Korg Prologue - Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer (16-Voice)
Overview:
The 16-voice Korg Prologue is the flagship polyphonic analog synthesizer that builds upon the success of the Minilogue and Monologue synthesizers, combining multi-voice, multi-timbre, and Multi-Engine technology to create a professional-quality instrument that's capable of satiating the most advanced user, but with an interface that a novice will find inviting.
The synthesizer's architecture uses two VCOs + Multi-Engine (VCO3), a 12 db/per octave filter, two envelopes, a VCA, and an LFO. The Multi-Engine is equipped with three sound generation devices including a noise generator, a variable phase modulation (VMP/FM) generator, and a user oscillator, which allows you to load your own oscillator programs via a free and soon-to-be-released editor/librarian. The two-pole, low-pass filter with enhanced sharpness adds drive with powerful distortion, as well as a low-cut (high-pass) switch. Its sound covers almost every sonic possibility: fat basses, powerful leads, and the lush pads that you expect from a polyphonic synthesizer.
Additional features include four voice modes, a powerful arpeggiator, and a 24-bit digital effects engine, which provides two effect slots (a modulation effect and delay/reverb). Choose between a wide variety of effects such as chorus or ensemble, warm tape delay, or diverse reverbs. The keyboard is a high-quality, Japanese-made, Natural Touch keyboard, providing the same professional-quality touch and feel as on KORG’s high-end workstations. The instrument's enclosure is constructed from a black aluminum front panel with oak wood sides, and high-quality metal knobs. The Korg prologue ships with an IEC power cord.
Features:
- 16-Voice - Fully Programmable
- 61-Key Natural Touch Keyboard
- 500 Fully Editable Presets
- Modes: Poly, Mono, Chord, Unison
- Open Source: User Customization
- Sync I/O for Connecting Groove Machines
- Arpeggiator
- 24-Bit Digital Effects
- OLED Display with Built-In Oscilloscope
- Black Aluminum Panel with Oak Wood Sides
More Features:
A new-generation of flagship analog synthesizer.
The ultimate multi-voice, multi-timbre, multi-engine.
prologue is a fully-programmable, full-featured, professional synthesizer. Preceded by the four-voice polyphonic minilogue and the monophonic monologue, it’s the long awaited debut of the flagship: the prologue.
prologue is a polyphonic analog synthesizer equipped with a full-sized keyboard. With powerful analog circuits that are descended directly from the earlier models of the series, together with a newly developed digital multi engine and gorgeous DSP-based effects, prologue expands the variety of sounds and the possibilities for user customization.
The lineup is comprised of two models that cover musicians’ needs for not only stage use, but also studio, home, or touring use: 16-voice 61-key prologue-16, and the eight-voice 49-key prologue-8. These instruments are capable of sounds that go beyond existing analog synthesizers.
16/8-voice analog sound
The prologue is a polyphonic analog synthesizer with 8 or 16 multitimbral voices. KORG’s analog synthesizer development in recent years has culminated in the prologue, which was designed using 11,000 discrete electronic components. Although the prologue is a flagship instrument, it still retains the inviting feel and accessibility of its predecessors. It features a pure analog path, impeccable sound quality, stunning presence unlike any other poly synth, and the same intuitive interface as the minilogue and monologue, granting you intuitive access to a vast world of analog synthesis.
The prologue uses a structure of 2VCO + MULTI ENGINE, 1VCF, 2EG, 1VCA, and 1LFO. In addition to distinctive, original circuitry, such as wave shaping to shape the oscillator’s overtones and a sync/ring switch, prologue also features a two-pole low pass filter with enhanced sharpness, drive that adds powerful distortion, and a low cut (high pass) switch. Every detail has been improved on from minilogue and monologue. Its sound covers every sonic possibility: fat basses, powerful leads, and the beautiful pads that you expect from a polyphonic synthesizer.
