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Korg MS20 Mini Semi-Modular Analog Synthesizer (MS20MINI), MultiColored, M

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$609.84

$ 99 .00 $99.00

In Stock

1.Color:Black


About this item

  • Self-oscillating high-pass/low-pass filters with distinctive distortion
  • External signal processor (ESP)
  • Flexible patching system
  • USB MIDI plus 5-pin MIDI
  • Voltage control oscillator is the source of all sound for the MS-20 synthesizer



Product Description

ms20

The original analog circuitry

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 faithfully reproducing the original sound. 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.

ms20
ms20

2VCO / 2VCF / 2VCA / 2EG / 1LFO structure

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.

External signal processor (ESP) for processing an external signal

The ESP carries on the experimental spirit of MS-20; it allows you to use the pitch or volume of an external audio source to control the synthesizer. For example you can input an electric guitar and use the MS-20 mini as a guitar synthesizer, or input a mic and use it as a vocal synthesizer.

ms20
ms20

Extremely flexible patching system

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. Possibilities are limited only by your 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, anyone can take advantage of these possibilities right away.

MIDI IN connector and USB connector

The 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.

ms20

Technical Specifications

Keyboard C – C: 37-notes (3 octaves), mini keyboard designed specifically for the MS-20 mini
Manual Controller Control wheel (center click); Momentary switch -->GND
Input and Output Signal In: Amplifier Out, Band pass filter Out, CV Out (0 - +8.4V), ENV Out (0 - +5V), Trig Out (+5V-->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 19.41" x 10.12" x 8.19"
Weight 10.58 lbs

