I’ve got over 30 hardware synths including quite a few vintage analog monos and polys and I find myself gravitating towards my Prologue 16 all of the time. It’s got an earnest, plaintive voice that’s really appealing. Have the Prologue do a solo brass lead over something like a Summit (doing pads) or even JD800 for pure pleasure. Like Zach said, it seems to have a late 70’s Japanese sound to it. Of course, you’ll often need to work with its various levels to properly gain stage it or whatever to clean up its signal (distortion?). That’s one thing I don’t care about it, but once you’ve done that, the sound is absolutely gorgeous.
I had a 16. Sold it to get another more expensive synth. Realized I missed the prologue and got another 16. It’s a very beautiful synth and nothing sounds like it. I almost sold it to get a Roland Jupiter X. Decided I couldn’t live without it. I’m seeing the prices going up on eBay and I predict it will continue to increase as more people come to realize how great it really is.
I remember when this synth first hit the market in early 2018 and reading everyone complaining on forums about this having no aftertouch, only one LFO, lacking extensive modulation features, and selling for $2000 which was the same price as a 16-voice Prophet REV2 at the time. From what I've heard in demos, including this one, the Prologue sounds very good. I have personally never gotten a chance to see and play one. However, I did get a chance to play a Prophet REV2 16-voice and actually ended up buying that same REV2. I still have it today and it has appeared in a few of my tracks already and will be used I'm many more in the future. I have not seen a Prologue in any local music store. If it really has been discontinued now, chances are I won't ever see one unless someone brings in a used one as a trade-in. If this synth gains popularity in the upcoming years and skyrockets in price on the used market after being a commercial failure during it's production run, I won't be a bit surprised. Look at what happened with the Roland classics from the early 80's like the TR808 and TB303. Sometimes history repeats itself and someone is going to make a hit with this Prologue and everyone else is going to want one soon afterward.
After owning the Prologue for over 3 years, I guess I kind of love this synth because I have over 40 videos featuring the Prologue 16. Also, I have over 90 videos of the Prophet 6.
When i sold my rev 2 8 voice for a prologue 16, i really missed the 24db/octave filter. I still do. I think thats the ONLY complaint i have. I think that was a huge oversight to not include a 4 pole filter. But creatively using the drive, reso, and LF compressor, you can compensate for the filter slope. The filter still sounds very cool, and the 16 is a pad machine Its an amazing synth that sounds incredible. Don’t know why people are sleeping on it so bad at this point.
I bought the Prologue when it was released. Mine didn't have the tuning issues. It's been a great servant in the studio for me. People would complain about what it didn't have but didn't mind when Sequential synths that were VCO synths with less voices also had similar limitations ie 1 LFO, Prologue, Prophet 6, OB-6. If the Deepmind 12 is a Juno 106 on steroids, look at the specs of the Prologue and it's added customizable digital oscillator and guess what it was supposed to be? And just to clarify, it's not but the specs comparison is there
I honestly think the UI unmotivated buyers as well. Whenever I come back to my beloved prologue I always forget what button does what because they decided not to name the menu buttons. That said I think now that it’s discontinued it will become a modern classic when people rediscover it, unless a mk ii is on the horizon. But I think Korg may consider trying to develop a massive fully VCO synth poly synth at this price point an expensive and unrewarding experiment
@@AudioUnityOne Once you tap menu the other buttons tell you what is what when you tap them. I just go in and get on with it anytime I use mine. My mixing desk was in repairs for months and when I got it back and used the Prologue it wasn't hard to do what I wanted to do as the menu controls are so simple. TBH that's what I like about it. I can't get lost in the menu or with the knobs on it. That and it sounds very good. Works well in combination with a Sub37
P6 and OB6 have hefty oscillators and classic filters (ie they sound great), tho’ … so long as you have that, people will forgive a lot … Prologues sound bright and thin, by comparison … … … People just didn’t like the sound of the Prologues, when compared with the other flagship synths … … …
@@kierenmoore3236 What you are referring to is probably with the Minilogue four voice and the eight voice Prologue. With the sixteen voice flagship there's a LF compressor that makes the sound way more fuller. With the LF compressor engaged the sound is very round. The filter is a MS20 filter that gives it a character that can also give you that scream when you want to dial it in. Those who didn't like it didn't really dig into it to really realise what they had in front of them, if they actually ever had one in front of them. I played a Senquential Prophet 6 a few times at a store in Stockholm while I was based there and as much as I loved it, I couldn't justify getting a 6 voice VCO polysynth over my 16 voice Prologue as the P6 suffered from voice stealing where as the Prologue NEVER had that problem. I've never played the OB6 but IMO due to it's sound being a lot different to the P6 and the Prologue, I would choose to get the OB over the P6 and have lots of use for it. Now the re-issue P10 would now be much more up to my speed in choosing between the Prophet and the Prologue, for that analogue beefy sound. I've not tried it personally to confirm but from what I've heard in YT demos that definitely can give me the big sound that I like and doesn't steal voices. I found that quite annoying on the P6. I've used the Prologue on a couple of albums I've produced since I've got it and IMO it has worked well on the tracks that I've used it in. It gives me a different sound from my vintage synths with the digital oscillator to blend with the VCOs, and it gives me a powerful low end alternative to using the Moog Sub37 which it partners with exceptionally, something that the Sequential Rev2 doesn't do as well, once again IMO. Lastly I've noticed that no one has complained about the Minilogue XD oscillators, which are the same oscillators as the Prologue, just less of them. The dispute always was with the Prologue, which was competition to the Rev2 when it was released. VCO vs DCO debate. Sound is subjective and for me the Prologue won IMO. Respect
ATM I own a Moog Grandmother, An Hydrasynth, a MonoPoly, an Argon8, a Minilogue and a Prologue 8. No other synth beats simplicity and instant-inspiring sound of the Prologue. Plus, as a developer which I am, having chance to code my own osc/fx has no price. One of my fav, ever.
I definitely wasn’t sure how to feel about my Prologue 8 in the first couple of months I had it, but I grew to love it so much that I don’t think I’ll ever sell it unless it was to replace it with a 16. You can get some beauuutifully lush sounds from this instrument-especially when you really fine tune some of the parameters in the menu. The FM capabilities are terrific as well. I’m still a little sore about the lack of a sequencer but honestly it’s making me a better keyboard player…lol
As owning a 16 prologue Im not sure if people are forgetting about this synth or if they are heartbroken like me? Mine still has tuning issues even after the latest firmware update and its now 2022. I absolutely love this synth their is nothing like it on the market. Ive played with almost everything out there and nothing lets you into the territory you can take this synth. I tried rev 2, juno x, hydrasynth, summit etc I still need to try the ob 6 though. To those who don’t have tuning issues don’t ever sell it as its sound is its own. Thank you for the vid.
I've got an OB-6 (and Prophet 10 rev 4) next to my (non tuning issues) Prologue 16 and can tell you, the P16 is (*whisper it*) possibly my fave of the 3 just because of how it works AND sounds. P10 has prob the best raw tone, OB-6 is superbly beautiful (esp the filter) but the P16 sounds musical and warm, slightly less raw but often very beatiful.
I love my Prologue 16, sold a Sequential Prophet 6 to purchase it. I just didn't like the sound of the P6, The Prologue is great for Synthwave/Darksynth. I would describe it as sounding like John Carpenter. I had the tuning issue as well, glad Korg fixed it quickly. I'm still waiting on them to release an update to keep the OpSix from constantly crashing after the 2.0 update.
