KORG MINILOGUE XD & XDM Polyphonic Analogue Synthesizers

In 2016 Korg released the Minilogue, their first polyphonic analogue synth since the ‘80s. This compact four-voice synth won popularity thanks to sounding superb and being inexpensive. Two years later, Korg followed with their flagship analogue polysynths, the Prologue 8 and Prologue 16 with eight and 16 voices respectively. The Prologues introduced the concept of a ‘Multi Engine’: a third programmable digital oscillator open for third-party development, and they also had an Effects engine open for third-party development. The Minilogue xd harnesses the versatility of the Prologue’s Multi Engine and Effects engine, yet maintains the Minilogue form factor at a price that’s not too much more than the original.

The xd has inherited some of the cosmetics of the Prologue, with black knobs and a black faceplate, but maintains the unique curved form factor of the original Minilogue. As with its predecessor, the build quality is exceptional; the knobs are chassis-mounted and feel solid, providing high-resolution control of parameters where appropriate.

The OLED oscilloscope display, a hallmark of the original Minilogue, is now larger. The quirky diagonal performance lever from the original Minilogue has thankfully been retired and in its place is