Right next to the filter, we have the envelope and LFO section.
Amp & mod envelope
First to mention here, you can use the envelope as classical amp envelope or as a mod envelope. One of the downsides of the monologue in my opinion is the envelope structure. Unfortunately, it’s not a complete envelope with a traditional ADSR design but is powered by a preset slider that can call three different types of envelopes. First you have an AD (attack, decay) mode with pre-defined release amount. In this mode, the envelope is very snappy and is perfect if you want to create percussive sounds. Than features the engine a ADS mode, an envelope that is less snappy and that comes with an attack, decay and maximal sustain design. Same as in the previous envelope with the release, the sustain can’t be changed here. The third and last one is the gate mode which is very short.
The dual operating mode is one of the key features of the amp envelope that allows you to use the mod at the same time as the amp envelope. A dedicated intensity knob allows you to control the influence of the mod envelope. You can route the mod envelope section to three different parameters: pitch (oscillator 1), pitch 2 (oscillator 2) and cutoff frequency. Of the three destinations here are certainly the two pitch range very exciting because with a good amount of envelope on these parameters, you can achieve quick very crazy sounds.
I personally doesn’t like a lot the structure of the envelope in the monologue since the classic ADSR is clearly missing here and it would offer far more possibilities. You are a bit limited in your envelope designs here. However, you can achieve many sounds with this alternative envelope.
LFO
Under the envelope section, you have a single LFO which comes with three different modes: fast, slow and one shoot. Rate and init buttons gives you deeper control over it. You can route here the LFO to three different destinations: the pitch, shape and cutoff. Sound technically, the LFO can be a very experimental feature in the monologue. With the fast and even slow mode, you can reach very quick FM like sounds and you can on top dive quick into the world of audio modulation. The creation of chip tune, bit-crusher or very harsh sounds are here no problems and the very acid oriented 2 pole low pass filter enhance this entire playground a lot.
In my opinion is the LFO section of the Monologue more versatile compared to other mono synths on the market because you can create some crazy and extraordinary sounds with easy-to-reach audio modulation point here. Unfortunately, you can only route one parameter at once to the LFO. An additional second LFO would be very cool here but with new motion sequencer makes the desire for a second LFO a bit forgotten.
Last instance of the synthesis engine is a good sound analog drive on the left side which adds more fatness, analog richness to your sound but also a more distorted character. The sound becomes very crunchy when you raise the level of it a lot. The analog drive is here also a nice sound design feature in my opinion.
Creative area of the KORG monologue
In the creative area shows the KORG monologue a lot of his strengths. Here you can find a fully customizable mod-slider and a full-featured sequencer.
Mod-slider
The mod-slider can be mapped to any parameter of the synth engine via the menu. You can map here classical parameters like the cutoff to it but also the unique shape function. For live performances, a very handy feature for instant sound changes.
Step sequencer (notes)
The monologue features a 16-step sequencer which can do far more than just sequencing notes. It allows you to work in two different ways. First you can insert your steps with the keyboard. Just press record and enter your steps. While entering your desired notes, you can also put rests in the sequence by pressing the rest button beside the record button. To delete a sequence completely, you have to go unfortunately to the menu. The interface doesn’t feature a undo or delete button. Also in the sequencer menu, you can adjust the length as well the speed of the sequence.
Users who doesn’t love entering their steps in this way, can also operate with another workflow. It’s also possible to program the sequence while the sequence is running. Press play and record and play your notes in the sequence. In a second menu tape, you can also add a slide per step.
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