Nova Musik – Korg MS-20 Mini Demo

Here’s another look at the new Korg MS-20 Mini, with Technology Product Manager Rich Formidoni, at NAMM 2013.

In the video, Formidoni discusses the synth’s analog heritage and its added MIDI capabilities. Then he demonstrates how it can be used in a modular context.

About the Korg MS-20 Mini

The same engineers who developed the original MS-20 have reproduced its circuitry and fit into a body that’s been shrunk to 86% of the original size, yet retains the distinctive look of the original.

Features:

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

The Korg MS-20 Mini will be available April 2013 for a U.S. Street price of $599.00. See the Korg site for more info.

via Novamusik

24 thoughts on “Nova Musik – Korg MS-20 Mini Demo”

  1. Why do you think Korg decided to replicate teh MS-20 instead of going for a new design?. I mean the price is fantastic but don’t you feel that something is missing there,,,,thoughts?

    1. A friend of mine was complaining about the voltage, not being compatible with some modular synths or some crap. I personally want one and will be getting it this year. My only nit pick about it, for some odd reasons, are the screws on the front panel :), look kinda trashy for some reason, but I will get over it. 😛

      1. As for the screws – i hope no product designer ever listens to people like you. Are you sure you shouldnt be in the cosmetics industry? Seriously pathetic.

        1. Love that remark about the cosmetics industry, I have had four vinyl releases in the last twelve months and I have more on the way,
          These twerps who ‘fetishise’ machines, miss more than a point and are no doubt people who don’t use gear to express music, but to express ego.
          Korg have come up with the goods, Dave Smith has. Good reasonably priced machines so we can make freaky music with.
          I know people who have great equipment , and top notch computers etc , If I was to ask ‘when is your next record out mate’ they would be f’ckin embharresed , cause they are lost in ‘gadget aesthetics’ . lapping up plug in, after plug in, trying to be ‘sophisticates’ and producing jack shit for nobody.
          The most creative music is made with imagination and limitations.
          Keep music funked up and thank you Korg, even moog seem to be trying to claw back some credibility after the gold plated joke .

          1. If it wasn’t for the tinkerers who buy gear just to have fun, there probably wouldn’t be enough money in the gear industry to support all of the products that come out. So maybe get down off your high horse some time. I doubt putting out “vinyl releases” actually impresses anyone besides teenagers who still think it “means something” to put out albums. By all means, express yourself musically and make albums, but don’t think you’re better than anyone else because you do.

    2. New design and analog synths are mutually exclusive, don’t you think? Also, why re-invent the wheel? And, what are you missing? Don’t tell me it’s “DAW integration” or somesuch.

    3. I think the MS-20 is the root of korgs analogue synthesis. where they maximized functionality without compromising on sound. it’s a true classic machine.

      meanwhile they’re watching them sell second hand for thousands of dollars and are unable to get a piece of that market. the mini gets them into that market and then promises a broad range of future products which can borrow from their modern analogue explorations.

      but in point of fact they got so much right in 1978 it’s hard to beat. why not get a piece of that market before experimenting with it and possibly destroying the magic that makes people pay so much money for the original.

      I believe now they are in a great position to compete with Moog and the like providing quality analogue products for a low price and using their vast resources to develop and grow the products with full midi, combinations with kaoss pads, electribes and their many other lines.

      its a smart move.

    4. I think the MS-20 is the root of korgs analog synthesis. where they maximized functionality without compromising on sound. it’s a true classic machine.

      meanwhile they’re watching them sell second hand for thousands of dollars and are unable to get a piece of that market. the mini gets them into that market and then promises a broad range of future products which can borrow from their modern analog explorations.

      but in point of fact they got so much right in 1978 it’s hard to beat. why not get a piece of that market before experimenting with it and possibly destroying the magic that makes people pay so much money for the original.

      I believe now they are in a great position to compete with Moog and the like, providing quality analog products for a low price and using their vast resources to develop and grow the products with full midi, combinations with kaoss pads, electribes and their many other lines.

      its a smart move.

    5. I think the MS 20 is the root of korg’s analog synthesis. where they maximized functionality without compromising on sound. it’s a true classic machine.

      meanwhile they’re watching them sell second hand for thousands of dollars and are unable to get a piece of that market. the mini gets them into that market and then promises a broad range of future products which can borrow from their modern analog explorations.

      they got so much right in 1978 it’s hard to beat. why not get a piece of that market before experimenting with it and possibly destroying the magic that makes people pay so much money for the original.

      I believe now they are in a great position to compete with Moog and the like, providing quality analog products for a low price and using their vast resources to develop and grow the products with full midi, combinations with kaoss pads, electribes and their many other lines.

      its a smart move.

    6. I think the MS 20 is the root of korg’s analog synthesis. where they maximized functionality without compromising on sound. it’s a true classic machine.

      meanwhile they’re watching them sell second hand for thousands of dollars and are unable to get a piece of that market. the mini gets them into that market and then promises a broad range of future products which can borrow from their modern analog explorations.

      they got so much right in 1978 it’s hard to beat. why not get a piece of that market before experimenting with it and possibly losing the magic that makes people pay so much money for the original.

