The Korg Minilogue XD is my new favorite synth (for now)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ค. 2024
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I recently picked up the Korg Minilogue XD, which has been on my wishlist for quite some time! It's an incredibly solid, intuitive little synth that is great for beginners and experienced users who know how to get what they want out of a fully featured poly-synth for its size.
0:00 Intro
0:22 Why I got it
2:18 Patch Examples
5:40 Delay effect as a looper
8:05 Patch from Scratch & more playing
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I wish more synth demo videos is like this. You are right, most videos are showcasing the same sounds over and over again.. I want to see if a synth can do experimental/ different stuff, and this video shows that the XD (the synth thats is, not the lols) is capable doing that!
Thank you! I feel the same way tbh, especially with guitar pedals. That’s kind of how I got into making these videos in the first place.
What a Godsend finding your demo of this synth. You explore areas that i was looking for in sound design much like many composers for film are pushing the boundaries with these technologies. Sometime a search for hours for someone like your complete and to the point analysis of great sounds. Thanks so much.
Wow, thanks so much for that! I’m glad you found this useful :)
This is exactly what I was looking for everytime I search minilogue xd, which has been dozens over the almost 2 years I’ve owned this fantastic synth. I continue to dive deeper and deeper and I think I will never stop using this synth and being inspired by it. Thank you!!!
Awesome, that’s super great to hear!! I recently just downloaded a handful of user oscillators too and it’s really expanded the possibilities even more
Before getting a Prologue, the Minilogue XD was at the top of the wishlist. This demo is so great. You hit on a lot of features that make it attractive: flexibility in sound design, versatility, and the intuitive front panel. Feels like a wholesome synth appreciation video essay.
Thank you Josh!! I like to think of myself as wholesome as well 😈
As other has said; exactly what I was looking for; not too technical, not about all the details, just a review of the synth in a specific musical context by a friendly voice. Subbed.
Wish your channel all the best. It deserves to make it big(ger).
🥲 thanks for the kind words, I appreciate ya!
Great Demonstration. I have watched so many budget synth videos, this feels like I am trying it out myself. Sold
That’s great to hear! Fwiw I’m still going strong with it
I like your style. Keep up the great work!
Thanks very much!!
Great video. This has been on my wishlist as well as the microcosm 🙏
Thanks! Yup, can’t wait to run it into the microcosm, it’s gonna be magical
Great video, thankyou! Fairly new to creating electronic music (have mainly played percussion and handpan for several years), and have been looking to buy my first synth. I ordered a Minilogue xd earlier today after doing lots of research, but didn't come across this particular video until after I'd ordered it - It really makes me think that I've made the right choice! Really excited! thanks again
That’s great to hear!! It’s a fantastic synth, whether it’s your 1st or your 5th.
Beautiful. This is less gear demo and more sound design and I LOVE that. I would love to hear more about how you approach organizing and searching samples. I find it so hard to name things and keep track of everything
Thank you! I honestly don't have a very comprehensive approach haha. But perhaps I will cover the process in a future vid!
This is amazing!
Thanks James!
I love mine it's a quality investment! Thanks for sharing yours.
Couldn’t agree more!
Haven't seen many videos on the XD but definitely haven't seen any where they use it like a looper like you did. That looks like a really fun way to spend a few hours! Those first 2 patches you made both were gorgeous.
Thank you! As a wiseman once said “fuzzy, hazy… right up my alley”
@@SlowHaste ha, that person does does sound pretty wise!
Bro the MLXD is my fave synth also :) It is so versatile and can be warm and fuzzy or icy and crystalline. Some of the user osc deep reverbs are incredible for epic pads too! Happy new synth day ✌
Thank you!! Yeah, I’m stoked to check out some of the user generated content soon, I’ve heard great things
beautiful sound off these new korg keyboards
13:05 fantastic! That's why I love it as well. And why I use mine in almost all my music! Cheers
Thanks a ton!! I still love that patch 😎
This synth sounds so good in your hands! Better than my incredibly expensive Hydrasynth. Just goes to show it’s all about the synthesist and not the gear.
Can’t wait to hear what you do with this!
Hahah I’m sure you can do some pretty nifty things with the Hydrasynth! Still need to try one, but I’m happy with my minilogue decision for the time being :)
@@SlowHaste yeah you gotta spend some time with the XD before you should even think about getting something more advanced. I am genuinely so excited for what you’re gonna do with this!