nick
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2024
But the biggest flaw is the 3.5mm outputs over 1/4 in. They break really easy sooooooo be gentle.
Daniel Nuñez
Reviewed in Mexico on April 22, 2021
Totalmente recomendado supero mis espectativas. si estas pensando en introducirte al mundo de la sintesis esta es una gran opcion!
sebastian
Reviewed in Mexico on April 26, 2019
Un sintetizador único, perfecto para liberarse en cuanto a creatividad y llevar tu música a otro nivel auditivo.
al
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2018
Glad I got it. Wish the PWM was a little stronger. This synth model has a consistent hiss; turn your VCAs high. Once you start patching, you understand why so many people love this instrument. Already put a guitar through the filters; fantastic. Not much of a warm up needed to stay in tune; I checked the signal with a digital tuner. Pull the trigger and have some fun.
Eric Therrien
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2018
Killing zombies with a chainsaw in May, or leading them with a flute in December. Your choice with the Korg ms-20 mini. I can't say enough good things about this synth. A few people have complained about the build quality, but I think its really, really nice., excellent in fact. If you want a full size ms-20 with heavier duty pots, the full sized ms-20 kit is available for 800 dollars more. So either quit crying about minor things or fork up the extra 800. But in my mind you can't go wrong at all with this smaller version. And hey, a three year no-fault protection plan is available from square trade for 15 dollars at checkout, and they have an excellent rating. I purchased it, so I don't have to worry about letting my nephews borrow the synth and accidentally damage it in transport.Update 1/16/17. The first synth Amazon sent me was "open box" and had a blown patch panel. The second one was fine, but was again "open box". I don't feel I should have to pay "new" price and have something that is clearly used sent to me. Next time I purchase a musical instrument it will probably not be from Amazon because of this. They obviously can not be trusted to send a factory sealed item when that is what was paid for, and they did it twice in row; even after I complained and sent the first one back.
Robin
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 6, 2016
This is an excellent little synth, remarkable for under £500. Most importantly, the sound's great. Like the original MS-20 it can be a little noisy with some patches but not enough to really be a problem. It's more than worth it for the sound of the filters. Unlike most synths of the type, it has resonant highpass and lowpass filters - get them both self-oscillating, apply modulation, and all manner of weirdness is possible. They're not polite filters, they screech, whine and protest and can sound etremely nasty and sleazy. Even without the patchbay, we have the filters; two oscillators (triangle, saw, square waves & white noise with two lots of frequency modulation available); VCO mixer; two envelope generators; LFO with continuously variable waveforms, portamento, etc.With the patchbay, it opens up even more. Oscillator 1 gives you a choice of triangle, saw, pulse and noise. But if you want, say, sawtooth waveforms from both oscillators you can also patch noise in from the patchbay. Plus you get a choice of white or pink noise. You can even patch the noise in via the external signal processor to let you control it's volume and tone. You can access the Sample and Hold, the pulse wave output from the LFO; or inverted envelopes from both Envelope generators. And you can patch your modulation sources to either, or both, filters - or use them for frequency modulation. And the patchbay is the only way you an access the mod wheel and momentary switch located to the left of the keyboard.Another level of performance comes if you connect external units - maybe a sequencer. Via MIDI you can only transmit Note messages, whereas I'm using mine with a Beatstep Pro sequencer, sending CV & Gate for each note to the MS-20's Oscillator CV & Trigger in; but also routing the note's velocity to the filter cutoff frequency so I can accentuate certain notes and give my arpeggios a bit of extra "bounce". I can also route external audio through the MS-20 via the external input - or route the synth's own output in there(while using the headphone out as the "main" output) to overdrive the filters. You can also send seperate note CV to each oscillator - so it's not always strictly monophonic. It can't do everything - pulse width modulation is impossible without modifying the unit (or twiddling the pulse width control manually) - but it's astonishingly versatile for such a small and, seemingly, basic synth.At the price, this is a must-have analogue synth. The only real weakness compared to an original MS-20 is the 84% size keyboard - but if you're using a sequencer, or you connect any full size MIDI keyboard, that's not a problem. And I have fairly small hands, so I actually prefer the slightly smaller keyboard. There's a learning curve involved when you come to the patchbay, but it's not too steep and the sample patches in the manual make a good starting point. I had used Korg's plugin MS-20 on the PC for a couple of years, I loved the sounds but just used it by picking a preset that was close to what I wanted and tweaking it slighty. I didn't get into the patchbay at all. But after a couple of weeks of having the hardware version I was already feeling quite comfortable with the patch cables. Which makes it a great intro to modular synthesis too...
Canasanafranasan
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2016
--ShippingArrived on time. Amazon box ok but the korg box looked like it had been through a small war. Checked it out no visible damage though.--Past PlayingWell, I am a seasoned vet having at least 3 cheapie keyboards and 3 full size pianos through the ages, combined with grades 7-8 chorus class, relatives pianos and organs and the occasional bar piano jam sessions between bands playing here and in Puerta Adventura.Having given my last piano to a church in need, been missing playing awhile but downsize in home has a full size anything off my list. I also own 2 guitars and a few other small instruments, and also played bass n drums. For fun.Only band experience was guest singer in one bar band and backup singer in a garage band.--Playing and durability - first impressionswOw. I am surprised I have waited this long in life to get one. Granted, I still wanna get a regular keyboard and most likely a sequencer (unless they come out with an app, right?).I just tried normal, synth 4 then synth 3 to make sure it worked. And it does. It will definitely take getting used to hitting small keys and the polyphony of 1. But, I see the limitless possibilities and love it. I hooked to my guitar amp with the mono cord frequently purchased together listed. As the book and other reviewers state, with reasonable care you will get many years of use. Hopefully more than that. It does feel delicate and I definitely would use original box for transport. I ordered a microfiber cloth 20x40 to drape over once it makes its way to my office desk from the dining room table.If I were to take to a gig and not in original box I would get the poly cover and soft case, but they are proud of those. The action on the small keys feels nice for the size and described as springy.I am glad I bought it and would do it over again given the choice. I was debating between keyboard type and realized I want the three pieces, this one first. I will probably complement, so to say, with the SQ-1 and the Yahaha YPG-235. To me, there aren't any keyboards that can replicate a real piano, at least not in my price range with modern connections as well. And if your past the learning stage, I associate hitting keyboards to pianos as I do my my electric guitar to my acoustic. That said, hammer, semi- weighted, whatever, just make sure to get connectivity and enough polyphony.This MS20 is the absolute perfect complement to any aspiring human.If you read all the reviews like I did, just buy n enjoy it already.Thanks seller and Amazon for great fast service n price and thanks KORG for fantastic replication of your sound dinosaur it is much appreciated.Another good reason to not do yard work.
Bill Pen
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2015
I dont play this. I bought for for my son, at his request, as a Christmas gift. He is finishing his Master's degree in Music Composition and plans to start work on his PH.D. In the fall. He's a serious composer of "serious" music. He says this is "the real thing," (real analog sound, rather than digital sound) a wonderful tool, and he is using it to compose music. He says that this can only play one note at a time, so don't expect to play chords. Much better to buy this rather than an old one from e eighties, as this has the up to date connectivity you need.
Scott W Rogers
Reviewed in Canada on January 11, 2015
Fantastic synth. It's not as solidly build as I would prefer but I wont be touring with it any time soon so as long as I handle it carefully I'm sure it will last a long time. And I do wish it had full sized keys but I guess we can't have everything. What I do love is having a resonant high pas filter before the low pas filter. That allows you to get a lot of very unique sounds out of this synth. The ring modulator setting is very cool too. Very nice sounding synth at a great price, highly recommended!!
Y
Reviewed in Japan on June 20, 2013
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