I am in the minority that doesn't really groove with the sequential sound. I was torn between a Rev2 and the Prologue. Ultimately went for the Prologue and don't regret it. I do wish the community was bigger, but maybe these will be "Holy Grail" synths in 30 years because the production numbers are small.
@@Boatdude31 I remember when I was torn between then rev2 and prologue. Prologue won with ease. But then I started looking into the Rev2 and it shines in its own way. 2 great synths
@@embodie_breaks7089 Rev2 is definitely a great synth. Just not my style I guess. I got a chance to play a Take 5 for about 20 minutes a few weeks back and it sounds amazing.
@@Boatdude31 nice dude. Yeah it seems decent forsure. The rev2 seems good for boards of canada type sounds. Also I believe you can have 2 arps going at once. I think the modulation of the T5 is killer as a P3 owner.
Aside from the fact that the Jupiter 8 has a 12 and 24db filter, the other limitations that everyone complains about are the exact things that the Jupiter 8 lacks. No aftertouch, only 1 LFO and 1 envelope for the VCF, 1 for the VCA yet the Jupiter 8 is iconic. The Prologue has double the VCO voices, a compressor, effects and a customizable digital oscillator.
The big issue in terms of modulation isn’t the single LFO (which is per-voice so it’s actually better than many vintage synths in that regard) so much as only one lfo destination. Forget the Jupiter 8, the sh101 could do better than that! I have this synth and it’s cool, but that’s something they could’ve easily incorporated into the deign, surely.
@@marcuswilespage I think that Korg used the feature set of the Jupiter 8 as the foundation of what they built the Prologue on so the features that weren't on the J8 wouldn't be on the Prologue. They then added more voices, effects, a compressor and a digital oscillator to create DX7 type sounds. It's not about what it can't do, it's all about what it can
@@RoomAtTheTopStudio Features, yes there is a lot of crossover. The sound couldn’t be more different form a JP8. I like my prologue, not here to hate, but it is worth comparing to other keyboards in its price point, and that does bring out some glaring limitations. However the most important thing is, does it sound good? And I think usually the answer is yes. Sometimes it really doesn’t (I don’t love the filter especially compared to my Prophet 6), but it has some sweet spots for sure. Some of the best built in effects of any keyboard
@@marcuswilespage yes it sounds different from a JP8 but as you said there is a lot of crossover. It's been great for me. It's simple to understand and it sounds good. It's great alongside a Moog or a Yamaha. It sits sounds sit well in the mix. That's more important to me than after-touch and another LFO. I do understand why it's important to some people though so each to their own really.
Not really a fair comparison. When the Jupiter 8 came out it was top of the line feature wise; there weren't any polysynths available with aftertouch, velocity, more than 1 LFO and more than 2 envelopes, etc in 1981. Nowadays those features are considered standard on polysynths, and it doesn't help that unlike the Jupiter the Prologue uses digital LFOs and envelopes, which are much cheaper to add more of.
My first synth. I love the simplicity of it. The manual reminds of the 80s synths as well as the layout: all knobs and switches; no deep dive menus. Also the bi-timbre is a plus.
I thought the release of the minilogue xd was a year after the prologue release. Probably why xd features didn't get released with the prologue. I do think Korg should have added a sequencer to the prologue in a later updated version though. I use 2 xd's and couldn't be happier :D
I sequence the Prologue with one of my MPCs and don't miss having an internal sequencer at all. I actually prefer using the external sequencers instead.
On paper, there are other synths that seem sexier, but if you stand in front of it, put your hands on the keys and just ride with it, it sounds and feels as good as any other synth out there.
It's more of a musician's synth I would say, a skilled pianist would have a great time with it. I love the sound it makes and there's an ambient piece on my channel 😅
I have the Prologue 16 and I love it, I bought it because of the things it has and things it does do, I’m not bothered by the things people complain about it not having, I have 4 analog synths, they all have their strengths. Maybe if someone buying the Prologue 16 and plan on it being their only synth , only 1 lfo might be a deal breaker, I get it, but it definitely sounds great imho, I have 3 other analog synths and none of them have a digital oscillator, so the Korg brings that to the table
Great demonstration as always Mark!! Sorry to say but the reason I don’t care for the Prologue is because it sounds very metallic, just like the Polybrute.
definitely one of the best past (analog) + future (sdk) synth the last years. completely underrated. i love mine. w/o tuning issues. enough walkthroughs to rip off the tuning issue.
I had high hopes for this one, recall it could morph sounds between two layers. Due to the tuning issues on release I ended up spending a bit more and got the Kronos.
I have been in the hunt for an analog poly for a few years now. This has been on the list and I love the VCO sound, five octaves. But I need aftertouch and at least one more LFO. My son has a REV 2 16V and it seems pretty capable. My short list has included the JDXA, Summit, Polybrute, OB6, P6. They all seem to have tradeoffs. Tough choice. Nice expose Zach on this particular Korg.
Strangely I use the mono mode the most because it’s soooo huge. I had to send mine back for repair after a month because it needed a new power board and controller board which I thought was a pretty Shit thing at the time being brand new when I bought it. I confirm it’s very 70s and the sound can be so thick and lively - great board, very good for dark music on the minor scales 😅
Definitely an unusual synth for marketing but when you actually play one, it's something else and in a good way. I bought mine from Tom Lee and it came with a REV 1 Karp Odyssey for free. The Prologue got all my attention once I did the firmware updates. Solid build and the menu diving is quite minimal. I recommend the 16 voice version because of the compressor. People seem to compare this to the Rev 2 but I think they do their own thing well. The Prologue has limitations but that's what keeps the price down for a flagship I did an entirely Prologue song on my channel if you want to check it out Another fantastic video!
I agree with you. After all, I released new sounds for Korg Prologue. I wanted to get the best out of him. They were really created in pain by a single LFO. This is very limiting. I don't understand why they did it. The big plus is that this synthesizer sounds very good in the mix. If you don't know what you are doing, you can end up with sounds that sound the same.
Lately I've been looking at real analogs - a rarity since I've always been on softsynths, going back 20 years or so. I can never justify getting much in the way of hardware since it's always been a hobby and I would probably go for something smaller like a Minilogue if I ever did make the jump. The Prologue does catch my attention in demos for being so focused. Having played with so many synths of varying quality and design over the years I've kind of settled into the idea that what matters really is the basics: oscillator, filter, envelopes. Give each of those a generously sized sweet spot, and the synth will be fun and expressive in its performance, regardless of the specific technology. Additional modulation lets you make sound effects, but sound effects are the kind of thing you want to have a huge library of, which lends itself towards sampling off a modular or similar environment, rather than polluting a performance synth with the extra functions. For bread and butter polysynth sounds, simple programming and generous effects are way more important, and the Prologue nails that.
Thanks for this vid, Zach. I don't know why, but I've started looking around for an analog synth. I used to own a Prophet 5 rev. 3, but stupidly sold it about 15 years ago, thinking that I'd never have any more use for it. :-P My live gigging axe is a Kronos-2 61 and I've been enjoying my Arturia Vintage Collection 9 since I sold my Prophet --I miss it a little less, no, it's not the same, but pretty close and it's great having access to other analog synth sounds from other rigs that I loved in the 1980s and 1990s. I wondered about the Prologue, but since it's already been out 5 years, I've too wondered if Korg has something new and improved up its sleeve, perhaps incorporating some additional synth engines and technologies from its other current synths or some brand-new technologies. Its build reminds me a bit of the Kronos 2 and I do like its sounds and features, and I think that I can create and use some pretty awesome patches that I already have in my Vintage Collection 9, Korg Collection 4 (formerly Korg Legacy Collection), and some other cool VSTs that I've collected over time.
