Trend price : 300-400€
Modern remake of the famous classic MS-20 from 1978 scaled at 86% size, keeping analog circuits with SMD technology and adding some facilities like USB port and Midi interface.
Overview
KEYBOARD (weight: 5 Kg) 37 non-standard keys, no velocity. Main panel features 38 (a bit flimsy) knobs, 35 patch connections with some hardwired sections.
On the left side:
-
a modulation wheel generating +/-5 voltage
-
button switch for trigger or re-triggering some synthesis functions (generally modulation) on main patch panel
Voice
subtractive synthesis generates 1 voice. A voice in composed by 2 oscillators named VCO1 and VCO2 that can be mixed to another white noise generator (must be patched)
Oscillator
-VCO1: tri /saw / noise / pulse (variable)
-VCO2:
saw/ sqr / 25 % pulse / ring mod
Filter
multimode VCF with 2 serial filters:
- highpass 2-pole slopes
-
lowpass 2-pole slopes
LFO
single modulator MG with progressive waveform from rectangular to triangular. LFO modulates 3 destinations at the same time:
-
VCF LP cutoff
-
VCF HP cutoff
-
VCO1 & VCO2 pitch
Envelope
- EG1: 3 stages ADR
- EG2: 5 stages ADSHR - Hold keeps sustain before release segment
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 Ms-03) and a pitch-to voltage tracker generator.
MIDI / USB
both interface manage only Note ON/OFF messages
Audio demo:
Video Clip:
Review
OK: ms20 related / affordable
NOT : flimsy built / limited Midi-Usb / minikeys
"A nice remake, but Korg could make some more interesting upgrade with Midi (and maybe a bit less flimsy). Compared to original MS20 it is more straight with less drift but it is close. "
Text , review, special demos copyright polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci