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I think you're missing the point of what Teenage Engineering is trying to do. For as simple as the Korg Vulca series is, it's still an synthesizer first. You ne

I think you're missing the point of what Teenage Engineering is trying to do. For as simple as the Korg Vulca series is, it's still an synthesizer first. You need to have some familiarity with electronic instruments to understand the controls of the Monotron that you mention: Pitch Rate Int. Cutoff Peak Compare that to the controls on the Pocket Operator: Sound Pattern BPM FX Play Write If you were handed one of these with no experience making music, which one would you be more likely to get started with? Heck, the Pocket Operator even has cute animations that go with your beats! I have tremendous respect for Korg, but I think Teenage Engineering is prioritizing fun and accessibility in a way that I haven't seen in my 30 years of making music. This may be a fluff PR piece, but I think they deserve a ton of credit for making something as intimidating as electronic instruments so downright fun and adorable.

jdietrich 7y ago
If you play with a Monotron, you very quickly learn what those five knobs do. You might not understand on an intellectual level what terms like "LFO rate" and "VCF cutoff" mean, but you develop an intuitive understanding of what they do to the sound. If you then go out and buy a Volca Keys or a Minilogue or pretty much any subtractive synthesiser, you already know how to use several of the most important controls. If you play with a Pocket Operator, you don't learn very much of anything except how to use that particular Pocket Operator; the interface is too idiosyncratic, the details of the synth engine too effectively concealed.
- meowface 7y ago
  >If you play with a Pocket Operator, you don't learn very much of anything except how to use that particular Pocket Operator; the interface is too idiosyncratic, the details of the synth engine too effectively concealed. For me, that's the fun part. I like traditional subtractive synthesis, too, but there are many ways to implement synthesizers, and there's no reason they all have to follow the same standards.
fao_ 7y ago
> I think you're missing the point of what Teenage Engineering is trying to do. I think you're missing the parent's point that this is primarily a marketing piece for a company.
Roboprog 7y ago
> prioritizing fun I guess that explains the Rick and Morty sampler they were promoting on YouTube recently
ddingus 7y ago
All it takes with the KORG is for one to play. All else follows fairly naturally. And there is a bonus! KORG does introduce one technically, and correctly with the words and concepts of record. That KORG experience adds up. People who explored their fun toys, who happen to encounter a bigger device will find things familiar. These devices are cool, don't get me wrong, but the people talking KORG up as being early leaders here have a very solid case. This is a great follow on, and a bit different approach. Fine. To me, anything in this direction is awesome. Sound is fun. Music is fun. Play! (We probably live longer when we do.)

jdietrich 7y ago

If you play with a Monotron, you very quickly learn what those five knobs do. You might not understand on an intellectual level what terms like "LFO rate" and "VCF cutoff" mean, but you develop an intuitive understanding of what they do to the sound. If you then go out and buy a Volca Keys or a Minilogue or pretty much any subtractive synthesiser, you already know how to use several of the most important controls. If you play with a Pocket Operator, you don't learn very much of anything except how to use that particular Pocket Operator; the interface is too idiosyncratic, the details of the synth engine too effectively concealed.

meowface 7y ago
>If you play with a Pocket Operator, you don't learn very much of anything except how to use that particular Pocket Operator; the interface is too idiosyncratic, the details of the synth engine too effectively concealed. For me, that's the fun part. I like traditional subtractive synthesis, too, but there are many ways to implement synthesizers, and there's no reason they all have to follow the same standards.

fao_ 7y ago

> I think you're missing the point of what Teenage Engineering is trying to do. I think you're missing the parent's point that this is primarily a marketing piece for a company.

Roboprog 7y ago

> prioritizing fun I guess that explains the Rick and Morty sampler they were promoting on YouTube recently

ddingus 7y ago

All it takes with the KORG is for one to play. All else follows fairly naturally. And there is a bonus! KORG does introduce one technically, and correctly with the words and concepts of record. That KORG experience adds up. People who explored their fun toys, who happen to encounter a bigger device will find things familiar. These devices are cool, don't get me wrong, but the people talking KORG up as being early leaders here have a very solid case. This is a great follow on, and a bit different approach. Fine. To me, anything in this direction is awesome. Sound is fun. Music is fun. Play! (We probably live longer when we do.)