Sonic Lab: Korg Minilogue XD Review
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- We're taking a look at the Minilogue XD, the extended Minilogue with an extra digital oscillator and triple stereo DSP effects.
Still with the same basic architecture as the original and of course four voice poly.
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when Nick does a review, you can immediately understand the difference between someone with minimal years of hands on, and someone who's been working with synths forever. His reviews are unprecedented if you really need to get some clear, factual information online........... So rare and excellent! very much appreciated
Affordable analog synthesizers with excellent sounds and great build quality. So many to choose from but not enough room in the house.
What a time to be alive!
Indeed. I have been a keyboardist for 50 years, this is the best time ever for choices in synths.
It's a synth utopia. :-)
Since you have so much experience. Any recommendations or favorite modern synths?@@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene
@@foxglove9 My favorite synth that I own is the Roland SH-01 Gaia for complex sound design in poly. For mono or poly this Korg XD seems to be a winner, but I don't own one or ever played one, makes a difference if you own a synth for a few years and really dive deep into it. If money is no object the MoogOne poly is also a great choice. When choosing a synth it depends on you, is it a studio synth or a performing synth, does the synth have to do it all on stage or just a small part of a studio full of synths. IF you are looking for your first synth this Korg Minilogue XD is the perfect first synth because it is a poly, which means you can play triad chords and a lead on the same instrument. The sound design of the XD is straight forward subtractive synthesis but can go much deeper with modulation routing and motion control. You could easily spend years exploring the sound capabilities of this XD synth all with most of the control in front of you. A synth that looks complicated with the control surface full of knobs and sliders is actually a very easy synth to use compared to those menu synths with a display. And one more very important feature on the XD is the excellent effects, you will find when recording a synth that the synth is only half the sound, the effects and processing is what makes that synth sound come alive and really shine. So this little synth has everything but a keyboard, I would want to play the XD from an external keyboard at least 61 full sized keys. So adding a keyboard would cost another $200 and would be a single cable MIDI connection to the XD Just a little answer to your question, could write a book on them.
Thanks for the quick reply and info! @@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene
Nick was so excited to do this review he put his sweater on inside-out!
Got mine yesterday, was instantly blown away by the sound quality
Damn, Nick, I really love your playing. You always do those two note harmonies and, man, they are gorgeous!
God damn that reverb!!! so spacy, absolutely love it!
To get more extreme MOD FX you just press the SHIFT button and then EFFECT SELECT to change the sub type of that modulation effect.
There are some really nice phasers in there to get nice EP sounds
Don't you mean hold down the shift button while turning the depth up to get more mod?
@@zaffrolumpkins no no, hold shift and push effect select
Oh cool. I'll try that out. Maybe the shift and depth only controls dry wet for the reverb and delay
@@zaffrolumpkins Correct, shift + depth is dry/wet mix for REV and DEL, it is missing on MOD. The selection of SUB FX for MOD as described above will give you a diverse and rich set of each and ever MOD FX.
absolutely stoked on this review! receiving my XD this week and ill be going over this again once it arrives. bravo, Nick!
This channel is just the best resource for synth gear reviews.
Gotta love Nick (:
Watched again after 2 years, and I still think this is one of the best budget friendly synths out there. Much because of the powerful effects section. The effects on the Minifreak are abysmal in comparison. Well done Soniclab❤️ well done Korg❤️
This just makes me want a prologue even more than before, lol.
Thanks Nick! Just bought one today based on your fabulous review.!! Sounds killin!!
Nice to see Korg already trickling down some awesome from the Prologue into the Minilogue! Thought we'd have to wait longer, nope! I plan to snag one! A+ Korg 👍
what a demo. wow! amazing playing and sounds Nick. Hope Korg are remunerating you appropriately!
good to see you back with the reviews 👍🏻
Great review Nick. Love the jam at the end of the video, short and sweet. I wish it was longer. I think the Minilogue XD and the Prologue will go hand in hand together. Sequencing parts on the XD then split mode on the Prologue and either playing with both hands or arpeggiating one part and playing the second part to really fill up the sonic palette. I'm looking forward to getting an XD
Nick Batt - always interesting whether it’s personally relevant or not. His evident enthusiasm for this synth just adds to that. Great review, I’ll be checking the XD out when I can get access to one.