I love mine it was really annoying before I fixed the tuning issue but I knew it was something special. Still every time I play it and find something new I fall in love with it all over again. It has such full sounds you just can’t replicate in the box. And this doesn’t really do it justice compared to hearing it live. I think it’s underrated, it’s a shame it had that issue at the start but at the same time I like that it’s a bit of a dark horse because of that. Funny he said it’s sounds more like a Yamaha than Korg sometimes I kept getting confused calling it a Yamaha before I properly delved into it and bought it.
Had a Prologue 16 at the same time as an OB-6, bought a Prophet 10 rev4... sold the other 2, then missed them so bought another P16 and OB-6. I'm not selling the Prologue 16 again, its price to sound ratio is awesome. It's less about modulation more about layering and musical tone that needs less dressing up than some synths. It stands next to my Prophet 10 and OB-6 without shame!
I've had both this 8 and 16 voice prologue for close to 5 years now. They have graced many a stage with me they are extremely dependable and I've only had a small problem with one of them. An absolutely love the sounds I can get out of these things they are amazing.
I decided for a Prophet Rev 2 in 2018 because of: - the supreme Fatar keybed with *aftertouch* - 4 LFOs - the gated sequencer which lets you detune the OSCs *per voice* (VCO simulation) - the IEC socket - the Prologue‘s tuning issues The Prologue also sounds really good; pity that you skipped those brash brass sounds giving you an eargasm just with a left-hand octave. But … no.
I have the 16 voice version, end I think it's one of the coolest analog polysynth I ever tried. I had a Juno 106, Jupiter 4, Polysix, Juno 60, Korg Trident, Roland JX 8P. The Prologue is dark, arty og very good sounding. And I agree with Vic-20. It's very John Carpenter-darkish :-)
A synth is never about specs, the sound is what matters. The Microbrute for example is totally insane in its murderous sound character, but many write it off as just a toy.
I love its build quality & design, & it sounds good too! so It’s one synth I keep considering but, as you mention just has too many “ missing” features. Deal breakers for me no 24db filter ! Lovely keybed but no aftertouch, another LFO would be nice. Shame as it almost great but it’s not the flagship instrument it should be!
I feel the very same way. I most wish it had a lot of mod options just like a Krome. I love the sound and want one, but it is lacking in ways I don't want to put up with.
Very interesting video, it looks like a beautiful synth. Just want to let you know, I'm listening on headphones and there is a very unpleasant distortion in my right ear pad. Sounds like it might be an artifact from the effects, but check it out if you have time. I'd love to know what's causing it. Thanks for doing a review and demo of this. Some of the patches are very unique. I hope this video helps people look at the Prologue 16 a little more closer when looking at adding a new synth to their studio.
For sure the prologue 16 is a great synth. And if you don't have the money just buy a minilogue xd, it has similar sounds and downloadable oscillators or effects 👍
I absolutely love the look of this synth, and I dig the sound. I bought the 8-voice a couple years ago, but alas it suffered from some of those quality control issues mentioned in the video. I now have other synths to keep me busy of course, but every time I see one of these I keep thinking "must have must have must have"...................
They should simply make a new XD version of it. Add a 2nd LFO and simultaneous destinations for both LFO's, expand the arpeggiator with user programmable patterns, or just take the arpeggiator from their own Microkorg. Many wanted a sequencer, and maybe they should put one in it, too, but for me it's not necessary. Also, I don't understand why Minilogue XD can use reverb and delay simultaneously, while Prologue can't. Prologue should have even more simultaneous effects. Come on, more than 20 years ago Novation Supernova had 6 simultaneous effects per part! Prologue has a great sound, but it's too limited feature set took it to grave. I'd buy Prologue XD instantly.
I was never really into the Prologue when it was first released. I'm not a fan of 16 voice analog synths myself. I find they tend to sound a bit too clustered or harder to sit in a full mix. That being said I find the Prologue has it's own voice. It's own character. I lov Sequential synths (I have a Prophet X and Prophet 6 and Tempest) and for the longest time I was going to get the Prophet REV2 to join them....but I'm really starting to warm up the idea of a Prophet 6 and Korg Prologue together on a track.
I have heard that you can add a second digital lfo in the custom effects section. Is that true? And also, is it true that you can use only one effect at once? I want the 16 voice because it is the best sounding synth I have heard in many moons.
Unfortunately Korg overlooked a few details that really hurt the prologue series. First, no aftertouch on a modern high end analog synth …🙄. The modulations options are also quite limited, I understand their knob per function/no menu diving philosophy but there are a lot of modern analog synths with a very flexible modulation matrix that don’t require menu diving. Only two envelopes and one LFO. At this price range there’s the Sequential Rev 2 that is far more versatile. However the prologue VCOs and filter sounds much better than the REV 2 DCOs and filter which is a shame because the prologue could have been a REV 2 killer with a little more efforts by Korg. I really hope Korg comes out with a Prologue rev 2 because there’s a place on the market for a high voice count affordable VCO based analog synth. Personally I’d keep the oscillators, filter, add a flexible mod matrix, add one more envelope, add two more LFOs, add aftertouch plus a nice sequencer and voilà.
@@briansotobassist The Prologue 16 is a really nice synth, the VCOs and filter sounds better IMO than than the Rev2 DCOs and filter but it falls short because of its rather limited modulation capabilities. It’s more limited sonically but the sounds it can make are as good or better than the REV2. The digital oscillator can help expand its capabilities but overall the REV2 is more versatile.
I got my P16 for $1000, and that seems like a normal price on Reverb these days. Is there a better deal in hardware equipment right now, when 40-year-old monos like the SH-101s cost $1200-$1300 and many synths announced this year are closer to $2000?
I had my mouse hovering over the check out button when the prologue came out. Exactly the sound and spirit I was looking for. But I realized it didn't have a step sequencer. For some reason that didn't make it different enough from the sledge 2.0 I already own. At least different enough to justify another purchase in the 1-2 thousand dollar price range. I would definitely have bought it if it was a year earlier when I was looking for a polysynth as the centerpiece of my set-up.
I have a Prologue 8 and I love it. I don't do anything heavily modulated really so the single LFO is fine for me. I think you're spot on with the comparison to late 70s Yamaha. I'm always chasing that CS80 sound and this has that flavor in my opinion. It does seem to be far less utilized than other synths in a similar price point. The Rev2 is obviously dominating this price point, but I prefer the sound of the Prologue.
I have the 8-Voice and I love it, but noticed your comment about the low frequency compressor on the 16. It got me thinking of maybe pairing my 8voice with a bass compressor pedal. Any idea what the Low frequency compressor circuit is like or behaves on the 16 voice? Do you think it'd be comparable to a bass compressor?
5:17 No pun intende right? :) Why is the Korg Prologue Power supply banded in our Europe? And are the tuning issues solved? Iv seen still some available at local stores in Amsterdam but im a bit cautious, spending 1500 Euros on a flagship has to be without risks at any time. I also heard that the REV2 had some big quality control issues as well.
I really liked the Prologue 8 when I owned it. I sold it to have a Hydrasynth feeling the Hydrasynth is much more cost effective. I admit that I was also upset that Korg seemed to drop (abandon) it in favor of the Minilogue line. Music is 40% business to me and I'm always looking at music tools as providing a return on investment.
