Korg MS-20 Mini Monophonic Analog Synthesizer - Nearly New

Full Description

Coveted by many for its powerful, iconic analog filter and versatile patching options, the original MS-20 sounds are replicated in the MS-20 mini.

Shrunk to 86 percent of the original's size, the mini retains a distinctive and well-loved look.

Complete replication of analog circuitry

Developed by a team led by the original engineers themselves, the MS-20 mini contains all the original circuitry in order to reproduce the original sound faithfully. The sound of the 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.

The MS-20 reproduces the distinctive synthesis of the MS-20, two oscillators with ring modulation and envelope generators with hold and delay. The VCA maintains the basic design of the original, but it's been modified to produce less noise.

Self-oscillating filters with distinctive distortion

Powerful filters were one of the greatest characteristics of the MS-20, providing resonance on both the high and low-pass. Maximising the resonance would cause the filter to self-oscillate, which produced the distinctive and dramatic tonal change the MS-20 was known so well for. The MS-20 mini uses the earlier MS-20 filter, before it was changed, producing a superior and more radical sound.

External signal processors for processing an external signal

The ESP allows you to use the pitch or volume of an external audio source to control the synthesizer. For example, you can input an electric guitar and use the MS-20 mini as a guitar synth, or input a mic and use it as a vocal synthesizer. The MS-20 mini truly carries on the experimental spirit of the original.

Extremely flexible patching system

The patching system lets you create complex sounds by plugging in cables to change the connections between the various units, the only limit is your imagination! Different combinations of the modulation I/O and trigger, sample, hold and noise generator can produce an incredible variety of sounds. Easy to patch thanks to the MS-20 flow chart, even a beginner can start to take advantage of the possibilities right away.

86 of the size of the original

In spite of its smaller size, meticulous care has been taken to accurately reproduce the knob design and the printing, continuing the MS-20 design concept which started by borrowing from the vertical layout found on larger and more expensive modular synths of its time and then creating a more portable, affordable and easier-to-use version. The patch cables have been changed to mini-plugs, with a smaller, newly-designed keyboard.

MIDI IN and USB connector

A MIDI In jack is provided for receiving note messages, along with a USB-MIDI connector that can transmit and receive. This even allows you to connect your mini to your computer ans play it from a sequencer.

The MS-20 mini replicates every detail of the original. Experience the real excitement of the MS-20, just like it was at its launch in 1978. Even the packaging of the MS-20 mini will be familiar to some!

Features

For further detailed specifications, please download the PDF from the link at the top of this page.

• Overseen by the engineers of the original MS-20 for a complete replication of the original analog circuity
• 2VCO / 2VCA / 2VCF / 2EG / 1LFO Structure
• Self-oscillating high-pass/low-pass filters with distinctive distortion
• External signal processor (ESP)
• Extremely flexible patching system
• Faithful recreation of the MS-20 at 86 of the size
• MIDI IN and USB connector
• Replicates every detail of the original, down to the package binding and the included manual

Specifications

Control Section

• 1. Keyboard: C - C: 37-notes (3 octaves), mini keyboard designed specifically for the MS-20 mini
• 2. Voltage Controlled Oscillator 1 (VCO 1):
  • Scale (32', 16', 8', 4') (6 octaves, +cent, -cent)
  • Wave form (Triangle, Sawtooth, PW-Square, White Noise) (4 modes)
  • Pulse width adjust 1:1 - 1:infinity

• 3. Voltage Controlled Oscillator 2 (VCO 2):
  • Scale (16', 8', 4', 2') (6 octaves, +cent, -cent)
  • Wave form (Sawtooth, Square, Pulse, Ring modulator) (4 modes)
  • Pitch (± 1 octave)

• 4. VCO Master control:
  • Master tune (± 100cent)
  • Portamento (max. 10sec)
  • FFrequency modulation intensity by MG/T.EXT (-5V - +5V)
  • Frequency modulation intensity by EG1/EXT (-5V - 0V)

• 5. VCO Mixer:
  • VCO 1 Level
  • VCO 2 Level

• 6. Voltage Controlled High Pass Filter (VCF HPF):
  • Cutoff frequency (50Hz - 15,000Hz)
  • Peak (flat - self OSC)
  • Cutoff frequency modulation intensity by MG/T.EXT (-5V - +5V)
  • Cutoff frequency modulation intensity by EG2/EXT (-5V - +5V)

