Korg Monotribe (2011)

Name: Korg Monotribe
Brand: Korg

A single-voice analog groove-box with ribbon keyboard and Electribe-style sequencing, released as part of Korg's analog revival

Overview

The Korg Monotribe is a compact analog synthesizer and rhythm machine. It was built to be played right away, with no menus. Korg released it in 2011 and showed it at Musikmesse that year. It grew out of the pocket-sized Monotron into a more structured analog groove-box with a built-in sequencer and drum section. Hiroaki Nashijima designed it. It pairs a monophonic analog voice with a 3-part analog drum section, and a ribbon keyboard and step sequencer control the lot. Korg pitched it as a fun, affordable way to get into analog synthesis and rhythm, with no LCD display or menus to get through - you get direct access to the discrete analog circuitry. A firmware update to OS 2.0 added 16-step sequencing and widened what the box can do.

Specifications

Voice architecture	single monophonic voice
Synthesis components	Analog VCO, VCA, and VCF
Drum section	3-part analog drums, using discrete analog circuitry
Sequencer	Step Sequencer; OS 2.0 adds 16 Step Sequencing
LFO	Multi-Function LFO
Keyboard	Ribbon Keyboard
Circuitry	discrete analog circuitry
Connectivity	no MIDI or USB connections
Product type	synthesizer / rhythm synth
Finish available	Black

Design

The Monotribe is discrete analog circuitry throughout. The monophonic voice has a dedicated analog VCO, VCF and VCA, and the 3-part analog drum section is separate. A ribbon keyboard handles pitch. The step sequencer is inspired by the Electribe series, so you build patterns without diving through menus. Every function has its own knob and there is no LCD, which keeps control quick and tactile. There is no built-in MIDI or USB. Third-party solutions like the MIDITRIBE I/O were developed to add MIDI.

Context

Korg released the Monotribe in 2011 as part of its renewed focus on analog synthesis. It followed the Monotron, the company's first analog synthesizer in 25 years. The Monotribe added sequencing, rhythm and performance controls to the Monotron's concept, and that took it from a simple analog toy to a functional analog groove-box. Korg marketed it as a compact instrument for experimentation and live use.

Market

Retailer Hard To Find listed the Monotribe at £169 (approximately $277) at launch. Used units have appeared in listings with prices starting as low as $12.00. Reverb lists production years as 2011-2026, though there is no official confirmation of production continuing beyond the early 2010s.