The fact they only made 5 limited edition prologue 16's with after touch has made me double think buying korg stuff. I love some of theirs but damn that is some straight shading shit right there.... Especially the price of them now... Non the less I sold it for an OB6 and havent looked back. Love the prologue but maybe next time when they add aftertouch and fix up a couple minor things...
A couple less arp patches would be nice to see as a demo. I can see the rev 2 comparisons as the factory patches sound similar. I'm not super keen on the prologue having already owned a rev 2 I wasn't interested. Like the other commenter said the king korg seems tempting especially cuz it has 30 or so different filters. I only have three analog synths being the rs09 the rev 2 and my six trak.
They need a Prologue xd. I’d be interested in one. I already have limited editions of minilogue xd (pearl white) and monologue (red). A limited edition Prologue xd would be nice. Maybe a blue one? Hopefully, after supply chains get back closer to normal.
I owned one, loved the sound, but using it there are annoying things. No sequencer of course, is crazy. No aftertouch I can live without. The keyboard hold button only works when the arp is on, which for pads is annoying. Finally editing the effects is just too fiddly. I replaced it with a Prophet 6, which is super easy to use and doesn't have any of those problems. The digital oscillator is awesome, although it can be maxed out, and surely a firmware update could (and maybe has) resolved the bugs mentioned since I had mine. If I had space and the money I'd love to have one again - the object itself is beautiful.
I like very much the layout and the sound but why is there no aftertouch for a flagship and also limited modulations. I have an old K2000 from kurzweil … and this one is a fun to play with … especially the aftertouch.
Newbie question. How exactly does the arpeggiator work, holding down a chord (3 or more notes) vs holding down just a single note. It appears to me that even when you hold a chord, only the notes from the major scale of the root note are played in one of the many sequence options (random, up down etc). Is there any point on holding down a block chord using arpeggiator function or is it supposed to played in the form of a broken chord creating a sort of a complex melody line / patters by shifting from one note of the chord to another ?
I love this synth, but I wish that it had a truly analog signal path. Both the Prologue and the Minilogue XD run the signal through the effects chain, which means it hits the DAC.
I heard that prologue has a true bypass to bypass the effects entirely but maybe I am wrong . That’s why I did like the XD and just got the original minilogue.
We all know what will happen... people will understand the greatness of this synth eventually, prices will go up due to limited supply in teh market, It's a fortune to have one , algo have a Sequential P6, both are great, I dont need anything else.
Not a big fan of this synth, usually find it way too cold and icy in its character but sometimes it hits some serious sweet spots. Like what’s happening at around 15:40? What kind of amazingly ethereal church organ sound is that? It sounds really authentic and I want it!
I nearly got this one, but i ended up with a Sequential Prophet 6. glad i didn't waste my money on this synth as it has an 'illegal' power supply unit.
This is what I call a “nerd” keyboard: lots of fun playing and interesting sounds/features to nerd out on but hardly much to jam or play harmony with a band.
It's quite a nice synth but I don't use analogue polysynths enough to justify the price of it or its competitors. The MicroKORG and Reface CS check enough boxes for me.
I had a prologue. I liked the prologue. It's the only poly synth I've ever owned, but it just felt like it was lacking something special. Maybe I'm just saying that to make myself feel better for getting rid of it. Definitely a very capable synth, I think I miss it.
The biggest issue was that the firmware upgrade didn't fix the tuning issues for all synths. The upgrade did nothing at all to my Prologue. It was so bad that I returned it and got my money back. Besides that it is an amazing synth, but an amazing synth that's out of tune every 5 min's is kind of useless.
I struggle with: 1: keybed 2:crappy cycle unison/mono buttons that needed to be totally dedicated individual buttons for a live performance 3: bad wheel placement-- and simultaneously ignoring its joystick history. 4: it’s perfectly simple(and that was on point) And yet too complex(the added custom voice functions in the sound generation are a bit much?) 5: fx hands on implementation is poor 6: faders for Adsr would have been much better 7: lfo assignability is in menu dive 😤 8: glossy black surfacing creates cleaning issues 9: no aftertouch
What a piece of (insert Community Guideline accepted adjective here). It’s like someone at Korg said “Hey let’s make a hardware version of that horrible ‘Vintage Synth’ plugin from Garage Band!!” Can one even modulate a single oscillator with the one LFO, or is it just “Pitch” (both oscillators)?
I think it neither has the look, handling nor the sound to really be considered a desirable analog synth. Maybe build quality is a thing here but it just doesnt look sexy. When i played it, it was hard to understand where to program just plain standard analog sounds or where to change all the bells and whistles so really usable analog sounds come out. When I hear you demo, sweet sounds but all is just effects. While that's standard nowadays, good synths sound good without them turned on. After all it sounds more like a virtual analog and it also looks like it. Maybe that's the problem when you compare it to a Prophet 10 or 6.
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I’ve got over 30 hardware synths including quite a few vintage analog monos and polys and I find myself gravitating towards my Prologue 16 all of the time. It’s got an earnest, plaintive voice that’s really appealing. Have the Prologue do a solo brass lead over something like a Summit (doing pads) or even JD800 for pure pleasure. Like Zach said, it seems to have a late 70’s Japanese sound to it. Of course, you’ll often need to work with its various levels to properly gain stage it or whatever to clean up its signal (distortion?). That’s one thing I don’t care about it, but once you’ve done that, the sound is absolutely gorgeous.
I had a 16. Sold it to get another more expensive synth. Realized I missed the prologue and got another 16. It’s a very beautiful synth and nothing sounds like it. I almost sold it to get a Roland Jupiter X. Decided I couldn’t live without it. I’m seeing the prices going up on eBay and I predict it will continue to increase as more people come to realize how great it really is.
I’ve had a lot of synths and this sounds incredible to me. I’ve just discovered it and definitely gonna get one
@@peppercrybeatzit's sound is very very unique... I love mine
How you thought to change 16 analog voices from a new Korg Analog engine on Roland's software (Jupiter X its a soft in fact) sht?)
Everybody realized what a great synth it is, except Korg..
Sounds thin and anaemic - oscillators lack heft; and filter ??
I remember when this synth first hit the market in early 2018 and reading everyone complaining on forums about this having no aftertouch, only one LFO, lacking extensive modulation features, and selling for $2000 which was the same price as a 16-voice Prophet REV2 at the time. From what I've heard in demos, including this one, the Prologue sounds very good. I have personally never gotten a chance to see and play one. However, I did get a chance to play a Prophet REV2 16-voice and actually ended up buying that same REV2. I still have it today and it has appeared in a few of my tracks already and will be used I'm many more in the future.
I have not seen a Prologue in any local music store. If it really has been discontinued now, chances are I won't ever see one unless someone brings in a used one as a trade-in. If this synth gains popularity in the upcoming years and skyrockets in price on the used market after being a commercial failure during it's production run, I won't be a bit surprised. Look at what happened with the Roland classics from the early 80's like the TR808 and TB303. Sometimes history repeats itself and someone is going to make a hit with this Prologue and everyone else is going to want one soon afterward.
Ooo I've been trying to get my hands on one to make a video on the same vein, unfairly maligned!
Good stuff.
Thanks, Jorb!
One of my faves! My review of the Prologue was the first synth video that kicked off my channel and the videos I make today :)
After owning the Prologue for over 3 years, I guess I kind of love this synth because I have over 40 videos featuring the Prologue 16. Also, I have over 90 videos of the Prophet 6.