6:26 is so relaxing with headphones 😆
I am DEFO thinking about getting this
Ping pong stereo is where it’s at 😎
If I didn't already own and love this synth (it's my only one, too) then this video would definitely have made me buy one!
8 voices are better than 4 😎
Hi
It’s me again back from holidays……
I see that your channel has grown….
Liked your new video ……
Keep up the good work…
As always lovely greetings from Germany
Thanks so much Berto!! I hope you had a nice holiday :)
@@SlowHaste Yes I had a brilliant Holliday….
Made a lot of music outdoor. One the beach and in the Mountains I had some lovely jam sessions with my Deluge and IPad.
Making music for and in nature is awesome.
This is my first synth and I agree with you, it's been really great. I don't even have any pedals for it yet but I really look forward to getting some. I've been using VSTs for years so I knew my way around a synth already but even if you don't it's a great place to start. There are definitely some great user oscillators and effects. Hammond eggs music even has an oscillator that turns your minilogue into a sampler, so you can layer custom samples into your patches right from the minilogue interface and run them through that analogue filter!
Thanks for the recommendations - I’ll have that out! Love the idea of layering samples
Welp, I'm sold lol. As a beatmaker, I have been going back and forth between this, the ASM Hydrasynth Explorer, and a few others. I am primarily a sample based producer but my friend recently gave me the Korg Volca Keys which has opened up a newfound obsession haha. I can't get enough, but really wanted something that I can play chords with, come up with melodies and leads for beats. And I keep coming back to this one so I guess the Minilogue it is ! Thanks for the great video!
Thanks so much for watching! I’m glad the video helped w your decision :)
Thanks for sharing! Having owned the OG Minilogue, there’s certainly a charm to it! It’s the perfect first “real” synthesizer for people wanting to learn how to make patches, and the panel is excellent for reinforcing how each part of the sound is made. The biggest reason for the Minilogue’s “lo-Fi” sound is that delay. It’s noisy as heck, and gives the sound that degenerative haze. There’s a lot to love in a small package.
Since you said it’s your fav synth “for now” I’ll share this: I’ve since sold the Minilogue. I moved to a Prophet Rev2, which was awesome, but realized I wanted something a lot more focused with a truer analogue sound. I now use the Sequential Take 5, and I highly recommend you check it out at some point. It’s essentially everything I wished the Minilogue could have been: Compact size, fantastic sounding filter, full size keys (with a great feel and aftertouch), comprehensive mod matrix, stereo outs, terrific effects… It’s incredible, and super fast to make patches on which is a similar strength the Minilogue has.
Funny you mentioned that - the Take 5 is on my list for if & when I decide to get a “pro-sumer” level synthesizer. I haven’t done a deep dive, but those specs are what put it on my radar!
having owned the OG, can you still recommend it over the XD? i’m going to get one of them but pretty torn. my thinking is that my guitar pedalboard can make up for the lack of FX on the OG. i see lots of purists sing praises of the OG for the 4 pole filter and second envelope, among other things. so, with FX out of the equation, is the OG capable of the same sounds like the ones demoed here?
I never wanted a minilogue till this video, I like your taste in sound design. I just recently acquired an Argron8 by Modal after first having a blast with their inexpensive Skulpt synth, and the Argon8 has had me straight up hypnotized since its arrival. Modal is making some good stuff, I love how they make apps to go along with their gear also. I think ya would have a lot of fun with some modal gear.
Thanks so much, I’m glad you’re into the sounds! I’ll have to look into that line, there’s always so much good gear to check out
I just got a Prologue and I'm trying to find everything on it and XD. I am trying to find videos on user oscillators and effects, but besides demos of them I am not finding a lot. I am blown away by how good the Prologue sounds and having owned a lot of synths I think it may be a forever synth. Great video on the XD!
Yes it looks like you found my other vid with some user oscillator recommendations, too :))) glad you’re finding this useful!!
I hate you but I love you more. I have owned the XD for years and kinda thought I knew my way around but this…! Awesome Daniel - the delay as looper blew my mind for my ambient stuff and the use of the FX and noise was inspiring. JUST AWESOME 👏
😈 I have a few tricks up my short short sleeves!
