Why the Korg MS-20 is my desert island synth
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ค. 2024
- Here are some reasons why the Korg MS-20 is my desert island synth. It's not perfect, but as an overall package it's quite versatile.
Here's the mini version: amzn.to/2XDtmrn
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What's your desert island synth?
Synthstrom Deluge, Making full songs on a box is magical
Moog Grandmother, sounds great by itself but the spring reverb and modular possibilities set it over the top
Grandmother
Moog subsequent 37 and behringer ms 1
The Moog Little Phatty.
I love mine,had it since my 8th year.....1978,was a present from my musician dad! He bought it and noticed I could not get enough of it so he gave it to me.
Usuallly the so-called synth "demos" on YT consists of somebody playing around with the controls without having the slightest clue to what he´s actually doing. When it comes to the MS-20 specifically, it´s always about the harsest side of the instrument. It was really a pleasure to listen to these warm and hauntingly beautiful lead sounds, it shows a side of the MS-20 rarely, if ever, heard, played by somebody who truly knows his way around the instrument.
trust me, they know. why should they tell you the obvious?
Couldn't agree more. Judging from every other demo, I hate the MS-20. This is the only video that actually sold me one.
@@F-Andre because they are snobby nerds??? Just asking.
You are so right! I hear nothing but the harder sounds and it never really grabs me. Actually I couldn't stand it. With this vid it does sound haunting and beautiful.
bleep bloop
This is one of the best channels for producers on TH-cam! You never waste our time, thank you!
This is the only Synthesizer that convinced me that it is really worth paying a fortune for. Very playful and inspiring.
Great choice, I have the mini, and it's the synth I spend most time on, mainly just goofing off on the sounds.
You can lose hours tweaking those little knobs and being shocked at the range it can create, I love it.
You hands fly across the keys and controls. What beautiful, expressive sounds.
Beautiful sounding machine, seems like almost any control combinations will sound good.
It’s such a classic, I would love to have one. IMO, this is totally a desert Island synth.
Thank you
I'm with you on the looks of the MS20. For me, it's the coolest looking synth ever made, and with the sound to match too. I intend to get the mini at some point. I can't believe I've gone this long without getting one.
this was dope. that thing sounds incredible in the right hands
Just bought the full size (green) reissue yesterday. Very interesting synth. Nice review.
So true: bought my first one in late 78, just when it became available. Still have it and in the meantime, loved it so much I added to it all its new iterations, hardware and software ones: mini ms, midi kbd controller, desktop kit, and even the nintendo one! And will probably buy the behringer clone anytime soon...
This is gonna be the first synth I'm gonna buy in my life.
Had my eyes on it a long time ago as well.
one thing I never hear people say about the ms 20, is how orchestral it sounds. in my opinion it makes amazing cello and other string sounds amazingly. another favorite is using the envelope amount knob for the frequency to obtain lapsteele like sounds. definitely a versatile machine
I've always felt that my MS-10 makes beautiful woodwind and saxophone type sounds. I've only just started to explore my MS20 mini in any seriousness (WAS considering swapping for a Moog Moogerfooger MF-101 filter pedal) these last few days and it's versatility is immediately obvious even without getting in to the patching side of things.
Would you consider expanding on the lap steel approach in detail? What envelope settings do you use to achieve this?
I have had my original Korg MS10 for over 30 years and I love it. I fear the day when it may have to go and that is a real threat at the moment. This year I have had to part with my beloved Minimoog and my Roland SH101. I know, I know but when needs must and all that. I do have a Grandmother and two M32's so not all bad. The MS20 was always on my wanted list but I could never afford it so will stick with my MS10 for as long as I can. Nice to hear the MS20 as always knew it was an awesome synth.
Inverted- Popes broken synthetic cannot be repaired?
@@ruxiwang9571 I think he means that he had to sell them.
My desert island synth will also be the MS-20. I got my mini featured on almost all my recordings and videos. Mostly as the lead synth!
Lovely video and sound examples!
Great Content as Always!!
Great video, and perfect assessment of the MS 20 pros and cons. I am amazed how durable these machines are. I bought mine in 1979 ; it was so affordable compared to the other synths available at the time, and I remember the music store owner explaining that the MS20 was made with super cheap components, and probably would have a lot of problems after 10 years or so. Would love running into that guy again:)
Japanese standard parts were very good at that time.
Love it ❤
Very inspiring. Makes me want to play my MS-20 mini (haven’t messed with it lately).
totally agree with all this. I have the MS-20M & it's one of my favourite ever synths.
same! MS-20M sounds a lot fatter and closer to the original than the mini in my opinion
Have an MS-20 FS reedition that I absolutely love, but hope Korg will do a second edition of the MS-20M someday, I definitely would love to get one too, occasions are crazy expensive now...
