Korg outs $500 Minilogue analog synthesizer ahead of NAMM

NAMM doesn't start until next week, but that's not keeping Korg from announcing new gear ahead of the show. The pro audio company usually reveals a new synth at the winter soirée, and it looks like this year will be no different. The newest installment is the Minilogue: a polyphonic analog synthesizer with a mighty tempting price. At $500, the instrument offers a truckload of great features at the price of typically reserved for digital synths.

The four-voice synthesizer has a Voice Mode that allows you to select how to employ them. You can choose from eight modes total, including polyphonic, duophonic, unison, mono and one-note chords. There's also a real-time oscilloscope display for some visual feedback as you build your sounds.

A 16-step sequencer, 37 velocity-sensitive keys, arpeggiator, tape-style delay and enough storage for 200 presets is all on board as well. In addition to the usual MIDI connections, there's a dedicated sync connector to link up with other Korg gear. The Minilogue looks great too, with an aluminum top panel, wood back and rubber knobs to complete the aesthetic.

"The concept of the Minilogue was to build an analog synthesizer that doesn't rely on the fame and success of an old synth," said Korg's chief analog engineer Tatsuya Takahashi. The company had been on a kick of reviving classic gear, bringing back the MS-20 (in compact form) and the ARP Odyssey in recent years.

The Korg Minilogue is scheduled to hit music retailers soon. In fact, it's set to ship in about a week. If you've got any cash left over from those Christmas cards, there are worse ways you could spend it. Have a listen for yourself down below.