Make the Korg MS-20 Synthesizer Sing Like Goldfrapp

Audio and Video by G-Storm Electro c.2017
In this quick video I show how to make the Korg MS-20 synthesizer achieve the weird theremin-like, sci-fi, singing as heard on the Goldfrapp Felt Mountain album. This classic sound is so very renowned for the MS-20.
Alison would send her mic into the External Signal Processor. This sends pitch and gate control voltages to control the synth. We don't actually need to do that. As the sound is coming from the synth engine, we can simply use the keyboard to control it.
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Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Goldfrapp.

[@jamesahanington]

I believe the actual sound on the album is Alison singing through the ESP on the MS20 and then using cv to control the pitch of the oscillators

[@EricLouthainTGC]

This is arriving in the mail soon. I am so fr3cken excited. It seems limitless

[@Domineaus]

3:08 Sounds more like Yoko Ono 😂

[@victoriacarmillahazemaze3483]

I have found a synth that sound very similar to Goldfrapp, it's called "mai tai" it comes with the DAW Studio One when you download it, You go to the synth Mai Tai, then the "lead presets" and finally you pick "Tomita Vox II".

[@victoriacarmillahazemaze3483]

I have used it for several songs and it works amazing.

[@jessihawkins9116]

sounds like a cat with hemorrhoids trying to go to the bathroom 🤔

[@davidnesselhauf2988]

wonderful, thank you!

[@86crush]

Brilliant. Legendary Goldfrapp. I'm wondering what kind of reverb was used on that "Lovely Head" ms-20 vocal part?

[@nobel11]

That's really cool. Thanks!

[@fender1000100]

Best sound I've ever heard come out of an analogue synth wow.

[@sacredgeometry]

Then you really need to listen to more music.

[@nickmastro6870]

Love it. I often record instruments through my Minilogue as an envelope filter/delay type of thing, have not tried it as a vocoder at all

[@tuxedo1557]

how? i thought the minilouge didnt have an external in?

[@nickmastro6870]

@@tuxedo1557 yes you can plug any instrument through the audio in, and find a way to open the filter by either holding a key or creating a quiet sequence of empty notes.

[@nickmastro6870]

@@tuxedo1557 I believe this feature is only on the first minilogue model, not the XD, but im not sure

[@tuxedo1557]

@@nickmastro6870 thats crazy, it is true the minilouge xd doesn’t have that feature

[@yydmzkz09]

thank you so much! You nailed it. I'm wondering if it's possible to blend this sound with real voice? I guess it would mean having ESP involved, while preserving the original synth setting...

[@gstormelectro]

Oh yes, run the ESP output (third jack from the left) to the external input located near the top of the jack field.

[@Yovavision]

Awesome

[@coldwar1977]

MS-20 opera!

[@actionlight2102]

Seems does not follow the musical scale in keyboard notes, am i wrong? Thanks

[@PeterDad60]

I just received my Korg MS-20 Mini yesterday. How do I activate the "Portamento"? I observed you just turning the control knob clockwise, when I do that to mine nothing happens. I heard there is a setting or a patch cable setup. But again I do not see you using a patch cable to get Portamento.

[@PeterDad60]

I can get the Portamento knob to make a very subtle difference. I am guessing that it has a more pronounced effect with certain other settings of the synth.

[@gstormelectro]

Increase the release time of the Envelope Generator #2.

[@PeterDad60]

Thanks you so much for taking the time to help me, and you replied in a very timely manner too! -Peter

[@brosephthomas3764]

I imagine with a wah pedal this could sound even more fascinating! :O

[@fuzzpope]

Rad.

[@sinistar99]

*Bows