KORG PROLOGUE-16 REVIEW and In-Depth Exploration
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
- Trying out the Korg Prologue-16 Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer for the first time. The Prologue has 16 Voices, with two Voltage-Controlled Oscillators and one Digital Oscillator per voice, for a total of 32 simultaneously VCO's (more than any Sequential Synth!) The 61-key model also has a built-in Analog Low Frequency Compressor.
The Background Music is "Unexplored Worlds" by Vulture Culture: open.spotify.com/album/1UD276...
All videos on the Korg Prologue and Omnisphere's Hardware Integration: • KORG PROLOGUE
►VULTURE CULTURE MUSIC: vultcult.bandcamp.com
►TIPS: streamelements.com/vulturecul...
►MERCH: merch.streamelements.com/vult...
►Other Links: linktr.ee/Vult_Cult
Prologue-16 at Sweetwater: www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
0:00 Intro
0:54 Analog Oscillators
5:53 Multi-Engine Noise
6:16 Multi-Engine Variable Phase Modulation
11:09 Filter
12:51 Filter Drive
15:06 Amp Envelope
16:50 Filter Envelope
18:37 LFO
19:50 Cross Mod
25:10 FX
28:15 Edit Mode
32:54 All The Different Chorus, Ensemble, Flanger, & Phasers
34:29 All The Different Reverbs
39:35 All The Different Delays
43:34 Analog Low-Frequency Compressor
45:34 VPM Additional Parameters
48:48 Some Presets
50:25 Voice Modes
55:55 Moar Presets
Nice in depth walkthrough! I love the sound of the Prologue, I use it in every production
The sound is really amazing. Can't wait to use it on some songs.
@@VultureCulture if you use it in a daw setting, you can send some additional LFOs or envelopes to it with Midishaper by Cableguys to overcome the one LFO limitation. It becomes a real monster after! 😄
@@lben9165 neat, I'll look into that! I've actually already recording a video on how you can add additional lfo's and envelopes using REAPER, it'll be coming out in a few weeks, but in the meantime I'll check out the cable guys plugin. Thanks for the tip 🙂
Your voice! Nice to listen to, thanks for the review of the Korg! Gonna get a second hand one tomorrow :)
That's so exciting, let me know how it goes :)
Looking into this synth, I discovered your video and am convinced this is the one. I’ve had the Minilogue XD for awhile now, and this looks like the most logical next step in my gear acquisitions. Thanks for the great insight into the synth 👍🏻
Glad you found the video helpful!
thanks man! i just bought one i’m excited to put it on my tracks.
Congrats dude! I hope you enjoy it!
Nice one, got the Prologue 8 (small as i needed). Absolutely fun to use for producers and to get ideas quick. 8/16 voices analogue, multi timbral, FM synthesis, user wavetables, beautiful sounding effects. After finding the menu ultra simple to use i went for it and got a brand new for £900 in UK. Cheap considering is a Korg, fantastic build quality/keys/knobs. It's just a pleasure to use. Yes it has only one LFO, no sequencer, one filter type, no aftertouch but i wouldn't exchange this for anything, i just love it... I tried the Deepmind which I didn't like but sounded very good but no FM. I also tried the Prophet 6 which is amazing too but expensive, only 6 voices, no FM and no multi timbral. The Prologue is an unpredictable machine.
Yes I completely agree! She is simple but the sound is just incredible. I wish I had emphasized the point that every component that is in the Prologue is impeccable. The filter sounds gorgeous, the oscillators sound gorgeous. Really impressed with this product, I find the sound much more compelling than the Deepmind or Rev2
Just a random thought. While these newer analogs usually only have one LFO if you use midi cc control over the controls with say either your daw or a midi sequencer that can automate control movement as I do parameter locking with an OT you can basically modulate everything like the XD has ‘motion record’ allowing you to record live modulation. So as long as it has that midi cc on the controls you have it all and don’t need a mod matrix.
That's true, although all of your envelopes and lfo's will be paraphonic, and not per voice.
Did you notice louder repeats on the left side/channel when using Tape delay?
The LED screen is very useful in relation to changes you make in the synth! A perfect learning aid!
It is super helpful!
Hi would it be a good idea to buy the Minilogue XD Module and buy on the side a Arturia - KeyLab Essential 49 Contrôleur MIDI ?