When i sold my rev 2 8 voice for a prologue 16, i really missed the 24db/octave filter. I still do. I think thats the ONLY complaint i have. I think that was a huge oversight to not include a 4 pole filter. But creatively using the drive, reso, and LF compressor, you can compensate for the filter slope. The filter still sounds very cool, and the 16 is a pad machine Its an amazing synth that sounds incredible. Don’t know why people are sleeping on it so bad at this point.
There isn't anything wrong with this synth. It sounds amazing.
This synth will age like fine wine
It’s already vinegar, tho’ …
I bought the Prologue when it was released. Mine didn't have the tuning issues. It's been a great servant in the studio for me. People would complain about what it didn't have but didn't mind when Sequential synths that were VCO synths with less voices also had similar limitations ie 1 LFO, Prologue, Prophet 6, OB-6. If the Deepmind 12 is a Juno 106 on steroids, look at the specs of the Prologue and it's added customizable digital oscillator and guess what it was supposed to be? And just to clarify, it's not but the specs comparison is there
They got fixed with a firmware update anyway, great synth!
I honestly think the UI unmotivated buyers as well. Whenever I come back to my beloved prologue I always forget what button does what because they decided not to name the menu buttons. That said I think now that it’s discontinued it will become a modern classic when people rediscover it, unless a mk ii is on the horizon. But I think Korg may consider trying to develop a massive fully VCO synth poly synth at this price point an expensive and unrewarding experiment
@@AudioUnityOne Once you tap menu the other buttons tell you what is what when you tap them. I just go in and get on with it anytime I use mine. My mixing desk was in repairs for months and when I got it back and used the Prologue it wasn't hard to do what I wanted to do as the menu controls are so simple. TBH that's what I like about it. I can't get lost in the menu or with the knobs on it. That and it sounds very good. Works well in combination with a Sub37
P6 and OB6 have hefty oscillators and classic filters (ie they sound great), tho’ … so long as you have that, people will forgive a lot …
Prologues sound bright and thin, by comparison … … … People just didn’t like the sound of the Prologues, when compared with the other flagship synths … … …
@@kierenmoore3236 What you are referring to is probably with the Minilogue four voice and the eight voice Prologue. With the sixteen voice flagship there's a LF compressor that makes the sound way more fuller. With the LF compressor engaged the sound is very round. The filter is a MS20 filter that gives it a character that can also give you that scream when you want to dial it in.
Those who didn't like it didn't really dig into it to really realise what they had in front of them, if they actually ever had one in front of them.
I played a Senquential Prophet 6 a few times at a store in Stockholm while I was based there and as much as I loved it, I couldn't justify getting a 6 voice VCO polysynth over my 16 voice Prologue as the P6 suffered from voice stealing where as the Prologue NEVER had that problem.
I've never played the OB6 but IMO due to it's sound being a lot different to the P6 and the Prologue, I would choose to get the OB over the P6 and have lots of use for it.
Now the re-issue P10 would now be much more up to my speed in choosing between the Prophet and the Prologue, for that analogue beefy sound. I've not tried it personally to confirm but from what I've heard in YT demos that definitely can give me the big sound that I like and doesn't steal voices. I found that quite annoying on the P6.
I've used the Prologue on a couple of albums I've produced since I've got it and IMO it has worked well on the tracks that I've used it in. It gives me a different sound from my vintage synths with the digital oscillator to blend with the VCOs, and it gives me a powerful low end alternative to using the Moog Sub37 which it partners with exceptionally, something that the Sequential Rev2 doesn't do as well, once again IMO.
Lastly I've noticed that no one has complained about the Minilogue XD oscillators, which are the same oscillators as the Prologue, just less of them. The dispute always was with the Prologue, which was competition to the Rev2 when it was released. VCO vs DCO debate. Sound is subjective and for me the Prologue won IMO.
Respect
There was a synth by Korg called King Korg and that synth sounds sooooo good for a virtual analog. I'm fond of the Prologue. Sounds great
King Korg, totally bizarre name/wordplay off King Kong. You can see this in the marketing of the synth.
ATM I own a Moog Grandmother, An Hydrasynth, a MonoPoly, an Argon8, a Minilogue and a Prologue 8. No other synth beats simplicity and instant-inspiring sound of the Prologue. Plus, as a developer which I am, having chance to code my own osc/fx has no price. One of my fav, ever.
I definitely wasn’t sure how to feel about my Prologue 8 in the first couple of months I had it, but I grew to love it so much that I don’t think I’ll ever sell it unless it was to replace it with a 16. You can get some beauuutifully lush sounds from this instrument-especially when you really fine tune some of the parameters in the menu. The FM capabilities are terrific as well. I’m still a little sore about the lack of a sequencer but honestly it’s making me a better keyboard player…lol
As owning a 16 prologue Im not sure if people are forgetting about this synth or if they are heartbroken like me? Mine still has tuning issues even after the latest firmware update and its now 2022. I absolutely love this synth their is nothing like it on the market. Ive played with almost everything out there and nothing lets you into the territory you can take this synth. I tried rev 2, juno x, hydrasynth, summit etc I still need to try the ob 6 though. To those who don’t have tuning issues don’t ever sell it as its sound is its own. Thank you for the vid.
I've got an OB-6 (and Prophet 10 rev 4) next to my (non tuning issues) Prologue 16 and can tell you, the P16 is (*whisper it*) possibly my fave of the 3 just because of how it works AND sounds. P10 has prob the best raw tone, OB-6 is superbly beautiful (esp the filter) but the P16 sounds musical and warm, slightly less raw but often very beatiful.
I love my Prologue 16, sold a Sequential Prophet 6 to purchase it. I just didn't like the sound of the P6, The Prologue is great for Synthwave/Darksynth. I would describe it as sounding like John Carpenter. I had the tuning issue as well, glad Korg fixed it quickly. I'm still waiting on them to release an update to keep the OpSix from constantly crashing after the 2.0 update.
Weird trade up but I get it. I sold my Prologue16 or an OB6. Love the OB but do miss the Prologue sound sometimes.
I am in the minority that doesn't really groove with the sequential sound. I was torn between a Rev2 and the Prologue. Ultimately went for the Prologue and don't regret it. I do wish the community was bigger, but maybe these will be "Holy Grail" synths in 30 years because the production numbers are small.
@@Boatdude31 I remember when I was torn between then rev2 and prologue. Prologue won with ease. But then I started looking into the Rev2 and it shines in its own way. 2 great synths
@@embodie_breaks7089 Rev2 is definitely a great synth. Just not my style I guess. I got a chance to play a Take 5 for about 20 minutes a few weeks back and it sounds amazing.
@@Boatdude31 nice dude. Yeah it seems decent forsure. The rev2 seems good for boards of canada type sounds. Also I believe you can have 2 arps going at once. I think the modulation of the T5 is killer as a P3 owner.
Aside from the fact that the Jupiter 8 has a 12 and 24db filter, the other limitations that everyone complains about are the exact things that the Jupiter 8 lacks. No aftertouch, only 1 LFO and 1 envelope for the VCF, 1 for the VCA yet the Jupiter 8 is iconic. The Prologue has double the VCO voices, a compressor, effects and a customizable digital oscillator.
The big issue in terms of modulation isn’t the single LFO (which is per-voice so it’s actually better than many vintage synths in that regard) so much as only one lfo destination. Forget the Jupiter 8, the sh101 could do better than that! I have this synth and it’s cool, but that’s something they could’ve easily incorporated into the deign, surely.