      I believe now they are in a great position to compete with Moog and the like, providing quality analog products for a low price and using their vast resources to develop and grow the products with full midi, combinations with kaoss pads, electribes and their many other lines.

      its a smart move.

  2. I think the MS 20 is the root of korg’s analog synthesis. where they maximized functionality without compromising on sound. it’s a true classic machine.

    meanwhile they’re watching them sell second hand for thousands of dollars and are unable to get a piece of that market. the mini gets them into that market and then promises a broad range of future products which can borrow from their modern analog explorations.

    they got so much right in 1978 it’s hard to beat. why not get a piece of that market before experimenting with it and possibly losing the magic that makes people pay so much money for the original.

    I believe now they are in a great position to compete with Moog and the like, providing quality analog products for a low price and using their vast resources to develop and grow the products with full midi, combinations with kaoss pads, electribes and their many other lines.

    its a smart move.

  3. I think the MS 20 is the root of korg’s analog synthesis where they maximized functionality without compromising on sound. It’s a true classic machine.

    Meanwhile they’re watching these old machines sell second hand for thousands of dollars and are unable to get a piece of that market. The mini gets them into that market and then promises a broad range of future products which can borrow from their modern analog explorations.

    They got so much right in 1978 it’s hard to beat. why not get a piece of that market before experimenting with it and possibly losing the magic that makes people pay so much money for the original.

    I believe now they are in a great position to compete with Moog and the like, providing quality analog products for a low price and using their vast resources to develop and grow the products with full midi, combinations with kaoss pads, electribes and their many other lines.

    its a smart move.

  4. Why? Well, they created the Monotron and we loved it and asked for more analog synths. They released the Monotribe and we still asked for more. They released the other Monotrons and yes, we wanted more.
    The MS20 is here and we still want more. Something is missing 😉 Poly please 🙂
    I think Korg is on the right path.

    As for the USB connector, old DIN connectors work fine, but most computers don’t have them, requiring the use of an interface with DIN connectors. Most of them just have one MIDI in/out. If you want more you’ll have to buy another interface. Having the MIDI through USB option just requires more USB ports. And if this is class-compliant, iPad users will be able to sequence it.

    1. I think Korg had got a Long term plan that we are seeing unravel now : as pointed earlier, they did notice the interest for “analog” etc, and indeed wanted to get a piece of the action, until now, very often under 2nd hand. The whole question was “how” to (re)enter into the analog game, as I understand there are cost issues and on the other hand a lot of competition from plug-ins and Virtual Analog options.

      They could have opted to play high end, like Moog did and does, leveraging their fame (the amount of limited editions is just one strategy to play on this “myth” factor) – and of course, quality must be there. But high costs can only be supported by high margins, hence high end products. DSI does the same. But both companies know they also need to widen a user base, hence the launch of more affordable products – the Mopho or the little phatty are expressions of these strategies : they also give scale to source components at better rates. Especially if it encourages analog elements suppliers to restart producing these elements on a wider an continuous scale.

      In the case of Korg, they need to play “mass”. This is their philosophy, they are not boutique. They are here to gain market share vs Roland, Yamaha, Akai etc… But before going Analog they a) “tested the interest to analog with the apps (and what a better to measure interest – just count the downloads…). Incidentally, the Legacy too could be viewed as a test to retro gear, but the cost and platforms did not allow to have this immediate test effect lile the app.

      Second they b) started creating components demand with low cost (and low risk instruments) like the Monotron series, which by the way, many treated as “toys” because of the build quality. Actually, the number of posts on the build quality of the Mini MS is quite symptomatic of something Korg must not overlook : quality.

      But with both boxes “ticked” (ie, interest and cost), they were ready to introduce a better equipped analog machine (with already experience from the Legacy controller – so again low costs in R&D). Now, the Mini MS20, is part of their low risk strategy because the myth is there, the interest is there and so the basic design (no R&D).

      I think this is going to be a big success, this will keep on creating rising demand for components (and lower costs) to eventually fund more R&D. So, I would not be surprised if we see in the near future, affordable analog machines from Korg in the 600 to 800 eu bracket, why not an MS20 with more features (MS 30 ??).

      You will also notice that Korg created the PolySix app : if we follow the pattern above, this may mean that they will put on the market a poly recreation. I personally would love that.

      So, that was me trying to “decode” strategies.

      H

    1. Was much better than the other korg guy who couldnt do ring mod on it, so the sonic state guy did it for him, all while holding the camera 🙂

  10. I’m about 95% sure I’m getting one. My only gripe (and it’s a small one) is that the main audio out is on an 1/8″ jack. I understand why they went with the smaller jacks for the patch panel but I feel like they could’ve left that one at a 1/4″…

  12. FREAKING FINALLY!!!!! BETTER LATER LATE THAN NEVER – A _REAL_ FREAKING SYNTH OKAY IM GLAD SOMEBODY IS _W A K I N G U P !___THE PUBLIC IS STARVING REAL SYNTHS AND NOT MARGARINE!!! YAY THERES HOPE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN…

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