A four voice synth that is affordable, flexible, and sounds great. 👍
Love it, you even had your jumper on inside out you were so excited about this review ;-) as always love your reviews.
Another very fine overview. Love your passion.
oh my!! extra OSC and FX, CV,s....WOW!!! well done to Korg for upping the game some more. Nice review Nick! ;-) Friday fun?
Great job Korg, thanx Nick! This is a monster...
great review as always Nick!
First patch was astounding!
So was your body.
Thanks, Nick. Very nice review and demo of some of this little machine's capabilities. What lovely sounds it can make!
I just want to say I'm two minutes in and I've owned one for a couple months and I'm still attentively watching bc I'm sure Nick will teach me more
Love the Minilogue XD - What a great pairing with the Microvolt 3900 too, great work Nick!
Love it !!! they really put everything in there. And awesome review as usual!!!!!!!!!
Well, Nick, whatever you design is pure beauty, I wonder if it is more because of the synth or because of you... All sounds are great!! 👍👍👍
Ordered an XD module a few weeks ago. Told initially it may arrive just before Christmas. Got a text today saying my package will be delivered tomorrow, Friday 30 August. Wow. A whole weekend to get started with it. Wonderful sounds. Can't wait, but won't have to wait much longer :) Great videos. Very informative. Thanks. Cheers. But...., now I'm thinking, should I get the XD with keys, and get the polychain going. Wow, quite a thought!
Serious GAS for this. Thanks for the review!
Had mine 2 months now. Its just brilliant. Especially now with the key trigger sequencing update.
Okay I watch them all and your video demo is the best thank you for being you I just traded my old minilogue for the new XD and I love it just love it thanks again for the demo I needed it it's going to take me a lifetime to navigate through this I can't wait I'm a guitarist but adding this to my musical creations was the best thing I could have done the sounds will take you away
Another one sold! Thank you sir.
Within a month or two, I filled a room with many synthesizers. The Korg Prologue 8 and Miniologue XD are prominent. Thank you for showing me that they are worth the investment. Presets helped sell them by showing what they can do. Thanks for your reviews!
What a dream machine.
Thanks for this review! I really wanted to buy the M-xd but it's not available right now so I bought a Moog Grandmother instead which arrived just 15 minutes ago. I'm here on YT to watch a GM unboxing video but saw this Sonicstate M-xd video so watched it since it was posted today. Sorry I couldn't get the M-xd right now but I think the GM will be just as satisfying! Love your videos and playing too!
thank you for the apology
Good job on the expanded motion sequencer. This might be the clossest we'll ever come to a true sucessor to the mighty MS2000.
A very good looking MS2000BR is heading my way. Cannot wait to play it.
Darn it Nick! I was planning on getting in to the British spirit of things and starting my comment by calling it a cracking synthesizer but you said it first and now I feel like I am just copying you. Anyway I no longer regret selling my minilogue. I am definitely putting this on my shopping list for the summer. We are living in such an exciting time for synthesis. I am really pleased that manufacturers are going with the hybrid engine way of things. I was never one of those analog only guys. If it sounds good to me I could care less if it’s digital or analog. One of my favorite all time synths is the King Korg. In my opinion it has such a rich sound and it has digital oscillators and whatnot. Having booth analog and digital in one instrument opens up the sound designs possibilities in such an huge way. Great review as always. Got to love Korg. Also the new synths Behringer are making is a very exciting deal. I think what they are doing is amazing and fantastic. They are making it possible for the regular person that isn’t rich to have access to near identical fully analog classic synths of yesteryear. From the way they sound and from the reviews I’ve watched the Behringer Mini Moog is as close as you can possibly get to a real minimoog without spending thousands of dollars. Like I said it is such and exciting synth age we are living in right now. With these new under $1,000 heck even under $500 options available nowadays, with the money I earn I can easily pick up a new fantastic synth every two or three months no problem. Ya can’t beat that.