@@marcuswilespage I think that Korg used the feature set of the Jupiter 8 as the foundation of what they built the Prologue on so the features that weren't on the J8 wouldn't be on the Prologue. They then added more voices, effects, a compressor and a digital oscillator to create DX7 type sounds. It's not about what it can't do, it's all about what it can
@@RoomAtTheTopStudio Features, yes there is a lot of crossover. The sound couldn’t be more different form a JP8. I like my prologue, not here to hate, but it is worth comparing to other keyboards in its price point, and that does bring out some glaring limitations. However the most important thing is, does it sound good? And I think usually the answer is yes. Sometimes it really doesn’t (I don’t love the filter especially compared to my Prophet 6), but it has some sweet spots for sure. Some of the best built in effects of any keyboard
@@marcuswilespage yes it sounds different from a JP8 but as you said there is a lot of crossover. It's been great for me. It's simple to understand and it sounds good. It's great alongside a Moog or a Yamaha. It sits sounds sit well in the mix. That's more important to me than after-touch and another LFO. I do understand why it's important to some people though so each to their own really.
Not really a fair comparison. When the Jupiter 8 came out it was top of the line feature wise; there weren't any polysynths available with aftertouch, velocity, more than 1 LFO and more than 2 envelopes, etc in 1981. Nowadays those features are considered standard on polysynths, and it doesn't help that unlike the Jupiter the Prologue uses digital LFOs and envelopes, which are much cheaper to add more of.
My first synth. I love the simplicity of it. The manual reminds of the 80s synths as well as the layout: all knobs and switches; no deep dive menus. Also the bi-timbre is a plus.
I thought the release of the minilogue xd was a year after the prologue release. Probably why xd features didn't get released with the prologue. I do think Korg should have added a sequencer to the prologue in a later updated version though. I use 2 xd's and couldn't be happier :D
Yeah, it's the best internal synth sequencer Imho. They should create new Prologue 16 but with a sequencer
I sequence the Prologue with one of my MPCs and don't miss having an internal sequencer at all. I actually prefer using the external sequencers instead.
On paper, there are other synths that seem sexier, but if you stand in front of it, put your hands on the keys and just ride with it, it sounds and feels as good as any other synth out there.
This synth will have be the signature of my music. It's a very special instrument. It has warmth, depth and can be pushed into the very extreme.
It's more of a musician's synth I would say, a skilled pianist would have a great time with it. I love the sound it makes and there's an ambient piece on my channel 😅
but every synth is made for musicians and players, or not? thanks.
Boy this is one of the few synths that are sold in my country, and this video is definately helping me to make a decision
Such a good channel. You deserve plenty of subscribers. Cheers
I love this synth (I have the 8 voice version). I have a Prophet 6 but i find myself reaching for this one instead. it's so immediate.
The best analog synth ever made by Korg!! A mystery to me they do not push it, unbelievable!!
I would want a Prologue 20 with after touch and 2 LFOs plus sequencer.
I have the Prologue 16 and I love it, I bought it because of the things it has and things it does do, I’m not bothered by the things people complain about it not having, I have 4 analog synths, they all have their strengths. Maybe if someone buying the Prologue 16 and plan on it being their only synth , only 1 lfo might be a deal breaker, I get it, but it definitely sounds great imho, I have 3 other analog synths and none of them have a digital oscillator, so the Korg brings that to the table
Ah my prologue8 I love so much! Great video!
Great demonstration as always Mark!! Sorry to say but the reason I don’t care for the Prologue is because it sounds very metallic, just like the Polybrute.
definitely one of the best past (analog) + future (sdk) synth the last years. completely underrated. i love mine. w/o tuning issues. enough walkthroughs to rip off the tuning issue.
Hey, great review. I think the Korg Prologue sounds really excellent!
I had high hopes for this one, recall it could morph sounds between two layers. Due to the tuning issues on release I ended up spending a bit more and got the Kronos.
I have been in the hunt for an analog poly for a few years now. This has been on the list and I love the VCO sound, five octaves. But I need aftertouch and at least one more LFO. My son has a REV 2 16V and it seems pretty capable. My short list has included the JDXA, Summit, Polybrute, OB6, P6. They all seem to have tradeoffs. Tough choice. Nice expose Zach on this particular Korg.
Rev2-16-KB ❤
Strangely I use the mono mode the most because it’s soooo huge.
I had to send mine back for repair after a month because it needed a new power board and controller board which I thought was a pretty Shit thing at the time being brand new when I bought it.
I confirm it’s very 70s and the sound can be so thick and lively - great board, very good for dark music on the minor scales 😅
Yes, the mono mode (with 16 VCOs) is the best thing aBout this synth …
AND, YES - it’s rather Dark sounding …
Absolutely! I never heard such a powerfull Mono bass from any of my other synths
Definitely an unusual synth for marketing but when you actually play one, it's something else and in a good way. I bought mine from Tom Lee and it came with a REV 1 Karp Odyssey for free. The Prologue got all my attention once I did the firmware updates. Solid build and the menu diving is quite minimal. I recommend the 16 voice version because of the compressor. People seem to compare this to the Rev 2 but I think they do their own thing well. The Prologue has limitations but that's what keeps the price down for a flagship
I did an entirely Prologue song on my channel if you want to check it out
Another fantastic video!
Super helpful review, this one is on my long list!
I agree with you. After all, I released new sounds for Korg Prologue. I wanted to get the best out of him. They were really created in pain by a single LFO. This is very limiting. I don't understand why they did it. The big plus is that this synthesizer sounds very good in the mix. If you don't know what you are doing, you can end up with sounds that sound the same.
Lately I've been looking at real analogs - a rarity since I've always been on softsynths, going back 20 years or so. I can never justify getting much in the way of hardware since it's always been a hobby and I would probably go for something smaller like a Minilogue if I ever did make the jump. The Prologue does catch my attention in demos for being so focused. Having played with so many synths of varying quality and design over the years I've kind of settled into the idea that what matters really is the basics: oscillator, filter, envelopes. Give each of those a generously sized sweet spot, and the synth will be fun and expressive in its performance, regardless of the specific technology. Additional modulation lets you make sound effects, but sound effects are the kind of thing you want to have a huge library of, which lends itself towards sampling off a modular or similar environment, rather than polluting a performance synth with the extra functions. For bread and butter polysynth sounds, simple programming and generous effects are way more important, and the Prologue nails that.
Thanks for this vid, Zach. I don't know why, but I've started looking around for an analog synth. I used to own a Prophet 5 rev. 3, but stupidly sold it about 15 years ago, thinking that I'd never have any more use for it. :-P My live gigging axe is a Kronos-2 61 and I've been enjoying my Arturia Vintage Collection 9 since I sold my Prophet --I miss it a little less, no, it's not the same, but pretty close and it's great having access to other analog synth sounds from other rigs that I loved in the 1980s and 1990s.
I wondered about the Prologue, but since it's already been out 5 years, I've too wondered if Korg has something new and improved up its sleeve, perhaps incorporating some additional synth engines and technologies from its other current synths or some brand-new technologies.
Its build reminds me a bit of the Kronos 2 and I do like its sounds and features, and I think that I can create and use some pretty awesome patches that I already have in my Vintage Collection 9, Korg Collection 4 (formerly Korg Legacy Collection), and some other cool VSTs that I've collected over time.