Absolutely! That is such a great combo
Second comment on this video. I’ve listened to a ton of poly synth videos the last couple of weeks, I completely ignored/wasn’t really aware of the prologue. As someone whose tastes are pretty firmly connected to 80s synth music I think the prologue hits the mark better than any of the other major polysynths out right now. I could be wrong and am happy to find something else. Just gotta say this synth sounds amazing.
It really does. The filter is incredible and although the modulation is more limited than say, a Rev2, the sound, the features, the fx - it all adds up to a modern classic.
Mines actually for sale right now if you're interested: Korg Prologue 16 Polyphonic 61-Key 16-Voice Analog Synthesizer reverb.com/item/58526393-korg-prologue-16-polyphonic-61-key-16-voice-analog-synthesizer?
@@VultureCulture I’m way up in Canada, duties and taxes would put me up 20%. I bet you have some cool patches made in it though
A couple! Probably going to do a live stream on it next week on Wednesday around 9 pm if you want to hang out 🤙
@@VultureCulture I ended up ordering up here but definitely want to see you show some of the patches you made. You might change your mind and want to keep it.
Oh I don't really want to sell it lol. It's just my only non vintage synth now, and this channel really has focused on those now.
Is there big diffrence between 8voice and 16 voice prologue? Which one do you advice?
Thanks for the great videos all the time!
the noise that you're talking about at around 4 minutes is because you have the vco's turned all the way up. I've noticed that they get pretty noisy past 3 o clockish
Interesting! I hadn't considered the different noise response depending on the vco volume. I think I'll do a video looking at this, thank you for letting me know!
What a voice! Love it. Curious... was the LF Comp being on skewing your ears when you were listening to the oscillators? Interesting. This synth seems awesome!
Thank you very much!
No doubt the LF Comp being on skewed the sound of the waveforms to be phatter than they sound vanilla, however I don't think by any large amount. The LF Comp is pretty subtle even when being pushed hard.
Very cool synth with a lot of potential, but I couldn’t get one that actually worked. I bought one from AMS a couple years ago but had to send it back because the stereo spread didn’t work right. It didn’t matter if you were using the main outputs or headphones. The second one they sent me had a different issue where some of the voices only had one working oscillator. I sent that one back too and got an Arturia PolyBrute instead.
Ugh I'm sorry to hear! Unfortunately mine worked fine and I had no issues. It sounds like you got really unlucky because I haven't gotten any other comments from people saying that got a lemon Prologue 😔
If you dont want the filter getting to dark when you push the distortion, you have to push the mixer levels less. Right now your maxing them out which causes the filter to roll off the high end like a tube would. This is by design and not a flaw of the synth, you should try making your patches with your mixer levels never going beyond 50% per oscillator. The master out knob should be kept around the same, this will give you a more modern sound overall out of the synth and will cause less roll of in the high end when you engage distortion. Will keep the noise level down as well and you should have no issue with getting signal level to your DAW at average -18db. The sub menu edit will also allow for further out put volume to balance patches out with regard to each other. make sure your patching this synth into a line level input, not an instrument level. There will be a degradation in output and quality if the impedance is miss matched like this. Enjoyed your review and agree with your conclusions, this is the best sounding modern synth out.
Oh my god, thank you for the info! Can't wait to check this out, that makes a lot of sense.
@@VultureCulture cool, I have this synth too and I love it.
@@VultureCulture let me know how it goes for you.
I am planning on making a video looking at the darkness of the drive in a future video based on your comment 🙂
@@VultureCultureits a subtle difference but definitely there. It works like a guitar amp, the more you drive the input the more character you get from the pre amp sort of thing, but you have to turn down the output when you do. Same on the prologue, if you want to clean up the sound a bit keep the oscillators below 50% and turn the master up. The drive is dark though and its meant to be, Dirt Box Synth has some brighter distortion effects for the user effects. Physique is a must have user oscillator for the Prologue as well. Don't forget there is an extra + or - 6 db of gain in the edit menu per patch that you can be set as well. Also you have to consider the digital waveform on the prologue, you can route it after the filter section which allows you to keep the edge on it while you send the analog through the filter and distortion. You get that beefy analog sound with a digital edge that way. The prologue was made to sound fat and lush which digital has a hard time achieving sometimes. In my opinion the the prologue was made to compliment digital synths like omnisphere ,summit, hydrasynth.....layer away. long winded response but I love this synth.
