Korg Minilogue Analog Synthesizer Leaks (2016 NAMM Show Preview)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BASC-t1LM3T/

It looks like a new polyphonic analog synth will be making its debut at the 2016 NAMM Show – the Korg Minilogue.

Unofficial images leaked out on Friday, via multiple sources, of the Korg Minilogue synth – an as-yet to be announced keyboard.

The panel image above, was shared by scottwozniaknyc on Instragram and a similar image was shared by ch.zoon.

The image below was shared by Bitley Sounds & Refills and others:

synthjam also shared this short Instagram video that appears to show an oscilloscope on the keyboard:

Korg has not made any official announcement about the Minilogue. We will have official details as Korg makes them available.

Note: Synthtopia policy is to not leak manufacturers’ information on new gear introductions. When information is leaked via other sources, and it is newsworthy to our audience, we will cover the leak, note that it is unofficial information and that official details are to be announced.

80 thoughts on “Korg Minilogue Analog Synthesizer Leaks (2016 NAMM Show Preview)”

  1. Finally something new, I am thrilled that it is not a “reissue” of some past relic. I do wish it had a larger screen however. Look for Modal, they will introduce a new more affordable synth as well.

  2. Volca keys upgrade in a bigger package and 2vco per voice :D!! Poly ms20 with ring mod and sync and delay! exactly what I have been waiting for. Rumored price was 500 which might me plausible if envelopes and lfo are digital like volca.

    1. I like the mini keyboards for portability, but what I mostly want is choice. I’m happiest when manufacturers build both tiny synths for portability and large ones for home and studio use. Roland having the JD-Xi and JD-XA is a fine model.

    2. I’m guessing from the size of the toggles and the length of the black notes, those are standard-sized keys.

      It would be welcome to see velocity-sensing in a real analog synth, mini-keys or not. Being able to modulate amplitude, filter cut-off, and perhaps frequency, and some other wave shape properties would be musically useful.

      2. Elektron Analog Keys. Modulate up to 5 parameters with key velocity and 5 more with aftertouch….with bipolar values….e.g. more aftertouch = lower cutoff etc…

  6. As long as it has better build quality than the King Korg I will be hopeful.

    The larger photo shows an awful lot of what I want, RM, sync, cross mod and possibly wave shaping. This gives you a whole lot of options before you start modulating and filtering. The problem with us getting used to modular synths it that we start thinking of other routings that these sorts of synths can’t offer. For example a mix of filtered and unfiltered VCO, LFO in the RM etc. However my fingers are crossed.

    1. A good controller is going to be the key with getting the most of all these, as with on the volca. So much potential for fun on sliders and xy pad here 😀 almost don’t know why they left the xy and ribbon off here, when even the electribes and taktiles have them now. Even a tiny one from kaos mini? Oh well. It’ll still be an amazing piece of gear.

      Will be amazing fun I say, whether it ends up a little wiggly out not.

    1. Not at all. Swedish Progressive House/Techno music group consisting of Sebastian Mullaert and Marcus Henriksson did not copy write or trademark the name (AFAIK).

      Besides, Mini-Analogue (Korg derivation) makes more sense than Minimal-Dialogue (band derivation)

      1. Copyright happens the moment you publish. Automatically. The band can prove ownership of the name long before korg released the product.

        The question is whether either instance can harm or benefit the other. If the synth is a P-76 then the band have a law suit against them for destroying their name.

  9. Interesting…but that diagonal pitchbend…not so sure. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for an 8 voice with full sized keys next (and no Korg, I don’t want to build it myself from a kit)

  10. “Note: Synthtopia policy is to not leak manufacturers’ information on new gear introductions.”

    Well, no worries, these pictures are likely not leaks, cuz the non-disclosure agreements would destroy the leakers. This is just another way to tease people.

    1. No, actually – they’re leaks. They definitely were not authorized by KORG. The problem is, none of this stuff is really enforceable … and there’s not really anything KORG can do if someone posts this other than ask them to take it down.

      Anyway, there’s more information than is here.

