TB-303 vs Monotribe

For fun I thought I'd hook up a Monotribe to a TB-303 using my CV/Gate box, and do a quick comparison, I set the Monotribe as close as possible and made some Vines of the result. Nothing serious just a bit of fun, but I think it shows that the Monotribe can sound nice and squelchy with the right filter settings.

https://vine.co/v/M1tzBDKYiDw
https://vine.co/v/M1tz06WMjpe

https://vine.co/v/M1t7jrB5TWD

https://vine.co/v/M1tm9pT5F61

Looking to sell your Korg Monotribe? Broken or working. Also repairs.

I sometimes get asked if I can supply pre-modded Monotribes, and I also get asked if I can do repairs, so if you have a broken or working Monotribe that you are looking to sell, then I may be interested in buying it, I am based in the UK so probably only makes sense for guys within Europe. Contact by email link at the top of the page.

Similarly, if you have a broken Monotribe then I might be able to fix it provided I have the spare parts.

Free Sticker with order!

I made up some stickers to label the function buttons on the Monotribe, as I tend to forget which clears the synth or drum part, and I usually accidentally clear the wrong part!

Anyway, a pretty handy quick reference and as I'm not a fan of any of the overlays (a bit too garish for me) until I get some overlays made these will suffice. I made up a few extras, so for the rest of this month I will send one with any orders that come in, or until I run out of them.

They are my usual high quality, slight gloss and using the Monotribe font as my mod stickers do.

So, if you order anything from me and want one just let me know when you place the order.

Currently have stock of everything, running low on VCO boards though. Prices as follows:

Internal MIDI with optional click reduce mod £40

Drum mods switch panel £40

VCO mod £55

CV/Gate boxes £20

Postage has gone up a bit for international, now £9.75 this covers anything from 1-3 mods, tracked signed for airmail via Royal Mail, UK post cost is still £5. All payments in GBP via paypal.

Here is a pic of the sticker

CV/Gate boxes

A new batch of CV/Gate boxes are available to buy now, price is £20 plus shipping.

They are made using very nice quality sockets which fit all types of 3.5mm plug very snugly - nothing worse than warbly pitch (or glitchy gates) when you don't want it, built into a sturdy little ABS box, the cable is approx 60cm. You need to update your Monotribe to v2.1 to use it with CV input and of course the CV and Gate is only for the synth section, as you'd expect. But really cool to use the Monotribe from say a x0xb0x over CV then record the sequence into the Monotribe sequencer, using flux mode you can then turn on/off the slides, good fun!

Here is a picture

Also I make CV boxes for the Elektron Analog Four/Keys, using the same box and 3.5mm connectors, but with Van Damme cable (50cm) and a high quality gold plated 1/4" plug (the sockets on the Elektron are gold plated) Much better than faffing around with bulky adapters, if you spend 1000 on a synth then another few thousand on a modular then it makes sense to ensure that you can interface them correctly, I literally cringe when I see how some people scrimp on proper cables, it is a false economy! Price is also £20 plus shipping. NB one is required for each pair of CV outs A/B and C/D, but shipping cost is the same for 2 as it is for a single one. £9.75 outside UK £5 in UK.

As usual to order use the email link at the top of the page.

Here is a picture

Thats all for now, more soon!

Mutes available soon!

Mute mods almost ready, I think these will be popular as they add another dimension to live jamming. 

It consists of a small PCB with 5 switches, BD, Snare Body, Snare Noise, HiHat, VCO. Up for sound, down for muted.

Pricing, more details and demo soon!

Another great install of VCO mod from illobo

Via illobo "Just to let you know that I've installed the VCO mod.. and I'm very happy with it.. it adds a lot of texture to the sound, very nice!"

Thanks and glad you are enjoying it, one tip is to experiment with the level, even about halfway it is still quite audible, good for more subtle stuff.

Monotribe midi - not all created equal

If you have midi on your Monotribe you will know how much fun it can be, however recently I have discovered that not all Monotribe midi interfaces are created equal.

If you have bought a midi interface for your Monotribe here is what you should expect:

A ground connection on the Midi output - I know of one popular kit that does not have this, why? All midi outputs should be grounded, it is part of the midi spec.

No lag on the midi input - the Monotribe is capable of responding to midi as fast as any output can send it, and you should not get stuck notes either. If you experience this it is possible that an unsuitable opto isolator has been used.

No stuck notes or lag on the midi output, with a properly made interface this should not be happening, and one of the reasons why ground should be present.

All midi interfaces for the Monotribe allow the same functions, this is coded into the Monotribe firmware, so apart from performance issues mentioned above and price they are all the same.

Needless to say, I use a fast suitable opto and midi out is grounded on all my midi kits.