Nice run through the synth that, they should definitely update the FW to make the select switch on the mod select the last effect selected like on the XD.
I agree! Thank you for watching 🙏
do you think the Prolouge 16 voice beats the rev 2 8 voice?
I think the prologue sounds better IMO
In many ways, yes. I think the oscillators and filter sound better, and it has better effects. The ability to run it in duophonic mode and do crazy super saw poly sounds completely analog is insane. Conversely the Rev2 gives you much more modulation, and ultimately that's going to give you more varied sonic potential overall.
I went with the prologue because I can modulation-matrix myself into oblivion with Omnisphere, but if I only wanted one synth I think the Rev2 8-voice covers most bases that the prologue doesn't.
@@VultureCulture awesome thank you for the reply I have omnisphere and plan on using it with the prologue. That would be the case
The Prologue is the way to go then, in my opinion.
Great vid
Thank you 🎹
@@VultureCulture honestly everything about the vid very well done. I’ve put up 2 vids on my channel for famous 80s and 90s preset banks so help yourself. Looking forward to your next instalment
@@seeyouintheeighties I really appreciate that. There's going to be new videos on the prologue and omnisphere every week for a bit.
The Prologue is like the Sequential Pro 3 with the 2 analog osc's and 3rd digital osc. Maybe a good analog poly to compliment the Pro 3. Would be interesting to hear those 2 synths together.
Me too!
I'm debating on buying the Prologue 8 and the hydra desktop. Is the Prologue 8 worth it? It would be out of my budget buying the prologue 16 and the hydra desktop. Or should I say heck with it and just buy the Prologue 16 and forget the hydra? Was thinking of having some variety with both.
Okay so weird opinion here.
Have you considered going minilogue xd and hydra desktop? I'd prefer my setup to either be all synths with keys or all desktop synths. And the minilogue xd gives you all of the features and more of the prologue 16. Of course you have less voices but that's not a horrible thing, 4 is enough to play most chords, and if you have the hydra than you have more than enough voices over on that guy.
Not only would that be cheaper but a cooler setup, IMO.
@@VultureCulture Actually I have thought of it. I think the minilogue XD is a great bang-for-the-buck. I do have a 37 key Roland Gaia. My only other synth right now. Wasn't sure if adding another short keyboard to the mix would be in my best interest. But the thought has crossed my mind. Many times. Great minds?
I'm sorry, I should have specified the minilogue xd module. I think the 37 key version doesn't make sense, I'd rather save the $100 and spend $120 on a Nektar 61 key controller with aftertouch or even better, control it with the hyrdrasynth's incredible poly aftertouch keybed!
@@VultureCulture I gotta learn to read better apparently. LOL You did say all synths with keys or all desktops. My bad! I get what you're saying now. If I had the $$$ I'd love to get a Prologue and the hydrasynth keyboards. Something about the keys that I really enjoy.
@@VultureCulture I just picked up a Minilogue XD! Got a great price on it. Coming in a few days. Woo hoo. I'm seriously considering the Hydra desktop next. Which Nektar model controller are you recommending with the AT?
What Up VC, I have a Prologue 16 voice and just updated it. I'm having issues with it no longer playing or playing very randomly in Stereo. Would you happen to know how to fix this? or have you experienced this?
I would definitely roll back the firmware - that is very, very odd. Have you reached out to Korg yet?
@@VultureCulture not yet, what firmware is yours on currently?
@SJH205 I sold mine so I could buy a Chroma Polaris, but I believe mine was 2.0 when i updated it last.
I just picked up a P16 for a great price. It sounds fantastic. I was going to sell my XD but decided to keep it. They sound awesome together.
That's cool that you kept both. I believe they have slightly different filters? Do they sound pretty similar otherwise?
@@VultureCulture They sound different enough to make me want to keep both. The P16 sounds bigger and has a better low end. The XD has that amazing motion sequencer and a better FX section. You can get really out there with the XD. They sit really nice together. I've been getting lost in Tangerine Dream type sequencer space outs for the last few days lol
Love that! Thank you for your response 🙏
The MiniXD has a better filter IMO. I hope the do another in the series with the fx section and filter of the XD with 16 voices and maybe AT, but not required.
I think a Prologue XD with Aftertouch would be a game changer. I am not sure Korg has done well enough with the Prologue's to justify it unfortunately.