I really like that you're willing to admit how much the look of the synth matters to you, and I super agree that the look of it plays right into the inspiration and what you end up churning out of it. That's a lot of the basis for my new scoring system for rating the Sexiest Synths (criteria are: Sensual, Subtle, Supple, Sizzle, Slim). : )
Those sounds you left us with are incredible! Never played the 20. Desert Island: ARP 2600 for expression/design, but ultimately the Sequential Prophet 6.
Yes, ARP-2600, also from an sounddesign-educative point of view...
I have a blast pairing the MS-20 with a recently acquired Make Noise 0-Coast, and sequencing them with a Keystep, using the MIDI out to the 0-Coast, and the pitch (Hertz to volt), and gate to the Korg. The cross-modulating possibilities are endless. Outboard effects are the MS-20 through a ('natch) Korg KP3, and the 0-Coast through a Fender Reflecting Pool delay/reverb. I'm on a wait list for the 0-CTRL controller/sequencer, and judging from the demos, that should be a cool addition. I still need a Kenton Pro Solo for an extended Hertz to volt keyboard tracking for the Korg, that the Keystep can't provide. Nothing better than grabbing a beer, and a handful of patch cords. Off to sonic exploration!
I just got to borrow an original vintage ms-20 from a friend and I'm absolutely blown away. Couldn't agree more with you. The fidelity of it is insane. (video on my channel, sorry for shameless self-promo)
Great video.
synthe-shizer! ahaha, good one. Love it too, bro!
That was very enjoyable and interesting ! Do not hesitate to do more "why I love this synth" video !! that was great ; Surprisingly, on a desert island, I would go for my modified monotribe, (besides, it has a drum machine :p)
It's my desert island synth, too. Always easy to find a spot for it in any song, as you say. I've had mine for 26 years and it will definitely be the last to go (over my dead body!).
MS-20 is also my favorite synth. I have something to add: interface of this synth is just superior. Its just logical left-to-right workflow and it is very comfortable to control multiple knobs with one hand, while playing with another.
I would argue that with patching things become a lot more counterintuitive.
KORG MS20 is indeed AWESOME!!!! ♥♥♥
Sounds good man 👍 Inspires me to go mess with my own MS20 which I rarely do these days. My desert island synth would be a 1960 Steinway Model D 🙄
You definitely convey a very complete familiarity with the ms20! Knobs!! Yeah I can’t get over, nor can I at all put my finger on just WTF is wrong with the Griffer rotary encoders on Roland Aira EFX modules (allegedly having ~40000 positions), but they just lack any ruggedness at all, and they feel too flimsy, thin and not substantial at all. That definitely does effect my attitude towards those units. Beautiful environment. I’d have to take a Dave Smith PolyEvolver, but I have my eye on the MatrixBrute and haven’t experienced so much of what’s out there! THANKS for sharing!
Looks are very important!
What I like about it is the resonance is _on top_ of the oscillators and not cutting them out. I wish the minnimoog did that. (yes, hard to tame a minimoog esp the low end)
Amen, the MS20 is my desert island synth too. It probably feel lost at home with the MS20.
This is one of my favorite youtube links.
My »desert island synthesizer« would be one of the following (can not decide yet which one):
-- Dave Smith Instruments »Pro 2«
-- Korg »Minilogue XD« (with some installed user-oscillators)
-- Waldorf »Blofeld«
Each of the one mentioned above is extremely versatile and, DSI and Korg also have a sequencer ... heck ... I love them all! :-)
on the 0:42 moment is a typical sound of Boards Of Canada & Tycho . Love it
Would you be able to make a detailed video on how to run external audio through the filters? It would be awesome cause you can explain things clearly
I love the MS20 so much. It was my first “big” synth like 7-8 years ago and I learned a lot on it. But right now, my desert island synth would be my Minibrute 2s. All those patch options, LFOs, looping envelopes, filter types, plus the super versatile sequencer with their own LFOs and EGs per step, and duophonic sequencing, make it capable of so much. The Prologue or Digitone/Takt would be tied for my #2 choice.
I'd know particular interest in the Minibrute 2s prior to reading this and was giving more attention to the Microfreak, if only because it seems a little unusual but you've just whet my appetite.
I have the Minibrute 1 and I LOVE it. The Steiner Parker filter is amazing for so many applications I like to use it for. This synth is on my list next
@@neongalaxies5622 I have a bunch of moogs and dsi synths, but the minibrute is easily the most fun and versatile synth I own, next to my ms20 and modular (and ofcourse, you can hook them up together)
The MS-20 mini for me is (I only wish I had the vintage).
