Mono/Poly

Name: Mono/Poly
Price: 99.99 USD
Author: KORG

by KORG · Synth · Four-VCO analog synth emulation

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A software version of KORG's 1981 Mono/Poly, a four-VCO analog synth, with sync, cross-modulation and four key assign modes.

It adds up to 128-voice polyphony, virtual patching, new effects and 300 presets, for $99.99.

Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop, Hip-Hop & Trap.

Keywords: analog, hardware emulation, polyphonic, 80s, arpeggiator, modulation matrix, preset-driven, basses, chord generator, leads, licensed emulation, circuit-modelled, component-modelled, resizable UI, risers & hits, sound design, subtractive, thick, tube, vintage.

What it does

The Mono/Poly plugin is KORG's software recreation of its four-oscillator analog synth, built with KORG's Component Modeling Technology. It keeps the original's stacked-VCO character and adds full polyphony, virtual patching and effects.

Oscillators: four VCOs, each with its own envelope generator, plus oscillator sync and cross-modulation.
Key assign modes: Unison stacks all four VCOs, Chord plays a held chord from one key, Original spreads the VCOs across voices like the hardware, and Poly stacks oscillators per voice.
Voices: up to 128-voice polyphony and 16-voice unison.
Filter: a VCF with a dedicated envelope.
Virtual patching: 8-way patching with 159 modulation sources and up to 35 destinations.
Effects: 21 multi-effect types, including the Distortion type (three switchable effects, among them Valve Reactor) and the Feedback type (four, including Reverb, Space and Riser).
Performance and presets: an arpeggiator, chord memory, 300 presets with favourites and templates, and a high-resolution interface for Retina and 4K screens.

This is Mono/Poly V2.

Source: KORG product page

When to use it

The Mono/Poly is the quick route to huge stacked-oscillator leads and basses: four VCOs in Unison or Chord mode give a wall of sound from one key. Compared with Diva, it models one specific KORG instrument rather than several classic filters and oscillators, and it is lighter to set up but less flexible in tone. Unlike a plain hardware clone, it adds 8-way virtual patching and full polyphony, so it reaches well beyond the original's sounds. Compared with Serum 2 or Vital, it has no wavetables and is aimed at analog-style sounds only. KORG's own multi/poly native is the deeper, more modern alternative with wavetables and motion sequencing.

Best for: thick unison leads, detuned basses, stacked chord stabs and arpeggios.
Genres: electronic, synth-pop, synthwave and hip-hop.
Look elsewhere if: you want wavetables or motion sequencing; multi/poly native has both. For a broader analog palette, Diva covers more ground.
Tip: a KVR user suggests it works especially well with controllers that send polyphonic aftertouch.

What producers say

Users of earlier versions rated it highly for its sound and modulation, with the built-in effects the most common complaint.

KVR users rated it 4 out of 5 from 3 reviews (2013 to 2015, earlier Legacy versions). One called it a "hidden gem and a hell of a good deal"; another praised its "true polyphony and an awesome mod matrix."
Criticisms: one KVR user found the built-in effects mediocre and preferred third-party ones; another found the interface contrast and fonts hard to read and the signal flow unclear. Both predate the current V2 with its high-resolution interface and new effects.