Korg MS20 Mini Monophonic Synthesizer

I was hesitant to buy this because I usually only use original vintage synths. However, this thing kills! Awesome fat sound that is very consistent with the original MS20. It’s not quite as gnarly as the OG but for this price it’s a no-brainer. Great for bass, leads & weird sound FX noises. Can do percussion stuff as well.Also heard complaints about the build quality but so far everything seems really solid. The mini keys don’t feel as small as some of the other mini keys I’ve played. Buy it!

A classic synthesizer brought back to life at a budget price

I used to play a Korg MS-20 back in the 80's, but I never dived into its deeper features. In a bold move for Korg, they decided to recreate this classic synth and give me another chance at it! The Korg MS-20 mini sounds just like the original as countless YouTube demos can attest. It's big features are it's high and low pass filters, both with "peak" controls (resonance), and it's patch bay. It's sound is very raw and vintage, but it's popularity over the years makes it iconic and part of modern electronic music as well. It's well suited to screaming leads, especially with it's high pass filter, but makes some mean bass sounds too. Korg deliberately sought to bring the mini to market at a low price point, and to differentiate it from the vintage model. To this end, ... MoreI used to play a Korg MS-20 back in the 80's, but I never dived into its deeper features. In a bold move for Korg, they decided to recreate this classic synth and give me another chance at it! The Korg MS-20 mini sounds just like the original as countless YouTube demos can attest. It's big features are it's high and low pass filters, both with "peak" controls (resonance), and it's patch bay. It's sound is very raw and vintage, but it's popularity over the years makes it iconic and part of modern electronic music as well. It's well suited to screaming leads, especially with it's high pass filter, but makes some mean bass sounds too. Korg deliberately sought to bring the mini to market at a low price point, and to differentiate it from the vintage model. To this end, it is physically scaled down, and fit and finish is budget. The keys are a bit too small, the knobs are a bit wobbly, and it is very light. That said, it seems to be durable, I haven't heard many complaints about it after long term use and it has been out for a while now. It seems a fair compromise to be able to get this sound and this flexibility at this price, plus it has basic midi. Overall, it is a ton of fun, an iconic sound, at a price both beginners and veterans can afford. Highly recommended.

A little powerhouse

The reviews already posted do a good job of describing this synth. And that is the key word; synth. If you're looking for a rompler, this is NOT for you.If you make the time and effort to learn to use it, the possibilities are endless. The word 'classic' gets thrown around a lot. First introduced in 1978, it had a five year run. Korg brought it back in the 'Mini' version in 2013. The design is decades old and, in the right hands, deliversBen Watkins, the mastermind behind Juno Reactor, says the filters of the MS-20 are the best of any synth he has used. High praise indeed.

For enthusiasts and singer songwriters a like

Overall:first off, this is my first analog synthesizer, I wanted to be able to learn without getting into something overly convoluted and felt this was the best place to start and let me tell you, I was right. Out the box this thing really sets the tone. (No pun intended) as many of you know the MS20 mini is a re-issue (thus the mini part) but this has no effect on the sound nor the way it plays. Quite frankly I could write a pretty lengthy review but being that I'm typing this from a cell phone I'll keep it short. The MS20 will pull you away from the computer, and not in bad way. Although the MS20 can receive midi data from your computer (there's no velocity available in the MS 20 so all the notes are set to maximum) you'll have to do all the modulation by hand, ... MoreOverall:first off, this is my first analog synthesizer, I wanted to be able to learn without getting into something overly convoluted and felt this was the best place to start and let me tell you, I was right. Out the box this thing really sets the tone. (No pun intended) as many of you know the MS20 mini is a re-issue (thus the mini part) but this has no effect on the sound nor the way it plays. Quite frankly I could write a pretty lengthy review but being that I'm typing this from a cell phone I'll keep it short. The MS20 will pull you away from the computer, and not in bad way. Although the MS20 can receive midi data from your computer (there's no velocity available in the MS 20 so all the notes are set to maximum) you'll have to do all the modulation by hand, and that's where the fun kicks in. And yes there is a clear difference between analog and digital. I must say adding the MS20 to my mix gave me more "umpf" that my virtual synths where lacking. If you're on the fence on getting one let me say this, I consider myself more of a singer/song writer then a "producer" and although this has a steep learning curve I feel I've been able to write better music with the MS20 then without it. And lastly, My hats off to zZounds. Seriously, these guys make it possible for some of us to keep current without breaking the bank. Their financing options are extremely flexible and fair. I honestly believe that most of their employees are musicians and generally care about the products they sell and the service they provide. High fives all around!

