KORG Minilogue XD Quickstart Guide

Hi there! This guide will walk you through the basics of the Minilogue XD. If you’re new to it, I hope you’ll find this helpful. We’ll start by loading some presets and exploring their sounds. Then, I’ll guide you through the sequencer, show you how to record with it, and explain the various controls section by section. Finally, I’ll experiment a bit and see what cool sounds we can create together. Let’s dive in!

Getting Started

The first step is turning it on. Locate the power switch at the back, hold it for a second, and the synth will power up. It automatically tunes itself at startup. While tuning, there’s a fun little game you can play, but once it’s done, you’re ready to go.

Exploring Presets

When the synth boots up, it loads the first preset. To browse through presets, use the program dial. Turn it to scroll through the library and listen to the variety of sounds. Here’s a quick demo:

Feel free to experiment with these sounds—twist the dials, tweak the settings, and explore.

Using the Sequencer

The Korg Minilogue XD comes with a built-in 16-step sequencer. The steps are represented by the buttons on the front panel, and most presets include pre-programmed sequences. To try it out:

1. Press

   Play

   to hear the sequence.

2. Adjust the

   Master Tempo

   to speed it up or slow it down. You can go up to 240 BPM!

3. Switch to different presets to hear their sequences.

Each step lights up when active. You can turn steps on or off by pressing the corresponding buttons, letting you perform live. If you turn all steps off, you can record your own sequence.

The sequencer makes it easy to get creative quickly.

Overview of the Front Panel

Once you’ve loaded a preset, you can start shaping its sound using the controls. Let’s go section by section, left to right.

• Master Volume

  : Controls overall output.

• Master Tempo

  : Sets the tempo for the sequencer.

• Octave

  : Adjusts the keyboard’s octave range.

• Portamento

  : Adds glide between notes.

• Voice Modes: Choose between different voice configurations:

  • Polyphonic

    : Play up to four notes at once.

  • Unison

    : Stacks all voices for a thicker, monophonic sound.

  • Chord

    : Plays chords with a single note.

  • Arpeggiator

    : Cycles through notes in a pattern.

Each mode has adjustable parameters using the Voice Depth dial. For example, the arpeggiator offers patterns like Rise, Fall, Random, etc.

Oscillators

The Korg Minilogue XD features two analog VCOs and one digital oscillator (multi-engine). Let’s break them down:

1. VCOs:

   • Waveforms: Saw, Triangle, and Square.

   • Shape Dial: Modify the waveform further.

   • Fine-Tuning: Adjust pitch by octaves.

2. Multi-Engine:

   • Offers noise, digital waveforms, and user-programmable oscillators.

You can sync oscillators for phase alignment, use Ring Modulation for metallic textures, or apply Cross Modulation for even more complexity.

Mixer and Filter

• Mixer

  : Balances levels of the three oscillators.

• Filter: A low-pass filter with:

  • Cutoff and Resonance controls.

  • Drive for extra grit.

  • Key Tracking to adjust filter behaviour across the keyboard.

Envelopes and LFO

• Envelopes:

  • ADSR for shaping amplitude.

  • A secondary envelope assignable to pitch or filter cutoff.

• LFO: Modulate pitch, shape, or cutoff with:

  • Multiple waveforms.

  • Modes like synced, free-run, or one-shot.

Effects

The Korg minilogue XD offers three effect categories: Delay, Reverb, and Modulation. Select an effect, adjust its depth, and explore options like Space Reverb or Phaser.

Creating a Patch

To make a custom sound, start with an init patch (usually at the beginning or end of the preset list). From there:

1. Adjust the

   Mixer

   to focus on one oscillator.

2. Select a waveform and tweak it with the Shape Dial.

3. Add modulation, noise, or effects to taste.

Recording Motion

You can also automate parameters using Motion Sequencing. For example:

1. Play a sequence and press

   Record

   .

2. Adjust a control (like resonance) during playback.

3. The movement is saved and plays back with the sequence.

You can record up to four automation lanes. Here’s a quick demo:

That’s it for this guide! The Korg minilogue XD is packed with features, and this is just scratching the surface. Have fun experimenting, and happy music-making!