Got to be the Synthstrom Deluge for me 👍 but I do have an MS-20 original and love it.
I tend to agree with all your statements regarding the MS-20, it's not the best, but when you look at the "complete package", you have quite an extraordinary machine: the knobs, the filters, the design. It's definitely a desert island synth.
Browwa, you didn't have to tell. Everybody knew. MS20 is all over your videos. :-* My desert island synth would be... dunno. Probably my modular. Love the "Morgasmatron"-Filter, which is a direct descendant from the MS20-Filter. Combine it with 2 WMD-PDO Oscillators and some nice envelopes/lfo (Zadar) and you basically have a version of the MS20.
I like it.
Great sounds. I've only ever used an original MS-10. Real gnarly fcuker that one.
As an owner of an original Korg VC-10 Vocoder I understand your point : MS-20, MS-10, MS-50 and the stepsequencer SQ-10 was my ultimate dream... Unfortunately I never had one of the monophonic MS-synths but I've a vst version of the MS-20 in my Korg Kronos synth and in the Arturia V Collection 9 what I recently buy for Black Friday price. So, let's make sounds and music with the MS-20. Btw : the VC-10 is also cool for modulating external signal sound sources... When good used, it' a nice Vocoder-synth. And yes : totaly agree : the MS-20 design is very inspiring too... as a dashboard in a space ship... and totally black... as a black panther. I'm very sensitive for that part too... because a good design inspires always... It's the design, the presentation, the look and - of course - the knobs and all sounds - that apetize me to play and work with it... As a desert island synth : yes, the ms-20 should be the one, also for me...
it would be my desert island synth, too, if I could make it sound like this. Which delay/reberb are you using? sounds amazing.
My DIS would be my JD990 with Vin Brd , i just love it.
First seconds an Im laughing 😂 love this review !!
I have two of these beautiful analog synths I bought in the early 80’s.
You just can’t match these ladies at all. Anyway it’s so Korg.
But 4 oscillators with four envelopes in tandem, man that’s audio space at its finest.
What reverb, delay have you applied? Lovely dark tones here too 🙏
Did we ever find this out?
I’ve been trying to decide if I want to get another Monophonic synth, or a polyphonic synth, and this video has made me make my choice. I’m getting an MS 20 Mini. Thanks for the help!
@Guitarist Zero Get the behringer K2 it sounds way better then the mini, I have an original ms20 for over 30 years, bought an ms mini it sounds really high endyish not in a bad way just not as good as the OG. I borrowed the K2 from a dear friend of mine and it sound always identical to my original MS 20. I highly recommend buying that instead of the mini. Just go watch this video if you are not fully convinced. th-cam.com/video/A-tyaZgx3Ao/w-d-xo.html I can tell you first hand Behringer really nailed this one. I was truly amazied by the way they made it roar like my OG, also it has more functionality then the original which is just and added bonus. Good luck...
Guitarist Zero If you can find one, buy the full size key version that Korg released a few years ago. Also, all of Kong’s software versions of their classic synths are excellent and can be polyphonic as well. And you can get a Korg ms-20 controller for the software version. (Although it’s mini keys)
@@soarornor whats the difference between the mini and the original? is it really a 600-700$ difference in sound?
@@Lalaland.001 But no modulation wheel?
@@M3333CSoundwise, I'd say absolutely not if we're talking about the MKI filter type (the noisy one!). The big difference is in size and the fact that the mini does not feel like it is built to last, unlike the original.
Музыкант отлично чувствует звук и характер инструмента. Прекрасное видео, одно из лучших об этом синте
Great vid. I really like the MS20, not my fave but in my top 10. But what does intrigue me, as a guitarist, is the ESP. Purists forgive me but the Behringer K2 means I could test out my (mono) guitar synth fantasies for a few hundred bucks. I wonder if the K2's any good?
Good day sir. I've picked up an MS20 (Vintage MK1) as my first (ever) synth. Completely new to this & am looking for options to sync it to my other gear. I'm working with the Octatrack as my main sequencer. I'm currently looking at the Kenton Pro solo MK3 as a midi to cv converter. Would that be the best option out there or are you aware of other more suitable solutions to integrate this synth in a midi environment? Many thanks in advance for your advice.
I went to MESS Melbourne late last year and they had about 100 vintage synths out to play with. I started on the PS3300 and hopped on the MS-20 afterwards because of this video, and..it was good but after the PS3300 it didn't stand a chance to my ears. It was fun, but I think I should have jumped on the System 55, the CS80 or the DX1 instead. And yes, they were all just sitting there. It was a good day.