Great work Nick!
Outstanding review
So lovely, can't wait to buy
Great review, great synth. Sold!
14:10 is very NIN, sounds absolutely gorgeous.
Excellent review , fantastic synth :-)
Cheers Nick, great review. Good as the FX are I was thinking they might get a bit stale, but no! New algorithms, excellent! Great machine, good price, I note the proprietorial stroke is back.....:)
Good review!👍 I wish you guys would have done a review for the monologue? but I was also wondering if you guys were planning to do one for the volca module in the future¿?✌
Thanks for the excellent review.
I'm a big fan of these like machines. This might be the first Korg I have the pleasure of purchasing.
Sounds fantastic.
KORG are really my favourite manufacturer right now, they've really been bringing out winners and future classics with the volcas, minilogues and the monologue. All incredibly affordable too!
Volcas are trash. KingKorg was their best product in a while. Prolouge isn't anywhere as good as my old V-Synth and had a terrible pitch bug for a year.
@@pcuimac prologue was a bit of a disappointment to be honest but volcas are hardly thrash.
They're limited sure but they're also all around the 150 quid mark new, sub 100 used (can get a lot of portable synth for very little money). And they're fun as hell.
@@pcuimac the bug varied in different models how bad it was. In mine it was hardly apparent. I still haven't done the update as it was minimal in mine. The multi engine means that programmers can create so many new oscillator types and effects plus it has the 2 VCO's so tbh it kicks the V-Synth into touch and so does the XD. Aside from the sequencer practically everything the XD can do the Prologue can do and with more voices and a fuller sound on the 16 voice version with the compressor. For those who try them superficially they won't experience how good the Prologue or the XD really are. For those who dig a little bit deeper will find both to be amazing instruments.
@Aaron Foltz No. The get around is you would have to create a similar digital waveform using the kit to create user oscillators for Prologue and XD. That may be a good one to do. It's not my field though
Exellent review Nick, and a fantastisk machine😁 👍👍
Brilliant review.. Really nice machine
Love mine. It complements my Rev 2, Omnisphere, Keyscapes and Moog library. 🙂
5:36 this guy making me get in my feels
I love the sound
Your videos are fantastic. Really really detailed and useable. Thanks for that! Youre making me want to buy too many things though haha
Yep, I love Nick, and he's a super player/teacher. But...HE'S KILLING me. He has sucked the life out of my retirement account!
@@reXdownhamOG 😆😆 the hardware lust never ends !
This thing is an absolute beast for the price.
Sweetwater sold out of their initial pre-order shipment and is awaiting more XD's. For the entry level price, this synth may break sales records. Bedroom studio musicians on a family budget up to professionals that can use the XD for an additional synth that doesn't take up much space and can add lead synth hooks and additional sounds without switching programs in their main KB.
I have a microkorg and enjoy it, though I always think that I should have invested on a minilogue instead... looks much more straightforward and sounds way more modern.
man!!!! so good, great video
A little late to this but Nick loved it even more than I thought he would. He seems to genuinely be enthralled by this. It’s kinda rare to hear him gushing like he is at the end of this review. I can see why, though. I’ve owned the entire ‘Logue range and I think XD is gonna be the one that really stick around.
The minilogue XD is like the Sequential Pro3 architecture at a budget price. 2 analog osc/1 digital osc, a sequencer with parameter automation, effects, and add 4 real voices on the Minilogue XD. A nice compliment to a Pro3 if you have one, or a budget alternative if you don't. Nice review Sonicstate.
THANK YOU... preorder just went up to 12 weeks... 😳
Nice review mate
just ordered it
Nick, you are a gem! ❤️🖖
Fantastic. Great review Nick! I would think a high pass filter would be a standard on this synth for controlling unison and chords, did I miss it?
The notes your playing at 5:50 is excellent!
Now this is one of the first truly forward thinking synths released in years. a poly analogue synth with a programmable digital oscillator and effects... Fuck. I thought the Matrixbrute would be the only synth I'd ever need but i'm gonna probably have to get one of these to compliment it.
