Woody Piano Shack vs. KORG Minilogue XD: Analog Grit Meets Digital Tricks

Woody wastes no time getting to the meat of the Minilogue XD – it’s not just another analog box. The big twist? That digital oscillator sitting alongside two VCOs, ready to throw your sound design into the future. You can even load your own algorithms, which is the sort of thing that makes modular heads drool and preset jockeys sweat.

This isn’t just a nod to modernity – it’s a full-on handshake. The XD’s hybrid engine means you’re not stuck in vintage territory. Woody points out you get a three-oscillator synth in a compact shell, and the digital side isn’t just a gimmick. For those who like to push boundaries or just want more than saws and squares, this is a street weapon with extra ammo.

Woody’s hands-on verdict? This thing is built like a synth should be – aluminium front panel, thick plastic chassis, and controls that feel like they’ll outlast your next three bands. The knobs and switches are proper quality, and the mini keys, while not everyone’s cup of tea, get a surprising thumbs-up for playability.

The control panel is a one-to-one dream: every function gets its own knob or switch. Woody does mention the all-black knobs can get confusing mid-performance, so he’s hacked on some colour for practicality. Ugly? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely. Korg even remembered to add white markers on the knobs, which is more than you get on the original Minilogue. This is a synth you can actually play live without squinting or swearing.

Here’s where Woody drops the hammer: four-note polyphony just isn’t enough for proper performance. He’s not shy about it – if you’re holding a bass note and three up top, you’re already maxed out. Try anything fancier and you’ll feel the walls closing in. For anyone raised on Juno 6s or Prophet 5s, four voices feels like a step backwards, not forwards.

Woody demonstrates how sustained notes get cut off, especially with long releases. Even with effects masking some of the gaps, it’s a deal breaker for him. He’s clear: in 2024, we deserve more than four voices on a poly analog, even at this price. If you’re a chord monster or like lush pads, prepare for frustration. For riffers and mono-line warriors, it might just scrape by.

Now for the bit that really makes the XD pop: onboard digital effects. Woody’s all over the reverb, delay, and chorus, and you can run them all at once. The algorithms are flexible, the sound is lush, and it’s a massive leap from the original’s simple analog delay.

He does note that the digital effects shift the XD’s vibe from retro analog to something more modern and polished. If you want your synth to sound like it’s been dipped in a vat of 80s nostalgia, you might miss the rawness. But for everyone else, these effects are a killer feature. Want to hear how they actually sound? You’ll need to watch the video – words won’t do that shimmer justice.