Description
<p style="text-align: justify;">Korg re-proposes the analog synthesis of the MS-20 in a compact format: same circuit, same filter, truly analog, with added MIDI In and USB.</p><h1 style="text-align: justify;">For those looking for a true analog synthesizer, the <strong>Korg MS-20 mini</strong> represents the essence of semi-modular sound synthesis in a compact format, easily placed on our desks or consoles. A perfect instrument for those who, in addition to the typical analog sound, want to delve into the world of modular synthesis, thanks to a dedicated section that allows the user to modify the interconnection between the circuit modules through patching. An indispensable tool in educational contexts where sound synthesis is studied.</h1><p style="text-align: justify;">The <strong>Korg</strong> <strong>MS-20 mini is a perfect replica of the MS-20</strong>. The design team was led by the same engineers who produced the original model in 1978, with the aim of recreating the same circuitry. The synthesis structure is the same as the distinctive original instrument. The MS-20 mini features two oscillators with ring modulation, envelope generators, hold, and delay. The VCA has been optimized to generate less noise than the original model, without, however, altering its basic structure. One of the most important distinctive features of the MS-20 was its powerful resonant high-pass and low-pass filters. Maximizing resonance created filter self-oscillation, which was a true peculiarity, a drastic change in sound defined by many as "inimitable." The same system is also adopted in the other analog synths currently part of the Korg catalog: monotron and monotribe. Mid-way through its production cycle, the MS-20 changed its filter circuit: the MS-20 mini implements the first filter adopted in the original model, judged by many to be the best for its characteristic intervention. At the time, another strong point of Korg's monophonic analog synthesizer was the external signal processing (ESP) input. This allowed - and allows in the new mini model - to use the pitch and volume of an external audio source to control the synthesis engine. Thanks to the integrated patchbay on the right side of the panel, it is possible to connect the various modules to each other to create more complex sounds. The sonic possibilities are confined only by the user's imagination, as different combinations of modulation in/out trigger, sample and hold, and noise generator can give rise to an invaluable variety of sounds. Thanks to the silkscreen printing on the patchbay panel, these operations will be easy to perform even for beginners.<span> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/productsFT.php?str=ms-20%20FS"><strong>ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THE FULL SCALE VERSION: CLICK HERE</strong></a></p><p style="text-align; justify;"><strong>The MS-20 mini has a traditional MIDI input</strong><span> </span>in DIN format and a <strong>USB MIDI port</strong> for transmitting and receiving only notes (no velocity, no controller). You can therefore play the mini-MS-20 using other MIDI keyboards, or from your computer. At the same time, with the instrument's keyboard, you can play software instruments installed on your computer. The efforts to achieve a rigorous reproduction of the original were not limited to the product itself. The box also perfectly reproduces the original, including the product's original manual, with its relative setup instructions.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Strengths of the Korg MS-20 mini:</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">- Meticulous replica of the original MS-20<br />- Designed by the same engineers from 1978<br />- 14% reduced size<br />- Structure: 2VCO/2VCA/2VCF/2EG/1LFO<br />- Self-oscillating high-pass and low-pass filters<br />- External Signal Processing (ESP)<span> </span><br />- Flexible patching system<br />- MIDI In and USB I/O connections (notes only, no velocity and controls)<br />- Perfect replica: from the circuit to the box, including the manual</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Introduced to the market in 1978, the Korg MS-20 monophonic synthesizer is still one of the most sought-after and appreciated analog synths, thanks to its rich and powerful sound, its iconic analog filter, and the extreme versatility offered by its patching options. Nearly 400,000 people have enjoyed and used the distinctive sound of the MS-20, in its original version, in the virtual version available for both PC and MAC computers, and as an iPad application (iMS-20). Designed by the same engineers who took part in the development of the original MS-20, this new version uses the <strong>same circuitry and the same attractive look, reducing the instrument's size by about 14%</strong>. The MS-20 mini brings authentic analog sound into the hands of today's musicians, DJs, and producers.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Comments from the Korg MS-20 mini designers</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Fifty years after Korg's founding, we've returned to working on an analog synthesizer. We paid particular attention to providing precise and continuous parameter control, as required by analog synthesis. The same dedication we put into reproducing the original MS-20 specifications. The analog circuitry we designed 35 years ago continues to generate an inimitable, powerful sound across the entire frequency range, from ultra-low to the highest frequencies. We invite you to try this instrument for yourself, to personally appreciate this sonic experience.