Great synth and nice to see RIck Moranis is still working : )
I love mine it was really annoying before I fixed the tuning issue but I knew it was something special. Still every time I play it and find something new I fall in love with it all over again. It has such full sounds you just can’t replicate in the box. And this doesn’t really do it justice compared to hearing it live. I think it’s underrated, it’s a shame it had that issue at the start but at the same time I like that it’s a bit of a dark horse because of that. Funny he said it’s sounds more like a Yamaha than Korg sometimes I kept getting confused calling it a Yamaha before I properly delved into it and bought it.
my 1st hardware synth as of 6 months ago and I love it
Had a Prologue 16 at the same time as an OB-6, bought a Prophet 10 rev4... sold the other 2, then missed them so bought another P16 and OB-6. I'm not selling the Prologue 16 again, its price to sound ratio is awesome. It's less about modulation more about layering and musical tone that needs less dressing up than some synths. It stands next to my Prophet 10 and OB-6 without shame!
Well the proof is in the sounds. You have coaxed some awesome sounds out of this.
Argh man, cant decide between this synthesizer and the jupiter x. Great video and i think your a good guy.
I've had both this 8 and 16 voice prologue for close to 5 years now. They have graced many a stage with me they are extremely dependable and I've only had a small problem with one of them. An absolutely love the sounds I can get out of these things they are amazing.
I decided for a Prophet Rev 2 in 2018 because of:
- the supreme Fatar keybed with *aftertouch*
- 4 LFOs
- the gated sequencer which lets you detune the OSCs *per voice* (VCO simulation)
- the IEC socket
- the Prologue‘s tuning issues
The Prologue also sounds really good; pity that you skipped those brash brass sounds giving you an eargasm just with a left-hand octave. But … no.
I have the 16 voice version, end I think it's one of the coolest analog polysynth I ever tried. I had a Juno 106, Jupiter 4, Polysix, Juno 60, Korg Trident, Roland JX 8P. The Prologue is dark, arty og very good sounding. And I agree with Vic-20. It's very John Carpenter-darkish :-)
A synth is never about specs, the sound is what matters. The Microbrute for example is totally insane in its murderous sound character, but many write it off as just a toy.
The Microbrute is likely seen that way because of the Minibrute. The Minibrute has more features and bigger keys, no?
I hae the p 16 and really like it and i have no issues with it...Use it in nearly every production!
I love its build quality & design, & it sounds good too! so It’s one synth I keep considering but, as you mention just has too many “ missing” features. Deal breakers for me no 24db filter ! Lovely keybed but no aftertouch, another LFO would be nice. Shame as it almost great but it’s not the flagship instrument it should be!
I feel the very same way. I most wish it had a lot of mod options just like a Krome.
I love the sound and want one, but it is lacking in ways I don't want to put up with.
Un gioiellino meraviglioso dal quale non mi separerò mai ❤
I always fancied having one of these. Sounds and looks great. I didn't know about the power supply issues until now though
Wow this sounds amazing!!! This has to be my next synth. I do live in Europe though, so i have to hope they fix the power supply.
Very interesting video, it looks like a beautiful synth.
Just want to let you know, I'm listening on headphones and there is a very unpleasant distortion in my right ear pad. Sounds like it might be an artifact from the effects, but check it out if you have time. I'd love to know what's causing it.
Thanks for doing a review and demo of this. Some of the patches are very unique.
I hope this video helps people look at the Prologue 16 a little more closer when looking at adding a new synth to their studio.
For sure the prologue 16 is a great synth. And if you don't have the money just buy a minilogue xd, it has similar sounds and downloadable oscillators or effects 👍
I’d buy an XD, if it had 6+ voices (and FS keys, ideally). Happy to pay more for those specs …
Zack is are king, a true rockstar!!!!!
I absolutely love the look of this synth, and I dig the sound. I bought the 8-voice a couple years ago, but alas it suffered from some of those quality control issues mentioned in the video. I now have other synths to keep me busy of course, but every time I see one of these I keep thinking "must have must have must have"...................
They should simply make a new XD version of it. Add a 2nd LFO and simultaneous destinations for both LFO's, expand the arpeggiator with user programmable patterns, or just take the arpeggiator from their own Microkorg. Many wanted a sequencer, and maybe they should put one in it, too, but for me it's not necessary. Also, I don't understand why Minilogue XD can use reverb and delay simultaneously, while Prologue can't. Prologue should have even more simultaneous effects. Come on, more than 20 years ago Novation Supernova had 6 simultaneous effects per part!
Prologue has a great sound, but it's too limited feature set took it to grave. I'd buy Prologue XD instantly.
I was never really into the Prologue when it was first released. I'm not a fan of 16 voice analog synths myself. I find they tend to sound a bit too clustered or harder to sit in a full mix. That being said I find the Prologue has it's own voice. It's own character. I lov Sequential synths (I have a Prophet X and Prophet 6 and Tempest) and for the longest time I was going to get the Prophet REV2 to join them....but I'm really starting to warm up the idea of a Prophet 6 and Korg Prologue together on a track.
I have heard that you can add a second digital lfo in the custom effects section. Is that true? And also, is it true that you can use only one effect at once?
I want the 16 voice because it is the best sounding synth I have heard in many moons.
Unfortunately Korg overlooked a few details that really hurt the prologue series. First, no aftertouch on a modern high end analog synth …🙄. The modulations options are also quite limited, I understand their knob per function/no menu diving philosophy but there are a lot of modern analog synths with a very flexible modulation matrix that don’t require menu diving. Only two envelopes and one LFO. At this price range there’s the Sequential Rev 2 that is far more versatile. However the prologue VCOs and filter sounds much better than the REV 2 DCOs and filter which is a shame because the prologue could have been a REV 2 killer with a little more efforts by Korg. I really hope Korg comes out with a Prologue rev 2 because there’s a place on the market for a high voice count affordable VCO based analog synth. Personally I’d keep the oscillators, filter, add a flexible mod matrix, add one more envelope, add two more LFOs, add aftertouch plus a nice sequencer and voilà.
Korg: yeah.. sure! We can make that.. for only 4999.99! 😅
This is exactly my wish list for this. Or a module version with those updates. Also the Modwave with an analog filter would catch my attention.
I personally would not consider a $1600 synth high end. Mid-range is more like it from my perspective.
Well my prologue 16 cost to me 1.3k vs 2k of a rev 2 . Probably rev 2 is a better synth.
@@briansotobassist The Prologue 16 is a really nice synth, the VCOs and filter sounds better IMO than than the Rev2 DCOs and filter but it falls short because of its rather limited modulation capabilities. It’s more limited sonically but the sounds it can make are as good or better than the REV2. The digital oscillator can help expand its capabilities but overall the REV2 is more versatile.
I got my P16 for $1000, and that seems like a normal price on Reverb these days. Is there a better deal in hardware equipment right now, when 40-year-old monos like the SH-101s cost $1200-$1300 and many synths announced this year are closer to $2000?
I had my mouse hovering over the check out button when the prologue came out. Exactly the sound and spirit I was looking for. But I realized it didn't have a step sequencer. For some reason that didn't make it different enough from the sledge 2.0 I already own. At least different enough to justify another purchase in the 1-2 thousand dollar price range. I would definitely have bought it if it was a year earlier when I was looking for a polysynth as the centerpiece of my set-up.
I have a Prologue 8 and I love it. I don't do anything heavily modulated really so the single LFO is fine for me. I think you're spot on with the comparison to late 70s Yamaha. I'm always chasing that CS80 sound and this has that flavor in my opinion. It does seem to be far less utilized than other synths in a similar price point. The Rev2 is obviously dominating this price point, but I prefer the sound of the Prologue.