I would be recording everything. so many possible sounds, and i do love the sounds you were producing. As with the Minimoog I find it hard to recreate exactly what i did in a session of on the fly exploration, which is unfortunate. Is there any way to save a "patch" and create a patch library ?
saving a patch might mean here to remember the patch which is much easier by understanding the patch. i m on the way to this-got my ms 20 since to weeks now....check the youtubechannel "automaticgainsay" if you want to get to know the ms20. he has a lot of deep dive explanation and exploration videos:)
The ESP is magic. Run any repetitive sound through it and you will have an infinite source of material.
Not quite a synth but my digitakt. I would just make sure to sample as much stuff I can first, and I would pretty much have endless possibilities !
Do you have any effects on the processing when you do the little demos of the synth expression?
This video is very romantic (also I’m still obsessed w my MS-20 as well, it’s juicy af eternally)
It’s the patching that makes these girls totally badass.
Dude!!! What pedals are using with that shir?? That's some total blade runner sounding next level stuff! I wont ask you secret funk you got hoin there! Sounds really good though!
... and now I want one. Damn!
amazing video. do you know if your MS20 has the mk1 or mk2 filter?
Hey Man, I just got the mini one, but a little bit stuck with it, I'm wondering if maybe you. want to share some of yours diagrams for the nobs, I really love all the setting do you have in this video, I'll apreciate if you do it :), wel I appreciate a lot you channel, cheers from México!
I’m getting the limited edition ms-20 when it comes out in June
Did it come out and did you get it? How much, if you don't mind me asking?
I consider my modular system as one magical synth although it has many modules...does that count?
I am looking to play ambient music and your ms20 sounds gorgeous..
When i heard you play those soft notes you answered my question.
I will not be able to afford a vintage one like yours but there is a mini korg ms20 new available.
Do they sound just as good please?
Pete
From what I've heard they sound exactly the same. The mini is an exact copy of the original
Korg DSS-1! Would sample the whole island!
"Wilsooooon! W-W W-W-W-W-Wilsoooon!"
crnkmnky fantastic comment
If we're going down the sampler route then can I take the Prophet 2000 that I don't own?
damn this vintage MS sounds so brutal :)
This is the refined and lesser heard side to the MS20!
Lovely delay and reverb on those old synths.
The MS-20 has nothing of it. What you can hear here are all after-effects.
yes brother
I love my ms20mini, it’s my flagship. But the thing I am most sad about are the knobs and mini jacks. The filter knobs on the ms20 are the best.
Question for Once upon a synth: when you compose, do you simply plug a synth, record it, then unplug it and record with an other one? Or are they all always plugged in a patchbay somewhere not showned in your video? I am asking this because, I am struggling with space in my studio, and I think of going full software instead of hardware, or maybe record one at a time, like you seem to do.
he has a video on the patchbay he uses ;)
Right now I just use one synth at a time. I find it helps with my flow and creativity. So maybe I'll plug the ms-20 in and use it for a few days/songs, then switch it out for another for a few days, and repeat. I used to have a bunch of synths plugged at once but I found I made less music that way. Everyone has a different flow though, so it's worth trying both approaches to see what works for you.
i’m not mr once upon a synth but i used a mixer and everything stays plugged in all the time. way better than when i had my one audio interface with 2 inputs lol
@@onceuponasynth Thanks! :) That is what I thought. I used to have everything plugged and ready to go. Like I think they do when we track in a studio with a limited amount of tracks. So I kind of replicated that scenario with everything plugged and limited to a few numbers of synth, audio tracks, drum tracks. Like whole project limited to 48 tracks. But in the end, it was a real mess and quite limited. I felt like I put myself in a square. Limitations sometimes are simply.... limitations. Not helpfull for everyone.
Is this a KORG 35 IC MS-20? Sounds like a 35 IC, very nice sounds either way!
I bought my Ms-20 mini this week. Your video was the one that made me go for it. Do you have any tips to counter the noise that comes from it? I intend to record it with my audio interface but there is always an underlying noise.
I would imagine that some kind of noise gate (MXR Smartgate for example) would do the trick. Probably best to put it at the end of your signal chain if you're using other pedals.
Does the ms20 mini have delay built in?
What a beautiful testament to this iconic machine. What's your processing on it, in terms of reverb and delay?
valhalla room + delay plugins. Always my default return tracks in ableton.
Hellooo amazing video i felt in love with this synth but im still getting confused if i should get a minilogue xd or a ms 20 mini :(. Could you clear my mind pleasee!!!
You need an Ms-20 mini bro
What effects are you using with this synth in the video?
