MONARK Explained®
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5:53 Introduction & Snapshots
MONARK is an ensemble for Reaktor 5 which functions as a monophonic subtractive synthesizer. It's a lovingly reconstructed emulation of the classic Minimoog analog synth and is a great addition to your arsenal of sounds. In this video Al offers a brief introduction to MONARK and also demonstrates using Reaktor's browser to load 'snapshots'.
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2:43 Overview
In this video aL provideS a brief overview of MONARKS's two main views; the A view where MONARK's Control, Oscillators, Mixer and Filter & Amp sections can be found and the B view in which you are offered some fine tuning controls for determining how MONARK functions.
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13:00 The Oscillators & Mixer Sections
In this video Al briefly explainS the principle behind subtractive synthesis before going on to expound on the Oscillators and Mixer sections. MONARK has three oscillators, each offering a choice of six different waveforms. The fist two oscillators can only be used to generate sound but with the third oscillator you have the choice either to use it as a sound source or a source of modulation. The mixer section is where you can route the oscillators through to the filter and mix the balance of the oscillators. The mixer section also houses a noise generator (capable of producing either white or pink noise) as well as a knob to dial in feedback.
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14:14 The Filter & Amp Section
The Filter & Amp section houses an amplitude envelope and a self oscillating envelope controlled filter with three different low pass modes and one band pass mode. In this video Al demonstrates how you can use both the filter and the amplitude envelope to further shape your sounds. Al also demonstrates how the self oscillating nature of the filter means you can actually use resonance to generate a sine wave and use keyboard tracking to play our filter like an oscillator.
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11:44 The Control Section
In this video Al expounds the Control section which houses some of MONARK's important global parameters such as glide and global tuning. Al also demonstrates how you can use oscillator 3 as a modulation source to modulate the frequency of oscillator's 1 and 2 and that of the filter cutoff.
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17:06 The B View
MONARK's B view gives you a whole range of fine tuning parameters that you can use to specify how MONARK behaves. In this video Al goes through each parameters and shows you how it effects your sound.
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13:40 Sound Examples Part 1
Al has put together a little electro track in Ableton Live as a demonstration of how versatile MONARK can be. With the exception of the drum track, every sound in this song is made using MONARK and there are seven distinct parts; A brassy bass pad, a staccato arp lead, a synth-strings harmony, a pulsing bass line, a funky vibrato lead synth, and two distinct FX stings. Over the next two videos Al goes through all these parts one by one and demonstrate how to make them using MONARK.
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14:05 Sound Examples Part 2
Al continues his demonstration of the parts of his demo track and how they were created.
Product Overview
Do you use REAKTOR 5's ensemble MONARK in your productions? Groove 3 resident trainer Al Swettenham is here to show you the ins & outs of this monophonic subtractive synthesizer, as well as how to use it creatively.
Al begins with an overview of MONARK's two main views and an introduction to Snapshots. Next, Al discusses MONARK's 3 oscillators and the powerful mixer section. Continuing on, Al gives a look at the Filter and Amp sections, and then digs into the Control section and demonstrates using oscillator 3 as a modulation source
Next, Al takes an in-depth look at the B View, discussing each parameter and how it effects your sound. Finally, Al uses a track he put together that's full of sounds created in MONARK, to demonstrate the amazing versatility of this synth. He goes through all seven parts, recreating each sound from scratch so you see how they were made..
If you're looking to get up and running with MONARK fast, Al shows you how... Watch "MONARK Explained" today.
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Reviews
Submitted 2 months ago
Very Nice, I learned a lot, probably everything you need to know
I enjoy how each step is shown in detail, and the sounds are developed fresh from Init each time. He makes a change and shows how it sounds, and I follow along on my own synth, pausing now and then to fully understand the new things. I liked how he put it all together at the end in a multitrack song all using Monark. It was masterful.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Professional, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, FL Studio, Pro Tools
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 months ago
Excellent overview, very helpful!
Excellent overview of every UI element of Monark, including a demo song and demonstration of dialling in each sound used. Now I'm off to the races!
I am a: Hobbyist, Producer, Beat Maker, Sound Designer, FL Studio
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 8 months ago
Great explanation of this synth!
Easy to understand tutorial with good examples at the end.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 10 months ago
Great Video
Good explanations and a good look into sound design towards the end using the monark synth
I am a: Beginner
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
Best Monark tutorial I have found
This is quite good tbh. One complaint though, Sound from vst were too loud compared to instructor voice. Other than that, top notch value
I am a: Hobbyist, Producer, FL Studio, Reaper
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
Very well explained.
I've already seen previous videos from this instructor and this one is as helpful and well explained as the others. He takes time. Great.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Cubase
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
Well-paced overview
A pretty thorough introduction to Monark, covering subtractive synth in general and some of the specific Minimoog emulations. I particularly liked how, unlike some other videos on this site, it went beyond describing the UI and also covered how to create various sounds with Monark. I feel that I've got a good handle on it now.
I am a: Hobbyist, Producer, Ableton Live
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
A Lovin' Spoonfull
The sections of this course are very well structured, delivered with clarity and superbly demonstrated. Recommended!
