Why stick with a vintage-style monosynth in a world full of high-poly, hybrid power synths?
It’s the best plugin for bass sounds, hands down. It sounds incredibly analog and already sounds fantastic without any processing. Simplicity’s underrated. With Monark, there aren’t a million things going on – you just get straight to the sound. It’s warm, it’s punchy, and you can actually feel it. It’s like an old cassette player: not perfect, but that’s the point.
I also think creative limitation is a huge asset. When you strip away the clutter of endless features, you start paying more attention to performance and tone. That’s where Monark shines because you get into the feel of the patch, the interaction between the oscillator and the filter, the way it reacts to velocity. It brings you closer to the core of the sound.
Pro tip from Rob Tirea: Shape with Envelopes Like an Instrumentalist. Dial in envelopes with intent, like a bowed string or a breathy horn. Use a slow attack + long decay for expressive leads. For plucks or percussive synths, go with short attack and decay, and adjust the Sustain carefully – think of it like controlling a pick or a pluck.
