MonoKey is a free MIDI plugin designed to replicate fingered portamento effects commonly found in vintage synthesizers. Unlike basic portamento settings that apply a glide effect to every note, MonoKey activates portamento exclusively when notes overlap, creating a more natural and expressive playing style. This plugin achieves its effect by sending precise MIDI portamento on/off controller messages, allowing for nuanced control over glide transitions.

This plugin is especially useful for synthesizers that only offer a simple portamento switch without the ability to differentiate between single notes and overlapping notes. By using MonoKey, musicians can enjoy the characteristic sliding effect only when appropriate, mirroring the behavior of classic synths like the Roland Alpha Juno-1 and 2. For optimal performance, the synth should be set to monophonic or unison mode to ensure accurate portamento response.

MonoKey operates within the VST Module Architecture 1.0 and is compatible with Steinberg's Cubase SX and Nuendo. Installation is straightforward: simply place the .dll file into the sequencer’s Components folder, and the plugin is ready to enhance your MIDI setup. This lightweight tool offers an efficient way to add authentic portamento functionality to your digital instrument workflow.