Tap into the Epic Synth Sounds of the ’80s
By the dawn of the 1980s, analog synthesis had matured to a level of sophistication that nascent digital technology could scarcely hope to match. In the feverish musical creativity of early ’80s, the clangorous sounds of early digital synths were offset by the supremely lush sounds of a new crop of analog synthesizers, both joining forces to spearhead the synth pop insurgency of the coming decade. One such analog synth, the MonoPoly, made its debut in 1981. Equipped with no less than four oscillators (each with multiple waveforms), the MonoPoly was capable of insanely fat sounds and prodigious bass that could blow holes through walls. As good as it was, it was, curiously, only on the market for three years. Today, vintage MonoPolys are quite rare — and rather pricey even if you can find one. But fret not! Sweetwater is proud to present the Behringer MonoPoly, a meticulous reimagining of the coveted beast, seamlessly infused with modern features and reliability.
Related Videos: MonoPoly 4-voice Analog Synthesizer
Four oscillators for insanely fat sounds
The impossibly rich sound of the Behringer MonoPoly is a function of its four true-to-the-original voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs). While many ’70s synths sported two VCOs, having access to three was considered a luxury. The ability to sync and subtly detune oscillators so that they “rubbed” against each other are cornerstone synthesis techniques; having four VCOs to deploy gives you a formidable sonic arsenal to forge a broad range of unique signature sounds.
Vintage authenticity
The Behringer MonoPoly’s pure analog signal path is based on the authentic MonoPoly circuitry as well as other exceptional VCO, VCF (voltage-controlled filter), and VCA (voltage-controlled amplifier) designs from the 1980s. These are the sounds that drove iconic hit records from artists such as Depeche Mode and Vince Clarke. Today, the sounds of the ’80s are alive and well in the Behringer MonoPoly. And they can be yours for a song!
Mono or 4-voice paraphonic
Another singular feature of the Behringer MonoPoly — again, faithful to the original — is its ability to split its four voices. The MonoPoly’s variable architecture allows you to use it in either monophonic or 4-voice “Poly” (paraphonic) mode, in which the four oscillators are allocated to individual notes that are then summed to a shared monophonic signal path. In practice, this gives you a huge amount of musical flexibility. From fat basses and searing leads to jazzy chord voicings, MonoPoly has you covered.
Loaded for bear
But there’s more! In addition to its four VCOs, MonoPoly is also outfitted with a classic VCF, two LFOs (low-frequency oscillators), two envelopes, sync and cross modulation, and an arpeggiator. It’s all wrapped up in a roadworthy, vintage-inspired chassis with a control panel you can angle to taste, satisfying knobularity for real-time, hands-on tweakery, 37 great-feeling keys, exhaustive professional I/O, and prototypical wooden end caps. Get your hands on the Behringer MonoPoly. Trust us: you won’t want to let go!
Behringer MonoPoly 4-voice Analog Synthesizer Features:
- Modern reimagining of a legendary ’80s synth
- Mono and 4-voice paraphonic modes
- Variable-angle control panel
- 37 semi-weighted, full-sized keys
- 4 VCOs, each with 4 selectable waveforms
- VCF, 2 LFOs, 2 envelopes, sync and cross modulation
- Full-featured arpeggiator
- MIDI in/out/thru (5-pin DIN)
- USB (Type B) MIDI
- Main output: 1/4-inch TS, unbalanced
- Headphones: 1/4-inch TRS, stereo
- External control inputs: Arpeggiator Sync in, Portamento, VCF cutoff freq mod, VCO freq mod, Trigger in, Trigger in
- Internal control outputs: Trigger out, CV out, Switch
