Discussion relating to all other KORG synth related products that don’t have a dedicated section. For example, OASYS PCI, M1, N Series, 01W series, T series, and more…
Has anyone checked out http://korg.com/monotribe? There's a post announcing SYSTEM VERSION 2. Big copy/paste of the page...
System Version 2
Announcing a major update for the monotribe!
Version 2 provides many new features to take your playing to a new dimension!
Announcing a major update to the monotribe analog ribbon station --- the full-fledged analog synth and rhythm unit with a step sequencer inherited from the Electribe! The monotribe Version 2 adds a plethora of new features, allowing you to create sequences that are even more elaborate, or to layer complex musical developments for extended performances.
Surely one of the most exciting additions is a new synchronized performance mode that allows for new type of performance using multiple monotribe units. Whether you've never touched a monotribe or whether you're an expert who is thoroughly familiar with all of the current features, this new update guarantees that your analog groove-making will be more intense than ever before!
Highlights
Sequencer:
Synth part resolution has been doubled to 16 Steps
Volume Automation has been added to the synth part.
Active Step can be specified for each part.
Drum Roll capability has been added.
Gate Time Hold function has been added.
Synthesizer:
Sample and Hold (S&H) function added to LFO.
Sync:
Connected sequences allow multiple monotribe units to play in rotation.
Half Tempo function has been added.
Short Cut Keys:
Four convenient shortcuts for creating patterns quickly
16-Step Synth parts
As with drum parts, the synth part now provides timing information in between the steps in a sequence, allowing a pattern to achieve a total of 16 steps.
Synth Part Volume Automation
Volume Automation allows the synth volume to be recorded during playback to create more detailed sequences. The left side of the ribbon controller keyboard decreases the volume, and the right side increases it. This Volume Automation can even be controlled when if Flux mode is on.
Set individual Active Steps for each Part.
The Active Step function lets you specify which steps are played or jumped when playing back the step sequencer. Now, the Active Step can be set individually for each of the SYNTH, BD, SD, and HH parts. By specifying a different number of steps for each part, you can create complex polyrhythms.
Sample & Hold (S & H) added to the LFO
The newly added S&H function is indispensible for creating mysterious analog synth sound effects. The RATE knob adjusts the frequency of change, and the INT. knob adjusts the depth of change.
"What is Sample & Hold?"
Unlike traditional LFO waveshapes that provide a constantly changing signal, the Sample & Hold feature takes a "sample" of the LFO signal and holds that level for a specific duration of time. The results are the highly popular and slightly random stepped-filter effects so famously used in analog synthesizers. By using noise as the input signal, the monotribe version 2 lets you create effects that change in a distinctively random manner.
Drum Roll capability
A roll can now be added to the desired drum part. The speed of the roll can be controlled using the ribbon controller keyboard; moving toward the right will increase the number of strikes. You can also record the drum roll using the sequencer to intuitively create subtle and dynamic drum patterns.
Linked Sequences play multiple monotribes in rotation
The Link Sequence feature is a completely new sync method that vastly expands the scope of the monotribe, to deliver even more fun. When sequence playback reaches step 8, the sequence will automatically stop and the next monotribe unit will start playing. By loop-connecting the SYNC jacks, the playback can keep cycling through multiple units – in true modular fashion!
New Additions
The Gate Time Hold function lets you use the ribbon controller keyboard to play and record new pitch information while retaining the gate times recorded in the sequencer. Also new is the Half Tempo function, which cuts the tempo in half when synchronizing to an external input from the SYNC IN jack. In addition, there are now four shortcut keys that instantly initialize various types of sequence data or active step settings.
Updating Procedure
Thinking of monotribe as an analog synthesizer, the procedure of for updating the Operating System is also a very old-school, analog-style method, reminiscent of loading data via the playback of analog cassette tape. Simply download the system data which Korg has encoded as an audio (WAV) file from www.korg.com or from the website of your local Korg distributor. Then, play back the file using a WAV file player like a Smartphone or using PC application software, directly in to the monotribe's SYNC IN jack. When the audio (WAV) file finished playing, your monotribe has been updated. It’s a traditional procedure revived for a new generation!
