MonoChord 1.4
Key Features
- Three low-aliasing oscillators with foldback distortion waveshaping and FM modulation on oscillators 2 and 3 for rich harmonic content
- Two filters modeled on four classic analog circuits — Moog ladder, Diode, Oberheim SEM, and Korg K35 — for authentic vintage character
- Programmable triad chord maker that transforms single notes into major, minor, diminished, or augmented chord hits instantly
- Modulation matrix with two LFOs and two envelopes routable to any parameter for deep, flexible sound design
- Built-in delay effect for adding space and rhythmic interest without leaving the plugin
- Oscillator scope display (added in v1.4) for real-time visual feedback of waveform shaping and FM interactions
Description
MonoChord 1.4 by MAEA is a virtual analog synthesizer built around three low-aliasing oscillators, FM synthesis, and a programmable triad chord maker. It delivers fat bass lines, acid sequences, chord stabs, and experimental sound effects from a single monophonic engine.
The synth features two high-quality filters modeled on four classic analog designs: Moog-style ladder (MG), Diode, Oberheim SEM, and Korg K35. Each oscillator includes foldback distortion waveshaping, and oscillators 2 and 3 support FM modulation for metallic timbres and evolving textures.
A built-in modulation matrix connects two LFOs and two envelopes to virtually any parameter, giving you deep sound design control without external routing. The triad chord picker lets you program major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads directly, turning single notes into full chord hits.
Users praise MonoChord for its surprisingly thick sound and analog-like warmth, with one reviewer noting it rivals commercial synths for bass and chord patches. The interface is straightforward, though the green color scheme has drawn mixed opinions.
Version 1.4 adds a new oscillator scope display and a sawfold oscillator shape. The plugin runs as a VST on Windows 7-10 (32-bit and 64-bit) and macOS 10.9+ (VST only).
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Frequently Asked Questions
What filter models does MonoChord include?
MonoChord features two filters modeled on four classic analog designs: Moog-style ladder (MG), Diode, Oberheim SEM, and Korg K35. You can switch between these models to achieve different tonal characters, from squelchy acid resonance to smooth vintage warmth.
How does the triad chord maker work?
The triad chord picker lets you select a chord type (major, minor, diminished, or augmented) and automatically generates three-note chords from single key presses. This turns MonoChord's mono engine into a chord-capable synth without needing external MIDI processing.
Does MonoChord support AU or VST3 formats?
MonoChord is available as a VST plugin only. There is no AU, VST3, AAX, or CLAP version. macOS users need a DAW that supports the VST format to use this plugin.
Are the presets portable between systems?
MonoChord stores its preset bank in a shared system folder on Windows and macOS rather than alongside the plugin DLL. This means presets are not fully portable when moving the plugin between machines — you may need to reinstall or manually copy the preset folder.