Newly developed multi-engine
The ingenuity of prologue goes beyond its analog design. The newly developed multi engine is provided as VCO3, adding digital waveforms and FM. This multi engine, which is equipped with three different sound engines, can be combined with the analog VCOs to expand prologue’s sonic potential far beyond that of a traditional analog synthesizer
The high-quality digital effects feature pristine 32-bit floating-point processing, and add a further polish to the sound of the prologue. With two effect units provided (a modulation effect and delay/reverb), you can choose from a wide variety such as chorus or ensemble, warm tape delay, or diverse reverbs. The user effect slots let you load effect programs of your own creation.
The prologue offers an SDK (Software Development Kit) that allows developers to program, customize and extend the capabilities of the multi-engine and digital effects. The prologue provides 16 user oscillator slots and 16 user effect slots, and users can use the prologue Librarian software to load into their prologue new oscillators and effect programs created by developers with the prologue SDK (Software Development Kit).
What types of sound will you create by combining the expanded digital oscillators with analog synthesis? You can create original programs and share code to participate in the user community. Start with sample code provided by KORG. The prologue belongs to you.
The exclusive VU meter is available only on the prologue-16, and indicates the newly developed master effect L.F. COMP. It’s a low end booster/compressor using an analog circuit, delivering a solid sense of presence that cannot be obtained from a simple EQ. You’ll particularly notice the difference in high-volume stage performances where maximum dynamics can be utilized.
The prologue is a two-timbre synthesizer that lets you play two different programs simultaneously. In addition to layer and split, you can use crossfade to smoothly transition between the main timbre and sub timbre. An ample 16 or 8 voices ensure that the player’s advanced performance needs will be met.
The prologue provides voice modes that let you freely combine the 16 or 8 voices for performance. The standard POLY mode lets you play chords with up to 16 or 8-note polyphony. MONO mode is ideal for bass using the sub-oscillator. UNISON allows you to generate thick lead tones by sounding all voices in unison. CHORD lets you play chords with one finger. In conjunction with the DEPTH knob, you can use these modes to obtain a variety of effects.
Four voice modes
- POLY: Operates as a poly synth with up to 16 or 8 voices. Turn the VOICE MODE DEPTH knob to switch to DUO mode, in which the instrument operates in unison as a poly synth with up to 8 or 4 voices.
- MONO: Operates as a mono synth with sub oscillator.
- UNISON: Operates as an all-unison mono synth.
- CHORD: Plays chords.
The powerful arpeggiator opens up a world of limitless inspiration. It provides a four-octave range, and six arpeggiator types including manual set. From phrases that could not be performed on a keyboard to sequence-like sound designs, the arpeggiator can play a versatile array of roles.
The program sort function lets you instantly change the sorting order of the 500 programs. You can sort by category, alphabetical order, use LIKE to view the programs that you marked as your favorites, FREQUENT to sort the programs in order of their frequency of use, or ENVELOPE to sort the programs in order of their envelope shape (note duration). By choosing from eight different sorting conditions, you’ll be able to quickly find the sound that you need, without interrupting the tempo of your rehearsal or production workflow.
Eight program sort methods
- PROG NUM: Sort by program number.
- CATEGORY: Sort by program category.
- ALPHABETICAL: Sort programs alphabetically.
- LIKE: Sort by programs that you "liked."
- FREQUENT: Sort by how frequently you used the program.
- ENVELOPE: Sort by envelope shape.
- RANDOM: Sort randomly.
- LIVE SET: Sort programs registered in a live set.
Japanese-made natural touch keyboard
The attention to detail expected of a flagship extends to prologue’s playability and design as well.
The keyboard is a high-quality Japanese-made natural touch keyboard, providing the same superb touch and feel as on KORG’s high-end workstations, and allowing a high degree of expressive power.
prologue’s body emanates beauty and the presence of a boutique synth, and newly redefines the look of a classic synthesizer. The black aluminum front panel features the same curvature as the minilogue, and sports a beautiful hairline finish. Metal knobs with a sense of weight, diamond-cut silver indices, and oak wood side panels are some of the details that emphasize the high quality of this Made In Japan instrument.
