Korg MS-20 (1978)

MS -Monophonic Synthesizer- a synthesizer family born just after the famous PS Polyphonic Synthesizer production.

Snubbed for years, the Ms20 has been re-appreciated for its harsh unpredictable characters and pretty interesting signal patchbay acting like a portable modular.

KEYBOARD 37 keys, no velocity.
Main panel features 38 knobs, 35 patch-connections with hardwired signal paths.


On the left side:
- an assignable modulation wheel generates +/-5V
- Momentary switch button: triggers some synthesis functions (generally for modulation) on main patch panel.

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 resonant serial filters:
- highpass 1-pole slope
- 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).
TECH: two different ms20 filter versions: Korg IC35 or OTA with board LM13600.

 

 

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:
- VCF LP cutoff
- VCF HP cutoff
- VCO1 & VCO2 pitch.
Special SAMPLE and HOLD section for random or stepped modulations but 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 some handy functions:
- 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 :

PEDALS for MS series: MS-01: simple voltage controller with lag MS-04: like MS-01 but with more functions and modulation LFO VIDEO INTERFACES for MS series: MS-02 converts tension between V/oct and HZ/V MS-03: external signal processor VIDEO Ms-10 little brother with 1 VCO but neat CV control on pulse width, however the MS20 can be modded for this. VIDEO MS-50 basically a MS-10 with totally open structure with a LOT of extra patching routing Input/output. VIDEO SQ-10 dedicated MS sequencer: 3 X 12 steps. VIDEO An economic remake has been made in 2015: the SQ1 VIDEO VC-10 a vocoder with some CV interaction with MS family. Sounds like a big juicy frog! VIDEO MINI MS-20 a 2013 SMD remake from 2013, also a special 1:1 version MS-20 Kit and al module version MS20M. MS20 VS MINI MS20 COMPARISON TEST SPECIAL MS-20 BLACKBOARD EDITION: a special huge Ms20 version for synthesis learning purposes, it is almost impossible find (it seems to be around 40 produced) but it has the same specs. Only worth only if you are a rich collector because it is pretty awkward to use. USB LEGACY CONTROLLER an usb controller for vst legacy plugin, it does not generate any sounds The MS filter has been cloned many times, in particular in a wonderful filter box Frostwave Resonator or modular Befaco MS-20, doepfer A-106-1,

 

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

name price link demo KORG LEGACY collection virtual VST plugin, along with: -M1 -Polisyx -Monopoly -Wavestation Commercial VST audioanimals Free sample pack (requires registration) N/A Liveschool Free sample pack (requires registration) N/A universal soundbank free sample pack N/A

 

AUDIO DEMO

sequence: overdub MS20 sequence: overdub MS20* sequence: MS20 + drum samples 1 sequence: MS20 + drum samples 2 sequence: MS20 + drum samples 3 sequence: MS20 + drum samples 4 sequence: MS20 + drum samples 5 sequence: MS20 + drum samples 6 sequence: MS20 + drum samples 7 Synth 1 Synth 2 Synth 3 Synth 4 Synth 5 various FX 1 various FX 2 various FX 3

various FX 4 various FX 5 various FX 6   XP: oscillator 1 waves XP: oscillator 2 waves XP: oscillator 1 noise + filter XP: oscillator 1 pulse width range XP: patchbay white and pink noise + VCF XP: portamento test XP: oscillator 2 ringmodulator XP: all LFO + frequency range XP: sample and hold test 1 XP: sample and hold test 2 XP: filtering external loop XP: filtering external voice with LFO XP: ESP EG follower

* sent by andy matic

 

Soundcloud Ms-20

 

VIDEO CLIP SELECTION ESP DEMO Sounds test

 

 

Mimì the synthcat with Korg Ms20

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AUDIO TEST MS20 VS MINI MS20 COMPARISON