Korg MS-20 Mini Monophonic Analogue Synthesizer with 37 Keys (Black)

Overview:

The black MS-20 Mini from Korg is a fully functioning analog synthesizer featuring the circuitry of the iconic, late 1970’s MS-20 synthesizer, but shrunk to 86% of the original size. Its versatile patching options, analog filters, and the ability to process external signals makes this diminutive powerhouse very attractive to the analog synthesizer aficionado.

A development team led by the original engineers strove to painstakingly replicate the MS-20, both in sound and form. The sound comes from an architecture featuring two oscillators (one with ring modulation) and envelope generators with hold and delay. The VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier) maintains the basic design of the original, but has been modified to produce less noise.

High- and low-pass filters with resonance and distinctive distortion can deliver radical sounds when they are pushed into self-oscillation. Additionally, external sources such as an electric guitar or vocals can be used to control the synthesizer or have the source manipulated by the filters. A flexible hard-wire patching system provides nearly endless possibilities.

The synthesizer features a MIDI In jack for receiving note messages, and a USB-MIDI connector that can transmit and receive note messages (there is no velocity information). Connecting the unit to a computer allows it to be triggered from a sequencer.

Features:

• Miniaturized Replica of Original
• Flexible Patching System
• 2 Oscillators
• Ring Modulator on Oscillator 2
• Envelope Generators with Hold and Delay
• Self-Oscillating, High-/Low-Pass Filters
• External Signal Processing
• 37 Mini-Keys
• MIDI In and USB MIDI

More Features:

The classic MS-20 –recreated in mini size!
An analog synthesizer that reproduces the original circuitry from 1978

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.
Over 300,000 people have enjoyed the distinct MS-20 sounds from the original, from Korg’s MS-20 plug-in synth, and the iMS-20 iPad app.

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.
The MS-20 mini will amaze you with its absolutely authentic analog synth sound.

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 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.

86% of the original size

MS-20’s design concept started by borrowing from the vertical layout found on larger and more expensive modular synths of its time, and then creating a more portable, inexpensive, and easier to use version.
To make it even more approachable, the MS-20 mini has been shrunk to 86% of the size of the original MS-20. In spite of its smaller size, meticulous care has been taken to accurately reproduce the knob design and the printing. The patch cables have been changed from 1/4″ phone plugs to mini-plugs, and the newly-designed keyboard is also 86% of the original size.

Replicates every detail 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.