Table of contents Introduction............................................2 minilogue Key Features................................... 2 Block Diagram..................................................... 3 Controls and Connections.....................4 Front Panel Controls......................................... 4 Rear Panel Connections................................... 5 Turning the minilogue On and Off.............. 6 Playing Programs and Sequences.........8 Selecting and Playing a Program...............
Introduction minilogue Key Features • 4-voice polyphonic synthesizer with onboard effects & sequencer. • All-new innovative redesign of analogue synth circuitry. • Instant recall of 100 factory Presets plus 100 additional user Programs. • 8 Voice Modes (mono, poly, unison, duo, etc.) offer maximum flexibility. • 41 dedicated panel controls deliver immediate parameter access. • Real-time oscilloscope provides visual feedback of parameter changes.
Block Diagram AUDIO INPUT enable VOICE 4 4 VOICE ASSIGNER VOICE 3 HPF FB pre VCF mix pre VCF mix VCO1 level VCO 1 WAVE SHAPE SAW gate TRI LFO WAVE SHAPE SAW VCO2 level TRI velocity keytrack SQR noise level NOISE GEN VCA 4-pole EG Int VCO 2 2-pole RING MOD OSC SYNC 0% pitch 2 EG Int LFO int mod EG rate mod int gate 3 AMP EG velocity CROSS MOD depth SQR VCF FM PITCH LFO EG DELAY pre VCF mix VOICE PITCH OUTPUT pre VCF mix VOICE 2 VOICE 1 bypass pre filter post fil
Controls and Connections Front Panel Controls This diagram shows the layout of the front panel knobs, switches, and buttons. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 19 2 20 3 4 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. MASTER knob TEMPO knob OCTAVE switch Slider VCO 1 VCO 2 OCTAVE switch WAVE switch PITCH knob SHAPE knob 7. VCO 2 MODULATION 9. FILTER CUTOFF knob RESONANCE knob EG INT knob FILTER TYPE switch KEY TRACK switch VELOCITY switch 10. AMP EG 11.
Rear Panel Connections The illustration below shows a typical example of connections for the minilogue. Connect your equipment according to the needs of your own system. SYNC IN, OUT jacks AUDIO IN jack The minilogue steps can be synchronized with other devices using these jacks. A pulse sent from the audio output of another device or DAW can be used by connecting it to the SYNC IN jack. Use an 1/8" cable (mini-phone plug) to sync with Korg volca products.
Turning the minilogue On and Off Before you turn the minilogue On: Connect the AC adapter and other equipment. 1. Connect the included AC adapter to the DC 9V jack located on the rear panel. Use only the included AC adapter. Using any other AC adapter may cause malfunctions. 2. Plug the AC adapter into an AC outlet. 3. Hook the AC adapter cable onto the cable hook to relieve stress on the connector and to prevent the cable from accidently being pulled out.
Turning the minilogue Off Any Program data in the minilogue that has not been saved will be lost when the power is turned off. Be sure to save any Program and other important data that you have edited (“Saving a Program”, p. 13). 1. Turn the MASTER knob of the minilogue to the left to turn the volume all the way down. Also, turn the volume all the way down on any external output devices that might be connected, such as powered monitor speakers. 2.
Playing Programs and Sequences Selecting and Playing a Program The minilogue comes equipped with 200 Programs. Of those, 100 are ready-toplay preset Programs and 100 locations are available to save your own sounds and custom edits. Each Program includes settings for the sound, as well as sequence data and Voice mode settings. 1. Enter the Play mode. When the minilogue is turned on, it will automatically enter the Play mode.
3. Adjusting the OCTAVE range, using the Slider, and changing the Voice Mode. As you play, you can use the five-way OCTAVE Switch to transpose the playing area of the keyboard by ± 2 octaves. In addition, you can move the Slider from left to right to add real-time performance control. TIP The parameter assigned to the slider will vary depending on the Program. Rrefer to “Program List” (p. 54) to see which parameter is assigned to the slider in each Program.
