Korg Monologue Interview With Chief Engineer Tatsuya Takahashi

At the Winter NAMM Show, we talked with Korg Chief Engineer Tatsuya Takahashi, aka ‘Tats’, about his latest design, the Korg Monologue synthesizer.

The Korg Monologue is a programmable monophonic analog synthesizer. It features a unique new synthesis architecture, a new step sequencer, microtuning support and more.

We asked Takahashi about differences in the synthesis architecture of the Monologue monophonic synthesizer, compared to the earlier Korg Minilogue polyphonic synth.

Pricing and Availability

Korg’s Monologue is available to order US $299.99, with an in-store date of January 9, 2017. To learn more visit the Korg website.

12 thoughts on “Korg Monologue Interview With Chief Engineer Tatsuya Takahashi

  1. Crazy love for this synth, it is everything a monosynth should be, really bold in sound, knob per function, the parameter changing per step is ridiculously easy! Tatsuya has really put done himself! I’d like to see a big poly next. I’d also like to see his own personal music performances, he really takes sound to the next level!

  2. Love this synth. Can get all manner of sounds out of it, none of them soft. Surprised to find that I very very rarely feel limited by the single ENV.

    And the sequencer is a blast. The ability to hold a step button (or 2 or 5) to record a note or a parameter change is incredibly fun and fast. Key Trig/Hold works really well and is very fun (also works for transposing the sequence via MIDI). Two wishes there though:

    1) The ability set that button to remain latched across program changes and external clock stop/start (where clock stop would trigger a note-off if it’s in hold mode)

    2) The optional ability to hold and transpose without retriggering the sequence on key down. So the clock and sequence would remain running and the note on is heard at the next step with a note on it. As it is now, it’s easy to trigger the sequence a little out of time with other devices if you’re timing isn’t spot on.

    1. I tend to agree with you. I like to use instruments that are built well with good quality materials. I feel good when I play on them and feel proud to own them. The new generation of Korg analogue synths don’t feel well built, and are a bit unpleasant to play on. I own some cheap instruments and some expensive ones, I have less respect for the cheaper ones.

    2. You what now, mate? Plastic garbage? You mean the aluminum front plate, the solid knobs that don’t wobble, the firm full sized jacks on the back?

      Please my friend do indulge us and tell us what synth you are using that has this build quality and in addition can be fully microtonally retuned using the MIDI MTS standard, which allows it to perform serious real music and not euro-12 garbage suitable only for demented rats suffering from Otosclerosis. I look forward to your scientifically and culturally informed response my friend.

      1. Does the MTS thing mean the keyboard can also output the alternative tunings from its midi port and play another synth in that tuning?

  3. I just received mine (Red) and am very impressed. Its full of character, surprises me and looks great. This will keep me quiet for a while. I can’t wait to sync it up with my 6 Volcas.

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