NAMM 2018

Shaw · « **Reply #41 on:** January 17, 2018, 01:36:30 PM »

That thing appears to allow for USR waveforms (presumably to load samples or wavetables....)?

Paul Dither · « **Reply #42 on:** January 17, 2018, 01:38:26 PM »

Quote from: Shaw on January 17, 2018, 01:36:30 PM

That thing appears to allow for USR waveforms (presumably to load samples or wavetables....)?

Not sure. There's an auto-translated text on GS from the French forum where this leaked:

Quote

Prologue, the new hybrid analog synth from KORG

A 49-key, polyphonic analog polyphonic synthesizer and the 61-key, 16-channel version, which can be described as a "hybrid" synth by integrating a digital motor into the center of its fully analog circuit.

Close cousin of KORG's already famous Minilogue and Monologue, the prologue is a complete and fully programmable polyphonic analog synthesizer. Hormone boosted version, it is distinguished from these predecessors by a keyboard with large keys, a polyphony of 8 or 16 channels (depending on the model) and a new engine
digital sound (the multi-engine) greatly expanding the sound and customization possibilities. As you will understand, the prologue range includes two models: the 8-channel version of 49 keys and the 16-channel version of 61 keys. Let's find out more in detail what lies beneath this beast ...

Analog power

The prologue takes again the powerful analogical circuits which made the strength of its predecessors (Minilogue and Monologue), and thus proposes an incomparable quality of sound as well as an astonishing presence. More than 11000 electronic components have been used for its manufacture! The prologue is composed of 2VCO, 1VCF, 2EG, 1VCA and 1LFO. It also features the famous built-in oscillator allowing you to create unique waveforms to refine your harmonies and create breathtaking sounds. Add to that a bipolar low-pass filter and powerful distortion and you have a powerful analog palette to create deep bass, powerful leads, and the beautiful pads that are expected of a polyphonic synthesizer. Also note that the prologue is bi-timbral, and allows you to play two different programs simultaneously.

Despite its analog power, the prologue retains its ease of use and intuitive interface worthy of the latest KORG synthesizers. You will find on the panel the easy selection of channel modes (POLY, MONO, UNISSON, CHORD ...), the powerful arpeggiator, or the simplified selection (and sortable) of the 500 programs.

The freedom of digital

The ingenuity of the prologue goes beyond its analog design. Indeed, by adding to the original 2 VCOs a third MULTI ENGINE digital oscillator, KORG is exploring new experimental sites. This new engine, adding digital and FM waveforms, can be combined with analog VCOs to extend the sound potential of the prologue far beyond that of a traditional analog synthesizer. The noise generator, the VPM oscillator and the high-quality digital effects (modulation and delay / reverb) bring you complex metallic sounds and harmonics that you never thought possible.

Another novelty, and not least, this new engine MULTI ENGINE offers a USER mode that allows you to load oscillator programs of your own creation (and yes!) You can develop on the dedicated software (available in early spring 2018 ). There are sixteen slots for this parameter.

KORG manufacturing quality

Many waited for a Minilogue with big keys. In the end KORG did better, but still listened to users' comments. On the prologue, you'll find Japanese keyboards of 49 and 61 notes, with big keys, that offer the same feel and expression as the high end KORG keyboards.
Beyond the keyboard, KORG has really paid attention to the details of the overall design. The body of the prologue synthesizer offers a black aluminum panel, wooden side panels and metal potentiometers highlighting the beauty of the instrument that will be as comfortable on stage as in the studio.

The first copies of this powerful synthesizer should arrive in France in March. The price of the 8-way model should run around 1500 € and we are talking about 2000 € for the 16-channel version.

Shaw · « **Reply #43 on:** January 17, 2018, 01:50:55 PM »

Looks interesting for sure. 3 OSC (2 analogue, 1 digital), and it appears you can create your own waveforms for the digital OSC(?)

Paul Dither · « **Reply #44 on:** January 17, 2018, 02:02:14 PM »

Quote from: Shaw on January 17, 2018, 01:50:55 PM

Looks interesting for sure. 3 OSC (2 analogue, 1 digital), and it appears you can create your own waveforms for the digital OSC(?)

Indeed. It also features the oscilloscope from the Minilogue and Monologue, which could be helpful for that. It still remains to be seen if the keyboard also comes with aftertouch. And of course what else can be done to the digital waveforms. But 32 VCOs at around $2,000 is quite competitive.

Shaw · « **Reply #45 on:** January 17, 2018, 02:13:20 PM »

Quote from: Paul Dither on January 17, 2018, 02:02:14 PM

Quote from: Shaw on January 17, 2018, 01:50:55 PM
Looks interesting for sure. 3 OSC (2 analogue, 1 digital), and it appears you can create your own waveforms for the digital OSC(?)

Indeed. It also features the oscilloscope from the Minilogue and Monologue, which could be helpful for that. It still remains to be seen if the keyboard also comes with aftertouch. And of course what else can be done to the digital waveforms. But 32 VCOs at around $2,000 is quite competitive.

maybe $2499 once you do the Euro to Greenback conversion... but yeah. Interesting for sure.

