Hello,

Monotribe OS Update.

Korg Product Details

looks good.

Heres the high lights:

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Highlights
Sequencer:

• Synth part resolution has been doubled to 16 Steps
• Volume Automation has been added to the synth part.
• Active Step can be specified for each part.
• Drum Roll capability has been added.
• Gate Time Hold function has been added.

Synthesizer:

• Sample and Hold (S&H) function added to LFO.

Sync:

• Connected sequences allow multiple monotribe units to play in rotation.
• Half Tempo function has been added.

Short Cut Keys:

• Four convenient shortcuts for creating patterns quickly

16-Step Synth parts
As with drum parts, the synth part now provides timing information in between the steps in a sequence, allowing a pattern to achieve a total of 16 steps.

Synth Part Volume Automation
Volume Automation allows the synth volume to be recorded during playback to create more detailed sequences. The left side of the ribbon controller keyboard decreases the volume, and the right side increases it. This Volume Automation can even be controlled when if Flux mode is on.

Set individual Active Steps for each Part.
The Active Step function lets you specify which steps are played or jumped when playing back the step sequencer. Now, the Active Step can be set individually for each of the SYNTH, BD, SD, and HH parts. By specifying a different number of steps for each part, you can create complex polyrhythms.

Sample & Hold (S & H) added to the LFO
The newly added S&H function is indispensible for creating mysterious analog synth sound effects. The RATE knob adjusts the frequency of change, and the INT. knob adjusts the depth of change.

• "What is Sample & Hold?"
  Unlike traditional LFO waveshapes that provide a constantly changing signal, the Sample & Hold feature takes a "sample" of the LFO signal and holds that level for a specific duration of time. The results are the highly popular and slightly random stepped-filter effects so famously used in analog synthesizers. By using noise as the input signal, the monotribe version 2 lets you create effects that change in a distinctively random manner.

Drum Roll capability
A roll can now be added to the desired drum part. The speed of the roll can be controlled using the ribbon controller keyboard; moving toward the right will increase the number of strikes. You can also record the drum roll using the sequencer to intuitively create subtle and dynamic drum patterns.

Linked Sequences play multiple monotribes in rotation
The Link Sequence feature is a completely new sync method that vastly expands the scope of the monotribe, to deliver even more fun. When sequence playback reaches step 8, the sequence will automatically stop and the next monotribe unit will start playing. By loop-connecting the SYNC jacks, the playback can keep cycling through multiple units – in true modular fashion!

New Additions
The Gate Time Hold function lets you use the ribbon controller keyboard to play and record new pitch information while retaining the gate times recorded in the sequencer. Also new is the Half Tempo function, which cuts the tempo in half when synchronizing to an external input from the SYNC IN jack. In addition, there are now four shortcut keys that instantly initialize various types of sequence data or active step settings.

Updating Procedure
Thinking of monotribe as an analog synthesizer, the procedure of for updating the Operating System is also a very old-school, analog-style method, reminiscent of loading data via the playback of analog cassette tape. Simply download the system data which Korg has encoded as an audio (WAV) file from - KORG - World leader of Musical Instruments or from the website of your local Korg distributor. Then, play back the file using a WAV file player like a Smartphone or using PC application software, directly in to the monotribe's SYNC IN jack. When the audio (WAV) file finished playing, your monotribe has been updated. It’s a traditional procedure revived for a new generation!

WARNING!
Do not playback the system update file on any speaker or headphone system as this could lead to damage to equipment and/or hearing loss. Neither Korg nor any of its affiliates will accept responsibility for any damages, personal loss or injury that may result from playback of the file.

My guess is that a midi version is just around the corner.

Marvellous piece of kit

I thought it was 100% analogue but it's got an OS update?

The VCO/VCF/VCA are probably the only analog parts.
It has a step sequencer, so it's obviously got a microprocessor of some sort.

I'm almost tempted to try it.

Kind of reminds me of the "do not play track 1" case from multimedia Cd's back in the 90's.

Per-part "active step" looks really cool

Wonder if volume automation works for the drum parts or just the synth?

Eagerly awaiting someone to demo the "pattern memory" function, sounds like there is some capacity to store/recall 4 patterns? Dissapointed the Korg video demos don't show this feature. Anyone tried it?

I did it. Took like eight attempts. Pretty cool update(s). They have demos up on youtube.

Its always good to see Dr Insano outside of the usual places.

KORG will never release a "Midi Mod" because the current MIDI mods are hacks that provide only a minimal (but sufficient) midi support. Monotribe wasn't intended to be a MIDI synth...

If you want MIDI do it yourself like GameBoy Genius or just buy the Brasilian MOD (MIDITribe) available for only 99€ shipping fees included.

Monotribe is more Analog than the Mopho because Monotribe use VCO instead of DCO... Finally what's important with an analog synth ? The sound path ! which in this case is fully analog ;-)

So does that mean I can turn the OSC volume off? That would finally make this thing a great external filter... please say yes?!

i wonder what might happen if i´d play the korg update into the tape-in of the MC-202

Yeah it's more analog than a Juno 60 too but who the hell cares?

Amazing Machines
these guys have diy midi boards - no soldering for $75.

I'm not a very technical person, so i was surprised it could be updated at all. Can anybody tell me if it is possible to add a glide function this way?

I'd like to see/hear a demo of how good it works. Any more info on it?

Also is it just for the MT2, or does it work on the MT1 as well?

I've always been interested in these mod kits but don't want to deal with soldering.

Wouldn't that be reason for Korg to add better midi support themselves, built-in? Or at least provide their customers with a plug/play style midi expansion adapter, that would be easy for the average comsumer to install themselves.

I'm no genius, but why would a company promote their customers going elsewhere for parts/accessories, when they could provide it themselves and be the ones making the profits?

MT is a cool effects machine, but they could make it a real musical instrument by adding 1 simple midi mod and make even more money off of it.

Marketing brilliant marketing ... thats why
mods = respected culture
mods = keeps the buzz alive

every gear slut finds mods interesting ...

I kind of feel like Korg played the ego card here too ... We are Korg we can make a cheep no midi no glide one pattern black box in 2011 and every one is going to rave about it .. ! call us King Korg

And of coarse the MT is also a sales test = a marketing/building block in the road to the ultimate analog groove-box ..

they are in-genius!

With all this talk about midi for the 'tribe I can't help but ask: has anyone here tried to synch their 'tribe with their drum machine or sampler? For example, with my EMX-1 I've been able to send a drum part through one of the ind. outputs in to the 'tribe's synch in jack; just make sure that the sound you want to generate the click with has to be a fast attack/decay clicking sound and has to be running on every 1/8 note not every 1/4 note; Synched to my midi setup right there. I've had the same positive results using the SP-404 as well; it even picks up swing variations from the EMX-1.

I have to say the monotribe looked interesting to me when it came out but the lack of midi made me reconsider and I bought a dark energy instead. I'm really really glad I went the DE route, its a great bit of kit.

I'm thinking of picking up a new 404 and syncing with a 'tribe (via 404 headphone out -> 'tribe sync in).

Then sampling bass lines and what not from the 'tribe.

I updated mine and tried it. Alas, no, it turns down both the external and the OSC volume down together.

Edit: I would like to point out that my LFO has been altered by the update just like the person's described here:

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpB...=442213#442213

Just a potential issue for anyone updating their Monotribe to be aware of.

I've heard some really crappy-sounding analog signal paths, so I'd recommend not getting hung up on tech specs and hyperbole like that.

Or source the parts yourself for about $5 lol

Bah... I guess my endless journey for a Waldorf MiniWorks continues...