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/productsFT.php?str=ms-20%20FS"><strong>ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THE FULL SCALE VERSION: CLICK HERE</strong></a></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Precise replica of the original MS-20 circuitry</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The <strong>Korg MS20 mini</strong> is a perfect replica of the MS20. The design team was led by the same engineers as the original model, with the aim of recreating the same circuitry, meticulously evaluating, with careful comparisons, the use of any substitute components for those no longer available on the market today. The synthesis structure is the same. <strong>MS20mini</strong> features two oscillators with ring modulation, envelope generators, hold, and delay. The VCA has been optimized to generate less noise than the original model, without, however, altering its basic structure. One of the most important distinctive features of the MS-20 was its powerful resonant high-pass and low-pass filters. Maximizing resonance created filter self-oscillation, which was a true peculiarity, a drastic change in sound defined by many as "inimitable." The same system is also adopted in the other analog synths currently part of the Korg catalog: monotron and monotribe. Mid-way through its production cycle, the MS-20 changed its filter circuit: the MS-20 mini uses the first filter implemented in the original model, judged by many to be the best, for its drastic intervention. At the time, another strong point of Korg's monophonic analog synthesizer was the external signal processing (ESP) input. This allowed, and allows in the new mini model, to use the pitch and volume of an external audio source to control the synthesis engine. For example, you can connect an electric guitar as an input and use the MS-20 mini as a guitar synth, or connect a microphone and use your voice to generate melodies. Thanks to the integrated patchbay on the right side of the panel, it is possible to connect the various modules to each other to create more complex sounds. The sonic possibilities are confined only by the user's imagination, as different combinations of modulation in/out trigger, sample and hold, and noise generator can give rise to an invaluable variety of sounds. Thanks to the silkscreen printing on the patchbay panel, these operations will be easy to perform even for beginners.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Perfect reproduction of the MS20 in a compact size</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The underlying concept of the MS-20's design was based on reproducing the layout of the expensive modular synths of the era, revised to bring a more affordable and user-friendly product into the hands of the user. To adapt to current market demands, the MS-20 mini is reduced, occupying only 86% of the footprint of its predecessor. Despite its compact size, meticulous effort has been put into perfectly reproducing the knobs and panel of the instrument. The patch connectors have been modified, now being mini-jack type (no longer 1/4" jacks), as has the keyboard. This has been redesigned ad hoc, thus saving approximately 14% of the space occupied by the original model. </p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Replica of the Korg MS20 in every detail of the original</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The efforts to achieve a rigorous reproduction of the original were not limited to the product itself. The box also perfectly reproduces the original, including the product's original manual, with its relative setup instructions (the presets of yesteryear...).</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>MIDI IN and USB connectors of the Korg MS20-mini</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The MS-20 mini has a traditional MIDI input in DIN format and a USB port for transmitting and receiving only MIDI notes (no velocity, no controllers). You can therefore play the mini-MS-20 using other MIDI keyboards, or from your computer.</p>At the same time, you can use the instrument's keyboard to play software instruments installed on your computer.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/productsFT.php?str=ms-20%20FS"><strong>INTERESTED IN THE FULL SCALE VERSION: CLICK HERE</strong></a></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>KORG MS-20mini TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS</strong></h2><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Control Section</strong></h3><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Keyboard: </strong>37 notes (3 octaves from C to C) specially designed mini-key<br /><strong><em>Voltage Controlled Oscillator</em></strong> <strong>1 (VCO 1):</strong><br />Scale: 32', 16', 8', 4' (6 octaves, +cent, -cent)<br />Waveform selector: Triangle, Sawtooth, PW-Square, White noise (4 modes)<br />Pulse width adjustment: 1:1 - 1:infinity<br /><strong><em>Voltage Controlled Oscillator</em></strong> <strong>2 (VCO 2)</strong><br />Scale: 16', 8', 4', 2' (6 octaves, +cent, -cent)<br />Waveform selector: Sawtooth, Square, Pulse, Ring modulator (4 modes)<br />Pitch control (± 1 octave)<br /><strong>VCO Master control: Master tune(± 100cent)</strong><br />Portamento (max. 10sec)<br />Frequency modulation intensity by MG/T.EXT (-5V - +5V)<br />Frequency modulation intensity by EG1/EXT (-5V - 0V)<br /><strong>VCO Mixer:</strong><br />VCO 1 volume control<br />VCO 2 Level control<br /><strong>Voltage Controlled High Pass Filter (VCF HPF):</strong><br />Cutoff frequency (50Hz -15,000Hz)<br />Peak (flat -self OSC)<br />Cutoff modulation intensity by MG/T.EXT (-5V -+5V)<br />Cutoff modulation intensity by EG2/EXT (-5V -+5V)<br /><strong>Voltage Controlled Low Pass Filter (VCF LPF):</strong><br />Cutoff frequency (50Hz -15,000Hz)<br />Peak (flat -self OSC)<br />Cutoff modulation intensity by MG/T.EXT (-5V -+5V)<br />Cutoff modulation intensity by EG2/EXT (-5V -+5V)<br /><strong>Envelope Generator 1:</strong><br />Delay(10sec)<br />Attack(10sec)<br />Release(10sec)<br /><strong>Envelope Generator 2:</strong><br />Hold (20sec)<br />Attack (10sec)<br />Decay (10sec)<br />Sustain (0V -5V)<br />Release (10sec)<br /><strong>LFO Modulation Generator:</strong><br />Waveform (rising and falling sawtooth, triangle, wide and narrow Pulse, square)<br />Frequency (0.1Hz -20Hz)<br /><strong>Manual Controls:</strong><br />Control wheel (center click)<br />Momentary switch-->GND<br /><strong>Power switch