Description

Korg’s MS-20 monophonic synthesizer, first introduced in 1978, is still a coveted instrument to this day, thanks to its thick, robust sound, its powerful, iconic analog filter, and its versatile patching options. 
Over 300,000 people have enjoyed the distinct MS-20 sounds from the original, from Korg’s MS-20 plug-in synth, and the iMS-20 iPad app.

Today, the sounds of the MS-20 have been reborn as the MS-20 Mini. The same engineers who developed the original MS-20 have perfectly reproduced its circuitry and fitted it into a body that’s been shrunk to 86% of the original size, yet retains the distinctive look of the original that remains unfaded despite the passage of time.
The MS-20 mini will amaze you with its absolutely authentic analog synth sound. 

The KORG MS-20 mini is available in black and limited-edition white monotone variation model. This model is the first new color to appear in the nearly 40 years since the original unit went on sale in 1978. Based on the black that is emblematic of the MS-20's distinctive presence, this new model features a clean white monotone for its front panel and knobs, while retaining the faithful circuitry, 5-pin MIDI, and USB MIDI of the black MS-20 mini. Combining a completely new freshness together with a vintage feel that befits the MS-20 as the original semi-modular synthesizer, this limited-edition model will be a great way to add classic MS-20 sounds to any setup!

Features

• 2VCO / 2VCF / 2VCA / 2EG / 1LFO structure

The MS-20 mini 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 than the original.

• Self-oscillating high-pass/low-pass filters with distinctive distortion

One of the greatest characteristics of the MS-20 was its powerful filters, which provided resonance on both the high-pass and the low-pass. Maximizing the resonance would cause the filter to self-oscillate like an oscillator, producing a distinctive and dramatic tonal change that was acclaimed as inimitable, and was later used on the monotron and monotribe. 
The filter circuit was changed mid-way through the production lifecycle of the MS-20; the MS-20 mini uses the earlier filter, which was felt to be superior due to its more radical sound.

• External signal processor (ESP) for processing an external signal

The ESP carries on the experimental spirit of MS-20; it 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 synthesizer, or input a mic and use it as a vocal synthesizer.

• Extremely flexible patching system

The patching system provided to the right of the panel lets you create complex sounds by plugging-in cables to change the connections between the various units. The possibilities are limited only by the user's imagination; different combinations of the modulation input/output and trigger, sample and hold, and noise generator can produce an incredible variety of sounds. By patching according to the MS-20 flow chart that’s printed on the panel, even the beginner can start taking advantage of these possibilities right away.

Main Specs

• Keyboard: C – C: 37-notes (3 octaves), mini keyboard designed specifically for the MS-20 mini
• Manual controller: Control wheel (center click), 　 Momentary switch -->GND
• Input and OutputSignal In:Amplifier Out, Band pass filter Out, CV Out (0 - +8.4V), ENV Out (0 - +5V), Trig Out (+5V-->GND), Signal out: Signal output (mono 1/8" mini phone jack, 2Vp-p output impedance 3.5k Ω). Head phones: Head phones output (Stereo 1/8" mini phone jack, 33 Ω 48mW). USB: Type B, USB-MIDI Input/Output [*Only note messages (velocity is not used) can be transmitted and received]. MIDI: MIDI Input [*Only note messages (velocity is not used) can be transmitted and received]
• 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

Detailed Specs

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. Video