATOR. You can use this button to select one of four scales: Chromatic, Major, Minor, or Off. Choose the Chromatic scale to play precise pitches as on a piano, or choose Major or Minor to generate musically coherent phrases by simply sliding your finger around on the keyboard.
Go Anywhere Analog
A miniature speaker is built into the monotron DUO. Along with the battery operation and compact size, this feature allows you to enjoy the share the monotron DUO's analog synthesis sound with your friends, anywhere, at any time. Use it to entertain friends, for recording, or even at karaoke during a musical interlude for solos. It also has a headphone output you can use when practicing in private, creating sounds at home, recording, or for connecting to an amplifier or PA system.
Classic Korg Filtering
The distinctive tone of an analog filter (VCF) can dramatically alter and enrich the sound. The monotron DUO uses the same highly acclaimed VCF circuit as KORG's classic MS-10 and MS-20 semi-modular synthesizers. Originally released over 30 years ago, these instruments are still coveted today for their aggressive, dynamic filters. The VCF Cutoff knob sets the frequency or tone of the filter; the VCF Peak knob adds emphasis. A powerful filter is an essential aspect of any analog synthesizer, applying dramatic tonal changes to the sound, and projecting an intense personality that will stand out, especially in any live performance.
Fully-patchable Filter
The input jack (AUX input) built into the monotron DUO's compact body allows you to place any audio source into the signal path, directly before the analog filter. This provides a great way to connect a KAOSSILATOR, a guitar, or a digital audio player to the monotron DUO and enjoy tone-bending filter effects.
Specifications
- Two analog oscillators (VCO) with individual tunings
- Edgy X-MOD (with Intensity knob) circuit from Korg's classic Mono/Poly
- VCF with Cutoff and Peak Control
- Ribbon controller keyboard with Scale Select
- Original Analog (VCF) Filter taken from the classic MS-10 & MS-20
- Aux input jack lets you apply filter to any audio source
- Built-in speaker and battery power for Go Anywhere Analog sound
Love it.
It may look like a cheap toy, but when You connect It to Your audio interface, It's sitting in the mix, and more! If You are creative, and really know what to do with It, It sounds fire!!
In this particular model of Monotron's, (cause I have bought one, and after a while, I collected Them all!!) I Love the crossmode, when pitch of one oscillator affects the other.
Its fun, when You have each of Them, cause They have the AUX in, so if You have enough cables, and maybe some splitters, You can connect everything - to everything. I even chose to buy some more splitters than I needed yet, and It felt so right, while I sequenced Them all with SQ-1.
Definately recommended.
So, great thanks to KORG, for all of Their Projects, and cheers to all of You!!
Kontersky HxN_d:LV
PS: Check this Tune I made, with almost nothing more than Volca's, and Monotron's.
https://soundcloud.com/nie-ma-mnie/kamil-kontowicz-purification-resonans