WARNING!
Do not playback the system update file on any speaker or headphone system as this could lead to damage to equipment and/or hearing loss. Neither Korg nor any of its affiliates will accept responsibility for any damages, personal loss or injury that may result from playback of the file.
Is this brand new? What are peoples' thoughts on this? I'm wondering what will happen to the modded ones.
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damn, these new features are seducing me into considering purchasing a monotribe!
I wonder, does anyone know exactly how this update process works? Korg says this is an "old school" method, what other analog synths have used this update method? Also, anyone note the disclaimer about hearing loss if listening to the file??
It sounds like an oldschool SYSEX dump, where you'd play data into a special audio-in port (think something like dial-up noises only more random) which is really just another way of transmitting digital info. My old Poly-800II did the same thing for loading patches. It makes sense that it would have this, given that it already has the sync function, but it took me totally by surprise. The disclaimer part was my favorite bit in the whole post.
On the whole, it sounds like the monotribe is starting to shed some of it's initial lameness and really take up performance capabilities rivalling those on the X-series 'tribes. It's nice to see that Korg took good lessons from their past designs to make something that's a good marriage of mod-friendly analog and update-easy digital. I might have to consider this now...
Ohhh...uhh, not really. I'm assuming it's like a barcode, where the signal sends some blips n' bleeps that tell the 'tribe to accept a data dump, followed by the actual patch info. In any case it's all done through electrical impulses in the line-in. I'm not a technician
I updated mine last night, went off without a hitch....or at least I thought it did.
I didn't really have time to play with it last night after update so I verified it worked and everything was working and it appeared ok. Today when I turned it on to have a session I got the bad news. Either I've just had a hardware fault show up coincidently the day after the update or it jacked something up.
Basically now the box is unusable in that the LFO knobs when approaching 12 o'clock introduce such huge amounts of distortion and severe wobble that the tone is not musical in anyway and simply just static and noise. Like someone took a pacman game, played it through a crappy AM radio and then poked holes in the speaker and smashed it. The VCF has a little control on where that distortion threshold occurs but as I said, the box is jacked as far as I can tell.
I sent off a note to Korg tonight but as it's Fri, it probably won't be until middle of next week until I hear anything. I've had my Monotribe for a month and know how the thing sounds....it sounds that way no more.
I replaced the batteries = same
checked firmware = 2.0
thought maybe I turned on some new distortion feature = there isn't one that I could see
I can't find any "hard-reboot" feature talked about either otherwise I would try that.
Yea, I don't know where I go from here, super bummed that my 'tribe is a distorted noisy brick for now.
It won't let you update if you already have, it fails just like the sheet says it will.
I sat down again with it thinking maybe "it's all in my head, I'm being too critical, etc" No, something is very wrong here. I've either accidentally set something weird or there is a hardware/software issue.
Before I updated, I had full sweep on the LFO knobs with the entire thing what I would consider usable. Even at the most extreme settings, I still found it musical and easy on the ears. For lack of a better description, it had that Daft Punk sort of vibe too it. Now, like I said, I get either knob up to noon or past and it turns into static and pacman death. Additionally the VCF really is either on or off, by that I mean it either effects the sound at about 1 o'clock or not. No real range there like there used to be.
Hope I get it sorted soon, guess I'll be playing with my ER-1 in the meantime...
Anybody know a "factory default reset" button combo. I'm thinking my issue is somehow user error as I've found that both the int and rate knobs on the LFO are WAY too active. Like the rate goes from "sort of" to insane from 10 oclock to 11 with the int knob only at 9 oclock or less.
Basically now the box is unusable in that the LFO knobs when approaching 12 o'clock introduce such huge amounts of distortion and severe wobble that the tone is not musical in anyway and simply just static and noise. Like someone took a pacman game, played it through a crappy AM radio and then poked holes in the speaker and smashed it. The VCF has a little control on where that distortion threshold occurs but as I said, the box is jacked as far as I can tell.
I updated mine and have the same issue as Maxstatic. I used my Korg AC Adapter so it had full power. I should have recorded a before and after. Anyway, the LFO is practically useless now unless I keep it slow!