Registering your Favorite Programs You can register up to eight Programs that you particularly like as Favorite Programs. 1. In Play mode, turn the PROGRAM/ VALUE knob to select a Program you like. The display will indicate the Program name and number. 2 1 2. Hold down one of the buttons from 1–8 while keeping the SHIFT button pressed. 1 2 The Program will be registered as a Favorite program, and “Registered to Favorite” will be indicated in the display.
Programs Program Architecture Each minilogue Program includes settings for the Oscillators, Mixer, Filter, EGs and LFO, as well as a 16-Step Sequencer plus Effects. Try editing each related parameter, and enjoy changing the sounds of the minilogue.
Creating Sounds Editing a program means changing the Program’s parameters to alter its sound. There are two way to create sounds on the minilogue. • Select an existing Program that’s close to the sound you want, and edit that Program’s parameters to achieve your own custom sound. • You can also initialize all the Program parameters or use the Panel Load function to create your own sound from scratch. Editing an Existing Program 1.
Saving a Program We recommend that you save your Program on the minilogue after editing the sound. Any edits that you make to the current program will be lost if you turn off the power or recall a different program before saving. 1. Edit the program in Play mode. For details, refer to “Basic Parameter Editing” (p. 14). 2. Press the WRITE button; the minilogue will enter the Write standby mode, and the WRITE button will blink. The message “Where to write?” will appear in the display. 3.
Basic Parameter Editing In this section, we’ll explain the basic parameters that make up a program. The basic parameters are assigned to the knobs and switches on the front panel. VCO 1, VCO 2 VCO: Voltage Controlled Oscillator There are two oscillators in the minilogue. Oscillator Parameters include the settings for the pitch of the sound (OCTAVE, PITCH) and the waveform (WAVE, SHAPE). OCTAVE switch [16’, 8’, 4’, 2’] The pitch of oscillators 1 and 2 can be set in octave steps.
PITCH knob [−1200...+1200] The pitch, or tuning, of the Oscillators can be set using one-cent steps. SHAPE knob [0...1023] This knob will determine the final shape, complexity, or duty-cycle (Square) of the selected waveform. 0 1023 VCO 2 MODULATION Oscillator 2 includes powerful oscillator sync, cross modulation, and ring modulation functions. CROSS MOD DEPTH knob [0...1023] Cross Mod (Modulation) allows Oscillator 1 to modulate the pitch of Oscillator 2.
SYNC switch [OFF, ON] Oscillator sync is a popular effects for creating edgy synth leads. ON (up position): With this type of modulation, the phase of oscillator 2 is forcibly synchronized to the phase of oscillator 1. This adds harmonic overtones to the frequency of oscillator 2, making a complex waveform. VCO 1 Wave Sync VCO 2 Wave (original) VCO 2 Wave (output) RING switch [OFF, ON] Ring Modulation outputs the sum and difference of the frequencies created by the two oscillators.
FILTER VCF: Voltage Controlled Filter The low-pass filter shapes the tone by selectively filtering certain parts of the harmonic spectrum of the sound generated by the Oscillators and the Noise generator. CUTOFF knob [0...1023] This knob is used to set the cutoff frequency. Harmonic content above the cutoff frequency will be filtered out. Turning the knob to the left will lower the cutoff frequency, and turning the knob to the right will raise the cutoff frequency.
EG INT knob [−100%...0...+100%] The Envelope Generator (EG) can be used to control the CUTOFF, or Filter frequency, over time using this EG INT (intensity) knob. To learn more about the EG settings (“EG”, p. 20). With this knob in the center position (0%), no EG is applied to the Filter. Rotating the knob to the left of center increases the EG intensity, but with the polarity of the EG inverted. Cutoff Note on Note off Time Rotating the knob to the right of center increases the EG intensity effect.