      1. A leak is a way to associate impulse, excitement, secrecy, and good luck with the experience of a new product, film, etc any kind of announcement. It is a positive experience for a product launch and happens all the time, usually just with cheesy ‘teasers’ that annoy consumers with wasted time and little information. This was a grade A find cut off leak that made us all happy to feel like detectives of synth mystery 😀 I think we all benefit here

      2. Korg can always exclude the leakers from future product testing and releases. And frankly, considering who the leaks are, if they are breaking contract they SHOULD be excluded because this is not their first time, and this is not to only company to be burned by them.

        But only korg knows if this was intentional or not.

  11. Might even have a choice of filters by the looks of things à la Bass Station 2!

    Wondering if the delay section on the right hand side is analog too, for bonus points!

    1. I strongly suspect they are the same keys as the MS20 mini and arp odyssey. Mini but probably not as mini as the reface or boutiques. (that said I LOVE my reface CS, keys and all) Whoops someone else (named Daniel too! ) already posted this below.

  15. Whenever Japanese synth engineers go to their computers and start designing a mini synth, I want to whack their hands with a fly swatter!

    1. – – the screen will likely be used for other utilities as well. On the Taktile controllers the screen gives parameters and deeper settings info when relevant.

      my biggest wonder is the large open spot between the knobs and keys, maybe the perfect place for a lil aftermarket multi-touch pad connected into the engine by midi cord? Finding the right control buddy for this will make it that much sweeter.

      1. The display and FX part hint that it’s a digital synth which sports analog oscillators and an analog filter, so far. So it’s probably semi VA, in a way.

        1. “digital synth which sports analog oscillators and an analog filter”

          I have no idea what that means. You just described an analog synth.

          1. Hopefully KORG won’t read what Larry wrote. If they thought people knew so little about analogue they wouldn’t bother.

            By that same logic a Minimoog Voyager is digital because it has patch memory.

      2. It is an odd look. And I KNOW they’ll release them in different colours down the track… If it were more traditional looking, I admit, I might be more excited.

        For now I’m waiting for the red one.

  23. Exciting, but again…a three octave keyboard on a poly is just too short! Also, as mentioned by somebody else, velocity sensitivy should be standard in 2016 (we don’t know yet if this has it). . All Casio keyboards have been featuring it for years now!

    1. A three octave kb is just about right if we’re only talking four voice polyphony. No idea if that’s the case, but I’m personally hoping this is on the lower end side of things ($400-$800). I could use some analogue chords, but not enough to break the bank.

      1. Don’t you wish it were six voice though?

        What’s with this four voice craze?

        It reminds me of Apple putting out a minor camera upgrade on their phones every two years, so you’ll buy each one rather than wait for the inevitable 61key six voice which would cost the same as you’ve spent on interim products.

        Interim products!! Damn you korg!

  24. Great – but main problem for me is that even though it may not have mini keys, it has a small keyboard – looks to be 3 octaves. I have too many small synths in my studio – how about a nice 61 key poly analogue with velocity sensitive keys and aftertouch? I know if I really wanted to I could plug a MIDI controller into this, but its the principle of the thing that bothers me. Enough with small synths!

    Apart from that one gripe, this looks a great move by Korg.

  26. Could be interesting, but 3 octaves of mini keys and only 4 voices seems like a really strange decision for a poly. If it sounds good, I’m sure it’ll sell, though.

    Companies keep doing 4 voice synths. Remember when 6 voices was the minimum? At least then, you could play a simple chord with a longer release without so much obvious note stealing.

    1. The keyboard probably adds less than $100 to the production cost, so reducing the price by $300 is going to be an impossibility. But I agree. I’d like to see this as a tabletop module.

  28. Whilst I welcome any new synth , judging this book by its cover (photo), what does it offer over the 4 voice MS2000 from 2000? Indeed, it seems to have less functionality than the MS2000. Unless maybe it is a true 4 voice analogue……

    1. Well it says ‘polyphonic analogue synthesizer’ on the front and will hopefully offer the advantage of actually sounding good compared to the MS2000!

      1. I think Larry is trolling. He suggested above the use of patch memory and digital FX made this a VA synth which used analogue oscillators and filters. Now he thinks the VA MS2000 is a good comparison to a 4 voice analogue poly!!??