• 7. Voltage Controlled Low Pass Filter (VCF LPF):
  • Cutoff frequency (50Hz - 15,000Hz)
  • Peak (flat - self OSC)
  • Cutoff frequency modulation intensity by MG/T.EXT (-5V - +5V)
  • Cutoff frequency modulation intensity by EG2/EXT (-5V - +5V)

• 8. Envelope Generator 1:
  • Delay time (10sec)
  • Attack time (10sec)
  • Release time (10sec)

• 9. Envelope Generator 2:
  • Hold time (20sec)
  • Attack time (10sec)
  • Decay time (10sec)
  • Sustain level (0V - 5V)
  • Release time (10sec)

• 10. Modulation Generator (LFO):
  • Wave form (Positive Sawtooth - Triangle - Negative Sawtooth, Wide Pulse - Square - Narrow Pulse)
  • Frequency (0.1Hz 20Hz)

• 11. Manual controller:
  • Cntrol wheel (center click)
  • Momentary switch -->GND

• 12. Power switch and Volume:
  • Volume

• 13. Indicator: LED (KBD trigger, Modulation Generator rate, Power ON)

External Signal Processor

• 1. Control section:
  • Input signal level
  • Low cut frequency (50Hz - 2,500Hz)
  • High cut frequency (100Hz - 5,000Hz)
  • CV adjust
  • Threshold level

• 2. Input and Output:
  • Signal In
  • Amplifier Out
  • Band pass filter Out
  • CV Out (0 - +8.4V)
  • ENV Out (0 - +5V)
  • Trig Out (+5V-->GND)

• 3. Indicator (LED):
  • Peak indicator
  • Trigger indicator

Patch Panel

• 1. Keyboard:
  • Keyboard control voltage output (Exponential) (0 - +8V)
  • Keyboard trigger output (+5V-->GND)
  • VCO-1 + VCO-2 control voltage input (Linear response) (0 - +8V)
  • VCO-2 control voltage input (Linear response) (0 - +8V)

• 2. VCO:
  • VCO-1 + VCO-2 external frequency control input (OCT/V) (-5V - +5V)

• 3. VCF:
  • External signal input (3Vp-p max.)
  • External High pass filter cutoff frequency control input (2OCT/V) (-5V - +5V)
  • External Low pass filter cutoff frequency control input (2OCT/V) (-5V - +5V)

• 4. VCO + VCF:
  • Total external modulation input (T.EXT) (-5V - +5V)

• 5. VCA:
  • External initial gain control input (0 - +5V)

• 6. EG:
  • EG 1 envelope signal normal output (-5V - 0V)
  • EG 1 envelope signal reverse output (+5V - 0V)
  • EG 1 + EG 2 trigger input (-->GND)
  • EG 1 trigger input (-->GND)
  • EG 2 envelope signal reverse output (+5V - 0V)

• 7. MG:
  • Triangle output (Positive Sawtooth - Triangle - Negative Sawtooth) (5Vp-p)
  • Rectangle output (Wide Pulse - Square - Narrow Pulse)(0 - +5V)

• 8. Noise Generator:
  • Pink noise output (5Vp-p)
  • White noise output (5Vp-p)

• 9. Sample and Hold:
  • Clock trigger input (-->GND)
  • Sample signal input (5Vp-p max.)
  • S/H output (5Vp-p max.)

• 10. Modulation VCA:
  • Control voltage input (0 - +5V)
  • Signal input (-5V - +5V)
  • Signal output (-5V - +5V)

• 11. Manual controller:
  • Control wheel output (-5V<--0V-->+5V)
  • Momentary switch output (-->GND)

• 12. Signal out:
  • Signal output (mono 1/8" mini phone jack, 2Vp-p output impedance 3.5k Ω)

• 13. Head phones:
  • Head phones output (Stereo 1/8" mini phone jack, 33 Ω 48mW)

• 14. USB:
  • Type B, USB-MIDI Input/Output *Only note messages (velocity is not used) can be transmitted and received.

• 15. MIDI:
  • MIDI Input *Only note messages (velocity is not used) can be transmitted and received.

Others

• Power Consumption: 9W
• Power Supply: DC9V
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 493 ×257 × 208 mm / 19.41 x 10.12 x 8.19 inches
• Weight: 4.8 kg / 10.58 lbs.
• Accessories: AC adaptor (9V/1.7A), Patch Cord x 10