VELOCITY switch [0%, 50%, 100%] Specifies how the velocity (keyboard playing dynamics) will affect the cutoff frequency, allowing louder notes to appear brighter, etc. 0% (lower position): Velocity will not affect the cutoff frequency. 50% (center position): Velocity will affect the cutoff frequency, but at only half the amount produced at 100%. 100% (upper position): Playing the keys harder will increase the cutoff frequency, while playing the keys softer will decrease the cutoff frequency.
EG EG: Envelope Generator The EG provides a precise control signal that varies over time. This signal can be used to modify the Pitch of Oscillator 2, the Filter CUTOFF frequency, and the Speed or Intensity of the LFO. The EG signal is available at the VCO 2 MODULATION PITCH EG INT knob, the FILTER EG INT knob, and the LFO EG MOD switch. This switch can be set to allow the EG signal to control either the RATE or INT (Intensity), in conjunction with the LFO RATE and INT knobs.
LFO LFO: Low Frequency Oscillator The Low Frequency Oscillator creates a repeating cyclical signal. You can choose one of three LFO waveforms. Depending on its target, the LFO can provide vibrato (PITCH); Tonal changes to the Oscillators (SHAPE); or Wah-Wah (CUTOFF) effects WAVE switch [ , , ] The LFO can be set to a square wave ( ), a triangle wave ( ), or a sawtooth wave ( ).
DELAY The Delay effect is combined with a High Pass filter. This allows you to create a wide range of sounds. HI PASS CUTOFF knob [0...1023] Adjusts the cutoff frequency of the high-pass filter. Sounds and harmonic components below the HI-PASS CUTOFF frequency will be attenuated. Turning the knob to the right will increase the cutoff frequency. TIME knob [0...1023] This knob specifies the delay time. Turning the knob to the right will make the delay time longer. FEEDBACK knob [0...
Voice modes The minilogue is a 4-voice analog synthesizer. By changing the Voice mode, you can combine and allocate the voices in different ways. The Voice mode is set as a Program parameter, and you can see which Voice mode is being used by looking at which of the buttons 1–8 is lit. For details, refer to “Program List” (p. 54). 1 2 3 4 5 There are 8 different Voice modes, and buttons 1–8 are used to switch between them.
Button Voice mode Action VOICE MODE DEPTH knob effect DELAY Voices 2, 3, and 4 will play in [1/192...1/4] delayed sequence after voice 1 Turning the knob to the right will plays. make the delay time longer. 7 ARP Uses the arpeggiator to play up to 4 voices. If you push and hold this button, you can toggle latch mode on and off. When latch is on, the arpeggiator will continue to play notes after releasing the keys. 8 [Depth 0...
Sequencer In this section, we’ll explore real-time recording, step recording, and motion sequence recording, as well as how to edit the recorded sequences (step edit). Real-Time Recording Recording a performance This feature allows you to record your minilogue keyboard performance and to add overdubs in real time. 1. Press the PLAY button in the SEQUENCER section to play the sequencer. The PLAY button will light. 1 2 2. Press the REC button.
Step Recording 1. Press the REC button in the SEQUENCER section while the sequencer is stopped. “STEP REC” and “STEP 1” will be indicated in the display. If the sequence has already been recorded, the note names will be indicated in the display. TIP Select the step you wish to edit. Use buttons 1–8 to select steps 1–8, and use buttons 1–8 while holding the SHIFT button to select steps 9–16. 2. Use the keyboard, REST button and other controls to edit the notes.
Recording a Motion Sequence Motion Sequencing allows you to record the flipping of switches and the turning of knobs as part of the sequence, and recreate those motions automatically during playback. Four Motion Sequences can be recorded on the minilogue, which can includes changes to all knobs and switches (except for the MASTER knob, TEMPO knob, and OCTAVE switches). 1. Press the PLAY button to play the sequencer. 2. Press the REC button. Real-time recording will begin. 3.