        1. Can you show me where I suggested that?

          And no, I am not trolling, I was suggesting that this synth has the same limitations and is missing some of the features of a synth made 15yrs ago. I am aware this is analogue but to me that is of little importance as the lines twixt analogue, VA and digital can get blurred. There are bad analogue synth and great VA synths.

          Sometimes I get tired of engaging in conversation. This is one of those occasions.

          1. It’s a bit like wondering why a €10 digital watch has more features than a €8000 Rolex. You’re not comparing like with like.

  29. If its not pure analog i wont buy it. I still search for some analog synths that have such envelopes like my old gone Yamaha CS-15. These were like someone smashes noise into your face and say “fuck that other gear”. Korg would have been advised to do a strictly analog machine. Nonetheless this one will give the P12 some competition.

  31. I own the MS20 mini and KORG Odysseey, which are excellent. But I’m glad to see KORG do this instead of a Monopoly or Polysix reissue. I also own a Monopoly and I bet this will sound better. If it has the ability to cycle through the voices in mono mode (which I doubt) and some way of off-setting the voices (which I doubt) it would be awesome. Maybe the sequencer will allow for a quasi-monopoly voice cycling effect?

  32. In that second photo, someone is sitting down while playing a Minilogue that is on their lap. Look how ridiculously small it is. This synth is the size of a small pillow.

  34. Price is going to be key here (no pun intended).

    The Mopho x4 is 44 full sized keys with velocity and aftertouch and sounds awesome.

    If this is much cheaper, though, more power to them.

  38. Aftertouch, analog envelopes, some implementation of oscillator ‘drift’, and at least 4 cv in’s/outs, and this is a winner. the Volca keys was way, way too limited, but could sound 10x it’s price. If they mix that sound with a proper poly set up, some decent in’s/out’s, and aftertouch… hmmmm….

  39. If you pause the video at the right time, the bottom two buttons under the “edit” buttons say, “poly” and “duo”, so maybe the rest are more options for polyphony/mono?

    1. the new ad released for this today gives a look at all the buttons:
      Poly, Duo, Unison, Mono, Chord, Delay (midi echo of notes), Arp (Arpeggiator), and Sidechain.

      sadly not the splits and note priority controls lots of us had imagined, but alas, guess they’ll save that for the next bigger brother heh (if it ever comes).

      I love how the most important and stand-out synths in history have often been the smallest cheapest parts of a company’s line that came out to be used live, e.g. the Minimoog, Odyssey, Polysix, Juno, all of these are extremely famous BECAUSE the price point enabled them to spread to a huge audience and be loved. Every few years somebody really gets the top level quality into a super cheap instrument like this and we all win. ‘grats Korg!

  42. Heh, 15 seconds later I found this little feature list. Yep re: sync. (last one)

    • Fully programmable, with 200 program memories (100 sounds included)
    • Voice Mode lets you flexibly configure the four voices
    • Automatable 16-step polyphonic note and motion sequencer
    • Oscilloscope function shows the waveform visually
    • Rugged and stylish with aluminum top panel, chassis-mounted pots, rubber-coated knobs, and real wood back panel
    • MIDI, USB MIDI, and Audio Sync for all types of in-studio and live connectivity, including direct sync with SQ1, volca, electribe, and more

  43. From Music Trades Feb 2016, pg 96:

    > ” At this year’s NAMM, Korg will move further into the analog world with the minilogue, a sleek new feature laden polyphonic analog synth at a surprising price. Tats says, it’s designed to “let all those players who can’t afford highend boutique synth the opportunity to have an analog experience.” He describes it as “today’s analog synth, with winks to the past.” By using contemporary circuit design, the minilogue incorporates more features and avoids the tuning instability that plagues vintage analog synths, yet provides a classic analog experience. This updated analog technology is also being applied to a wide range of “volca” branded tone modules for the EDM market.”

    Wonder if that means new volca stuff at NAMN?

    http://www.onlinedigeditions.com/publication/?i=286673&p=96
    http://en.audiofanzine.com/analog-synth/korg/minilogue/medias/pictures/a.play,m.1300934.html

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