Its absolutely brilliant, I can't stop playing it. Fun and instant, but almost endless tweakability at the same time. Korg knocked it out of the park. Highly recommend it!
I'm so glad I bought this one. I'm also buying Microfreak - I think it's gonna be a great companion which will fill the rest of the frequencies and add some flatness and extra details to XD's roundness.
I've had my eye on the MicroFreak as well. I haven't even tapped into the potential of my Minilogue haha
Top review. I'm hoping to play with one at Superbooth... It sounds so lush.
I got this for the barking and quacking. Thanks Nick!
Quick question. Can i record the XD within maschine? Thanks!!
The real thing to try is getting chords out of the self resonating filters if possible. Love doing this on my Peak. The filters need to be true poly and have self resonating qualities. Add some LFO to that = instant BoC
will have to try this with my peak, cheers
Just picked one up today in white. It is to compliment my Rev2 and SE-02 and I also have Omnisphere and Keyscapes along with the Roland cloud. Soooo....lots to work with. But let me say this. This little thing is gorgeous. It’s so simple and intuitive its likely to be my favorite synth. And I can sit with it in my lap in front of the fire. Fabulous.
How you liking the Pearl White version? Thinking of getting one myself.
@@gordonbennett7931 I just bought one and I love the look. Stands apart from the usual black.
I looked at getting a Rev2 but don't have the budget.
Rich at Large I sold my 16 voice Rev 2 and kept this. I prefer it. Really.
You can probably get more extreme effects by using the "mix" option in the effects - the shift button in association with the effects knobs.
Ordered wavestate and thinking of pairing the xd or prologue with it - any advice?
I’m sold
Man listen to the sound Nick got at the 20 minute mark! This synth''s got some guts! Nick LOVES this synth he said "Its a cracking synthesizer" He's really impressed and so am I. This is quite the capable synth. It sounds fat, considering its a 4 voice synth, that's pretty impressive. This synth is a bargain.
The sound at 5:41 just made me melt. It reminded me of something from the ppg 2.2 ..so good. And that's just scratching the surface of the prologue based synth engine. Korg have made another sub £1k beauty.
The only thing that still rankles , is the fact that Korg (as of current spec) still don't allow you to transpose your sequences melodically using the built in keyboard , in real time. Why this isn't allowed , I have no idea. There is a workaround of sorts via motion control, but you'd be wasting a lane and itd be tied into the pitch slider.
If korg sorted that in an o/s update, I'd grab one. Pure and simple.
Thanks for the detailed review, Nick.
You can do that on the Monologue with it's key trig/hold button. It is indeed a great feature. Not sure why they left it out on the Minilogues... perhaps things would get out of whack transposing a polyphonic sequence?
@@gnarlysoundscapes7210 shouldn't be an issue when you can do it on any number of hardware sequencers in real time.
It's possible that with the arpeggiator switched on as well as the sequencer, it could throw something out of the loop , but even then, surely they can add it as a mode via a two button combination or similar so that when you transpose in real time, you can't overdub any motion control at the same time. In other words, it's a 'play only' function. This is assuming that the processor array is being taxed out to the max already in order to deliver smooth functionality on the unit. I'd need one in front of me , and then record all manner of things via midi cc and so on, to see/ hear the changes.
I've yet (pardon the pun) to hear of any korg instruments sputtering during playback , in terms of changes other than midi note, so I'm assuming it's doable quite simply.
Great sounds! Did Korg fix the Minilogue bug where knob catch mode breaks the Load Panel feature (at least up to firmware 1.23)?
How did you do drums and instruments at 18:43 ?
You can bet this little synth is selling, the introductory price was $629, and went up to $649. It has not gone down in price at all. This synth has a market for a lot of different musicians. Good for a bedroom studio musician because of the price, and also good for players that have other KB's and want a small board to put alongside their main board or workstation. At that price, it can do a lot and fill a lot of music needs without breaking the bank.
Wow, Nick, this thing is almost perfect. Just needs to be dipped in LSD at the factory.
