Gear Hunter

Korg Prologue 8 Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer

Description

prologue is a fully-programmable, full-featured, professional synthesizer with a full-sized keyboard. Preceded by the four-voice polyphonic minilogue and the monophonic monologue, it's the long awaited debut of the flagship: the prologue. A polyphonic analog synthesizer equipped 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.

FEATURES

• 16/8-voice analog synthesizer circuit.


• Newly developed multi-engine equipped with three types: noise, VPM, and user.


• High-quality digital effects.


• An open API (Application Programming Interface) for user-created oscillators and effects.


• Newly developed L.F. COMP. (Low Frequency Compressor) analog effect (prologue-16 only).


• Bi-timbre support.


• Voice modes that allow voices to be flexibly recombined.


• Arpeggiator equipped with a variety of types and range settings.


• Program Sort allows rapid access to 500 programs.


• Japanese-made high-quality natural touch keyboard.


• Oscilloscope function shows the waveform visually.


• Tough and stylish body made of aluminum and wood.


• Sync with another groove machine to enjoy jam sessions.


• Lineup includes a 16-voice 61-key model and an eight-voice 49-key model.

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 oscillators 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.

Digital effects

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.

Bi-timbral

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.

Voice modes

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.

Arpeggiator

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.

SPECIFICATIONS

Keyboard: 49 keys (Natural touch keyboard with velocity)

Sound Generation: Analogue sound generator + Multi digital sound generator (Noise, VPM, User)

Maximum Polyphony: 8 voices

Programs: 500 voices (more than 250 preload, 250 user programs).
Each program provides a program sort function that includes voice mode and timbre settings, and allows up to 8 4 banks of live set programs to be registered.

Voice Mode: 4 (POLY, MONO, UNISON, CHORD).
The VOICE MODE DEPTH setting allows different parameters to be varied for each mode.

Timbres: Max two timbre (Main timbre, Sub timbre)
Layer, crossfade, and split settings are possible.

Arpeggiator: 6 types (Manual, Rise, Fall, Rise Fall, Random, Poly Random).
Tempo and note range can be changed

Program Sort: 8 (PROG NUM, CATEGORY, ALPHABETICAL, LIKE, FREQUENT, ENVELOPE, RANDOM, LIVE SET)

Main Synth Parameters
VCO1 - WAVE (SAW, TRIANGLE, SQUARE), OCTAVE, PITCH, SHAPE
VCO2 - WAVE (SAW, TRIANGLE, SQUARE), OCTAVE, PITCH, SHAPE
MODULATION - PITCH EG (ALL, VCO1+2, VCO2), PITCN EG INT, SYNC, RING, CROSS MOD DEPTH
MULTI ENGINE - NOISE/VPM/USER, OCTAVE, TYPE, SHAPE
MIXER - VCO1, VCO2, MULTI
VCF - CUTOFF, RESONANCE, EG INT, DRIVE, LOW CUT, KEYTRACK
AMP EG - ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN, RELEASE
EG - ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN, RELEASE
LFO - WAVE (SAW, TRIANGLE, SQUARE), MODE (FAST, SLOW, BPM), RATE, INT, TARGET (PITCH, SHAPE, CUTOFF)

Main Effect Parameters
MOD EFFECTS - OFF/ON/SELECT (CHORUS, ENSEMBLE, PHASER, FLANGER, USER), SPEED, DEPTH
DELAY/REVERB - OFF/DELAY/REVERB, TIME, DEPTH

MULTI ENGINE
Noise Generator - 4 types
VPM oscillator 16 types
User oscillator 16 slots

MOD EFFECTS
CHORUS - 8 types
ENSEMBLE - 3 types
PHASER - 8 types
FLANGER - 8 types
USER - 16 slots

DELAY/REVERB
DELAY - 8 types
REVERB - 8 types

Controls
Wheels: Modulation wheel that can modify different parameters for each program, pitch wheel
Knobs: PORTAMENTO knob

Display
Main: Real-time OLED oscilloscope provides visual feedback of parameter changes MULTI ENGINE section: 7 segments x 6 digit LED display

Input/Output connectors
Headphone jack (Stereo phone jack)
OUTPUT L/MONO, R jacks (monaural phone jack unbalanced)
SYNC IN jack (3.5 mm [1/8"] mini jack, maximum input level 20 V)
SYNC OUT jack (3.5 mm [1/8"] mini jack, output level 5 V)
MIDI IN jack
MIDI OUT jack
USB B jack
EXPRESSION jack
DAMPER jack (half damper is not supported)

Power Supply: AC Power Supply terminal

Power Consumption: 23 W

Dimensions (W x D x H): 709 mm x 348 mm x 118 mm/27.91" x 13.70" x 4.65"
Weight: 7.5 kg/16.53 lbs.

Included Items: AC power cable