and Volume: </strong>Volume<br /><strong>LED Indicators: </strong>KBD trigger, modulation generator intensity, power<br /><strong>External Signal Processor (ESP)</strong></p><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li><strong> Control Section:</strong></li></ol><p style="text-align: justify;">Input signal level</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Low cut frequency (50Hz - 2,500Hz)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">High cut frequency (100Hz - 5,000Hz)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">CV adjust</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Threshold level</p><ol start="2" style="text-align: justify;"><li><strong> Input and Output:</strong></li></ol><p style="text-align: justify;">External signal input</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Output stage</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Band-pass filter output</p><p style="text-align: justify;">CV Out (0 -+8.4V)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">ENV Out (0 -+5V)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Trig Out (+5V-->GND)</p><ol start="3" style="text-align: justify;"><li><strong> Indicators (LEDs)</strong>: peak and trigger</li></ol><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Patch Panel </strong></p><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li><strong> Keyboard:</strong></li></ol><p style="text-align: justify;">Keyboard voltage control output (exponential, 0 to+8V)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Keyboard trigger output (+5V-->GND)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">VCO-1 + VCO-2 voltage control input (0 -+8V; linear)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">VCO-2 voltage control (0 - +8V; linear)</p><ol start="2" style="text-align: justify;"><li><strong> VCO:</strong>VCO-1 + VCO-2 frequency control input (OCT/V) (-5V -+5V)</li><li><strong> VCF:</strong></li></ol><p style="text-align: justify;">Input for external signals (3Vp-p max.)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">External High pass filter cutoff frequency control input (2OCT/V) (-5V -+5V)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">External Low pass filter cutoff frequency control input (2OCT/V) (-5V -+5V)</p><ol start="4" style="text-align: justify;"><li><strong> VCO + VCF: </strong>Total external modulation input (T.EXT) (-5V - +5V)</li><li><strong> VCA:</strong>External initial gain control input (0 -+5V)</li><li><strong> EG:</strong></li></ol><p style="text-align: justify;">EG 1 envelope signal normal output (-5V -0V)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">EG 1 envelope signal reverse output (+5V -0V)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">EG 1 + EG 2 trigger input (-->GND)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">EG 1 trigger input (-->GND)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">EG 2 envelope signal reverse output (+5V -0V)</p><ol start="7" style="text-align: justify;"><li><strong> MG:</strong></li></ol><p style="text-align: justify;">Triangle output (Positive Sawtooth -Triangle -Negative Sawtooth) (5Vp-p)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Rectangle output (Wide Pulse - Square - Narrow Pulse) (0 - +5V)</p><ol start="8" style="text-align: justify;"><li><strong> Noise Generator:</strong></li></ol><p style="text-align: justify;">Pink noise output (5Vp-p)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">White noise output (5Vp-p)</p><ol start="9" style="text-align: justify;"><li><strong> Sample & Hold:</strong></li></ol><p style="text-align: justify;">Clock trigger input (-->GND)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Sample signal input (5Vp-p max.)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">S/H output (5Vp-p max.)</p><ol start="10" style="text-align: justify;"><li><strong> Modulation VCA:</strong></li></ol><p style="text-align: justify;">Control voltage input (0 -+5V)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Signal input (-5V -+5V)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Signal output (-5V -+5V)</p><ol start="11" style="text-align: justify;"><li><strong> Manual Controls:</strong></li></ol><p style="text-align: justify;">Control wheel output (-5V<--0V-->+5V)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Momentary button output (-->GND)</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Audio output: </strong>1/8" mono mini-jack, impedance 3.5k Ω (2Vp-p)</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Headphone output: </strong>1/8" mini-jack, impedance 33 Ω (48mW)</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>USB/MIDI: </strong>USB Type<strong>B</strong> port for sending and receiving MIDI notes</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>MIDI IN </strong>DIN format (receives note messages only)</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Power/Consumption: </strong>DC9V; 9W</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Dimensions and weight: </strong>493×257x208 mm, 4.8 Kg</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Included accessories: </strong><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/tastiere-pianoforti/korg/ka350-alimentatore">AC adapter (9V/1.7A) <strong>KORG KA-350</strong></a> and <strong>10 Patch Cords</strong></p> <h1 style="text-align:center">VARIOUS KORG MS-20mini VIDEOS</h1><div class="row"><div class="col-md-6 col-sm-12"><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fSnzCWA_JWI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p></div><div class="col-md-6 col-sm-12"><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TiYZ8fWQ_S0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p></div></div><div class="row"><div class="col-md-6 col-sm-12"><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NaA_GSNHJ6Q" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p></div><div class="col-md-6 col-sm-12"><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gvTM8kB5K5I" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p></div></div>