Deleting a Motion Sequence If you try to record a fifth Motion Sequence, the message “Motion Full” will be indicated in the display. When this happens, the display will enter MOTION CLEAR in the SEQ EDIT mode, and you will be able to delete one of the previously recorded Motion Sequences. 1. Check that the minilogue is on the MOTION CLEAR function, in the SEQ EDIT mode. “MOTION CLEAR” will be indicated in the display. You can delete Motion Sequences one at a time here.
Editing sequence data (step edit) Using Step Edit, you can change the values of notes and gate times previously recorded into a sequence. 1. Select the Program that includes the sequence data you wish to edit. 2. Press the 1–8/9–16 button. “STEP EDIT 1–8” and “STEP EDIT 2, 3 9–16” will be indicated in the display. TIP The number of steps is set for each Program, and you can 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 change the number of steps by turning the PROGRAM/VAL3 UE knob while holding down the SHIFT button.
Other editing functions Use the SEQ EDIT mode when setting the Step Length and Step Resolution parameters during sequence step recording, as well as for deleting sequence data, or for editing or deleting motions. For details, refer to “SEQ EDIT mode” (p. 37).
Edit Mode Although nearly all of the minilogue’s main parameters can be edited using the knobs and switches on the panel, other detailed parameters are accessed using the Edit mode. There are three sub-modes within the Edit mode: PROGRAM EDIT mode, SEQ EDIT mode, and GLOBAL EDIT mode. How to enter the Edit mode 1. Press the EDIT MODE button. Each Edit mode is shown in the display, and the buttons light. 2 1, 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2.
4. After you have configured the parameters in PROGRAM EDIT mode and/or SEQ EDIT mode, press the WRITE button to save your changes. The display will indicate the message “Where to write?”. If you do not save your changes and select another Program after you have configured the parameters in the PROGRAM EDIT mode and the SEQ EDIT mode, your settings will be lost. TIP GLOBAL EDIT mode parameters are automatically saved when you switch pages, so there is no need to save them manually. 5.
PROGRAM EDIT mode The parameters of the PROGRAM EDIT mode are assigned to buttons 1–6. Button 1 PROGRAM NAME PROGRAM NAME Button 2 Button 3 SLIDER FUNC LFO SETTING Slider Assign LFO BPM Sync LFO Voice Sync Button 5 Button 6 OTHER SETTING INITIALIZE DUMP Portamento Time Bend Range + LFO Key Sync Bend Range − Button 4 Initialize Program Dump Portamento Mode Portamento BPM Amp Velocity Program Level Button 1 (PROGRAM NAME) You can create a Program Name up to 12 characters in length.
VCO 1 LEVEL VCO 2 LEVEL NOISE LEVEL CUTOFF RESONANCE FILTER EG INT AMP EG ATTACK AMP EG DECAY AMP EG SUSTAIN AMP EG RELEASE EG ATTACK EG DECAY EG SUSTAIN EG RELEASE LFO RATE LFO INT HPF CUTOFF DELAY TIME FEEDBACK PORTAMENTO VOICE MODE DEPTH Bend Range + [1 Note...12 Note] If the Slider is set to PITCH BEND, this parameter specifies how much pitch bend will be applied when moving the slider in the plus (right) direction. Bend Range – [1 Note...
LFO Key Sync [Off, On] With the LFO Key Sync set to On, the phase of the LFO will be reset with each note-on received from the keyboard. LFO Voice Sync [Off, On] Use the LFO Voice Sync to choose whether the phase of the LFO will be synchronized between voices. Button 4 (OTHER SETTING) These parameters relate to Portamento, Keyboard Velocity, and the output level of the Program. Portamento Time [Off, 0...
Button 5 (INITIALIZE) This button initializes the current Program. Turn the PROGRAM/VALUE knob until “Press WRITE” is indicated in the display. The WRITE button will blink. Press the WRITE button to initialize the Program. The display will indicate the message “Initialized”. Button 6 (DUMP) This button initiates a Program dump. Turn the PROGRAM/VALUE knob until “Press WRITE” is indicated in the display. The WRITE button will blink.
