How does the Monotron Delay differ from the Monotron Duo?

The Duo has two oscillators and a pitch-crossing X-Mod mode but no delay. The Delay has one oscillator plus the Space Delay, so it is the better pick for echo and sound effects.

No. It has a single oscillator, so it plays one note at a time. Stack it with other synths or a sampler if you need chords.

Does it need batteries or a power supply?

It runs on two AAA batteries and has no mains input. Battery life is decent, but the delay drains it faster than plain playing.

Can I connect it to a computer or MIDI keyboard?

Not directly. There is no MIDI or USB. You can run its output into an audio interface and record it, but you cannot control it from a keyboard.

What comes in the box?

The synth itself, two AAA batteries and a quick start guide. No power supply, cables or case are included.

Is it good for a beginner?

Yes, as a first taste of analog sound. It has no presets and no keyboard layout, so expect to learn by turning knobs rather than following a method.

What do buyers say about the Korg Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon Synthesizer?

Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 6 ratings.

Where can I buy the Korg Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon Synthesizer?

3 stores we checked sell it, including Walmart, Adorama, Newegg.

Korg Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon Synthesizer

Q: Where is the Korg Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon Synthesizer cheapest?

At Adorama, for $49.99, 33% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.

Best price now

$49.99at AdoramaChecked Nov 9

33% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 3 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when. Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

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What reviewers say

Owners treat it as a cheap, fun analog toy that sounds far bigger than it looks. The filter and Space Delay get the most praise; tuning on the ribbon and the noisy delay get the most complaints.

What people mention

FilterPraisedOwners say the MS-20-style low-pass filter sounds warm and aggressive and rewards sweeping by hand.
Space DelayPraisedReviewers like the tape-echo character and the way high feedback pushes it into self-oscillating noise.
Ribbon keyboardCriticisedPlayers find the ribbon hard to tune and say it suits glissandos and effects more than melodies.
NoiseCriticisedThe delay adds hiss and the output is noisy, which owners accept as part of the lo-fi sound.
BuildMixedIt feels light and plasticky, but most owners say it survives being tossed in a bag.
PortabilityPraisedThe speaker, battery operation and small size are the reasons many owners keep it on a desk or take it travelling.

About the Korg Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon Synthesizer

The Korg Monotron Delay Analog Ribbon Synthesizer is equipped with a ribbon keyboard and a live, ready-to-be tweaked front panel offering five knobs and a single switch. This simple operation and ease of use invites hours of enjoyment and musical exploration. Casual users and gadget mavens will quickly enjoy performing melodies, DJs can create dazzling effects on stage, while established players can add analog muscle to their performance – the possibilities are virtually endless. Grab a monotron, monotron DUO, or monotron DELAY, and get in touch with the exciting world of Korg analog synths. Go Anywhere Analog A miniature speaker is built into the every monotron. Along with the battery operation and compact size, this feature allows you to enjoy the share the monotron Series analog synthesis sound with your friends, anywhere, at any time. There's also a headphone output that you can use when practicing in private, creating sounds at home, recording, or for connecting to an amplifier or PA system. Classic Analog Synth / Space Delay Combination A good delay was an essential part of the classic analog synthesizer sound. More often than not, that delay came from a tape-style echo machine until affordable digital delays were created. The monotron DELAY is an analog synthesizer optimized for sound effects. In addition to its analog oscillator, filter, and LFO, it also provides a Space Delay that's indispensable for swooping, cosmic sounds. The monotron DELAY even reproduces the pitch changes that occur when you vary the delay time, just as though you were using an analog tape echo. As with the filter, the delay effect can be added to any external sound via the Aux In jack. This fat and warm delay will add an authentic edge to your analog sounds! Dual-Waveform LFO