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Beat Maker, FL Studio, Cakewalk Sonar, Reason
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Reviews
Submitted 2 months ago
Very Nice, I learned a lot, probably everything you need to know
I enjoy how each step is shown in detail, and the sounds are developed fresh from Init each time. He makes a change and shows how it sounds, and I follow along on my own synth, pausing now and then to fully understand the new things. I liked how he put it all together at the end in a multitrack song all using Monark. It was masterful.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Professional, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, FL Studio, Pro Tools
Submitted 3 months ago
Excellent overview, very helpful!
Excellent overview of every UI element of Monark, including a demo song and demonstration of dialling in each sound used. Now I'm off to the races!
I am a: Hobbyist, Producer, Beat Maker, Sound Designer, FL Studio
Submitted 8 months ago
Great explanation of this synth!
Easy to understand tutorial with good examples at the end.
Submitted 10 months ago
Great Video
Good explanations and a good look into sound design towards the end using the monark synth
I am a: Beginner
Submitted 1 year ago
Best Monark tutorial I have found
This is quite good tbh. One complaint though, Sound from vst were too loud compared to instructor voice. Other than that, top notch value
I am a: Hobbyist, Producer, FL Studio, Reaper
Submitted 1 year ago
Very well explained.
I've already seen previous videos from this instructor and this one is as helpful and well explained as the others. He takes time. Great.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Cubase
Submitted 1 year ago
Well-paced overview
A pretty thorough introduction to Monark, covering subtractive synth in general and some of the specific Minimoog emulations. I particularly liked how, unlike some other videos on this site, it went beyond describing the UI and also covered how to create various sounds with Monark. I feel that I've got a good handle on it now.
I am a: Hobbyist, Producer, Ableton Live
Submitted 2 years ago
A Lovin' Spoonfull
The sections of this course are very well structured, delivered with clarity and superbly demonstrated. Recommended!
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Beat Maker, FL Studio, Cakewalk Sonar, Reason
1. When did you start dabbling in music?
I've been dabbling in music for as long as I can remember in one way or another. As a toddler, my Dad used to sit me at the piano while he played and I'd just bash the keys! But it was in my early teens that I first started trying to write electronic music and learning to program MIDI. I wasn't great at it then but I really enjoyed it and I knew from then on that all I wanted to do was music. When I was 14 I made a CD of my own self made house tunes and persuaded them to sell it in my local record shop down the road. The tracks were pretty basic but I sold all 20 copies!
2. What training have you had?
I did an A-Level in Music Technology, it was pretty retro; we were recording onto analog tape with a Tascam MSR-16 and there were usually only about 8 or 9 channels on the 16 channel desk actually working at any given time! Then I did a BA (Hons) in Popular Music Production at the University of Huddersfield, they were a lot better equipped! I also spent a year working as a trainee studio engineer at ICC Studios, a great recording studio down on the south coast of England. That was really where I cut my teeth, learning to use with Pro-Tools and SADiE. It was hard work but also great fun. ICC was also where I learned the people skills necessary to be a studio engineer. Helping musicians feel comfortable and relaxed so they can give a great performance is a vital part of the job and those skills have come in very handy when working with vocalists on my own music.
3. When did you get into recording?
I first got into recording when I did my A-Level, before that I was really just making crude general midi tracks using a really basic version of Cubase called Cubasis AV. That was a really important step on the road to becoming a producer, before then I didn't really know how to use EQs and compressors effectively. Given that most of my experience up to that point had been teaching myself how to use various bits of software to write dance music, getting some proper training in micing up guitar cabs and drum kits, all using analogue equipment was really valuable.
4. People you have worked with/for?
I'm one third of Rebel Sonix, audio visual bass merchants based in Brixton, London. I joined after having done a few collabs and remixes with them over the last year. I've also worked with Adam Freeland, most notably on a dubstep remix of the James Bond theme for the launch of the videogame Goldeneye Reloaded. I've remixed several tracks by FeralisKinky, the UK's first ever white, female raga vocalist, and I remixed Delirious' last ever single before they broke up, which was a real honour since I remember going to their gigs as a teenager! Other artists I've worked with include Whiskey Pete, Adam Fielding, Steve Leach, Tom+Olly and You And What Army. I get approached quite a lot to do remixes and collabs and I try to do as much as I can, with the inevitable consequence that I'm always really busy!
5. Why are you so good at training people?
I've spent more than 10 years now learning about studio recording, computer composition and sound design and music production. As a producer I never stop learning because I'm always trying to improve my own production skills. I'm comfortable working in a diverse range of genres as well as a diverse range of software and plugins. I also believe I'm clear, concise and articulate (a trait I've absorbed via osmosis from my parents who are both teachers.) But most of all I'm really passionate about this stuff, music production is my life and when I discover something new I get really excited and want to tell people (just ask my wife!)
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tutorial videoMONARK Explained
Do you use REAKTOR 5's ensemble MONARK in your productions? Groove 3 resident trainer Al Swettenham is here to show you the ins & outs of this monophonic subtractive synthesizer, as well as how to use it creatively.
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