The Korg Minilogue is a fully-programmable 37 slim-key (same keys as the Korg Arp Odyssey) four-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer boasting a convenient array of sound-shaping, filtering and sequencing capabilities. It is a brilliant addition to the arsenal of a seasoned composer and an intuitive tool for the beginning synthesist. What’s more, one does not necessarily need to possess any prior knowledge of synthesizers in order to take advantage of its extensive capabilities. When playing the instrument, the first thing one notices is the ease of use afforded by the configuration of the front panel, which offers quick and easy access to all parameters—meaning instant playability with no complicated menu diving! The diagonal (and re-assignable!) pitch bend knob is both ingenious and aesthetically pleasing: it can be pitched 12 steps up or down and can be assigned to a variety of parameters (it sounds especially captivating when applied to the filter or delay time).
And that’s only the outside! Beneath the Minilogue’s sleek exterior lies a plethora of robust features. Internally, the Minilogue contains four voices with two VCOs per voice (a total of eight VCOs!). Even without filtering or sequencing applied, the VCOs blend together effortlessly. In polyphonic mode, the user is able to assign a different note value to each oscillator and detune them until a sweet spot is found (which will not take long!). In unison mode, all four voices are organized around the same note and can be detuned in sync (sounds great when applying an envelope to the pitch). Switching between modes is literally as easy as pushing a button. This ease of use is enhanced by the convenient oscilloscope display, which enables the user to visualize waveforms and parameter values as they are sculpted. This combination of ease of use and musical ingenuity characterizes the entire synthesizer.
Beyond the oscillators, the Minilogue features an efficient resonance filter (adjustable from 2 to 4 pole and, with the oscillators turned down and resonance up, can be modified to function as a sine wave oscillator), white noise generator (suitable for filtering, resonance and naturalistic sounds such as wind), two various assignable envelope sections that can be patches into various sections of the synthesizer (for example, the rate or intensity of the LFO or cutoff section) and a LFO (low frequency oscillator) for modulating desired parameters.
Features