Superbooth 23: Norand Mono Mk.2 Synthesizer
3,8 / 5,0 | 
A few short years after releasing the first iteration of their Mono synth, Norand rock up with a V2 and a raft of notable improvements.
I have a confession to make. When we received the press release from Norand in the office today, I had absolutely no idea who Norand were. Nor was I aware of their Mono synthesizer. As someone who prides themselves on having a good ear to the ground in the world of synthesizers, I have to hold my hands right up and say, “my bad!”. Even Jef, our resident guitar expert knew about it! Now you can understand my shame!
So, What Was The Mono?
Joking aside, I had to do some pretty rapid research on Norand and their Mono synth to assuage myself of my failings. Aiming to “bridge the gap between studio and live with feature rich, yet intuitive instruments”, the first iteration of the Mono seemed to be doing just that. I guess it is all too easy to draw comparisons with the 303. Lazy as that comparison might be, one might be forgiven for jumping to that conclusion. A 16 step sequencer, single octave, keyboard style buttons, pattern storage, multiple banks, big filter knobs. Yup, it’s ticking all the boxes. But look more closely and you will see there’s more to it.
Norand Mono Mk.2 · Source: Norand
The Mono Mk.2
And now, after working closely with the Mono user community, Norand have just announced the Mk.2. Comparing it to its predecessor, Norand seem to have paid a lot of attention to performance features. Gone are the Prophet 5-esque buttons and in comes an expressive “3D” keyboard. Sensors allow for an improved level of expression. Aftertouch, velocity, pitch bend and vertical modulation are all handled by these new keys. The same 3D sensors are now also employed in the sequencer and page buttons. This enables features such as live-playhead and pattern morphing.
The sequencer now gets 1024 PPQN resolution and there is a new custom soft overdrive on the all-analog signal path. Other features include an RGB LED, microSD storage, USB-C, USB Host mode and a machined aluminium body.
More Information
Mono Mk.2 debuts on May 10th and will be available at Norand’s stand at Superbooth 23 in Berlin. Check them out at booth 0246 in the Main Building. Get in the queue behind me as I make a point of playing with this thing and apologising profusely to the Norand team!
Mono Mk.2 will retail for €839.
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One response to “Superbooth 23: Norand Mono Mk.2 Synthesizer”
It’s a real shame that the Mono appears to have flown under the radar for many (myself included), it’s one of the most unique synths I’ve seen in years. The Mk.2 version looks like a substantial update in terms of new features, but I much prefer the design/aesthetics of the original unit.