SEQ EDIT mode The parameters of the SEQ EDIT mode are assigned to buttons 1–6. Button 1 Button 2 Button 3 Button 4 Button 5 Button 6 BPM SEQ PARAMETER SEQ CLEAR MOTION CLEAR MOTION ENABLE MOTION SMOOTH BPM Step Length All Clear Step Resolution Motion Clear Motion 1...4 Motion 1...4 Motion 1...4 Swing Default Gate Time Button 1 (BPM) BPM [10.0...300.0] This parameter sets the tempo of the Sequencer in Beats Per Minute (BPM).
Default Gate Time [0–100%] The Gate Time is the default value used for each step recorded using the Step Sequencer. Lower values are more staccato, higher values have a longer gate time. Button 3 (SEQ CLEAR) This function provides a convenient way to erase all data within a specific sequence. All Clear When using All Clear, all notes and Motion Sequences contained within the sequence data will be deleted. Turn the PROGRAM/VALUE knob until “Press WRITE” is indicated in the display.
Button 5 (MOTION ENABLE) MOTION ENABLE [OFF, ON] By setting this function to OFF, you can disable a particular motion without deleting the data. Press button 5 to select the Motion Sequence to configure. Turn the PROGRAM/VALUE knob, and select either “OFF” or “ON”. OFF: The Motion Sequence will be disabled, and the parameters will not change (the recorded Motion Sequence will not be deleted).
GLOBAL EDIT mode Unlike PROGRAM EDIT and SEQ EDIT parameters which apply only to the current Program GLOBAL EDIT functions apply to the entire minilogue universally. GLOBAL EDIT mode parameters are assigned to buttons 1–7.
Button 2 (GLOBAL 2) These functions relate to performance aspects of the minilogue—knob operation, velocity curves, local settings, and more. Knob Mode [Jump, Catch, Scale] The front panel knobs can operate in one of three modes: Jump: When you turn the knob, the parameter value will jump to the value indicated by the knob. Since this makes it easy to hear the results while editing, we recommend that you use this setting.
Local SW [Off, On] The local connection makes a link between the minilogue keyboard the soundgenerating circuitry. Normally, this link is On. However, if you are using the minilogue with an external sequencer or sequencing software, you will want to set the local connection to OFF to eliminate the double-triggering of notes caused by MIDI echo. Off: The minilogue’s keyboard will be internally disconnected from the tone generator. Velocity Curve [Type 1...
Button 3 (GLOBAL 3) These parameters relate to the SYNC IN/SYNC OUT jack settings. Sync In Unit [16th Note, 8th Note] The Sync In Units determine how much the Sequencer will advance with each pulse received via the SYNC IN jack. 16th Note: The Sequencer will advance one sixteenth note for each pulse. 8th Note: The Sequencer will advance one eighth note for each pulse.
Button 4 (GLOBAL 4) These parameters relate to the minilogue’s MIDI capabilities. MIDI Ch [1...16] In order to communicate, the minilogue and your other MIDI devices must be set to the same MIDI channel. This is both the Transmit and Receive channel. Clock Source [Auto (USB), Auto (MIDI), Internal] Many features of the minilogue can be sync’d to the tempo or BPM. This parameter allows you to specify whether the clock source is internal, or an external MIDI Clock Source.
Button 5 (GLOBAL 5) These parameters relate to the minilogue’s display, and what information is seen there. Parameter Disp [Normal, All] Normal: Only major information such as operating the pitch-related knobs or switching the OUTPUT ROUTING switch will be displayed. All: When any knob except for the MASTER knob is turned, the value is indicated; and when operating a switch, the setting is indicated.