Paul Dither · « **Reply #46 on:** January 17, 2018, 02:28:23 PM »

Quote from: Shaw on January 17, 2018, 02:13:20 PM

maybe $2499 once you do the Euro to Greenback conversion... but yeah. Interesting for sure.

It depends. Currently all US Korg prices are lower than European Korg prices.

Shaw · « **Reply #47 on:** January 17, 2018, 02:37:24 PM »

Quote from: Paul Dither on January 17, 2018, 02:28:23 PM

Quote from: Shaw on January 17, 2018, 02:13:20 PM
maybe $2499 once you do the Euro to Greenback conversion... but yeah. Interesting for sure.

It depends. Currently all US Korg prices are lower than European Korg prices.

So they seem to be targeting (and possibly coming in at a lower price than) the Rev 2

Sacred Synthesis · « **Reply #48 on:** January 17, 2018, 02:39:01 PM »

Interesting instruments, and alas, with full-sized keys and wood cheeks. I also like the name. Korg is getting there, slowly but surely.

Paul Dither · « **Reply #49 on:** January 17, 2018, 03:08:21 PM »

Here's another photo of the front panel:

So there doesn't seem to be any indication of Aftertouch. At least it's not available as a mod source on the front panel. Modulation options are also rather limited.

Sacred Synthesis · « **Reply #50 on:** January 17, 2018, 03:21:39 PM »

Yes, only one LFO. That's a bit stringent.

You know, it looks an awful lot like a Rev2.

Shaw · « **Reply #51 on:** January 17, 2018, 04:18:38 PM »

Quote from: Sacred Synthesis on January 17, 2018, 03:21:39 PM

You know, it looks an awful lot like a Rev2.

My thoughts exactly.

Sleep of Reason · « **Reply #52 on:** January 17, 2018, 04:50:40 PM »

Looks like they're not even trying to hide the fact that they're aiming to directly compete with the REV2. The digital aspects are a huge plus, but then there's also plenty of other areas where it doesn't stack up. I wonder how the market will react ... or given Korg's brand status (plus the popularity of the logue-line) and the fact that it will be in every music store, is it a given it will out sell the REV2 with ease?

Personally I'd still go with the REV2 without a second thought.

Sacred Synthesis · « **Reply #53 on:** January 17, 2018, 04:56:07 PM »

I'd be rather surprised if the folks at Korg were so simple as to think that appearances alone could draw in potential Rev2 buyers. With the exception of that third digital oscillator, I don't see why anyone would prefer the Prologue over the Rev2. Perhaps a spec sheet would make this clear.

dslsynth · « **Reply #54 on:** January 17, 2018, 05:01:44 PM »

Look forward to see how the Korg Prologue will sound compared to the DSI machines. The digital oscillator is certainly an interesting addition. Modulation seems not quite up to DSI standard.

In any case: hope this machine will inspire a certain synthesizer manufacturer to make a new interesting hybrid voice not at least featuring both analog and digital oscillators combined with hopefully other types of neat integration between analog and digital features.

So now is the perfect chance to move ahead of the competition on both sound and feature fronts. Seen in that light its very fine with me if time is taken to get it right before announcing.

Sleep of Reason · « **Reply #55 on:** January 17, 2018, 05:05:51 PM »

It's not simply the look, it's everything from the pricing structure to polyphony. Plus this appears to be exactly like what everyone was speculating it would be, which leads me to believe they're listening closely. Seems real calculated, but a step in the right direction regardless.

Edit: Although they didn't get LoboLives' incessant memo about multitimbrality...

Sacred Synthesis · « **Reply #56 on:** January 17, 2018, 05:22:40 PM »

This is Korg's Poly Evolver Keyboard. Next, they'll make a version without the digital oscillator. It'll be called the Prologue Rev2.

Sacred Synthesis · « **Reply #57 on:** January 17, 2018, 05:24:52 PM »

Quote from: Sleep of Reason on January 17, 2018, 05:05:51 PM

It's not simply the look....

It even shares the first three letters of the name.

Shaw · « **Reply #58 on:** January 17, 2018, 05:27:24 PM »

Quote from: Sacred Synthesis on January 17, 2018, 04:56:07 PM

I'd be rather surprised if the folks at Korg were so simple as to think that appearances alone could draw in potential Rev2 buyers. With the exception of that third digital oscillator, I don't see why anyone would prefer the Prologue over the Rev2. Perhaps a spec sheet would make this clear.

That seems like a solid analysis.

Paul Dither · « **Reply #59 on:** January 17, 2018, 05:33:32 PM »

With all the justifiable critique in mind that can be mostly addressed to the absence of more modulation flexibility, it still has to be acknowledged that Korg obviously designed an analog polysynth based on their custom chips, which is quite an undertaking. So they did this from the ground up, based on their other -logue synths and presumably without anything like Curtis chips. And that's already quite something from a technological or developer's perspective.

And without getting into a VCO vs DCO debate it still has to be pointed out that the big version does provide 32 VCOs, which is quite an impressive number.

The rest has to be heard (professional demos) and read (manual). I think two aspects are going to be important in the end: How is the quality of the overall sound and how much more sonic flexibility does the digital oscillator introduce?