@@SlowHaste hehe - great work man. I put the XD through the Strymon Night Sky a lot in my ambient stuff. The clarity of the tones makes it super perfect for pedals
What you see it’s what you get = the M:C and that’s why I always come back to it :). Love the Minilogue!!! I considered the older version for a while because I love the aesthetics too haha
Btw, the demo you just recorded is awesome! I loved the patch creation part!
Yeah I do love the retro look of the silver panel. I’m sure people make custom panels, too! And I’m sure you could whip up a cool design for one, yourself
@@SlowHaste seeing the pros of the minilogue xd I think aesthetics don’t matter that much between the two 🤷🏼
I have the desktop module of the minilogue xD and think it's an awesome synth with a lot of immediacy. I do wish they had given us a proper mod matrix to use, especially since the joystick would have been great with mod matrix. Complaining aside, I love the core sound of the VCOs and filter with the delay. It's good to see it getting a little appreciation.
I totally agree!! A mod matrix and maybe a band pass filter, too :)
I waited a long time to buy this synth too. Been following it with hundreds of reviews for 3 years. I am a pro keyboardist/sound designer/audio engineer, highly practiced for 54 years, and own an original Minilogue bought last year. Why would an expert buy a "cheap" synth? Because I enjoy the extremely fast sound design value of these synths, and I record Vangelis style, performing my songs in one take to a multi-track using both hands and feet controlling various pedals, synths, sequencers, sampler and groove boxes simultaneously. So, even though the Minilogue and XD are almost the same synth, since I perform live for recording, the XD is going to have a different patch than the Minilogue. Just like my favorite digital poly VA synth is the Roland Gaia, I am thinking of buying a second one these also. The point of this comment is to let everyone know how important the Minilogue's are, they are the perfect first synth for the beginner and the perfect last synth for the expert.
I think we may see a spike in their popularity soon, with Korg just having released the Drumlogue!
This is such a great synth! I don't own it but I've used one of my friends' xd and it is so so good
Agreed!! It’s easy & fun but can be deep when you need it to be
the point you make is clear;-)
“Fuzzy, hazy, right up my alley” is my new catchphrase
When I heard you say you like to sample synths and bring them into your projects that way.. I was like.. sub this dude up!
It’s my favorite way to use synths in my songs! All about sampling 😎
@@SlowHaste I approach music making like drawing and painting. The way colors mix and layer over top and underneath is always a fun surprise. Sampling and sample chopping/mangling gives me that same sort of unexpected experience to the process.. like what if I do this to that?
At 3:14 I got serious Gold Panda vibes. Nice patches.
Thanks!
This synth is amazing :
Simple but complete at first sight
Can be really complex if you dig user oscillators and fx, sequencer etc.
Really versatile
Of course, we could want a lot more features like more filters, granular synthesis aaaaand so many things but for the price...
It's my favourite synth too
With you mate! I play guitar and I'm even though I'm not as good as you on keyboard or synths, I just love sitting down and noodling on my XD, you never know what you're going to get (especially if you're like me and you don't really know what all the knobs do 🤣)
Really enjoyed watching this vid :)
Thanks for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed :)
Fantastic. Now I want it! As a guitar player I'm looking for sounds that maybe are not exactly typical synth (if that exists), but more complementary textures and details to enrich our songs. Thanks!
Sounds like a perfect option for ya!
amazing demo, exactly the kind of sounds we want to hear. i got triggered when you mentioned “those” sounds all the other videos demo 😆 anyway i’m really torn between OG and XD. wondered if you’ve had a chance to play the OG and if it can equally produce these sounds apart from fx. it seems like it’s mainly the fx that sets apart the XD, but i’m wondering if i can get away with my guitar pedalboard + OG to fill the need for fx
I’ve played the OG but it was many moons ago. I think the digital engines really turn the XD into a different instrument - the ability to mix in noise & other user-generated oscillators is a textural game changer, so to speak! That said, I’ve heard a few folks say that they like the sound character of the OG better. But I can’t really speak to that, just due to my lack of experience w/ it.
I really only need one hardware synth..the module version of this, is still at the top of the list. I don't know if the criticisms really apply to me, and my use, for a synth. I have a Microcosm, and some other effects, for synths, so that is not a problem, for me. If I was a real synth player, and money was no object, I would get a Moog. But..that is out of reach, for me. Thanks! It's always helpful to see how other people use things.
I think this (or the module) would be a great option!