Button 7 (GLOBAL 7) These parameters allow you to perform a dump of all the internal data, either via MIDI or via USB. All Dump (USB) Turn the PROGRAM/VALUE knob until “Press WRITE” is indicated in the display. The WRITE button will blink. Press the WRITE button to transmit the MIDI data dump via the USB B connector. The display will indicate the message “Transmitting”. The data will take about 10 seconds to transmit.
Other functions Tuning As with all analog instruments, the minilogue’s circuitry can drift over time during performance due to changes in environment and temperature. The minilogue provides an auto-tuning function that automatically tunes the instrument’s analog circuits on demand, to correct for any analog drift.. As you continue to play the minilogue for a while right after you’ve turned it on, the pitch and tone may gradually drift.
GLOBAL: Restores the GLOBAL settings to their factory default settings. This also includes any favorite Programs that you have registered. ALL: Restores the preset Programs (Programs 001–100), Programs 101–200, and GLOBAL settings to their factory-set default settings. Use caution, as this will replace all data with the factory-set default settings (which will erase your user Programs). 4. Press the WRITE button. The display will indicate the message “Are you sure?”. 5.
Shortcuts using the SHIFT button By holding down the SHIFT button as you press other select buttons, you can access a number of convenient features quickly and easily. Function SHIFT button + Load panel infor- When in Play mode: mation PLAY button Loads the state of the front panel switches and knobs into the selected Program. Used to make the sound match the state of the controls on the front panel.
Understanding MIDI MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and is a worldwide standard for exchanging various types of musical data between electronic musical instruments and computers. When MIDI cables are used to connect two or more MIDI devices, performance data can be exchanged between the devices, even if they were made by different manufacturers. MIDI data can also be exchanged between the minilogue and your personal computer using a single USB cable.
Controlling the minilogue from an external MIDI device If you want to play or control the minilogue from another MIDI keyboard, sequencer, or other device, connect the MIDI OUT connector of the external MIDI device to the minilogue’s MIDI IN connector with a MIDI cable.
Connecting the minilogue to a computer via USB In order to use a USB connection, you’ll need to install the Korg USB-MIDI driver on your computer. Download the “Korg USB-MIDI driver” from the Korg website, and install it as described in the accompanying documentation. If either the MIDI connection or the USB connection is not working properly, check the settings in button 4 (“MIDI Route”) of the GLOBAL EDIT mode (“MIDI Route”, p. 44).
Configuring the minilogue to transmit and receive short MIDI messages The minilogue can be configured to enable or disable the receiving or transmission of MIDI short messages. To receive or transmit MIDI short messages, turn the “Enable Rx MIDI” and “Enable Tx MIDI” settings on using button 4 in the GLOBAL EDIT mode (“Enable Rx MIDI”, p. 44) (“Enable Tx MIDI”, p. 44).
Program List No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Program Name PolyLogue PWM Strings Flutter Pad TraxBass Ultra Low Stardom Lead Fluctuation King Cheetah PolySeek Magic Spells Stabber S.F. Key Late Summer Scuba Diving Soft Brass Wah CIav FilterMotion Sing(bout u) PluckMouse PopperSynth Cosmic Love Louge Pad Pulse Pad Liquid Pad Prospero Burn Low Polymonk Yes or No OuterSpace Morning Gt.
No.
Specifications Keyboard: 37 keys (slim keyboard, velocity sensitive) Maximum polyphony: 4 voices Sound generating system: 2 VCO (square wave, triangle wave, sawtooth wave) 1 VCF (2-pole, 4-pole) 2 EG 1 VCA 1 LFO DELAY Input/output jacks: Headphones jack OUTPUT jack AUDIO IN jack SYNC IN jack (ø3.5 mm stereo mini-phone jack, 20V maximum input level) SYNC OUT jack (ø3.
[POLYPHONIC ANALOGUE SYNTHESIZER] Model: minilogue Date: 2016.6.1 Version: 1.10 MIDI Implementation Chart MIDI Implementation Chart Function...
