Korg monotribe User manual

Thank you for purchasing the Korg monotribe analogue rib-
bon station.
To help you get the most out of your new instrument, please
read this manual carefully.
Table of Contents
Precautions...................................................................... 4
Main features .................................................................. 5
How the sound generator is structured ............................. 5
The three elements of sound (pitch, timbre, and volume) ................... 5
Block diagram ......................................................................................................... 6
Getting started ................................................................ 7
Installing batteries ................................................................................................ 7
Using an AC adapter ............................................................................................ 7
Battery level indication ....................................................................................... 7
Connections ............................................................................................................ 8
Turning the power on.......................................................................................... 9
Turning the power off ......................................................................................... 9
Auto power-off ....................................................................................................... 9
Panel description and functions...................................... 10
Synthesizer section ............................................................................................ 10
Sequencer section ............................................................................................. 13
Global menu..................................................................16
Setting procedure .............................................................................................. 16
Specifications.................................................................17

4
Precautions
Location
Using the unit in the following locations can result in a malfunction.
• In direct sunlight
• Locations of extreme temperature or humidity
• Excessively dusty or dirty locations
• Locations of excessive vibration
• Close to magnetic fields
Power supply
Please connect the designated AC adapter to an AC outlet of the correct voltage.
Do not connect it to an AC outlet of voltage other than that for which your unit is
intended.
Interference with other electrical devices
Radios and televisions placed nearby may experience reception interference.
Operate this unit at a suitable distance from radios and televisions.
Handling
To avoid breakage, do not apply excessive force to the switches or controls.
Care
If the exterior becomes dirty, wipe it with a clean, dry cloth. Do not use liquid
cleaners such as benzene or thinner, or cleaning compounds or flammable
polishes.
Keep this manual
After reading this manual, please keep it for later reference.
Keeping foreign matter out of your equipment
Never set any container with liquid in it near this equipment. If liquid gets into the
equipment, it could cause a breakdown, fire, or electrical shock.
Be careful not to let metal objects get into the equipment. If something does slip
into the equipment, unplug the AC adapter from the wall outlet. Then contact your
nearest Korg dealer or the store where the equipment was purchased.
Notice regarding disposal (EU only)
When this “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol is displayed on the
product, owner’s manual, battery, or battery package, it signifies that
when you wish to dispose of this product, manual, package or battery
you must do so in an approved manner. Do not discard this product,
manual, package or battery along with ordinary household waste.
Disposing in the correct manner will prevent harm to human health
and potential damage to the environment. Since the correct method
of disposal will depend on the applicable laws and regulations in your
locality, please contact your local administrative body for details. If the battery
contains heavy metals in excess of the regulated amount, a chemical symbol
is displayed below the “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol on the battery or
battery package.
THE FCC REGULATION WARNING (for USA)
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Unauthorized changes or modification to this system can void the user’s
authority to operate this equipment.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CONSUMERS
This product has been manufactured according to strict specifications and
voltage requirements that are applicable in the country in which it is intended
that this product should be used. If you have purchased this product via the
internet, through mail order, and/or via a telephone sale, you must verify that
this product is intended to be used in the country in which you reside.
WARNING: Use of this product in any country other than that for which it is
intended could be dangerous and could invalidate the manufacturer’s or
distributor’s warranty.
Please also retain your receipt as proof of purchase otherwise your product may
be disqualified from the manufacturer’s or distributor’s warranty.
*All product names and company names are the trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.

5
Owner’s manual
Main features
Analog synthesis
The VCO, VCF, and VCA are constructed of analog circuitry. With
intuitively simple operation and the sound-creating process that’s
distinctive of analog synthesizers, the monotribe gives you a flexible
and highly improvisatory synthesis experience. The VCF features the
filter circuit of the classic Korg MS-20.
Self-tuning function
When not producing sound, the monotribe tunes itself internally to
correct any pitch drift that may occur due to temperature changes or
aging. Despite the analog VCO, the monotribe does not require reg-
uler servicing to stay in tune over time; the monotribe can deliver
reliable performance as soon as the power is turned on.
Ribbon keyboard
You can switch the pitch range of the ribbon keyboard (WIDE/NAR-
ROW). Since it can also be played chromatically like a conventional
keyboard, you’ll be able to play melodies with accurate pitches.
Analog drum sound generator
A crisp-sounding three-part drum sound generator using discrete
analog circuitry is built-in.
Eight-step sequencer
You can control the sequence in realtime to create loops using the
drum sounds and the synth part.
FLUX mode
This allows the sequence of the synth part to be recorded and played
back without being restricted by the steps. It’s a great way to create tricky
rhythms and sequence patterns with unique grooves.
Multi-function LFO
A broad range of RATE and INTENSITY settings cover everything
from subtle change to drastic modulation. In addition to convention-
al LFO functionality, there’s a 1SHOT mode that makes the LFO be-
have like an envelope genelator (EG).
External input jack
This lets you modify the sound of the synth part by mixing an exter-
nal audio source with the VCO. It also lets you use the monotribe as
an effect processor for an external audio source.
Internal speaker
The monotribe has a built-in speaker, so you can play it anywhere.
AC adapter or battery power
You can use batteries when you’re on the go, or the AC adapter (sold
separately) for extended periods of use.
How the sound generator is structured
As shown in the block diagram (p.6), the synthesizer sound genera-
tor consists of an oscillator (VCO), filter (VCF), and amp (VCA). The
synthesizer will produce sound when you touch the ribbon keyboard
or play back sequence data. The drum sound generator provides three
parts—bass drum (BD), snare (SN), and hi-hat (HH)—and is played
back by sequence data.
The three elements of sound (pitch, timbre, and volume)
Sound has three basic elements: pitch, timbre (tonal character), and
volume. Just like classic analog synthesizers of the past, the monot-
ribe provides VCO, VCF, and VCA sections that let you control these
elements. Edit the VCO to modify the pitch, the VCF to modify the
timbre, and the VCA to modify the volume.
In addition, you can use the envelope generator (EG) and low fre-
quency oscillator (LFO) to dynamically control parameters.