KORG MS-20-Mini Monophonic Analog Synthesizer

Korg’s MS-20 monophonic synthesizer, first introduced in 1978, is still a coveted instrument to this day, thanks to its thick, robust sound, its powerful, iconic analog filter, and its versatile patching options. Today, the sounds of the MS-20 have been reborn as the MS-20 Mini. The same engineers who developed the original MS-20 have perfectly reproduced its circuitry and fitted it into a body that’s been shrunk to 86% of the original size, yet retains the distinctive look of the original that remains unfaded despite the passage of time.

Highlights:

• A complete replication of the original analog circuitry
• Faithful recreation of the MS20 at 86% of the size
• MIDI IN and USB connector
• Replicates every detail of the original, down to the package binding and the included manual
The MS-20 mini painstakingly replicates the original MS-20. A development team led by the original engineers themselves worked to recreate the original circuitry, and when it was necessary to substitute a part, these engineers made the decisions based on careful listening, in order to reproduce the original sound faithfully.In fact, the sound of the MS-20 mini has a somewhat bright and extreme quality to it because its sound is that of an original MS-20 in mint condition at the time it went on sale, before any of the components aged.

2VCO / 2VCF / 2VCA / 2EG / 1LFO structure: The MS-20 mini reproduces the distinctive synthesis of the MS-20; two oscillators with ring modulation, and envelope generators with hold and delay. The VCA maintains the basic design of the original, but it’s been modified to produce less noise than the original.

Self-oscillating high-pass/low-pass filters with distinctive distortion: One of the greatest characteristics of the MS-20 was its powerful filters, which provided resonance on both the high-pass and the low-pass. Maximizing the resonance would cause the filter to self-oscillate like an oscillator, producing a distinctive and dramatic tonal change that was acclaimed as inimitable, and was later used on the monotron and monotribe. The filter circuit was changed mid-way through the production lifecycle of the MS-20; the MS-20 mini uses the earlier filter, which was felt to be superior due to its more radical sound.

The patching system provided to the right of the panel lets you create complex sounds by plugging-in cables to change the connections between the various units. The possibilities are limited only by the user's imagination; different combinations of the modulation input/output and trigger, sample and hold, and noise generator can produce an incredible variety of sounds. By patching according to the MS-20 flow chart that’s printed on the panel, even the beginner can start taking advantage of these possibilities right away.

Replicates every details of the original: Our effort to remain faithful to the original is not limited to the unit itself. Even the package that contains the unit replicates the original as far as possible. Also included are the original MS-20 owner's manual and settings chart, explaining how to create sounds. Now you can experience the excitement of the MS20, just like it was during its original release in 1978.

MIDI IN connector and USB connectorThe MS-20 mini provides a MIDI IN jack for receiving note messages, and a USB-MIDI connector that can transmit and receive note messages. You can even connect the MS20 mini to your computer and play it from a sequencer.

Specifications

• Keyboard: C – C: 37-notes (3 octaves), mini keyboard designed specifically for the MS-20 mini
• Voltage Controlled Oscillator 1 (VCO 1): Scale (32', 16', 8', 4') (6 octaves, +cent, -cent), Wave form (Triangle, Sawtooth, PW-Square, White Noise) (4 modes), Pulse width adjust 1:1 - 1:infinity
• Voltage Controlled Oscillator 2 (VCO 2): Scale (16', 8', 4', 2') (6 octaves, +cent, -cent), Wave form (Sawtooth, Square, Pulse, Ring modulator) (4 modes), Pitch (± 1 octave)
• Voltage Controlled High Pass Filter (VCF HPF): Cutoff frequency (50Hz - 15,000Hz), Peak (flat - self OSC), Cutoff frequency modulation intensity by MG/T.EXT (-5V - +5V), Cutoff frequency modulation intensity by EG2/EXT (-5V - +5V)
• Voltage Controlled Low Pass Filter (VCF LPF): Cutoff frequency (50Hz - 15,000Hz), Peak (flat - self OSC), Cutoff frequency modulation intensity by MG/T.EXT (-5V - +5V), Cutoff frequency modulation intensity by EG2/EXT (-5V - +5V)
• Envelope Generator 1: Delay time (10sec), Attack time (10sec), Release time (10sec)
• Envelope Generator 2: Hold time (20sec), Attack time (10sec), Decay time (10sec), Sustain level (0V - 5V), Release time (10sec)
• Modulation Generator (LFO): Wave form (Positive Sawtooth - Triangle - Negative Sawtooth, Wide Pulse - Square - Narrow Pulse), Frequency (0.1Hz - 20Hz)
• Manual controller: Control wheel (center click), Momentary switch -->GND
• Signal out: Signal output (mono 1/8" mini phone jack, 2Vp-p output impedance 3.5k Ω)
• Head phones: Head phones output (Stereo 1/8" mini phone jack, 33 Ω 48mW)
• USB:Type B, USB-MIDI Input/Output
• *Only note messages (velocity is not used) can be transmitted and received.
• MIDI: MIDI Input. Only note messages (velocity is not used) can be transmitted and received.
• Power Supply: DC9V
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 493 ×257 ×208 mm / 19.41 x 10.12 x 8.19 inches
• Weight: 4.8 kg / 10.58 lbs.
• Accessories: AC adaptor (9V/1.7A), Patch Cord x 10