How the quality of the hardware and reliability? Any pains in the butt with this synth?
Impeccable! Zero issues and the build quality feels very premium to me
Hi! Do you still have your Prologue?
I sold mine - not because I don't love it but because I'm 100% vintage now
You're definitely hearing things. I could hear weird artifacts when you were hitting notes on particular waveforms
Yes, now that I have had some time with her I can confirm that the osc's just do weird shit. Which isn't a bad thing, I've got plenty of synths that do clear, direct and stable.
@@VultureCulture I decided to go with the Prophet Rev 2 16 voice. It arrives today 😀
Vulture Culture would you do a Battle Royale of Prologue VS Oberheim TVP?
I mean sure, but I do not have the cash to try it out lol
The XD can do most of this and it has a cool motion sequencer. The only downside is it's 4 note poly. I can only use 3 fingers so it doesn't bother me lol
Yes, the XD is overall better in its ability to use motion sequencing for modulation and both reverb and delay at the same time
@@VultureCulture I really wish Korg would bring out a Prologue XD. If they added the XD features and addressed some of its shortcomings it would be a hell of a synth.
Thank you may Yahweh bless you and I love all of your videos!!!!
🙏🙏🙏
44:54 i feel a lot of people have girth knobs that they crank
Heard that this beauty is discontinued due to tuning issues 😭 is this true?🤔
It is discontinued but not due to tuning issues. It's an expensive ass motherfucker to make
@@VultureCulture i think the price of the 16 voice was about €1500, compared to the €6000 minimoog reissue for a monophonic synth without patch memory, the prologue was a giveaway price 😉
Absolutely! I meant expensive to build - I heard it has something like 18 microprocessors in it
This, Rev2 16, or Summit...choices choices lol =)
All great choices!
@@VultureCulture Yeah, if money was no issue, I'd buy all of them for sure..very nice synths =D
Cool synth.
a) Despite what Korg wants us to think, Prologue is in the class of a hybrid, technically. It has user-loadable waveforms, fer chrissake :p.
Also digital LFOs, EGs, modulation paths and FX.
I say this because the Sunsyn is more 'analogue' than this is: it has analog EGs, VCAs LFOs and 2 of the 4 osc are VCOs, _and_ the modulation routings are entirely CVs - no conversion happens. If a synth is pushing digital osc through analog filter&VCA it's a hybrid, no matter how 'analogue' the rest of it is.
b) @1:36 you are clipping the waveform, since the EG is 'poking' it upwards and keytracking is on - which is why it is distorted and sounding weird on certain keys.
c) PWM going to 0% is quite useful when you are using the osc as any kind of cross- or VCA-modulator. Don't listen to kids on forums. :P
d) If you read the manual before giving a demo, you will stand a better chance of getting me to watch beyond five minutes...until next time, better luck and study up.
A: It depends on where you draw the line on what is or isn't analog. The Moog One and Prophet 6 have digital lfo's and modulation for instance, does that make them technically hybrids? Perhaps. But in general, I think most people agree that hybrids are synths with digital oscillators running through analog filters, which when you turn the VCO's off the Prologue certainly can be.
B: I am not, this is a well known problem with the Prologue I learned about from the community after shooting this video.
C: I think PWM going to zero is useful, I don't know what gave you the impression that I don't.
D: I did read the manual, which is incredibly poor and simple, before shooting this video, however the point of the video is to give my first impressions with the synth, as stated in the first line of the description and the first line I said aloud.
There's always gotta be that one wanker, know-it-all commenting. Its you. Post your video gear reviews so we can come critique them and ramble on like you just did.
@@IRIDEHARLEYS
I didn't claim to know _anything._ And even if I did, so what?
@@VultureCulture
A: Yeah, it depends who you ask. Some old-timers and a few new ones consider ANY synth with a microprocessor in it to be hybrid. And while it is technically true, it may be rather insignificant in how the instrument sounds(or at the least how it can be played). Clever engineering rules in the end.
B: If it's an uniintentional design error then, yes, it's a fault. At any rate, you can clearly see the waveform exceeding + and - maximum amplitude, and the mixer levels are jacked. That's how you get clipping.
C: No worries, I only said don't listen to the people you referred to that were saying "it's bad".
D: Sorry, I was under the impression from the title this was "In-depth" and not a first-time outing. I'll see myself out.