Frank (2014)

If anyone has seen the film, you might have spotted the Korg MS-20 played by Maggie Gyllenhaal's character. It sounds great in the film and on the soundtrack. After watching some youtube demonstration videos, I decided to take the plunge and can see why this is such a famous synth. The manual has some interesting setting suggestions and it feels like a powerful piece of kit. I like the weight and size. I wish it was polyphonic, but I guess it's good to be forced into a different territory and get creative. The dials don't feel as tight and crisp in places as I might have liked, but there's no real issues stemming from that. The white lettering near each dial could ideally be more prominent and easy to read as well. Finding and remembering good sounds is a little ... MoreIf anyone has seen the film, you might have spotted the Korg MS-20 played by Maggie Gyllenhaal's character. It sounds great in the film and on the soundtrack. After watching some youtube demonstration videos, I decided to take the plunge and can see why this is such a famous synth. The manual has some interesting setting suggestions and it feels like a powerful piece of kit. I like the weight and size. I wish it was polyphonic, but I guess it's good to be forced into a different territory and get creative. The dials don't feel as tight and crisp in places as I might have liked, but there's no real issues stemming from that. The white lettering near each dial could ideally be more prominent and easy to read as well. Finding and remembering good sounds is a little challenging for a beginner like myself, but for experienced players you'll probably have a blast with this synth. Overall happy with this and know there's more to come.

Great varlue for price!

This is amazing synthesizer! It is the same like original MS-20, but smaller + has USB and MIDI connections.PROS: the sound is definite KORG MS sound and the posibilities are really very wide. I like especially that this thing is semi-modular (well, it's not exact term, but it is very close to the truth!) therefore it could be connected to the modular Eurorack system. It is not plug and play, but it is possible using Harvestman's English Tear module, that converts signals back and forth for the Korg MS20mini to talk to Eurorack both ways.CONS: the knobs a little bit wobbly, but that's what you get for the price.Anyway, I think that it is amazing thing for such a price. ANd there are so much info and tutorials in the internet that helps to get it going, that ... MoreThis is amazing synthesizer! It is the same like original MS-20, but smaller + has USB and MIDI connections.PROS: the sound is definite KORG MS sound and the posibilities are really very wide. I like especially that this thing is semi-modular (well, it's not exact term, but it is very close to the truth!) therefore it could be connected to the modular Eurorack system. It is not plug and play, but it is possible using Harvestman's English Tear module, that converts signals back and forth for the Korg MS20mini to talk to Eurorack both ways.CONS: the knobs a little bit wobbly, but that's what you get for the price.Anyway, I think that it is amazing thing for such a price. ANd there are so much info and tutorials in the internet that helps to get it going, that it's a must to have for every synthesizer maniac ! :)

Korg MS-20 is awesome!

This instrument is too cool. As a songwriter, and recording artist, I wanted a true analog syth for accompanyment. That is exactly what I received. I feel that the sound is excellent. Some people complain about the "noise", and it is true with some amps (especially old tube amps) there is some hiss. But you can hear the same thing on the synth solo from ELP's "From the Beginning" if you listen to the vinyl. I would highly recommend keeping notes on how you create your sounds (in the handy book that comes with the MS-20). Mine has been parked on the dining room table for over a month now, and I sit down everyday and experiment with sounds. You've got to take notes though because there is no memory to store your settings. Personally, I like that. I don't want to put ... MoreThis instrument is too cool. As a songwriter, and recording artist, I wanted a true analog syth for accompanyment. That is exactly what I received. I feel that the sound is excellent. Some people complain about the "noise", and it is true with some amps (especially old tube amps) there is some hiss. But you can hear the same thing on the synth solo from ELP's "From the Beginning" if you listen to the vinyl. I would highly recommend keeping notes on how you create your sounds (in the handy book that comes with the MS-20). Mine has been parked on the dining room table for over a month now, and I sit down everyday and experiment with sounds. You've got to take notes though because there is no memory to store your settings. Personally, I like that. I don't want to put some one else's sound on my record, if you know what I mean. I think the package is pretty good too. I treat it like a musical instrument, so it is plenty sturdy in that regard. Just FYI, monophonic means that it only plays one note at a time, no chords.

