Korg Mini Ms-20
Synthesizer (2013)

 

Modern remake of the famous classic Korg MS-20 from 1978 scaled at 86% size.

Mini MS20 keeps analog circuits with SMD technology and adding some facilities like USB port and Midi interface.

 

KEYBOARD 37 non-standard keys, no velocity. Main panel features 38 knobs, 35 patch connections (original replaced by 1.55mm) with some hardwired sections. On the left side:a modulation wheel generating +/-5 voltage and button switch for trigger or re-triggering some synthesis functions (generally modulation) on main patch panel

Power supply is a 9V external PSU - 1.7A - The MS-20 mini is automatically turned off if none of the following operations are performed for 4 hours.

 

VOICE subtractive synthesis generates 1 voice. A MS-20 voice is composed by 2 oscillators named VCO1 and VCO2 that can be mixed to another pink/white noise generator that must be patched into the signal path.

VCO1 VCO2 Volume yes yes Detune no +/-5 Octaves 32' 16' 8' 4 16' 8 ' 4' 2' shapes tri /saw / noise / pulse saw/ sqr / 25% pulse / ringmod Pulse width yes no

 

FILTER multimode VCF with 2 serial filters:
1- highpass 1-pole slope
2- lowpass 2-poles slope.
Both VCF offers independent resonance emphasis peak that reach self-oscillation with a resulting sinusoidal, in addition, filter cutoff can be also driven by patching CV section with CV IN VCF LP and CV IN VCF HP or Envelope 2 (EG2).

 

ENVELOPE there are 2 EGs :
- EG1: 3 stages ADR
- EG2: 5 stages ADSHR - "Hold" keeps sustain before release segment
ADSHR is also default EG for VCA (both OSC) amplitude, but you can also patch VCA initial gain with apposite CV patch and EG2 define also EG for both VCF Cutoff.





LFO single bipolar modulator MG with progressive waveform from rectangle to triangle.
LFO outputs 2 CV tensions with separate LFO triangle and rectangular (they do share same frequency) in addition is possible to use an external one with TOTAL IN CV, but REMEMBER: to activate use MG T/EXT and -NOT- EG/EXT. LFO modulates 3 destinations at the same time:
1- VCF LP cutoff
2- VCF HP cutoff
3- VCO1 & VCO2 pitch.
Special SAMPLE and HOLD section for random or stepped modulations: you have to patch it for yourself, usually plug white noise IN and do not forget S/H clock frequency or it will not work! LFO square clock CV out usually does the job.

PERFORMANCE:
- mastertune affects both VCOs
- portamento speed with variable time.
EXTERNAL PROCESS the ESP External Signal Processor processes external signal inputs can be filtered through the filter to a dedicated section complete with an envelope follower function (same featured in the optional module Korg Ms-03) and a pitch-to voltage tracker generator.
CV GATE many parameters can be controlled by external tensions (at Hz/V scale) including pitch VCO1-2 and filter1-2 cutoff.

 

RELATED MS20 FAMILY :

	KORG MS-20 the original version AUDIO TEST: MINI MS20 VS MS20
	MINI MS20 KIT (2014) it is a kind of IKEA mini MS20 at full 1:1 scale size VIDEO
	MS-20M kit with SQ1 (2015) A module version of Mini ms20 with new features liek sync osc, 1V/oct compatiblity, PWM. Optional SQ-1 is the tiny remake of classic SQ-10 big sequencer.VIDEO
	IMS-20 An APP for IPAD VIDEO
	USB LEGACY CONTROLLER an usb controller for vst legacy plugin, it does not generate any soundsVIDEO

 

 

VST PLUGIN / SAMPLED VERSION there are some free and commercial samples set:

	name	price	link	demo
	KORG LEGACY collection virtual VST plugin, along with: -Ms-20 -M1 -Polisyx -Monopoly -Wavestation	Commercial VST
	wave alchemy	Free sample pack from Mini (only drums)
	audioanimals	Free original MS20 sample pack (requires registration)		N/A
	Liveschool	Free original MS20 sample pack (requires registration)		N/A
	universal soundbank	Free original MS20 sample pack		N/A

 

AUDIO DEMO

demo with drums demo with drums 2 demo with drums 3 demo with drums 4 demo with drums 5 growl sound LFO test

filter test ring modulator pulse width change square bassline patching to modular modular play modular toying

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VIDEO CLIP SELECTION demo demo2 demo3