I’ve been really enjoying your videos. I’m curious though (as someone who sold the XD and misses it, but who also craves a Digitone) why you didn’t stay with an Elektron machine for this purpose as you already have the Digitakt and Octatrack.
Thanks! I already have a Digitone and I’m quite happy with the takt/tone/octa setup. I wanted the minilogue specifically for its sound palate, and also as a standalone synth that I didn’t feel like I “needed” to integrate into the elektron rig with MIDI - more-so wanted it for sound design, sampling, overdubs, etc!
Hola ! como estas?
Queria preguntarte si sabes por que cuando activo una secuencia y cambio el programa/preset no vuelve a iniciar de cero? ya que si en un programa/preset tengo una configuracion de cinco pasos y en otro una configuracion de 16 pasos cuando cambio entre esos presets se pkerde la relacion del tiempo, gracias y un saludo
Hey! I haven’t used the sequencer at all so I’m not really sure. I’m away from my gear for a couple of weeks so I won’t be able to try to replicate the issue - my apologies!
hello is it possible to use the Minilogue as a midi controller for Ableton to control Makros. I have tried it and at first it worked but if I reload the Rack it has forgotten the mapping, how is this possible?
Hey! I'm not sure tbh, I'm not an Ableton user and I am also self-professedly awful with MIDI lol
Bought it a year ago. Filter cutoff doesn't work anymore. When i hit record in my daw, it basically mutes. There's a faint signal, but it basically renders this thing useless when you can't record anything. Dont know what went wrong.
Sorry to hear! You should reach out to Korg to see if they’d help troubleshoot
Also, non-XD version. Prefer it over XD, but can be opposite, depending on needs.
Try it with top notch patches and a superb reverb like Rooms and it becomes a 3 times it price synth
I need to try the Rooms! I'd love to pair it with a Nightsky as well (which I also need to try). Too many pedals, too little time (& money)
Deepmind 6 vs Minilogue XD vs Behringer Poly D: who wins?
I listened to the WaveState and ModWave for a long time, they look so nice...but they just suck sonically, I didn't know why...but then I saw that they have a tiny Raspberry Pi porcessor that generates the sound while the XD has real analogue circuits, 4 pieces...so in my world this IS the best synth in this series, the others are VA or VST synths that you can get on your computer. I just wish the XD had the ModWave layout with the Chaoss Pad. (The WaveState also comes in a VST form or rather they gave it a tactile keyboard with the Raspberry processor)
Yep, if analogue is something you highly value, then this definitely gets bumped up even higher!
I was about to get it but I’m leaning more to the Wavestate Mkii
That seems like a great option too! Definitely different, but definitely great.
@@SlowHaste I had the Wavestate for a few months and the sounds are amazing but I just couldn’t get it to connect to my pc. I went through every possible fix but it was a no go so I sold it and purchased a mini freak which I’m really happy with
Great video, any plans to release a preset pack?
I stupidly hadn’t even considered that!! But it ain’t a half bad idea. At the very least, you’ve inspired me to go mess around on the minilogue tonight
If you really want to hear what this amazing synth can do, check out HYPNOTICA-The black forest. It will blow you away!!
I definitely will, thanks for the rec!
I feel you dude. I basically only use mine to make patches and then sample them.
I can sit for hours making or just exploring the possibilities and I love it!
This is probably the weirdest thing I have made the Minilogue XD do, there is no external drum machine haha.
th-cam.com/video/HVHPDuMFBsw/w-d-xo.html
Haha, nice and aggressive, I like it!
hour by porches ?
!!!! Amazing. I will genuinely Venmo you a dollar if you message me your info on Instagram 😂. gotta stick to my word
4:15 ughhhh I know it🤕 i know I’ve heard this before
Haha you probably have!! Someone already answered correctly if you wanna shuffle through the comments
Why did you opt for this instead the Analog Four, if I may ask? That’s my dilemma rn…
I never considered the A4, pretty much due to price! I also wanted a set of keys
zuck cut
it has flexible keys
4 voice and mini keys?🤔
Me want...
Highly recommend :)
Mac users, know this. The XD software for loading patches has been out of date for years. It severely limits the possibilities
Your not a bad player.. you can get better is all about practice
Thanks! I suppose I just know my limits, coming from guitar (which I am much more proficient with)
Love mini keys but not these mini keys. Press one key down and three go down.