The Korg MS-20 was introduced back in 1978 and is still a highly sought-after instrument thanks to its sound and powerful analog filters. The same engineers who developed the original MS-20 have now succeeded in recreating the circuitry in a body that is approximately 86% of the original size but with the MS-20's characteristic look and sound retained. You recognize the design and all the knobs and parameters are there. The MS-20 has been reborn as the MS-20 mini.
The MS-20 mini reproduces the distinctive synthesis of the MS-20 with two oscillators with ring modulation and envelope generators with hold and delay.” The VCA' has the original design but has been modified to produce less noise than the original.
One of the greatest features of the MS-20 was its powerful filter. The filter circuit was changed midway through the MS-20's production life cycle and the MS-20 mini uses the earlier filter, which was considered superior due to its more radical sound.
A more experimental side of the MS-20 mini is the External Signal Processor (ESP). Here you can use pitch and volume from an external audio source to control the synth. For example, you can plug in an electric guitar and use the MS-20 mini as a guitar synthesizer, or plug in a microphone and control the MS-20 mini with your voice.
With the Patch system on the right of the front, you can create very complex sounds by connecting cables to change the connections between the different parts of the MS-20 mini. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination as different combinations can produce an incredible variety of sounds. With the flow chart printed on the MS-20 mini, even the novice can start using these capabilities right away.
Korg's quest to be faithful to the original has not been limited to the synth itself. Even the packaging that the MS-20 mini comes in replicates the original as far as possible. Also included is the original MS-20 owner's manual and setup diagrams that explain how to create sounds just like when the MS-20 was launched in 1978.
Now the developers have also added MIDI-in and USB-MIDI to better use and connect the MS-20 mini to today's data-based music equipment.
Comments from the developers:
"Fifty years have passed since Korg was founded. Now we've once again got our hands on an analog synthesizer. We've taken great care to recreate the original specifications that are distinctive to analog synthesizers and the MS-20. The analog circuits that we developed 35 years ago still deliver the same unbeatable powerful sound."
- Keyboard: 37-key (3 octaves), mini keyboard designed specifically for the MS-20 mini
- 1/8" mono audio output and 1/8" stereo headphone output
- USB-MIDI In/out type B and MIDI-in for note information
- Power adapter DC9V/1.7A included and 10 patch cables
- Dimensions and weight: 493 ×257 ×208 mm. 4.8 kg