My beloved KORG MS-20 Mini Analog synthesiser

I've been looking for a synthesiser for some time and stumbled across the KORG MS-20 from demonstrational videos on youtube and of course it's unprecedented place in the history of pioneering radical electronic music from the late 1970's that continues to this day. Firstly, there's the beautifully unique design, a keyboard with a built in upright panel of lovingly organised ports and knobs , this is really handy, it's like having an editing panel right in front of your eyes. The KORG MS-20 is a wondefully mad musical laboratory with endless room for experimentation, you can patch different sound parameters with the 10 yellow cables which gives it that crazy Japanese music 'science lab' feel. The manual gives many examples of different sound configurations with and ... MoreI've been looking for a synthesiser for some time and stumbled across the KORG MS-20 from demonstrational videos on youtube and of course it's unprecedented place in the history of pioneering radical electronic music from the late 1970's that continues to this day. Firstly, there's the beautifully unique design, a keyboard with a built in upright panel of lovingly organised ports and knobs , this is really handy, it's like having an editing panel right in front of your eyes. The KORG MS-20 is a wondefully mad musical laboratory with endless room for experimentation, you can patch different sound parameters with the 10 yellow cables which gives it that crazy Japanese music 'science lab' feel. The manual gives many examples of different sound configurations with and without the cables, so it's a great base from which you can proceed with your own settings. You can also hook up many other effects units to dramatically alter the already infamous KORG sounds. I've got this attached to numerous guitar pedals and a Yamaha SPX90 multi reverb effects processor into my Line6 UX Guitar Toneport using Logic ProX. I highly recommend this instrument, it's a complex work of art that stimulates and excites your imagination into interstellar realms of electronic space! I'm so happy I got this!

The best of the NuVintage School

I've had my MS-20 mini since 2013. Spent countless hours learning its functionality and giging it out in several bands over the years. I wanted a synth I could play, I wanted no menus, and I am uninterested in MIDI. This instrument delivers in spades, you can spend your first year not even touching the patchbay. Lots to go through, however, the patchbay is cabable of some incredible changes, including making this synth Duophone/Paraphonic. For example, using a Freeze Pedal and the duophonic patching you can create four voice chords.Anyway, I absolutely recommend this synth and have never regretted it. Much more functional than the Brutes and much better sounding. The MS-20 is my main squeeze.

powerful, wild, different, awesome, very well made

Beyond impressed by Korg with the MS20 Mini. The oscillators are powerful, both high pass and low pass filters are wild, and the build quality is stellar. The knobs are solid, have a great touch sensitivity and range. The patchbay can be confusing at first, but experiment with the included patchbook and you will figure it out. As a guitarist, I love the amount of overdrive I can get with this synth, especially if you patch the signal output into the external signal processor VCA, back into the external signal in you can push this thing into full fuzz and make it absolutely howl. Its also tons of fun to hook up your guitar to and be able to play the oscillators and blend your dry signal...and have the ability to overdrive your guitar signal right on the front panel ... MoreBeyond impressed by Korg with the MS20 Mini. The oscillators are powerful, both high pass and low pass filters are wild, and the build quality is stellar. The knobs are solid, have a great touch sensitivity and range. The patchbay can be confusing at first, but experiment with the included patchbook and you will figure it out. As a guitarist, I love the amount of overdrive I can get with this synth, especially if you patch the signal output into the external signal processor VCA, back into the external signal in you can push this thing into full fuzz and make it absolutely howl. Its also tons of fun to hook up your guitar to and be able to play the oscillators and blend your dry signal...and have the ability to overdrive your guitar signal right on the front panel without any pedals in site. I have big hands and the keys have a great touch and feel. Those that complain about this keyboard are just looking for something to complain about. This synth is awesome and has its own voice and playing feel.