I have the 8-Voice and I love it, but noticed your comment about the low frequency compressor on the 16. It got me thinking of maybe pairing my 8voice with a bass compressor pedal. Any idea what the Low frequency compressor circuit is like or behaves on the 16 voice? Do you think it'd be comparable to a bass compressor?
5:17 No pun intende right? :) Why is the Korg Prologue Power supply banded in our Europe? And are the tuning issues solved? Iv seen still some available at local stores in Amsterdam but im a bit cautious, spending 1500 Euros on a flagship has to be without risks at any time. I also heard that the REV2 had some big quality control issues as well.
I really liked the Prologue 8 when I owned it. I sold it to have a Hydrasynth feeling the Hydrasynth is much more cost effective. I admit that I was also upset that Korg seemed to drop (abandon) it in favor of the Minilogue line. Music is 40% business to me and I'm always looking at music tools as providing a return on investment.
bonjour de Paris en France ... Oui vous avez tout à fait raison et à 300 pour cent ... ce synthé. est un chef-d'œuvre d'ingénierie Japonaise!!!!
The fact they only made 5 limited edition prologue 16's with after touch has made me double think buying korg stuff. I love some of theirs but damn that is some straight shading shit right there.... Especially the price of them now... Non the less I sold it for an OB6 and havent looked back. Love the prologue but maybe next time when they add aftertouch and fix up a couple minor things...
Features from the Minilogue XD didn't carry over because the Prologue came out years before the XD did.
A couple less arp patches would be nice to see as a demo. I can see the rev 2 comparisons as the factory patches sound similar. I'm not super keen on the prologue having already owned a rev 2 I wasn't interested. Like the other commenter said the king korg seems tempting especially cuz it has 30 or so different filters. I only have three analog synths being the rs09 the rev 2 and my six trak.
gearspace has some glowing praise for the prologue from EBDA1176 , in reply to a "this or polybrute?" question
I rly want to buy one but with all the missing features like aftertouch etc.. is there a synth that got this spacy ground tone like the prologue?
I want one badly.
They need a Prologue xd. I’d be interested in one. I already have limited editions of minilogue xd (pearl white) and monologue (red). A limited edition Prologue xd would be nice. Maybe a blue one? Hopefully, after supply chains get back closer to normal.
@INTRNLCMD That has my vote 👍🏼
I owned one, loved the sound, but using it there are annoying things. No sequencer of course, is crazy. No aftertouch I can live without. The keyboard hold button only works when the arp is on, which for pads is annoying. Finally editing the effects is just too fiddly. I replaced it with a Prophet 6, which is super easy to use and doesn't have any of those problems. The digital oscillator is awesome, although it can be maxed out, and surely a firmware update could (and maybe has) resolved the bugs mentioned since I had mine. If I had space and the money I'd love to have one again - the object itself is beautiful.
Thanks for the video please do one one the roland jupiter 80
I like very much the layout and the sound but why is there no aftertouch for a flagship and also limited modulations. I have an old K2000 from kurzweil … and this one is a fun to play with … especially the aftertouch.
The Kurzweils sound really good. I got two K2vX's and use a zulu scsi to manage patches.
Newbie question. How exactly does the arpeggiator work, holding down a chord (3 or more notes) vs holding down just a single note.
It appears to me that even when you hold a chord, only the notes from the major scale of the root note are played in one of the many sequence options (random, up down etc).
Is there any point on holding down a block chord using arpeggiator function or is it supposed to played in the form of a broken chord creating a sort of a complex melody line / patters by shifting from one note of the chord to another ?
I love this synth, but I wish that it had a truly analog signal path. Both the Prologue and the Minilogue XD run the signal through the effects chain, which means it hits the DAC.
I heard that prologue has a true bypass to bypass the effects entirely but maybe I am wrong . That’s why I did like the XD and just got the original minilogue.
Please do a video on the roland jupiter 80
We all know what will happen... people will understand the greatness of this synth eventually, prices will go up due to limited supply in teh market, It's a fortune to have one , algo have a Sequential P6, both are great, I dont need anything else.
There is one for sale brand new, you say the power supply is illegal please explain more is it a fire risk in european voltages?
Not a big fan of this synth, usually find it way too cold and icy in its character but sometimes it hits some serious sweet spots. Like what’s happening at around 15:40? What kind of amazingly ethereal church organ sound is that? It sounds really authentic and I want it!
I nearly got this one, but i ended up with a Sequential Prophet 6. glad i didn't waste my money on this synth as it has an 'illegal' power supply unit.
@ghost mall what with a illegal power supply? fire risk who knows alamo did not fully explain this.
When the market actively complaines about a lack of LFO's, but can't even use the one they have effectively.
I like it plenty, as well with the Prophet 6, but one LFO just isnt enough!
The Prophet 6 only has one LFO too
Could you clarify what you mean about it being illegal to use in Europe?
I think it is environmentally related?
I googled about this and could only find one tweet and a forum post. I believe it has something to do with the power supply.
Its strange, in the The Netherlands you cant even find a new one online!
It sounds nice. I'll buy it for $1,000 or less, not at its current price tag, new or used.
Was it discontinued?
10:16 instantly struck with Hotline Miami vibes.
This is what I call a “nerd” keyboard: lots of fun playing and interesting sounds/features to nerd out on but hardly much to jam or play harmony with a band.
My fav analog keyboard! The tuning thing is a nightmare
It's quite a nice synth but I don't use analogue polysynths enough to justify the price of it or its competitors. The MicroKORG and Reface CS check enough boxes for me.
I had a prologue. I liked the prologue. It's the only poly synth I've ever owned, but it just felt like it was lacking something special. Maybe I'm just saying that to make myself feel better for getting rid of it. Definitely a very capable synth, I think I miss it.
Mine did have the tuning issues though.
The biggest issue was that the firmware upgrade didn't fix the tuning issues for all synths. The upgrade did nothing at all to my Prologue. It was so bad that I returned it and got my money back. Besides that it is an amazing synth, but an amazing synth that's out of tune every 5 min's is kind of useless.
I struggle with:
1: keybed
2:crappy cycle unison/mono buttons that needed to be totally dedicated individual buttons for a live performance
3: bad wheel placement-- and simultaneously ignoring its joystick history.
4: it’s perfectly simple(and that was on point) And yet too complex(the added custom voice functions in the sound generation are a bit much?)
5: fx hands on implementation is poor
6: faders for Adsr would have been much better
7: lfo assignability is in menu dive 😤
8: glossy black surfacing creates cleaning issues
9: no aftertouch
What a piece of (insert Community Guideline accepted adjective here).
It’s like someone at Korg said “Hey let’s make a hardware version of that horrible ‘Vintage Synth’ plugin from Garage Band!!”
Can one even modulate a single oscillator with the one LFO, or is it just “Pitch” (both oscillators)?
I think it neither has the look, handling nor the sound to really be considered a desirable analog synth. Maybe build quality is a thing here but it just doesnt look sexy. When i played it, it was hard to understand where to program just plain standard analog sounds or where to change all the bells and whistles so really usable analog sounds come out. When I hear you demo, sweet sounds but all is just effects. While that's standard nowadays, good synths sound good without them turned on. After all it sounds more like a virtual analog and it also looks like it. Maybe that's the problem when you compare it to a Prophet 10 or 6.