How many times have you heard Nick saying "I bought one"? Tells you all you need to know about this synth really.
Put out some cash. Don't worry, people always congratulate you on your BRAVE purchases. ;)
He's talking about the original Minilogue, you know, not this one.
@@MarctheDarc Yes, this one is the original + extra stuff.
They should have upgraded the original with the extra stuff. But now they want you to buy a whole new synth.
@@nectariosm It's actually a considerable ways from the original. The chassis-design and 2 analogue oscillators are roughly the same, but the rest is more or less lifted from Mono- and Prologue.
Changes include different filter, different LFO and envelope configurations and routings, new effects, digital oscillator, sequencer from Monologue, changed/removed voice-modes.
This is least related to the original Minilogue of all the previous 'logues. More things have changed than stayed the same.
And it's not all upgrades! Both duophonic mode with unison-detune, and monophonic mode with sub-oscillators, are gone. LFO can no longer be modulated by the envelope, and the mod-envelope is now AD, down from ADSR, and has less destinations, both to choose from and simultaneously. And while I think most people consider the filter an upgrade, it is "only" 12dB vs. 24/12dB, thus not necessarily as flexible.
Don't get me wrong, there's some serious upgrades as well, but it's far from the original Minilogue! Far enough that it should be considered its own distinct synth. And the fact that he bought an original, cannot be used to make any point regarding this completely different synth.
when I look at the synth market today one word keeps coming to mind: FUN
Bravo ! 🙂 I really love your review. Merci ! 🙂
9:17
Synth riff master
SOLD... thanks Nick
Great review Nick! One thing - I love the super-fast audio rate LFO on the Monologue, but can this XD do that? I can't see a "fast" setting in the LFO options, but maybe that is one of the options under the hood? If the XD can do this, I'll sell the Monologue and get it! Thanks.
I will now definitely be buying one. Also Nick, your shirt is inside out. Your side tag is showing.
bark and quack, I'm into it.
I am starting a support group for late 2018 purchasers of the OG Minilogue. Korgaholics Anonymous. Together, we will lament its tepid filter and dearth of onboard effects, helping one another come to a place of acceptance regarding our untimely acquisition of the OG. One day at a time.
...acquisition of the XD, you mean. Yeah, I held out on that one, but this, and now a module version...
OG’s are gonna be going for cheap on the used market. Get the XD module. That’s what I’m eyeing!
I bought a Minilogue as my first synth awhile ago and now I'm regretting it. That was a pretty big deal for me, easily the most expensive thing I've bought in a single purchase.
It still has a multimode filter with full ASDR, and an audio input!
@@ModularLanding thanks for pointing out there's a module version! That's exactly what I need. Love this synth but I'm running out of space and more keyboards are the last thing I need
That first note at 3:36 sold it for me!
I'm deciding between buying a minilogue XD and a Prologue 8, I love the minilogue but I have an issue with there only being 4 voices.
I'm torn because i'm sure i'm going to delve deeper into synths overtime, so i'd much rather spend more to get more features/a better synth overall.
Does anyone have any opinion on whether the prologue is worth buying it over the XD? Thanks a lot!
This and the Monologue are the best pairing ever. Get 'em both, it's a practically limitless BLAST!
I use this combination in my band! It's awesome!
@@kaspardornfeld1961 That's awesome. Thx.
What is it that makes that combo special?
@@AndecIunson The Monologue's rich bass patches used in the step sequencer coupled with the XD's stereo effected mid-range sounds, manipulated by the joystick, is a lot of fun. I also like to midi-out from the Monologue and midi-in to the XD. There are a lot of options to explore with this pairing.
So, can you use multiple sequencers in a same time as a track: drums, bass, lead?
Damn... the patch at 5:36 wants me to write a Miami Vice soundtrack.
The question for me is do I sell my Minilogue to get one of these instead? The inclusion of the joystick (never really liked the littler lever thingy) and a sustain pedal input would give me the ability to use this as a controller when not hooked up in my main studio space. The only concern I have is the filter AR instead of ADSR.