What delay/reverb are you using here? I'm considering getting the full size reissue MS20. I kind of think an MS20 should be black - do I be brave and get the blue though? Do you get a lot of hiss on your rev 1 like on the reissue th-cam.com/video/5cBTjBzDJzM/w-d-xo.html
I find the raw tone of the ms20 to be incredibly unique. It definitely has a sound. For a long time it was all I knew and was very much central to my production process. Over the years I have come to feel that it just does not have the punch of some of it's bigger brothers. These days my go to synth (and thus desert island) is a prophet 5. Even for mono work (voices can be defeated for clean mono bass sounds etc). Followed by a JP8. The MS20 has been relegated to weird distorted filter sounds and fx. I won't ever sell it though.
I will say that the ms20 is incredibly useful speciically because it doesn't take up as much space as a prophet or a minimoog. You can throw in looooots of layers and not feel overwhelmed in terms of squishing stuff into a busy mix. You could easily use four or five layers of ms20 to make a bass sound... Good luck doing that with a mini. Unfortunately a single oscillator of mini will quite often make itself more present in a mix. in a good way. Making the minimal Pop arrangements a lot easier with a mini than with an ms20.
I know an amazing synthesist who has worked with some of the biggest names in music and he says that he really dislikes the sound of the Prophet 5 for playing chords! Any idea why he might feel that way? Have never played one and probably never will but for a long tine (Freudian slip?!), er time, it was my dream synth until I discovered the OBX. I guess I just want to be Richard Barbieri!
@@MisAnnThorpeProphet as an amazing sound even for pads but really focused and maybe not versatile enough for his taste. Full and thick sound sometimes can take too much place in the mix too in certain situations maybe because of this he doesn't like it... ask him why !!! My go to string/pads at the moment are ensoniq ESQ1 / Korg M1 / Roland jx3p / Behr vc340. Would love a JD800 as well and dream of an OBX8 but don't deserve it so ! Definitely dig the UBXA and Neptune 80 if they are available someday ...
So you will take your efx unit to the island too, right?
in the 70's i was very close to buying an ms20, but got me my first electric guitar instead. although this certainly was the better decision, i always felt this slight sadness, every time i saw an ms20. now in modern times i have way more synth plugins, than i possibly could ever use, but aswhen cherry audio released their ps20, i decided to compensate my decision of the 70's and bought it right away. well, not a big thing, if you compare the price of it to the hardware version of korg. of course the vst is missing the tactile quality of turning real knobs and the sounds of the hardware version are certainly on an different level, but the sounds i get out of it still are bloody good! the ps20 also has some add ons the original ms20 doesn't have, like polyphony, unison and built in saturation, delay and reverb. so all in all i'm really happy with it and if plugins count, this would quite likely be my fist choice too to take along to a lonely island.
I love my ms20-mini. I'm very curious about Behringer's module, K2
i have one. it's wonderful.
It's getting great reviews. After watching this, I immediately checked Sweetwater, and it is now in stock (in the US). Very tempting.
Got to play with one yesterday, and it was a real treat. I like how compact it is, but I missed the modwheel.
@@ilan22gordon yes that is a shame.. but it sounds great and is a solid small unit which sort of makes up for it. also you can switch between the 2 filter types
there have been some comparison videos between the vintage, new mini, and behringers version. Id check it out!
spilled an entire beer on the keyboard of my mini, sold it for cheap and regret it. It really is just an instantly playable and ridiculously versatile synth. I'm tempted by the behringer, but feel like it won't quite be the same without the whole package, as just a flattish desktop module.
Have they captured the "unwanted" noise of the original MS20 filter on the Behringer I wonder?
Just a Opsix owner passing thru :-)
what do ypu think about MS 20 mini?
Glasses off!!!!!
You are kinda awesome.
Sounds like you have your island delay pedal as well.
Sounds like you are using a Binson Echorec or an Echoplex tape effect.
my deaert synth would be a moog system 55. or the one keith emerson had. but failing that i would take the moog little phatty with my four eventide pedals ( space, time fator, mod factor, pitch factor ) failing all that just give me my roland jupiter 80.
Is this the mini or regular version?
I just got the Behringer K-2, and it's very very close in sound.
Yup, closer than the Ms 20 mini, wich is quite strange
That B-K-2 is on my shortlist. So I take it you like it, ChasingDogma?
@@ConwayBob I was pleasantly surprised at how thick it sounds. I'm pretty green with semi-modular gear, so I use the Korg MS-20 app on my iPad as a starting point for patch creation..but it sounds so much more present than the software.
Once opon a Synthescheiser!
I love that kind of thing where you can just mess around hour after hour and get lost in exploration.