Korg monologue
Lesson 2: Setting up and getting first sound
Goal: power up safely, play the factory programs, and set up the display so it teaches you as you turn knobs.
Power
- Batteries: six AA, alkaline or Ni-MH. Korg quotes about 6 hours on alkaline and about 8 hours on Ni-MH. Set Battery Type (EDIT MODE > GLOBAL EDIT > button 8) to match, or the battery gauge will be wrong.
- Adapter: 9 V DC into the DC 9V jack. The battery gauge isn’t accurate while an adapter is connected.
- Auto Power Off switches the unit off after about 4 hours untouched. Turn it off at GLOBAL EDIT > button 8 (press twice to reach it) if it catches you out.
Switching on and off
- Turn your speakers or headphone volume right down.
- On: hold the rear power switch until the “monologue” logo appears, then let go.
- Bring up MASTER slowly.
- Off: turn MASTER fully left, then hold the power switch until the display goes blank. Wait about 10 seconds before switching on again.
Unsaved edits are lost at power off, and also when you select a different program (Lesson 6).
Play the factory programs
The monologue holds 100 programs: 80 presets (001 to 080) and 20 user slots (081 to 100, all “Init Program” from the factory). Presets are by Aphex Twin, Sharooz, Yebisu303 and Korg.
- Check the EDIT MODE button is unlit. If it’s lit, press EXIT.
- Turn PROGRAM/VALUE to step through programs. SHIFT + PROGRAM/VALUE jumps 10 at a time.
- Play the keys. The 25 slim keys are velocity sensitive.
- Move the OCTAVE switch and the slider. What the slider does changes per program; the Program List in the manual names it for each preset.
- Press PLAY to hear the sequence stored with the program, and PLAY again to stop.
Settings that make learning easier
All in EDIT MODE > GLOBAL EDIT, and they save automatically.
| Setting | Where | Set it to | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parameter Disp | Button 8 | All | Shows every knob’s value as you turn it, with a “*” when you’re near the stored value |
| Knob Mode | Button 4 | Jump | The sound follows the knob immediately. Catch (the alternative) can make knobs seem dead |
| Oscilloscope | Button 8 | Enable | Shows the waveform instead of the program name when MOTION/SLIDE/NOTE is on SLIDE or NOTE |
| Velocity Curve | Button 4 | Type 4 to start | Korg describes Type 4 as the typical curve; adjust to your touch later |
Tuning
Analogue oscillators drift as the unit warms up. The monologue retunes itself when idle, but you can force it with SHIFT + REC in Play mode. It takes about 15 seconds and the keyboard is silent meanwhile.
Exercise 2
Play programs 001, 007, 043, 061 and 073, and for each one work out by ear what the slider does, then check it against the Quick reference at the end of this course. Then switch the oscilloscope on and watch how program 039 (Dual Saw) changes as you sweep CUTOFF.