Korg Mono/Poly vs. Behringer Monopoly

The Korg Mono/Poly is one of my favorite synths. In this video I compare the new Behringer Monopoly with my two vintage Korg Mono/Polys. At the same time, I'll tell you about how I use my Mono/Polys and show you a few performance techniques about how to make use of their unique features.

Contents:
0:00 Introduction
1:55 Feature comparison
6:45 My Monopolys
7:13 Sound comparison
14:31 Key assign modes, arpeggiator
19:49 Jam 1
20:59 Triggering the keyboard
23:35 Recreating the Deep Blue bass sound
28:36 Verdict
31:02 Jam 2

Music snippets used:

Kebu - Samba Saturn
Available on my To Jupiter and Back album:

Kebu - Deep Blue
Available on my Perplexagon album:

WWW:

Music & video production by Kebu.

[AAAPnl]

As an art student in the 80's I had an original MP, my first synth. Had it for years. I produced incredible sounds with it. At a certain point I deemed myself the biggest expert😎 on the MP, since keyboard players were running to the new DX7... I made metallic rhythmic patterns, choirs, crawling insects, even made it talk! All patches written down on paper sheets (which I still have!)... I'm considering buying the Behringer... If so I'll make a video reincarnating those sounds!

[dd]

From my perspective, B could hardly hope for a bigger endorsement for their synth than this. Coming from a master of the art, who clearly has a great passion for the period. Thanks a lot for taking time to make this video.

[PeteMOBie]

Thanks for taking the time to compare not two, but three MonoPoly synths. This is also a great tutorial video for introducing the basic and more advanced features of the MonoPoly.
It makes a change to see a reviewer using 2 identical synth models and demonstrating that there are even differences between the same manufacturer and model of synth, before making comparisons with a 'clone' synth. When I owned a pair of Moog Prodigy synths in the early 80's, I also found similar, subtle differences between them with the older one having a slightly more mellow tone for one or two sounds when the controls were set identical as near as humanly possible. The older Prodigy also held tune better than the newer Prodigy.

[wado]

So, Korg no longer has a monopoly on the MonoPoly. I'm glad you demonstrated that vintage devices can sound drastically different from one another. Too many people argue that modern recreations can't perfectly replicate vintage sounds, not realizing that the components in the originals could vary as much as 20% right out of the factory.

[System-]

One of the best comparison videos I've seen. You truly know how synths work so you're focusing on the important stuff -- the sound. No oscilloscopes here.

[KRAFTWERKK]

Back in 2007 / 2008 or so i too had the Mono/Poly on my Synth wishlist, among others. But the used market prices always made it impossible to obtain at a smaller budget. And for years i had actually given up on the thought of ever playing one of these. Until Behringer announced a clone of this synth too and suddenly it came back on the wishlist :P Especially because NOW it is indeed affordable even at a small budget. We really live in a new golden age of Synthesizers. Not only regarding analog Synths but especially those of course. I already have the Poly D and will certainly add more of their new clones into my gearlist. Never thought that the dream of an analog synth rig would actually come true and affordable and that we'd be doomed to mess around with freaking VSTs till the end of all times.

[matthehat]

What a fantastic demo and comparison. Having not one but two original MonoPolys on hand for comparison shows just how much these old devices drift away from the "average" and become unique over time. The Behringer clones all sound the same right now, but give them a couple of years and they'll start to develop their own character.

[RoomAtTheTopStudio]

12:02 You've hit the point right on the head. When I've tried to explain why an old machine might sound different from a new clone that it's how the components have aged some people refused my explanation. It's just logical. I'm happy with the sound anyhow as that's what the instrument sounded like when it was new. Great demonstration Kebu. This really is one of the best comparison videos on You Tube

[TheNAPSince]

I was very excited to see the moment when MonoPoly seemed to start singing. Thank you very much!

[cdwhiley]

I just like Kebu. He's just so understandable and I relate to him totally.

[FrequencyModulator]

This is my favourite channel about synths, music and composing. Thank you Kebu!

[therealmattmann]

Great review, Kebu! I think the Behringer is the only way I’ll ever be able to replace my Mono/Poly that I bought in 1985 and was stolen.

[finspire]

Snappiness of the EG on your live model is out of this world! No wonder it is in your live rig Kebu... Sounds absolutely awesome! Thank you so much for doing this most interesting comparison of multiple machines! Love from Finlandia 🤍

[FrederickRincon]

I love the live one to be honest. The slight drift and live it adds are so damn magical.

[Hollywutzz]

Kebu it's always great not only to hear your music, but also how and with what you do it.

[AdamSpade]

This was great! Thanks for taking the time! I really like the sound of the Behringer.

[danielwimhed]

This is so interesting, on discussions the bashing of these clones that Behringer are doing is flourishing and now this video is straight a proof, that even two originals does not sound the same, and one of the original and the clone sound so alike that it's impossible to make them apart. Thank you Kebu for a very good video demonstrating this.

[synthlord]

What a great in depth comparison and review of these synths side by side. Thanks for comparing the raw oscillator sounds to each other. I may have to look into getting a Bearinger one now.

[synthartist]

One of the best synth comparisons I have ever seen. Would love to see a Kebu video of how to sync this synth to other gear..drum machines via trigger..cv..gate..etc In particular for me, syncing the arp to a Roland TR8s in different ways, to a Behringer RD8, Behringer Arp Odyssey or Poly D.

[synthguy]

Synths allow you to create sounds, an analogue synth will reward you with extra sounds as it ages, it has a soul ❤️ look at it as a spiritual IOS update!
Great comparison video Kebu, in many ways it reminded me of the sounds from my Roland SH-101 although the Korg was superior with the polyphony.