Korg MS20 Mini Semi-Modular Analog Synthesizer

But the biggest flaw is the 3.5mm outputs over 1/4 in. They break really easy sooooooo be gentle.

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…

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.

Soy ecuatoriano y recomendado con total seguridad el korg para la comunidad latina que este interesado en el tienen el sonido bastante fiel al synth original y la calidad del producto no esta mal hay varias partes en Aluminio y plastico, y lo mejor es que no pesa mucho

Un sintetizador único, perfecto para liberarse en cuanto a creatividad y llevar tu música a otro nivel auditivo.

–Shipping
Arrived 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 Playing
Well, 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 impressions
wOw. 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 20×40 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.